A February to forget for ’Rug
LLANRUG United’s nightmare February continued as they crashed out of the FAW Trophy 5-2 at home to Greenfield last Saturday.
After suffering just a single defeat in their previous 21 matches in all competitions, Mark Jat’s side have now lost back-to-back cup ties they were expected to win at Eithin Duon.
They will be hoping lightning does not strike for a third time when they host Amlwch Town this Saturday in the Mawddach Challenge Cup, which they hold.
Last weekend’s quarterfinal saw fellow Welsh Alliance Division One outfit Greenfield run out deserved winners.
Llanrug were out to bounce back after their surprise 2-0 home reverse to Barmouth and Dyffryn United in the Cookson Cup semi-finals seven days earlier.
‘Rug and Greenfield had met just once previously this season, drawing 2-2 in Flintshire on the opening day of the WAL Division One campaign.
The home side threatened first when Jonathan Sadler’s goalbound chip forced keeper Danny Stanton into a spectacular save.
Greenfield got through the early onslaught and broke the deadlock on 28 minutes when home keeper Dylan Roberts brought down Sam Jones and Danny Calvert netted from the spot.
The second away goal after 37 minutes was a carbon copy as Roberts again fouled Jones and Calvert made it 2-0 from 12 yards to put the Holywell area side in a strong position at the interval.
Llanrug upped the tempo following the turnaround, searching for a way back into the match.
On 51 minutes a fine crossfield delivery by Alan Mark Owen released fellow striker Gavin Lloyd-Jones, who lifted the ball beyond the onrushing goalkeeper and into the net, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
The visitors increased their advantage on 58 minutes when Connor Hughes’ shot was well-saved, but goalmachine Sam Jones converted the rebound.
Owen, who recently returned to the club follow- ing a short spell at Bontnewydd, gave Llanrug a glimmer of hope on 66 minutes, firing a thunderous volley into the top right-hand corner from just outside the penalty area.
But within four minutes Hughes restored Greenfield’s three-goal advantage with a fine individual run and finish.
Striker Calvert completed his hat-trick on 80 minutes with a magnificent free kick from just outside United’s penalty area. Midfielder Marvin Pritchard pulled one back for the hosts via a close range header from a Mathew Phillips cross.
But this was very much Greenfield’s day.
This Saturday’s Mawddach Cup opponents Amlwch play in Welsh Alliance Division Two.
But they are flying high in the table and are sure to be looking to end Llanrug’s interest in all knockout competitions this term.