CPD Llanberis claimed revenge on Llanrug United as they knocked their local rivals out of the Welsh Cup after a 4-2 victory at Padarn Road.
Llanrug took the spoils in last week’s league match, however, it was the ‘Darans’ who were deserved winners today in a thrilling cup game.
Thomas Collins, Kurt Hellfeld and Gwyn Jones were all on target in the second half for the hosts after Nidian Huws had responded to Robert Hughes’ opener for Llanrug.
Cai Edwards did score a consolation goal whilst Llanberis were at 3-1 but it was to no avail.
The game started with both teams trying to stamp their mark on the game, it was the visitors who started brighter, a last-ditch interception stopped Aaron Hughes from having an open goal to aim at.
Minutes later Hughes scored as Mathew Edwards was robbed of the ball in his own box and Jake Calley-Thomas’ cross found the unmarked Hughes at the far post and he had the simple task of heading it in.
Llanberis tried to get back in the game but the final ball was lacking and the Llanrug backline was proving a tough nut to crack. The chances came to the home side, Gwyn Pritchard Jones went close and Cal McDonald drew a great save from Llanrug keeper Gerallt Bracegirdle.
The resulting corner from McDonald’s strike saw the home side draw level, Llanrug failing at numerous times to clear the ball, and it was the captain, Nidian Huws who was on hand to prod the ball home in off the post, and Llanberis were deservedly level. The home side nearly made it two shortly after but Ifan Mansoor’s strike from 25 yards cannoned off the crossbar and we went into the half at 1-1.
Llanberis had been the better team for much of the first half and they started the second in the same fashion, minutes in, they took the lead, a fantastic through ball from Ryan Owen found Thomas Collins and he finished confidently past Bracegirdle to make it 2-1.
Minutes later it was 3 for the home side and yet it was more trouble caused by corner kicks, Cal McDonald’s kick found the unmarked Kurt Hellfeld and his header was too much for the keeper and the defender on the line to stop. Llanberis were comfortable and had a 3-1 lead.
The home side looked likelier to extend their lead, however, Llanrug still had a glimmer and that glimmer certainly grew 20 minutes from the end as one of the many substitutes they made paid off and a shot from 20 yards out found the top corner and Llanrug were back in the game. Minutes later it was nearly 3-3 as a cross from Deion Hughes escaped everyone in the box and hit the post, but Tomos Owen was on hand to clear before any of the visitors could knock in the rebound.
Two minutes before the final whistle, Llanberis secured victory and was a deserved goal for Gwyn Jones who had run himself into the ground throughout the game, across from substitute Ben Rowlands found the striker in the box and he managed to squeeze the ball past Gerallt Bracegirdle, a goal that was certainly worth the cramp that came with it.
A deserved victory for Llanberis who go through to the next round of The Welsh Cup, a much better performance from the home side after last week’s defeat to the same side they beat today.
Llanberis:
Goals: Nidian Huws 41, Thomas Collins 47, Kurt Hellfeld 50, Gwyn Jones 90’
Llanrug United:
Goals: Robert Hughes 16, Cai Edwards 65’
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