While several Genero Adran League sides recorded convincing Bute Energy Welsh Cup victories, Pwllheli stole the headlines by knocking out Genero Adran North side Berriew on penalties at the Berriew Recreation Ground on Sunday.
Pwllheli took a 29th-minute lead when a Jini Hughes cross was met by Sian Moore, who converted for her 13th goal of the season. Berriew thought they had levelled before half-time, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
The hosts turned the tie around in a frantic spell after the break, with Dottie Evans chipping the goalkeeper in the 65th minute before Hannah Richards put Berriew ahead just three minutes later.
Pwllheli refused to give up and levelled seven minutes from time through Magi Hughes, who combined with substitute Hayley Rees-Jones before finding the net to send the tie to penalties.
For the second consecutive season, goalkeeper Sara Lacey proved the hero against Berriew, making a crucial save in the shootout to secure another memorable Welsh Cup victory for Pwllheli.
Wrexham Foresters came from behind to defeat Hawarden Park 5-2 at Clywedog Park, avoiding a potential cup upset against the newly formed side.
Hawarden Park made a flying start, with Farrah Aslam seeing her initial effort saved by Chloe Ankers before rounding the goalkeeper at the second attempt to give the visitors a shock lead inside the opening two minutes.
Foresters turned the tie around before half-time, as Maizie Johnson tapped home an inch-perfect pass from Madison Miles to equalise. Jess Sayers then fired a dipping long-range effort over the goalkeeper to put the hosts 2-1 ahead at the break.
Wrexham Foresters took control in the second half, with further goals from Miles, Ruby Smith and substitute Kural putting the result beyond doubt. Hawarden Park had the final say through substitute Tia Bates, who picked out the top-left corner to cap an impressive performance from the visitors, who can be proud of their efforts despite exiting the competition.
Flint Town United progressed to the next round in emphatic fashion, recording an 11-0 victory over Airbus UK Broughton thanks in part to a hat-trick from Shannon Hobbs.
The hosts made a fast start, scoring three times inside the opening 20 minutes through a Hobbs brace and a goal from Laura Williams. Further strikes from Riley and Kelsey Davies gave Flint a commanding 5-0 lead at half-time.
Flint showed no signs of slowing after the break, with Riley and Williams both completing their braces before Hobbs secured her hat-trick just before the hour mark.
Substitutes Hughes, Hastings and Eagles added further goals to round off a dominant display and seal Flint’s place in the next round.
Goytre AFC made history by reaching the first round of the Bute Energy Welsh Cup for the first time, with a Gabby Willavise brace securing a 2-1 victory over Trefelin.
Willavise did not start the match but made an immediate impact after coming off the bench in the first half, dispatching a penalty just five minutes later to give the hosts the lead.
Trefelin substitute Carys Thomas had a similar impact, finding the net shortly after her introduction to bring the visitors level. However, Goytre were back in front soon after as Willavise curled a superb free-kick into the top corner to seal the win and send the Goats into the next round.
Cascade secured their place in the next round with a convincing 4-1 victory away at Penybont, repeating their 5-1 league win over the same opponents earlier this month.
The visitors made a flying start, taking a two-goal lead inside the opening 15 minutes through proven goalscorer Ellis Lunn and Lisa Owen.
Cascade continued where they left off after the break, with Iris Jones finding the net just three minutes into the second half to extend their advantage. Chrystella Moreton then put the result beyond doubt midway through the half, scoring Cascade’s fourth of the afternoon.
Penybont rallied late on, with summer signing Megan Clarke pulling a goal back, but Cascade comfortably saw out the remainder of the match to secure their place in the next round draw.
Connah’s Quay Nomads secured their place in the next round with a hard-fought 2-0 victory away at Bangor City in an all-Genero Adran North tie.
The match burst into life early on when the Nomads were awarded a penalty, but Rosie Hughes was unable to convert from the spot. The visitors responded quickly, however, as Hannah Slack collected Hughes’ short pass before firing an emphatic strike into the top corner to give the Nomads a 1-0 lead at half-time.
The visitors’ slender advantage remained intact throughout much of the second half as Bangor searched for an equaliser. However, Megan Galeandro sealed the victory in stoppage time, finishing from close range to ensure the Nomads progressed to the next round.
