
Third tier Holyhead Hotspur made headlines in the JD Welsh Cup second round on Friday night as they defeated top-flight Caernarfon Town on penalties at The New Stadium.
Hotspur held the Cofis to a goalless draw in 90 minutes to send the tie to spot-kicks. With the shootout sitting at 4-4 after six penalties each, Caernarfon forward Matty Hill struck the crossbar with his effort to allow Holyhead captain Alex Jones to calmly score the winning strike and spark wild scenes of celebration for the home side.
Newtown also suffered a shock exit against third tier opposition via a penalty shootout, losing away at Ardal North East side Llanuwchllyn on Saturday.
Robins Goalkeeper Alex Swindell and defender Callum Roberts were both sent off in the 90 minutes at Village Hall, which ended goalless. After Rob Dascalu had saved George Hughes’ effort in the shootout, Gwydion Ifan stepped up to score the winning penalty.

Another upset on Saturday afternoon came at Park Avenue, where Aberystwyth Town were beaten 1-0 by JD Cymru South side Ammanford. 20-year-old Callum Thomas scored the only goal of the game after just seven minutes, firing low into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Six-time cup winners Barry Town United were also beaten on home turf by JD Cymru South opposition, losing to Caerau Ely in a penalty shootout after a chaotic 3-3 draw in normal time.
Barry took the lead on three separate occasions, but each time the visitors found an equaliser within four minutes. A red card for Callum Sainty did not help the Linnets’ cause, with Tom McClean scoring the winning penalty in the shootout after Barry duo Keenan Patten and Kayne Mclaggon had both missed from the spot.
JD Cymru South side Pontypridd United were subject to a cup shock on Friday night, losing 2-0 away at Penydarren of the South Wales Premier League Premier Division – the fourth tier. Both goals came in the second half as Adam Lewis opened the scoring before turning provider for substitute George Kabza. Liam Eason’s sending off for a second bookable offence increased Ponty’s woes.

Only two other fourth tier sides made it through to Round Three – Rogerstone who won 4-2 away at Cardiff Bay Warriors and Pill who triumphed 3-2 away at Monmouth Town.
The final team to defeat higher tier opposition were Morriston Town of the Ardal South West, who triumphed away at JD Cymru South outfit Llantwit Major on penalties.
Major were perhaps fortunate to take the tie to a shootout after Ioan Emanuel scored a 95th-minute equaliser to cancel out Liam Logan’s first half opener, but Morriston goalkeeper Steven Cann was the hero as he saved four penalties and scored one himself to see his side into Round Three.
Last season’s runners-up The New Saints ran riot on Friday night as they triumphed 16-0 over Llangollen Town at Park Hall – only Shrewsbury Town’s 21-0 victory over Mold Alyn Stars in 1894/95 stands as a bigger margin of victory in the JD Welsh Cup post-qualifying.
Adam Wilson scored four goals in the thrashing, there were two each for Ryan Brobbel, Declan McManus, Danny Redmond and Ash Baker, while Josh Pask, Blaine Hudson, Sion Bradley and Tom Jones all found the net once.
Cup holders Connah’s Quay Nomads eased through to Round Three with a 5-0 victory over Guilsfield on Saturday. 18-year-old Tyler Berry scored the only goal of the first half before Ben Maher, Rhys Hughes, Jordan Pownall and Aron Williams all found the net in the final 20 minutes of the game to make it a comfortable victory.

JD Cymru Premier leaders Penybont were knocked out on Friday night, as Eliot Evans’ first half goal earned a 1-0 win for Cardiff Met at the SDM Glass Stadium in the only all top-flight encounter in Round Two.
Lassana Mendes scored a hat-trick as 2017 cup winners Bala Town survived a scare to win 3-1 at home against fourth tier Llanrhaeadr. Gruff Evans cancelled out Mendes’ opener to set nerves jangling at Maes Tegid, but the Bissau-Guinean midfielder scored twice late on to complete his treble and send the Lakesiders through.
Haverfordwest County were knocked out at this stage two years ago by Trethomas Bluebirds and narrowly avoided the same fate again as they defeated the JD Cymru South leaders on penalties. It finished goalless in 90 minutes at the LHP Stadium, before Ifan Knott saved Kallum Thomas’ spot-kick to allow Dan Hawkins to fire home the winner from 12 yards.
Tom Walters scored a six-minute hat-trick to ensure Briton Ferry Llansawel avoided an upset in a 3-0 victory away at New Inn. The fourth tier side started brightly on their big day, but the striker’s quick-fire treble midway through the first half put to bed any dreams of a cup shock.
Clwb Cymric of the fifth tier were also beaten 3-0 at home in their hotly-anticipated clash with Llanelli Town, as Taylor Jones, Alex Giardelli and Joe Lloyd all found the net in a professional performance from the JD Cymru South side.
The JD Welsh Cup Round Three draw will be broadcast on RedWall+ at 8pm on Wednesday 23 October.