Fourth tier Port Talbot Town caused an upset on derby day in the JD Welsh Cup second round as they triumphed 3-1 over JD Cymru South side Afan Lido at Victoria Road.
Jordan Edwards gave the Steelmen the lead after just eight minutes and while Lido levelled midway through the second half through Liam Griffiths, Port Talbot almost immediately restored the advantage as Chris Allen found the net. James Dolman sealed victory in stoppage time, sparking wild scenes of celebration for the hosts.
Afan Lido were not the only JD Cymru South side to suffer an upset, as Llantwit Major were knocked out on penalties by third tier Cwmbran Town following a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes at Windmill Lane.
After Rhys Llewellyn’s opener for Llantwit was cancelled out by a stunning long range strike from Cwmbran midfielder Christian O’Donnell, an enthralling shootout ensued. Both sides scored all of their first seven penalties, before Llantwit goalkeeper Ryley Allen saw his effort saved by opposite number Callum Brain and Cwmbran captain Sam Davies then scored to send the three-time cup runners-up through to Round Three.
JD Welsh Cup
Discover all of the Round Two results
After knocking out Denbigh Town on penalties in the previous round, third tier Porthmadog once again defeated JD Cymru North opposition from the spot as they triumphed over Buckley Town following a goalless stalemate at Y Traeth.
Both goalkeepers were on fine form throughout the 90 minutes, but it was Porthmadog number one Josh Cooke who prevailed in the shootout as he saved efforts from Danny Burgess and Nick Grogan to allow Arden Gisbourne to score the winning spot-kick for the hosts.
Fellow third tier side Bangor City 1876 were also victorious over JD Cymru North opposition on penalties as they knocked out Guilsfield after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes at Bangor City Stadium.
Sam Flory opened the scoring for Guilsfield from the penalty spot but Dylan Summers-Jones’ late equaliser took the tie to a shootout. Bangor goalkeeper Carl Jones proved to be the hero as he saved both of Guilsfield’s first two attempts from Iwan Matthews and Flory, with Josh Carey ultimately scoring the winning spot-kick for the hosts.
Third tier Dolgellau caused an upset in dramatic fashion as they triumphed 1-0 away at Caersws of the JD Cymru North.
Following a goalless 90 minutes, the tie appeared to be heading for penalties but 17-year-old Osian Morris popped up in the third minute of stoppage time with the winning goal for Dolgellau.
Glynneath Town are the only fifth tier side remaining in this season’s JD Welsh Cup following their 4-2 win away at fourth tier Garden Village.
Glynneath took an early lead through captain James Newell before Garden Village fought back to lead 2-1 just after the half hour mark, but goals from Man of the Match Brad Upton, Kyle Jones and 17-year-old substitute Morgan Carter earned victory for the visitors.
JD Welsh Cup holders The New Saints left it late to squeeze through to Round Three with a 2-1 win away at Mold Alexandra.
Ryan Astles gave the Saints the lead in the 68th minute with his first goal in over two years, but Mold responded instantly as Eddie Servuts equalised. With penalties on the horizon, Harvey Godsmark-Ford headed home a corner in the 90th minute for his first TNS goal which spared his side’s blushes.
Last season’s runners-up Connah’s Quay Nomads eased to a 3-0 victory away at fellow JD Cymru Premier side Bala Town.
Callum West continued his impressive recent form with the opener shortly before half-time, while late goals from Max Woodcock and Harry Franklin sealed progress for John Disney’s side.
Penybont were also victorious over fellow top-flight opposition as they triumphed 5-0 away at Briton Ferry Llansawel.
In-form Gabe Kircough struck twice in the opening 18 minutes, while James Crole fired home a third Bont goal before half-time. Owen Pritchard marked his return from injury with a stunning strike after the break, before Crole wrapped up the win from the penalty spot.
The final all-JD Cymru Premier tie saw Llanelli Town knock out Haverfordwest County for the second consecutive season with a 3-0 win at Stebonheath.
Joe Lloyd scored on the stroke of half-time to break the deadlock, before Brad Gibbings and Ethan Cann – whose brace proved decisive in last year’s tie – netted after the break to ensure progress for the Reds.
A crowd of 1,152 watched on at the Blue Turtle Arena as Colwyn Bay eased to a 5-0 victory over Kinmel Bay.
The Seagulls scored three goals in 13 minutes to take a comfortable lead into half-time as Aaron Williams and Louis Robles found the net either side of a penalty from Jordan Davies. Jamie Cumming came off the bench to extend the advantage in the 71st minute, before 17-year-old Max McGoona marked his senior debut with a stunning strike from the edge of the box.
JD Cymru North side Gresford Athletic were the biggest winners of Round Two as they triumphed 9-0 over Llanrug United, who had knocked out Ruthin Town in the previous round.
Jake Roberts scored a hat-trick inside the opening half hour at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium, while Iwan Roberts also grabbed a treble after the break alongside a goal for Haci Ozlu and a late brace from substitute Dominic Deacon.
There was no upset in front of the live Sgorio cameras on Saturday lunchtime as Flint Town United won 3-0 away at Bow Street.
The third tier hosts held firm until first half stoppage time when a Ben Wynne rocked earned Flint the lead, while Elliott Reeves scored twice in the second half to make sure of the Silkmen’s spot in Round Three.
Barry Town United claimed a 5-0 victory away at Aberystwyth Town, having also knocked the Seasiders out of the Nathaniel MG Cup earlier in the campaign.
After Ieuan Owen had opened the scoring inside the first minute at Park Avenue, Ollie Hulbert scored a hat-trick of headers and Owen netted again to complete a comfortable afternoon.
There was also a hat-trick for Jasper Payne in Cardiff Met’s 5-1 home win over Taffs Well.
The 20-year-old scored twice in the first half before Sam Jones made it 3-0 early in the second period. After Payne completed his treble on 69 minutes, teenager Harrison Matthews bagged his first Archers goal from the penalty spot. Ethan Deacon netted a late consolation for Taffs Well.
Caernarfon Town put their struggling league form behind them with a 3-0 victory away at Newtown.
Former Robins loanee Josh Lock scored the Cofis’ opener before setting up Phil Mooney, while Connor Evans sealed victory in the second half.
The JD Welsh Cup Round Three draw will be broadcast on RedWall+ at 8pm on Thursday 23 October.
