BARMOUTH and Dyffryn United have progressed to the Lock Stock Welsh Alliance’s Cookson Cup Final, thanks to an excellent 2-0 away win over semi-final favourites Llanrug United.

A spirited all-round team display by Carl Ryan’s men was highlighted by two goals from Shane Jones, early and late in the second half of a mud-spattered contest at the Eithin Duon ground.

Barmouth, who have never lifted a trophy on the Welsh Alliance scene, will now focus on the other last-four match, to discover who their cup final opponents will be.

Conwy Borough, who are out in front as the division one title favourites, will entertain neighbours Llandudno Albion, a mid-table side, at their Morfa base on Wednesday, 28 February.

Traditionally a tough ground to visit, Barmouth knew they would need to be at their very best to have any chance of progressing to the showpiece final.

Llanrug started positively as expected, but they found it difficult to break down an organised and resilient defence, led by Ste Bratt and captain Mike Irvine.

The home side’s only real half chances developed from long throw-ins on a tight ground, and Barmouth were content to sit in and allow Llanrug possession, and hit them on the break.

Midfield runners Paul Lewis and Jake Jones regularly got past the lone striker, Shane Jones, but Barmouth struggled to really test the Llanrug keeper in the first half.

At the other end Barmouth keeper Tyler French made an excellent save a few minutes before half time from a Llanrug corner, diving superbly to his right to parry the header wide.

The save ultimately proved crucial as Barmouth maintained parity at half time, before looking for a way to hurt Llanrug in the second half.

Just five minutes after the interval, however, the referee ruled that Barmouth midfielder Dave Harding had deliberately handled a cross, resulting in a Llanrug penalty.

Striker Jonathon Sadler stepped up, only to see his effort go narrowly wide - and this appeared to give Barmouth the belief that they could go on and win the game.

Within two minutes of the penalty miss, Barmouth created their best chance of the game so far as great through ball caught the Llanrug centre halves flat footed.

Prolific striker Shane Jones was not going to miss the one on one, and he calmly slotting past home keeper Dylan Roberts, to put Barmouth 1-0 up on 52 minutes.

Barmouth looked to manage the last half an hour, and they were now causing Llanrug problems on the break through the pace of Jones and Lewis.

Llanrug, however, continued to press forward and they bombarded the visitors’ penalty box with cross after cross - but the Barmouth defence held firm to limit them to only half chances.

It was Barmouth who finished strongly, and the midfield of David Linstead, Joey Jones, Dave Harding and Paul Lewis were organised and tireless in dealing with everything Llanrug threw at them in the final 10 minutes.

They ultimately sealed victory when a lightening quick counter-attack resulted in young Jake Jones breaking in behind the defence, and he calmly squared to Jones, who was never going to miss from eight yards out.

Barmouth had secured their first final in over 10 years, and ended Llanrug’s fine unbeaten run of 12 games in all competitions in the process.

LLANRUG UTD: Dylan Roberts, Gethin Phillips, Mathew Phillips (Jason Deemer 86”) Eifion Williams, Siôn Phillips, Dewi Clark, David Noel Williams (Capt), Jonathan Sadler (Marvin Pritchard 59”), Aaron Hughes(Gavin Lloyd-Jones 59”), Luke Phillips.

BARMOUTH: Tyler French, Llion Owen, Daniel Griffiths, Ste Bratt, Mike Irvine, David Linstead, Jake Jones, Joey Jones, Dave Harding, Paul Lewis, Shane Jones (52, 85) Subs Not used: Gethin Evans, George Sutherns, Carl Ryan..