Late heartbreak for Llanrug in cup exit
BLAENAU Amateurs took a point from their trip to fellow strugglers Llanfairpwll in a 1-1 draw.
This Division Two match between the bottom two sides ended all-square but the visitors thought they had done enough to bring back the three points only for a late equaliser to deny them.
Playing a 3-5-2 formation, Bryn Humphreys and Rhodri Pugh went close early for the Quarrymen.
The deadlock was broken on 35 minutes when youngster Cai Henshaw’s cross was neatly stroked into the net by Iwan Griffiths.
Griffiths missed a golden opportunity to double the score after the break, but Blaenau were just 10 minutes away from a win before late Llanfair pressure resulted in an equaliser from Henry Esin.
Blaenau keeper Gethin Jones was then forced to make a fine save to keep the scores level.
The Amateurs’ next match is home to Division Two leaders Penmaenmawr on November 19.
LLANRUG United were left heartbroken when an 118th minute winner from former Caernarfon Town midfielder Jay Gibbs sent the Arfon side out of the Welsh Cup at Holyhead Hotspur last Saturday.
Hotspur made it to third round when a winner late in extra time from Gibbs secured a 2-1 victory over the Welsh Alliance battlers at the New Stadium.
Llanrug made the early running with a couple of raids, however it was Hotspur who took the lead on six minutes.
A delivery into the box saw Mel McGinness produce a clever back header into the path of Gibbs, who took the ball on into the right of the goalmouth, rounding keeper Dylan Roberts and slotting home.
Dewi Thomas on the left saw his effort tipped over the bar by Roberts, while Rhys Roberts headed just over on 20 and at this stage Holyhead looked in charge.
On 25 minutes a corner on the left by Gibbs saw Alex Jones scrape the bar.
The visitors put together some useful moves, including Sion Phillips to David Noel Williams, but their final ball was lacking.
Although Hotspur were in the ascendency, Llanrug were very capable breaking forward and Hotspur needed a second goal to be comfortable against spirited opponents.
On the resumption Llanrug upped the tempo, pressing high and on 50 minutes a move looked certain to provide the leveller, but a number of efforts lacked conviction with Sion Phillips’ strike cleared off the line.
Hotspur keeper Paul Pritchard reacted quickly to intercept a tricky situation on the left while McGinness’ yellow card was dangerously close to a red.
In the 62nd minute ‘Rug’s Jonathan Sadler was clear through on the right, taking the ball towards goal.
His first-time shot was well saved by Pritchard but Luke Phillips following up bundled the ball home.
It was Llanrug who looked more likely to go through but there was always the threat of Gibbs to cope with.
Pritchard was now the busier and he had to make a great save in deflect- ing a shot from Sadler for a corner.
Keiron Hilditch’s long throws were a major weapon in Hotspur’s armoury as both teams went for it.
In the closing stages Mike Kelly, out for a while with an injury but now back as a sub, fired just wide on 86.
With a few minutes to go Rhys Roberts was a harsh recipient of a straight red card for baulking an opponent which left Hotspur facing extra time with 10 men.
It was anyone’s tie in the added half-hour, but it remained 1-1 until the 118th minute when Kelly was fouled just outside the box.
Gibbs guided the ball at pace past the visitors’ wall and just inside the post for the winner. ● Llanrug United Reserves drew 1-1 with Llandudno Junction.