Borough see off tricky visitors Albion
TWO goals from debutant striker Ricky Evans inspired Conwy Borough to a 5-3 Welsh Cup first round win over Cefn Albion at Y Morfa.
The result secured the Tangerines a trip to fellow Huws Gray Alliance side Denbigh Town in the next stage.
Last Saturday’s visitors from Cefn Mawr, who play two tiers below Conwy, put up a brave fight backed by a vocal support to make it an entertaining cup tie but Boro’s extra quality told in the end.
“I have to give credit to Cefn who came and played their part in a great cup game.” said Conwy manager Aden Shannon.
“They are decent outfit with a great team spirit and I wish them all the best in the future. I thought we controlled the game and played some great football at times. It was nice to get some goals as we have worked hard lately but not had the rub of the green. The lads attitude was quality and they all stuck together when we needed it.”
New signing Evans was influential from the start, along with the return of Jack Roberts who caused the visitors all sorts of problems.
After a competitive opening spell the home side took the lead on 20 minutes as Evans went past two defenders on the edge of the box to fire home.
Two minutes later and Jack Roberts run was picked out superbly by Chris Rowntree’s through ball and the young forward lobbed neatly over the away keeper.
However, the two-goal cushion was short-lived as Albion pulled a goal back through Sean Jones.
The two-goal advantage was quickly restored through a diving header from defender Ian Willis, making his first start for the club in over 12 months due to injury.
Just before the interval and the visitors pegged back the score again with a tremendous 30-yard strike from youngster Dion Gibbins.
Early in the second half Albion could easily could have been level as they saw a penalty claim turned down, the ball cleared off the line and a shot hit thewoodwork all in the space of 30 seconds.
However, a second for Evans and an own goal put Boro out of sight before Alex Williams replied for Cefn late on.