PENRHYNCOCH stayed on course for some end-of-season silverware after overcoming Llanrhaeadr 5-3 at Cae Baker to book their place in the semi-finals of the Central Wales Senior Challenge Cup.

With their main focus being on survival in the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance, the Roosters went into sun-drenched clash at Cae Baker without several key personnel.

They came through unscathed, despite being made to fight all their way by their visitors from the Spar Mid Wales League.

It was a scrappy affair, but boss Gari Lewis was just pleased to get the job done with a depleted side that was without forwards Jonathan Evans, Daf Carruthers and Liam Doherty, along with Jon Foligno, Liam James and Antonio Corbisiero.

“I’m really happy to get through in what were difficult circumstances,” said Lewis.

“We had six out, and I couldn’t even name myself as I’m serving a two match touchline ban, we were down to the bare bones. But at least we got the job done.

“We were not great, there were a couple of good individual performances, but it was very scrappy on a bobbly pitch.”

Penrhyn were a threat all game from set-pieces, but it was Llanrhaeadr who were in front on 10 minutes when Iain Edmunds rattled the post, and Tom Evans followed up to fire home the loose ball.

The Roosters capitalised on hesitant defending to hit back as keeper Connor Lee failed to deal with a corner, and the ball bounced into the net off a defender.

Sion James then headed the Roosters in front from a set play, but the visitors hit back to level matters with a 25-yard strike from Dale Evans close to the interval.

However, the home side got their noses in front right on half time when Sion Meredith nodded in from another set piece.

Penrhyn made it 4-2 midway through the second half courtesy of Owain James, and Meredith then bagged his second to increase the lead, before Iwan Matthews pulled one back with a strong run.

That was the end of the scoring as the Roosters made sure of their place in the semi-final stage, where they will take on Aberaeron on Wednesday, 5 April.

In the other semi-final, Llanidloes Town or Caersws will play Rhayader Town.

After their Central Wales Cup action, Penrhyn return to their survival battle in the Cymru Alliance on Saturday with a trip to take on Holyhead Hotspur.

Although they had no league game last weekend, they remain fifth from bottom, four points above the bottom four clubs.

“The results last weekend were quite good to us, and it has now become a straight-forward battle with the five bottom clubs,” said the Penrhyncoch boss.

Corbisiero, Foligno, Evans and Carruthers are all set to return for the clash in Anglesey, but Liam James and Doherty are both doubts with hamstring injuries.

Meanwhile, Penrhyncoch’s home clash with Porthmadog last midweek was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

PENRHYNCOCH (v Llanrhaeadr): L Jenkins, E Evans, S James, G Mansell, M Mousley, A Lemon , O James, S Meredith (M Lewis 70), M Gornall (D Newtown 80), H Horwood, J Shaw. Substitutes not used: L Jacques.