By Matthew Burgess
It was a day of surprises in an eventful fourth round of the JD Welsh Cup, as four clubs from the second-tier Huws Gray Cymru Alliance eliminated Welsh Premier League opponents to progress into the quarter-finals.
Upsets were the order of the day at Prestatyn, Guilsfield, Llanfair United and Caernarfon Town whilst current holders The New Saints eased their way into the last eight.
Craig Harrison’s side proved too hot to handle for Llanelli, who went into the fourth-round as competition’s lowest ranked side. Forward Scott Quigley returned to the Saints line-up in style scoring four goals in a 7-0 whitewash at Park Hall.
But events proved to be less predictable elsewhere.
At Caernarfon Town a bumper crowd saw the Cofis dump out Rhyl 3-2 in extra-time. From the seventh-minute it appeared an upset was on the cards when Danny Sullivan fired Caernarfon ahead. It took until the 77th-minute to respond for Rhyl to restore parity through Steve Lewis before late drama ensued.
Caernarfon skipper Nathan Craig had looked to have given his side the winner when he stepped up from the penalty spot in the 81st-minute but Steven Halewood’s glancing header forced the tie into extra-time.
Rhyl appeared to have the advantage when Craig picked up a second yellow card but substitute veteran striker Carl Owen – signed by the club this week only to help ease their selection problems – scored with five minutes of extra-time remaining to seal a famous Caernarfon Town victory.
One of the first first shocks of the day was at Aberystwyth Town, where the out-of-form Welsh Premier League outfit were no match for Prestatyn Town. The Cymru Alliance leaders led 2-0 at the break with a second-half hat-trick from James Stead sealing an impressive 5-1 victory for the North Walians.
Cefn Druids also failed to advance after playing much of their tie at Llanfair United with 10-men after Rakim Newton saw red just five minutes into his debut. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Steve Blenkinsopp put the Welsh Premier side in front but Llanfair hit-back strongly with Jamie Davies claiming a hat-trick in a 4-1 win.
A rollercoaster first-half proved costly as Cardiff Met eliminated at the hands of Guilsfield. The Met gained a 2-1 lead on 14-minutes when Adam Roscow and Charlie Corsby scored in quick succession to overturn Guilsfield’s early lead. But that lead would slip away when Louis Irvine and Andy Ford scored within a minute of each other to restore Guilsfield’s advantage. Cardiff Met defender Emlyn Lewis then put through his own net minutes before the break giving Guilsfield a 4-2 lead.
In the afternoon’s all-WPL tie, Bangor City made light work of rivals Llandudno winning 4-0. Impressive debuts from Louis Robles (2) and a spectacular solo effort from Gary Taylor Fletcher will give the Citizens renewed hope going into the second-half of the season.
Welsh Premier heavyweights Connah’s Quay and Bala Town both came through their potential banana skin ties unscathed. The Nomads quickly dispelled any notion of an upset on their visit to Haverfordwest County. Les Davies, Matty Owen and Matty Williams were all on target inside the opening 13-minutes. County replied through Greg Walters before Tom Fields wrapped up a 4-1 win for Deeside club.
Bala Town eventually proved too strong for Penybont but only after needing extra-time to get the job done. A fine Kieran Smith strike put Bala ahead but player/manager and former Welsh Cup winner Rhys Griffiths scored a late equaliser for plucky Penybont. Ian Sheridan, Anthony Stephens (pen) and Mark Jones all weighed in with goals to allow the Lakesiders to progress.
Welsh Cup Quarter-Final draw (ties to be played 25th/26th February):
Llanfair United v Caernarfon Town; The New Saints v Bangor City; Prestatyn Town v Connah’s Quay; Guilsfield FC v Bala Town.