DEWI Stars, renowned cup battlers and last year’s semi-finalists, are through to the fourth round of the Emrys Morgan Cup after winning a 4-3 thriller against Brecon Northcote at Llanddewi.

Steffan Owens put the villagers ahead with a fine low strike after 15 minutes, and the game looked dead and buried at half-time as the hosts raced into a 3-0 lead.

A Gethin Thomas 25 yard free kick into the top corner and a well worked team goal finished by William Williams seemed to have knocked the stuffing out of the visitors, who have aspirations of promotion into the Mid Wales League.

If Stars thought it was all over, Northcote had other ideas and they came out all guns blazing after the break.

Joel Evans drilled in a low shot to make it 3-1 soon after the break, and the next 20 minutes was backs to the wall as Brecon took over.

Two excellent strikes from James Butler brought Brecon level after 70 minutes, and they were now the favourites to go on and complete an outstanding comeback.

The Stars, however, had their second wind and William Williams hit the post and Steffan Owens lobbed keeper Dec Gaydon, but the ball went agonisingly over.

It took something special to win the tie, and it came from the unlikiest of scorers as midfielder Marc Jones picked the ball up 30 yards out and unleashed a terrific drive into the top corner.

The excitement did not end there as Stars keeper Carwyn Richards had to leave the field after making a fine save, and stand-in keeper Rhodri Edwards made an superb one-handed save low to his left to keep out an equaliser in the dying minutes of this pulsating tie.

Last season’s finalists Llandysul got their cup trail off to a fine start with a 2-0 win over Llanymynech.

Llandysul broke the deadlock when Lewis Jones laid the ball on to Matthew Newbold, who fired home from just outside the penalty box.

They doubled their lead two minutes into the second half when centre back Dean Jones picked out a great pass for Scott Thomas to race away and slot the ball home.

Bont looked to be cruising to a 3-0 victory against St Dogmaels before the former winners came back late on to reduce their deficit to 3-2.

Goals by Dion Davies, Lee Jones and Dewi Siôn Evans put Bont in charge, but the Saints clawed back through a Rhys Jones penalty and Chris Morgan to set up a nervy final few minutes.

Crannog edged out Llangedwyn 1-0 with the winner being scored in the second half by Gary Davies.

Skipper Mike Glover headed the ball across goal from a corner, and Rhydian Roberts flicked on for Davies to head into the top corner.

Llanilar drew 2-2 with Cilgerran Rovers, and they then held their nerve to win 4-3 in the penalty shoot-out.

A Ryan Edwards goal was cancelled out by Rovers’ Craig Poole, and in extra time John Williams put the hosts ahead, only for experienced campaigner Huw Bonner to head home from a corner to force penalties.

Ffostrasol went 1-0 up with a goal from Dion Phillips at Parc Troedrhiw, but Berriew Reserves hit back to win 2-1, with goals by Ryan Jenkins and Josh Gethin.

Cardigan are through after goals from Iestyn Evans, Neil Evans and two from Tomos Toft sealed a 4-0 win away against Felinfach.

Daniel Jones scored a hat-trick as Pencader won 6-2 at Llanon, with Liam Gordan adding a brace and Jordan Buchanan also scoring.

Two goals from Llyr Davies and one from Ifan Jones got Tregaron Turfs through into the next round by 3-1 at the expense of Llanboidy.

Llanidloes Reserves beat Aberaeron Reserves 4-0, with Adrian Foulkes’ brace, and singles by Conrad Galloway and Dan Richards.

Guilsfield Reserves beat Penybont 5-2, with goals from Dan Pritchard, George Clifton, Phil Turnbull, John Lloyd and Luke Francis. Dan Paoisla-Jones scored twice for the visiting side.

Hay St Mary’s Reserves beat Talgarth Town 2-1 with goals from Josh Wisniewski and Kyle Harding, whilst Jordan Harvey scored with a penalty for the visitors.

Phil Jones meanwhile scored a hat-trick as Caersws Reserves claimed a 3-2 win over Presteigne Reserves.