PENRHYNCOCH overcame a string of goalkeeping issues to seal their place in the last 32 of the JD Welsh Cup with a 4-2 victory away at Caerphilly Athletic.

With Leigh Jenkins suspended, experienced campaigner Aneurin Thomas was due to deputise, but a flare-up of a knee problem forced him to pull out.

Forward Liam Lewis then took the gloves but, after starting against Caerphilly Athletic, he came out of goal during the first half to be replaced between the posts by Cledan Davies, who was suffering with a tight hamstring.

Davies had taken over in goal when Jenkins was red-carded against Ruthin the week before, and played his part in a terrific all round team performance.

“With the problems we had, I’m really chuffed for the boys, and it’s great for a club like ours to be in the last 32 of the Welsh Cup,” said boss Gari Lewis.

“We knew it was going to be tough, going all the way down to Caerphilly, but we did our homework on them, and we had identified their strengths.

“It was a big day for them, and they had a vocal support, but our boys were very professional and bossed the game.

“We had to rejig the side, but kept the ball well on a difficult pitch. We looked a threat with our power and pace, and killed them off in the second half.”

After their thrilling 4-3 extra time win over Swansea side Garden Village in the previous round, Penrhyn anticipated another tricky trip against the South Wales Alliance premier division side.

But they overcame a potential banana skin in the Rhymney Valley with an assured display, to reach the third round

The Roosters made the breakthrough when Steff Davies was brought down after showing his strength in the penalty box, and Jonathan Evans stepped up to coolly smash home the penalty.

After being forced into a goalkeeping change, the Roosters were pegged back through Andrew Kempton, but the visitors then restored their advantage at the half-time break as Sion James headed in an Antonio Corbisiero corner.

Liam Lewis, in his accustomed outfield role, made it 3-1 after the interval when heading in a terrific left wing cross from Matt Mousley at the far post.

Sion James then added a fourth when slotting in from a set piece and, despite Nick Edwards heading one back, Penrhyn were through to the next round.

Buoyed by the win, the Roosters turn their thoughts back to survival in the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance with a testing trip to Porthmadog on Saturday.

Owain James and goalkeeper Leigh Jenkins will both return, but Rob Murfet is a doubt with a hamstring injury.

PENRHYNCOCH (v Caerphilly Athletic): L Lewis, E Evans, J Foligno, S James, C Jones, C Davies, A Corbisiero, R Murfet (N Warren 80), M Mousley, J Evans, S Davies (N Blake 72). Not used: S Meredith, G Lewis.