Llanfairfechan 1-2 Llanrwst United: Visitors avoid upset in JD Welsh Cup tie
Llanrwst United moved into Round Two of the Welsh Cup after avoiding an upset by claiming a 2-1 win over underdogs Llanfairfechan Town.
Elliot Croston gave the home side the lead before Ben Lundstram scored an equaliser towards the hour. Eight minutes after the leveller, Sam Jones turned the tie around in the favour of the Ardal Leagues outfit.
The only dampener on the afternoon for the Rwsters was the sending off for Callum Parry, who had recently returned to the club.
In their first appearance in Round One in 26 years, the hosts had the dream start to the Cup tie as they took the lead with only two minutes of play. An excellent break down the left from Ryan Dodd set up Elliot Croston who brilliantly drilled the ball into the bottom right-hand corner from 20 yards to make it 1-0.
Llanfairfechan had plenty of confidence in their play and could’ve been further ahead when Daniel Hughes’ strike from distance narrowly flew over the right upright.
Down the other end, Callum Parry’s individual effort saw him make way into the box after shaking off his markers but when one on one with Kyle Jones, the goalkeeper was strong and claimed the ball confidently.
With eighteen minutes on the clock, Parry was brought down by Jones in the penalty area for the referee to point to the spot. Llanrwst’s Sam Jones stepped up but his powerful shot rattled against the base of the post for the score to remain at 1-0.
Fechan were looking lively with goalscorer Croston having a go from 30 yards but Gwydion Owen was able to save well a minute before Dodd did the exact same as his teammate.
Llanrwst’s Thomas Jones set up brother Sam to allow him to break into the box on the left but once again, Kyle Jones smothered the opportunity.
A spell of pressure from the visitors saw Benn Lundstram pull his low shot wide from ten yards with Lundstram heading wide of the post after getting on the end of a ball pulled back across the face of goal as play neared halftime.
Shotstopper Kyle Jones made a superb last-ditch low save to his right to stop Parry from scoring an equaliser on the halftime whistle.
Llanrwst came out strong for the second half taking control for the first 20 minutes of play. Chances came to Parry and Lundstram but Jones was able to keep them at bay.
The visitors efforts paid off on 51 minutes when some great work by Sam Jones allowed Lundstram to tuck in the ball tidily into the net to bring the game to 1-1.
They doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute when Thomas Jones’ delivery was misjudged by Jones which allowed Sam Jones to tap in to give them the lead.
This seemed to kickstart Llanfairfechan who even through they were trailing, were the better side for the last 25 minutes of the half.
Thomas Croston’s chance from five yards swung into the side netting after a cross from the right before Elliot Croston worked well in the area and struck the ball straight at Owen.
Pressure kept coming from the home side who were pushing for their equaliser and it almost came in the 78th minute when a long throw from Haggas met Croston who brought the ball down well and instinctively half-volleyed the ball against the crossbar with Owen well beaten.
With Fechan throwing everything they had at Llanrwst, no one was able to capitalise in the final minutes of play.
In the closing stages, Parry was sent for an early shower when he was red-carded a minute before the end but it was job done with Llanrwst confirming their spot in the next round.
Llanfairfechan: 1. Kyle Jones, 2. Owen Bellfield, 3, Rhys Griffiths (16. Robert Farley-Hills 81’), 4. Curtis Murray (12. Ryan Pope) 54’, 6. Daniel Hughes, 7. Iwan Jones, 8. Thomas Croston (15. Cameron Hales 81’), 9. Ellis Jones, 10. Elliot Croston, 11. Ryan Dodd, 14. Jamie Haggas
Subs: 5. Jack Burley, 13. Iestyn Thomas
Yellow Cards: Owen Bellfield 88’, Robert Farley-Hills 88’
Goals: Elliot Croston 2’
Llanrwst United: 1. Gwydion Owen, 2. Hedd Williams, 3. Gruffudd ap Gwyndaf, 4. Christopher Nicolson, 5. Christopher Beardmore, 6. Sion Sullivan, 7. Thomas Jones (12. Matt Thomas 85’), 8. Cynan Edwards, 9. Sam Jones, 10. Callum Parry, 11. Benn Lundstram (14. Kyle Kelly 75’)
Subs: 16. Cai Evans, 17. Gruffudd Evans
Goals: Sam Jones 66’, Benn Lundstram 58’
Yellow Cards: Callum Parry 65’ 92’.
Red Cards: Callum Parry 92’
