Cambrian BGC 2-2 (3-1 p) Rhyl: Cam reach Quarter-Finals after knocking out Lilywhites on penalties

(Image: Alan Reed)

Cambrian & Clydach Vale have reached their second Quarter-Final of the season after knocking out Cymru Alliance side Rhyl on penalties this afternoon.

Goalkeeper Daniel Bradley was the hero as he saved Mike Pritchard’s penalty to send the Rhondda side through to the next round. Rhyl’s Joe Sullivan and Ross Stephens missed their penalties, whilst Cambrian converted all of theirs.

Cambrian’s Cory Shephard opened the scoring for the hosts but Barry Torrence drew Rhyl level just ten minutes later. Substitute Mike Jones restored Cam’s lead in extra time but Ben Nash equalised moments later.

Dane Williams’ side suffered defeat in the Nathaniel MG Cup Final last week but licked their wounds and were able to progress past an in-form Rhyl.

The first real opportunity fell to Matt Cook after a superb cross from Aaron Hassall, but the Rhyl midfielder missed from yards out.

Cambrian failed to take their chances on two occasions. Firstly Joe Evans missed with a free-header after straying from his marker. Then Callum Shephard curled an effort from inside the box around the post after finding space.

Hassall was causing a number of problems for the Cambrian defence as his cross almost went directly into the goal.

Towards the break, Richard French appealed for a penalty but referee David Morgan waved away the protests.

Mike Pritchard’s close-range effort hit the post with Dan Bradley scrambling to retrieve the ball on the rebound. After almost falling behind, Cambrian took the lead. Corey Shephard shot from just over half-way, catching Rory Crowther off his line with a long-distance effort.

Crowther saved his blushes moments later as he dived to save Cameron Keetch’s low driven free-kick, destined for the corner of the goal.

His save proved vital as Barry Torrence levelled the tie. James Murphy put a low cross into the box and Torrence tapped home from three-yards out.

Murphy himself almost got on the scoresheet, as he shrugged off Kieron Coles to flick an effort onto the post. Captain David Thomas nearly put into his own net following a Murphy cross but Bradley punched away.

Sam Jones almost secured the game in normal time but his looping header touched the crossbar.

James Murphy had two opportunities to put Rhyl ahead in Extra Time, but both shots took a deflection past the post.

He crossed in for Mike Pritchard but his effort was turned onto the crossbar. From the resulting corner, Cambrian broke on the counter-attack. Liam Reed played the ball to Mike Jones on the far side and he powered the ball into the goal with a well-taken strike.

Cambrian’s lead didn’t last long. Ben Nash was left unmarked on a Rhyl corner and he smashed the ball home from close-range to score for a resurgent Rhyl.

Mike Jones almost bagged a brace with seven minutes to go of extra time. His acrobatic effort was blocked on the line by a Rhyl defender in the last action of the game.

Joe Sullivan blazed his penalty over the bar, allowing Liam Edwards to give Cambrian an early lead on penalties. Fellow Rhyl substitute Ross Stephens was denied by Bradley, with Mike Jones thundering home a penalty to provide a two-goal advantage. Captain Max Peate scored Rhyl’s first successful penalty but Cameron Keetch kept up Cambrian’s 100% record in the shootout to take the game to match point. Mike Pritchard took the penalty and Bradley saved to give Cambrian & Clydach the victory.

CAMBRIAN & CLYDACH VALE

1. Dan Bradley (GK), 2. Andre Griffiths (Carn Thomas 60) 3. Cameron Keetch, 4. Joe Evans (Mike Jones 90), Kieron Coles, 6. David Thomas, 7. Camilo Strinati (Kyle Jones 63), 8. Corey Shephard, 9. Richard French (Liam Edwards 71) 10. Liam Reed, 11.Sam Jones

Substitutes

Mark Crutch, 14. Mike Jones (Yellow Card: 91 mins, 15. Kyle Jones, 16. Liam Edwards, 17. Carn Thomas

Yellow Cards: Mike Jones 91

Cambrian Goals: Corey Shephard 47’ Mike Jones 108’

RHYL

1.Rory Crowther (GK), 16. Ben Nash, 3. Cai Owen, 4. Max Peate (C), 5. Reece Fairhurst, 6. Gareth Partridge (Joe Sullivan 73), 18. Matt Cook (Ross Stephens 81), 17. Aaron Hassall (Liam Smith 112), 14. Barry Torrence, 10. Mike Pritchard, 11. James Murphy (Dave MacIntyre 109)

Substitutes: