Trefelin won a seven-goal thriller in the Nathaniel MG Cup first round as they triumphed 4-3 over Caerau Ely at Cwrt yr Ala Road.
The visitors opened up a stunning 3-0 lead inside the first 12 minutes, with Tyler Brock, Kostya Georgievsky and Lewys Ware – all new signings – all finding the net.
Fellow debutant Luke Bowen added his name to the scoresheet within the first minute of the second half which looked to have put the tie to bed, but Caerau Ely responded in style to set up a nerve-wracking ending.
Liam Bishop pulled a goal back from the penalty spot on 52 minutes before adding a second moments later, while debutant Luke Gullick grabbed a third goal on the hour mark. The hosts could not quite complete the comeback though as Trefelin held on to set up a Round Two match up against Penybont.
After a Round One exit last season, wildcards Swansea City emphatically progressed this time around with a 4-1 win away at Carmarthen Town.
It was level at the break at the LHP Stadium as Morgan Bates’ opener was cancelled out by Liam Thomas’ low driven effort.
However, the Swans stepped up a gear after the restart as Ramon Rees-Siso restored their lead inside the opening minute of the second half before Caleb Demery, signed from Briton Ferry Llansawel earlier this month, made it three with a curling finish into the bottom corner.
Demery bagged his second of the afternoon in the 69th minute as he latched onto a diagonal ball, cut inside, and placed his shot to perfection in the bottom corner once again.
The Swans will travel to Afan Lido in Round Two, after Garry Taylor’s side earned a 2-1 victory away at Llantwit Major on Saturday.
Lewis Reed has established himself as one of the most prolific strikers in the second tier and he marked his Lido debut with two goals in the opening 14 minutes. After coolly converting from the penalty spot, Reed doubled his tally by latching on to Johden De Meyer’s through ball and producing a composed finish past Ryley Allen.
Cameron Gauci’s delightful free-kick offered Major a glimmer of hope shortly before half time, but Lido defended well to see out victory after the break.
Buckley Town were the biggest winners in Round One as they secured a 4-0 victory over Holyhead Hotspur at The Globe.
Asa Hamilton’s side made an electric start to the contest as Brad Knight fired past Ben Heald inside the first 20 seconds. The striker grabbed his second of the night on the stroke of half-time by heading home Scott McHarrie’s corner.
Two debutants combined for the third goal on 53 minutes as Oli Blayney squared for Liam Ellis to finish, before Blayney got on the scoresheet himself late on with a shot from the edge of the box that went in off the post. Buckley will host Newtown in Round Two.
Guilsfield will also welcome top-flight opposition in the second round in the form of Bala Town, after Gavin Allen’s men eased to a 3-0 win over Mold Alexandra at Clos Mytton.
Talisman Iwan Matthews, now in his fifth season with the club, opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a composed finish into the bottom corner. Summer signing Sam Flory doubled the lead on the half hour mark, before Adam Knott added a third to seal victory.
Gresford Athletic were also 3-0 winners as their second half blitz saw them overcome Wrexham neighbours Brickfield Rangers at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium.
The contest remained goalless for almost an hour before Gresford debutant Jake Roberts drove forward and placed the ball in the bottom corner.
Paul Johnson’s deflected effort gave the Colliers a two-goal cushion in the 75th minute, while Mark Winslade rounded Rangers goalkeeper Robbie Williams to tap in a third goal late on. Gresford travel to Llandudno in Round Two.
Ynyshir Albions won the battle of two newly-promoted JD Cymru South sides with a 4-1 home victory against Cardiff Draconians.
The Buns made a dream start after just five minutes played as Dre Griffiths found the opener. Joseff Haig then found a second goal on the stroke of half-time.
Dan Bowen pulled a goal back for the Dracs early in the second half, but youngsters Calum Salter and Jago Norton added to Ynyshir’s lead and booked their side a date with JD Cymru Premier outfit Llanelli Town in Round Two.
Wildcards Cardiff City – semi-finalists last season – needed a penalty shootout to progress past Ammanford at the Recreation Ground following a 0-0 draw in 90 minutes.
The hosts had the best chances of the first half as Rhys Davies saw his effort cleared off the line and Chris Bell’s header was saved by Jake Dennis. Ammanford keeper Luke Martin starred after the break as he denied Troy Perrett.
