There was late drama at the Go Goodwins Stadium as Caernarfon Town triumphed over Holywell Town on penalties to reach the Nathaniel MG Cup quarter-finals for the first time in eight years.
Holywell had already dumped out top-flight opposition in the previous round by beating Flint Town United, and the Wellmen seemed to be on their way to another upset as they led 2-0 after 75 minutes.
Both goals came from ex-Cofis, as Jamie Breese capitalised on a goalkeeping error from Hari Thomas before Fabrizio Murtas clinically doubled the advantage.
However, it was two substitutes who drew Caernarfon level in dramatic fashion, as Josh Lock found the net with a neat finish in the 82nd minute before Danny Gossett grabbed an equaliser in stoppage time to send the tie to penalties.
The shootout was level at 3-3 after five attempts each, but Adam Davies scored Caernarfon’s sixth effort before Hari Thomas denied Tom Bibby – the teenage goalkeeper’s third save of the shootout – to send Richard Davies’ side through.
JD Cymru South leaders Cambrian United caused an upset by knocking out top-flight strugglers Cardiff Met on penalties following a 1-1 draw at the M&P Group 3G.
Adam Roscrow scored twice when Met beat Cambrian in the 2019 final, and the striker put the Archers ahead in this game too as he fired into the bottom corner with 18 minutes on the clock.
However, the hosts were level shortly after the half hour mark as a Lewis Rees handball inside the box resulted in a red card for the Met striker and a penalty which Liam Eason dispatched for his ninth goal of the season.
A goalless second half sent the tie to a penalty shootout, which sat at 3-2 to Cambrian after four attempts each. Cody Williams had the chance to send the Rhondda outfit through only for his spot-kick to be saved by Sam Seager, but this was matched by Cambrian goalkeeper Morgan Davies who denied Fumpa Mwandwe to earn his side’s first quarter-final spot for six years.
Nathaniel MG Cup Quarter-Final Draw
Newtown of the JD Cymru North also dumped out top-flight opposition as they defeated Bala Town on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Latham Park.
Both goals came in the first half as 17-year-old Tarran Hollinshead found the net with a sweet strike from the edge of the area to give Newtown the lead on 11 minutes, only for in-form Bala striker Hussein Mehasseb to fire the visitors level from close range just before the half hour mark.
The shootout sat poised at 4-4 following five kicks each, after Louis Jacobs and Louis Hall saw their efforts saved. Tarrin Hollinshead scored Newtown’s sixth attempt, before Lassana Mendes hit the crossbar to see Bala exit the competition. Newtown are into the quarter-finals for the first time in four years.
Nathaniel MG Cup holders The New Saints eased into the quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory away at Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Craig Harrison’s side were in a commanding position at the break as Cardiff City loanee Isaac Jefferies scored two goals less than 60 to open his account for the club on his first start. Jefferies tucked away the rebound from Ken Charles’ blocked effort on the line, before he slotted past Ryley Berry at the near post.
Ben Clark’s deflected effort made it three for the Saints on 55 minutes, while the Nomads found themselves a consolation in stoppage time through Harry Franklin, who intercepted a tame back pass from Harrison McGahey and made no mistake when one-on-one with Nathan Shepperd.
Haverfordwest County booked their place in the quarter finals for the first time in four years after a 4-1 victory over wildcards Swansea City at Ogi Bridge Meadow.
Owain Jones, who spent 10 years at Swansea’s academy, headed home from Ben Ahmun’s cross to open the scoring on 18 minutes. The Bluebirds did not add to their lead until midway through the second half when Greg Walters found the net from Ben Fawcett’s delivery.
Tom Woodward pulled a goal back for the young Swans three minutes, but their hopes of completing a comeback were dealt a blow when Ramon Rees-Siso was sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession.
With a man advantage, Haverfordwest scored twice in two minutes through Luc Owen and Ahmun to seal victory in comfortable fashion.
There was more penalty drama at the DragonBet Stadium as Briton Ferry Llansawel edged past Penybont in a shootout after squandering a two-goal lead earlier in the match.
Ferry were two goals to the good after 63 minutes played thanks to goals from youngsters Ollie Anderson and Rio Dyer, both starting for the first time this season.
However, Noah Daley and James Crole scored within the space of six minutes of each to level the scoreline and send the tie to a shootout.
Ferry midfielder Keiran Williams had his side’s first spot kick saved by Luke Armstrong, but Gabe Kircough’s miss on Bont’s third penalty made things even. Anderson and Dylan Packer scored either side of Kane Owen’s conversion, but Mael Davies had his spot kick denied by Rhys Wilson, seeing the Reds through to the quarter finals.
Last season’s semi-finalists Barry Town United reached the last eight with a 1-0 home win against Llanelli Town.
Ieuan Owen, who had been on the pitch for just two minutes after coming on as a substitute, broke the deadlock in the 70th minute with his first goal since the opening day of the season – also against Llanelli.
The Reds had the ball in the back of the net in the 89th minute, but the flag was raised for offside.
Nathaniel MG Cup Round Three results
Northern Section
Caernarfon Town 2-2 Holywell Town (4-3 on penalties)
Connah’s Quay Nomads 1-3 The New Saints
Newtown 1-1 Bala Town (5-4 on penalties)
Tuesday 16 September: Llandudno v Denbigh
Southern Section
Barry Town United 1-0 Llanelli Town
Cambrian United 1-1 Cardiff Met (3-2 on penalties)
Haverfordwest County 4-1 Swansea City
Penybont 2-2 Briton Ferry Llansawel (3-4 on penalties)
