Tier 5 giant-killers Llysfaen cause Welsh Cup sensation!

FAW WELSH CUP ROUND ONE – SEPTEMBER 19, 2026

Llysfaen 2 (R Roberts 68, Watson 90+2)
Barmouth and Dyffryn 1 (Owen 20)

Sensational news from The Bananabeu – Tier 5 giant-killers Llysfaen are through to the second round of the 2026-27 Welsh Cup.

The 10 men from North Wales Coast East Division One came from behind to knock out fourth-tier Barmouth and Dyffryn of the Central Wales League North this afternoon.

Bermo took the lead in the 20th minute when Ossian Owen found the net via a Joey Thomas assist.

It remained 1-0 up to the break, with the home side still in with a chance of a major cup upset.

Midway through the second half, the scores were level.

Ben Rawlinson was the supplier as Ryan Roberts made it one-apiece, sending the home fans into a frenzy.

Faen made a series of substitutions in a bid to snatch the tie, but things went against them in the 83rd minute when Rawlinson was shown a red card.

Surely a bridge too far now for Llysfaen to get the win? Not a bit of it.

In the 92nd minute, 39-year-old substitute Ryan Watson wrote himself into club folklore by knocking in the winner, top-scorer Mike Chapman this time with the assist.

The final whistle blew on an amazing afternoon for the Tier 5 minnows with the huge hearts.

Llysfaen have now progressed through three rounds of the Welsh Cup, eliminating Towyn, Bethesda Rovers and now Barmouth.

They have also advanced through two stages of the FAW Amateur Trophy and are into the next round of the NWCFA Junior Cup after beating Glan Conwy last weekend.

Faen have won nine out of 10 matches played this season and recorded seven victories on the bounce.

But it is in the premier national knockout where they have made the most impact.

The magic of the Welsh Cup! You cannot beat it!

LLYSFAEN

Alistair Macaulay, Ben Rawlinson, Josh Williams, Stuart Roberts (c), Jordan Russell, Ryan Roberts, Mike Chapman, Scott Court, Ben Franks, Ben Clift, Steven Collins.
Subs Used: Ashley Black, Henry Tayor, Ryan Watson. Unused: Michael Cash, Euran Preece, Nathan Ashton, Dan Batey.
Managers: Gaz Sorfleet, Gareth Dentith

ATTENDANCE: 100