NEFYN United booked passage to the Gwynedd League’s Bob Owen Memorial Shield semi-final by edging past Llanllyfni 3-2 in a second round encounter that should have produced a far more convincing scoreline.

The Cae’r Delyn clash was settled by a 70th minute penalty conversion by Meical Williams, ex-Pwllheli and now back for a second spell with Nefyn, whom he captained previously.

United’s striker Daniel Roberts had been fouled in the box, prompting referee Arwel Jones to point to the spot for the decision that ultimately separated the two teams in the end.

Nefyn had endured all sorts of frustrations earlier, initially wasting five clear-cut scoring opportunities in the opening 20 minutes, and then having goalkeeper Dafydd Griffiths sent off for two yellow card offences.

Central defender Gwion Roberts took over between the posts as Nefyn soldiered on with just 10 men for around an hour. The teams were level at 2-2 at half-time, Meical Williams steering Nefyn ahead on 26 minutes and Gethin Trenholme providing their second goal on 44, after Llanllyfni strikes by Luke Jones on 33 and then Jack Davies’ own-goal on 42.

Nefyn, who thrashed Llanllyfni 11-0 in the league back in late August, will meet the same rivals a third time this Saturday, again at Cae’r Delyn, in the Safeflue Shield’s second round.

Llanystumdwy’s involvement in the Bob Owen Memorial Cup was ended by a similar 3-2 defeat in their first round tie away at Bontnewydd.

Aled Jones’ team, who had gone into action on the back of three straight wins, and nine successes in 10 tests, began well enough, with Sion Guto’s opening goal two minutes after the kick-off, and they held it for an hour.

Kyle Williams was Llanystumdwy’s other scorer on 70 minutes, but Bontnewydd went one better in the end through Sion Williams on 65 minutes, Ian Pleming on 85 and Morgan Roberts with the winner on 90.

Gwynedd League leaders Bro Goronwy should have entertained Llangoed in the Shield but no referee was available and it was postponed.

Second-from-top Holyhead Town were 6-1 winners against neighbours Gwalchmai at their own Maes Meurig ground, with Asa Thomas once against leading the way as he bagged a hat trick for the third week running.