WELSH CUP: Mochdre Sports reach R3 for first time, heartbreak for Buckley and Llay Welfare

WELSH CUP ROUND TWO REPORTS – OCTOBER 18

Llysfaen 0 Mochdre Sports 2

While the heroics of Tier 5 Llysfaen in this season’s Welsh Cup have rightly gained wide exposure, it is also time to hail the efforts of fourth-tier Mochdre Sports.

Jason Williams’ North Wales Coast East Premier side have reached the last 32 of the national knockout for the first time in their history.

They advanced to round three on Saturday afternoon with a hard-fought success over celebrated giant-killers Llysfaen at Llanelian Road.

According to the annals of Welsh Cup history, Mochdre entered the competition for the first time in 1999-2000, hammering British Aerospace 8-1 away in the first round before going out 3-0 at home to that season’s Cymru Alliance champions Flint Town United at the next stage.

Sports did not enter the cup again until 2017-18, and the furthest they had ever got was round one in 2022-23 and 2023-24 – until now.

This season Sports have won through four rounds, beating Tier 3 NFA 2-0 away, Central Wales outfit Machynlleth 4-1, T3 Pwllheli on penalties and now Llysfaen.

So assessing those results, Mochdre have been pretty impressive giant-killers themselves in this season’s Cwpan Cymru.

After a goalless first half on Saturday, Adam Hold edged Sports in front from the penalty spot on 59 minutes.

And progression was sealed when Joshua Grimshaw made it 2-0 on 85 minutes from an Alex Bowell assist.

Buckley Town 2 Colwyn Bay 2 (Colwyn Bay won 4-3 on penalties)

While Tier 4 Coedpoeth experienced penalties joy in the Welsh Cup on Saturday, two other underdogs were not so fortunate.

Cymru North Buckley were desperately unlucky not to get past the challenge of Cymru Premier visitors Colwyn Bay.

Jack Kenny gave the Seagulls a 20th minute lead, but Connor Littler levelled matters on 33 to make it one-apiece at half time.

Dylan Proctor’s clinical finish nudged the Bucks 2-1 up on 64 minutes, but the Town striker was later guilty of the miss of the century when he ballooned over an open goal when the next round beckoned.

Stiill it looked like a shock was about to happen until Bay keeper Mark Halstead joined the attack in added time and volleyed in a 94th minute equaliser.

Penalties it was and hero Halstead saved two as the Bay advanced 4-3 on spot-kicks.

Llay Welfare 3 Holywell Town 3 (Holywell won 5-4 on penalties)

A fantastic effort from Tier 3 Llay to take Cymru Premier Holywell to penalties only to lose out at the last gasp.

Ieuan Jones-Wellstead gave the Ardal North West hosts an eighth-minute lead, but Dominic McGiveron soon equalised.

Llay’s most prolific marksman, Jonathan Collo put his side in front again before half time, setting up the prospect of a major turnup.

Two goals in three minutes between 73 and 76 put the Wellmen back in front, Sam Baker and Fabrizio Murtas on the mark, but Collo struck again after 89 to force pens.

Town’s Alex Swindell produced a vital save in the shootout to ensure the visitors triumphed 5-4.