Football

Extra-time winner steers Nefyn through

Welsh Cup Second Qualifying Round

Nefyn United 2 Llanrwst United 1

NEFYN United got the result they wanted, even though the team’s performance was not up to scratch against Welsh Cup opponents Llanrwst United last weekend.
This second qualifying round tie should have been at Llanrwst’s Gwydyr Park, but a prior booking by the cricket club meant they had to concede home advantage.
Even so, player-boss Leighton Griffiths’ side were the more purposeful outfit at Nefyn’s Cae’r Delyn and could well have run out with a tally of three or four goals, only to founder ultimately in extra time.
Nefyn’s decider, with 100 minutes played, was celebrated by Caron Williams, who kept his nerve to convert a penalty - his third in as many games - after Robert Jones had been sent sprawling.
Earlier, home keeper Ian Aikman had emerged as the match star, as he sprang into action to achieve some breathtaking saves that denied goal-hungry Llanrwst.
Nefyn were under pressure for long periods, notably early on when the visitors’ Aaron Jones shot wide of the target, Carwyn Jones miscued from 10 yards, and team boss Griffiths was also wayward.
It was against the run of play when Nefyn grabbed their goal on 11 minutes, with Gwyn Williams applying a clinical finish close in, after good work by Robert Jones.
Towards half-time, blatant miscues occurred at both ends, with Llanrwst’s Luke Roberts being a culprit as keeper Aikman reacted brilliantly, and Dylan Sion Jones for the home side fired just over the bar.
Nefyn shaped as the better side early in the second period and the away team’s keeper Paul Roberts was called into action to deal with efforts from home strikers Daniel Roberts and Gwyn Williams.
Strong claims for a penalty, when Nefyn’s Gwyn Williams was chopped by two Llanrwst defenders, were rejected by Bontnewydd referee Iwan Griffiths.
However, Llanrwst were still very much in contention, and in another furious spell of pressure, Gwion Schiavone was well placed to score twice but failed to deliver.
The long expected equaliser arrived on 80 minutes from the visitors’ Eliot Llewellyn, after he met Rhys Davies’ cross and Aikman was beaten at last, as the prospect opened up for extra-time, only for Nefyn to emerge victorious in the end.

Pictured: Nefyn’s Gwyn Williams in action during their qualifing round tie. Pic: Dewi Wyn.