Cefni beaten in cup
AFTER the disappointment of last weekend’s Mawddach Cup exit at the hands of Llandyrnog United, Llangefni Town will look to keep their quest for league honours on track when they host Greenfield this Saturday (1.30pm).
Cefni are currently seventh in Welsh Alliance Division One but if they were to win their four games in hand on leaders Glantraeth they could close to within two points of the tabletoppers.
However, to cut the gap the Anglesey side will need to perform better against sixthplaced Greenfield than they managed against Llandyrnog on Coleg Llandrillo’s 3G pitch last Saturday.
Mark Roberts’ superb strike early in the second half secured the Vale of Clwyd team a 1-0 win and a semi- final date with Llanrug United.
The other last-four tussle will be an all-Anglesey affair with treble-chasing Glantraeth meeting Trearddur Bay United.
Llandyrnog, who had failed to beat Cefni in three previous attempts this season, started last Saturday’s tie on fire.
They moved the ball quickly and accurately all over the pitch, creating countless opportunities.
Stu Vernon fired over from close range, Liam Jones struck the bar with a left-footed effort and Cefni keeper Kenny Hughes made numerous good saves to somehow keep it the scoreless at half time.
Dyrny did not have to wait long to be rewarded for their first-half dominance when just a minute into the second period, Roberts gave them the lead with his superb strike from 30 yards found the top corner.
Cefni’s hopes of a revival suffered a further blow on the hour when Mathew Jones was sent off for a late challenge on Roberts.
Dafydd Evans clipped the bar for the visitors, then substitutes Mike Lundstram and Simon Hulse saw their efforts well saved by Hughes.
However, Town piled on the pressure in the final stages and went close on a number of occasions to forcing an equaliser, but keeper Stuart Griffiths was not overly worked.
Cefni struggled to break down a defence in which Miles Todd and Mark Orme shone.