WELSH CUP MATCH OF THE DAY 2: Tier 5 heroes Llysfaen make first round proper after dramatic win

WELSH CUP QUALIFYING ROUND TWO

Llysfaen 3 (Sheridan 6, Reynolds 78, Chapman 90+8)
Bethesda Rovers 2 (Hofsteede 24, 76)

Llysfaen will be one of just two North Wales teams flying the flag for Tier 5 in the Welsh Cup first round proper after Saturday’s history-making win at The Bananabeu.

Mike Chapman’s winner deep into added time ensured Faen progressed the furthest they have ever managed in the national knockout.

And what a dramatic win it was for Gareth Dentith and Gaz Sorfleet’s side over fellow T5 outfit Bethesda Rovers.

Llysfaen struck first on six minutes when Sean Sheridan found the net from a Scott Court assist.

Rovers levelled on 24 minutes through Herbie Hofsteede and it remained 1-1 up to half time.

The game was in its 76th minute when Bethesda grabbed the lead through Hofsteede’s second.

But Llysfaen were soon back on terms via Jake Reynolds’ stunning free kick.

It was now anyone’s game and Llysfaen grabbed the all-important decider in the 98th minute when goal machine Chapman put away his 12th goal of the campaign from a Ryan Roberts assist.

Llysfaen had Court red-carded a minute later, but the final whistle blew on a famous victory for the North Wales Coast East Division One side.

Both managers of the winning side praised the players after the match.

Gaz Dentith said: “Absolutely over the moon with today’s result, everyone on that pitch today gave absolutely everything.. Big shout out to Shez )Sean Sheridan) carrying on with a dodgy ankle.. Robo for Chapman assist even though he couldn’t even walk.. From the starting line up to the subs everyone played their part..

“Heart, desire and intensity from the first whistle to the last was truly unbelievable. Into the hat for the next round and this group of lads can honestly achieve anything they put their minds to.”

Gaz Sorfleet added: “What a day! We encouraged the lads to press them high and to not give them time to play and they did it really well, Bethesda are a good side though and showed their own qualities at times to get themselves in front.

“Not for the first time this season we’ve had to show real character and dig deep and we did just that, Jake’s free kick was superb and that never say die attitude got us in the hat for the next round with a last minute winner, which i think was thoroughly deserved.

“The big difference this season is the quality in depth that we can call upon. Extremely proud of the lads and delighted for the club to be in the first round.”