PWLLHELI’s Welsh Cup ambitions were shattered in a thrilling 6-5 defeat to Welsh Alliance division two opponents Gaerwen - but Barry Evans’ team had got close towards the end.

Big trouble had come about in the first half, when the Anglesey hosts developed a formidable four-goal lead, but Pwllheli hit back after the interval.

Gaerwen regained the initiative to steer 5-2 ahead and then 6-3, from a penalty, only for the resilient visitors to rally again and close up to 6-5.

In the dramatic and frantic closing stages, Pwllheli piled on the pressure, only to rue a shot from Jason Banks that crashed against the bar, and the same player appeared to be fouled in the box, but with no penalty given.

Pwllheli, without suspended top scorer Mark Jones, had gained their goals through Banks - the 16-year-old was making his senior debut - defender Lee Fletcher, Matthew Hardy, Llion Bryn Jones and Dylan Sion Jones.

Gaerwen emerged from this breathless skirmish as narrow winners because of a hat-trick by Dylan Williams, whose third goal came from that penalty on the hour, two goals by Dafydd Jones and the other by Liam Morris.

Barmouth and Dyffryn United’s involvement in the Welsh Cup came to a sorry conclusion in a 3-0 defeat at Spar Mid-Wales League club Llanidloes Town, where Carl Ryan’s side succumbed as the second-best team.

The side from Wern Mynach had their individual successes, nevertheless, notably Jonno Harrison, who was a steady influence in central defence, and Shane Jones, who was ever eager to seek out openings up front.

Barmouth found themselves in difficulty when two goals down at half-time, followed by the third goal from a penalty, for a foul on 70 minutes - and it did not help that the referee produced a glut of yellow cards.

Llanidloes’ scorers were Drew Reynolds on 20 minutes, Rhys Evans on 35 from close range and Steve Jones on 70 from the penalty – although the home side finished a man short after Reynolds was given a second caution.

The Welsh Alliance early leaders, Conwy Borough secured a comfortable passage in the cup by beating Amlwch Town 4-1, thanks to two goals by Corrig McGonigle, on 19 and 41 minutes, followed by Tom Walsh on 49 and Kevin Lloyd on 53 minutes.

This dominance came about after Amlwch, who play the Alliance’s division two, had hinted at a possible upset at the Morfa ground, when they snatched a shock lead after 16 minutes through Jack Griffiths’ finding the net.

Llanrug United fared even better, as 5-1 conquerors of Llandyrnog United, with Luke Phillips netting on 8 and 85 minutes, David Noel Williams on 21 and Alan Mark Owen on 26 and 59, with a reply from Alex Williams on 69.

Nantlle Vale’s cup interest was ended in a penalty shoot-out at Meliden, who made it 3-1 from the spot, after the teams had been deadlocked at 2-2 at 90 minutes and 3-3 after extra-time.

Vale’s goals in open play had been scored by Jonathan Peris Jones, Dylan Williams and James Phillips.

Meanwhile Llanrwst United were 4-1 away winners over Penmaenmawr Phoenix, courtesy of Morgan Owen netting on 10 minutes, Aaron Hughes on 62, Mike Lundstrom on 88 and Leighton Griffiths on 90, with the hosts’ Alfie Caldicott replying on 85.

Bodedern Athletic won 2-0 against Aberffraw, with a goal in each half, through Shaun Jenkins on 31 minutes and a Casey Boylan penalty on 74.