It was a horror show in the shootout for the hosts, as Seth Woodhouse, Matty Delaney and Rhys Davies all missed, while Luke Pearce, Jac Thomas and Troy Perrett all scored to send the Bluebirds through.
City will meet Cambrian United in Round Two, with the Rhondda side also needing penalties to get past Treowen Stars.
Cambrian were cruising at 2-0 up thanks to strikes from Calum Bateman and debutant Liam Eason, but the newly-promoted side fought back with late goals from Corey Jenkins and Macsen Evans sending the tie to a shootout.
Dylan Edwards and Bateman scored for Cam either side of Stars striker Chris Hartland to give the hosts a 2-1 advantage, before three penalties were missed in a row – Jenkins and Evans for Treowen either side of Cameron Keetch for Cambrian.
Danny Birch stepped up to score from 12 yards to put Cam on the brink of progression and their Round Two spot was secured as Treowen captain Chris Davies missed his attempt.
There were also two penalty shootouts on Friday night, first at USW Sports Park where Pontypridd United progressed past Cwmbran Celtic after a goalless draw in 90 minutes.
Jamie Veale converted Ponty’s opening spot-kick, while Celtic captain Andy Larcombe saw his effort saved by Cameron Clarke. The Dragons went on to score their next three attempts, with Celtic converting two of theirs, but Joe Bowen’s miss for the visitors proved decisive as Pontypridd went through to face Cardiff Met in Round Two.
Nathaniel MG Cup
Round Two ties confirmed
It also finished goalless at Maes Tegid between Ruthin Town and Penrhyncoch, before Dave Evans’ side progressed on penalties.
Rhydian Davies missed the opening spot-kick for the Roosters, allowing Harry Martin to give Ruthin an instant advantage. Owain Evans and Will Cooke scored for their respective sides before Tomos Evans missed for Penrhyncoch and Ethan Davies netted for Ruthin to edge the hosts closer to victory.
While Harri Horwood would score the Roosters’ fourth attempt, Danny Holland stepped up to score for Ruthin and book their Round Two tie against Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Newly-promoted Rhyl 1879 got their campaign off to a winning start as Paul Fleming’s late strike earned a 2-1 home win against three-time cup winners Caersws.
Dylan Proctor was the top scorer in the Ardal North West last season and he opened his account for the new campaign to give Rhyl the lead seven minutes after half-time.
Tommy Rowlands found an instant equaliser for Caersws, which looked to have sent the tie to penalties before Fleming forced the ball over the line from Billy Holmes’ corner with three minutes of the 90 remaining to send the hosts through.
The Lilywhites’ second round opponents will be Denbigh Town, who scored three second half goals to complete a 3-1 comeback victory away to Flint Mountain.
Mountain took the lead just before half-time thanks to summer signing Jonny Bravo, who headed home from Owen Cassidy’s cross.
However, a close-range finish from Denbigh’s returning frontman Matty Worrall levelled the contest on 71 minutes, before two goals in the final five minutes from Ben Lockley and Nathan Brown sealing the Reds’ progression.
Newport City claimed the final spot in Round Two with a 2-0 win over Baglan Dragons at the CIS Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Steelmen took the lead through Owen Bancroft in the 34th minute as the midfielder met Nat Jarvis’ low cross and fired home from close range.
Debutant Kayne Mclaggon then opened his account for the club midway through the second half as he ran on to Harvey Sing’s long ball and squeezed his effort beneath Matt Stanton. Newport City will travel to Haverfordwest County in the second round.Â
Nathaniel MG Cup Round One results in full
Northern Section
Buckley Town 4-0 Holyhead Hotspur
Flint Mountain 1-3 Denbigh Town
Ruthin Town 0-0 Penrhyncoch (4-2 on penalties)
Guilsfield 3-0 Mold Alexandra
Gresford Athletic 3-0 Brickfield Rangers
Rhyl 1879 2-1 Caersws
Southern Section
Caerau Ely 3-4 Trefelin
Pontypridd United 0-0 Cwmbran Celtic (4-2 on penalties)
Llantwit Major 1-2 Afan Lido
Ynyshir Albions 4-1 Cardiff Draconians
Ammanford 0-0 Cardiff City (3-0 on penalties)
Cambrian United 2-2 Treowen Stars (3-1 on penalties)
Carmarthen Town 1-4 Swansea City
Newport City 2-0 Baglan Dragons
