JD Welsh Cup Round Four Round-Up – Penydarren continue unbeaten run to reach Quarter-Finals
Fifth-tier Penydarren claimed a scalp over higher league opposition to progress to Quarter-Finals of the Welsh Cup.
Christopher Colvin-Owens who was named Player of Round in the previous round was the hero again as he netted a brace at the USW Sport Park.
It was a weekend of high-scoring games, including a seven goal thriller which needed extra time in front of the television cameras.
Airbus UK 1-4 Carmarthen Town
The JD Welsh Premier League’s bottom side Carmarthen Town secured victory away at the Airfield as they made their way into the Quarter-Finals. The Old Gold who lined up strongly were without recent signing Luke Bowen who was cup-tied
Instead, Aiden O’Kelly scored his first goal for the club. Luke Busumbru scored to reduce the deficit for the Wingmakers to one but were dealt with a blow when Liam Thomas scored from the spot, with Liam Walsh also on the scoresheet.
Caernarfon Town 1-3 The New Saints
Losing finalists of last year’s final The New Saints were the first side to book their place into the Quarter-Finals, as Dean Ebbe and Aeron Edwards scored in front of a crowd of 1489. Darren Thomas scored the Cofi’s only goal which prompted a small comeback, but Edwards fired home in stoppage time to cancel out any comeback.
New signing Dean Ebbe netted twice on his first full debut for the club, having made an appearance in their Nathaniel MG Cup win over Cardiff Metropolitan last week.
Cardiff Metropolitan University 0-1 Aberystwyth Town
The Archers suffered a League Cup final defeat hangover as they exited the competition at the same stage that they were eliminated last season.
Malcolm Melvin scored the only goal in the South Wales capital, to give the Green & Blacks the victory, despite late pressure from Dr Christian Edward’s men.
Connah’s Quay Nomads 3-1 Porthmadog
Andy Morrison’s men confirmed their name was in the hat for the fourth season in a row as they saw off the challenge of Cymru Alliance side Porthmadog at The Deeside Stadium.
Joe Chaplin scored to give Porthmadog the lead early on, but Nomads showed their professionalism showed as Michael Bakare equalized just minutes later. With ten minutes to go until halftime, experienced forward Michael Wilde put the Nomads in front.
George Horan scored late in the second half to ensure there wouldn’t be any way back for Craig Papirnyk’s men.
Flint Town United 2-2 Newtown (3-4 p)
Newtown needed penalties to overcome Niall McGuinness’ Flint Town United at Cae-y-Castell.
January signing Alex Fletcher put the Robins in front, before Luke Boundford put the ball into his own net, to allow Flint a route back into the game, with both goals coming in the first half.
No goals were scored in the remainder of the ninety minutes, with the clubs needing extra time. Ryan Kershaw put Chris Hughes’ side 2-1 up but Richie Foulkes scored to send the game into a penalty shootout.
Experienced forward Jamie Reed put Newtown into the final as he scored the decisive penalty.
Llandudno 4-3 Ruthin Town (AET)
Toby Jones scored early on to give Llandudno the lead and calm the nerves for the home side, giving them a 1-0 lead at halftime. Tom Roberts, however, had a different plan, as he hit a free-kick from the far side which clipped off the post and into the net.
Dave Taylor came out to stop a Ruthin attack but it allowed Ilan Hughes to score from halfway, giving the Ruthin a shock lead.
Marc Williams clipped the post for Llandudno with five minutes to go but Four-time Welsh Cup winner Matty Williams scored with a diving header to force the game into Extra Time.
Moments after extra time began, Marc Williams scored as the ball felt fortunate to him and all he had to do was score from close range, which he duly delivered.
A hopeful ball was put over the top and Toby Jones grabbed his second of the game to give Llandudno a two-goal lead.
Osian Davies scored in the second half of extra time for Ruthin Town as he broke into the box but it wasn’t to be for them as Llandudno claimed victory.
Llanrhaeadr 2-3 Bangor City
The Citizens had to call upon their new boys to put them into the Quarter-Finals of the Welsh Cup.
Connor Roberts fouled Marc Griffiths to present Llanrhaeadr with the perfect chance for an upset, Iwan Matthews stepped up to score and give the Mid Wales side the lead.
Yves Zama making his debut for the club scored with a header to level things up just four minutes later. Another debutant Joel Bembo-Leta scored on his debut as he got onto Laurence Wilson’s free-kick to put Bangor in front.
The Citizens held their lead until halftime and minutes after play resumed in the second half, Bembo-Leta doubled his tally with his second goal. Bangor, however, were made to defend with ten-men as Laurence Wilson received two yellow cards in the space of eight minutes.
Minutes before time, Llanrhaeadr pegged one back through Daniel Graham. Dan Kelly received a red card in the 93rd minute though, as Bangor held on for the victory.
Pontypridd Town 1-2 Penydarren Boys & Girls Club
In what was an equal affair between the two sides, it was Penydarren who registered a victory over a side three divisions above them.
Christopher Colvin-Owens scored in the 12th minute from close range to spark jubilant celebrations but James Hill quitened the traveling faithful with an immediate response.
Penydarren had the better of the chances in the first half as they tried to test David Burnett. The Dragons, however, kept the game level into the break and enjoyed a majority of the ball and the better of the chances in the second half.
But with Pontypridd enjoying their best spell, Chris Owens hit them with a goal against the run of play as stabbed the ball past Burnett.
(Featured Image: Will Cheshire)
