OWEN’S THE CUP STAR AS MINNOWS STUN PONTY

THE magic of the cup was with Penydarren BGC as they shocked Welsh League Division Two leaders Pontypridd

Town with a 2-1 win in the JD Welsh Cup.

Chris Owen was the hero for the South Wales Alliance outfit, who ply their trade two divisions below Pontypridd, with a match-winning brace, with his goals coming either side of a James Hill strike.

Joining them in the last eight are Aberystwyth Town, who beat Cardiff Met 1-0 after knocking out holders Bala Town in the last round.

Malcom Melvin found the net in the 37th minute to send Aber through to the quarter-finals.

Elsewhere, Dean Ebbe enjoyed his debut for The New Saints as his brace helped them to a 3-1 win at Caernarfon Town. The debutant struck in the fourth and 48th minutes but Darren Thomas set up a tense final 13 minutes.

However, last season’s runnersup TNS made sure of the result through Aeron Edwards late on.

Meanwhile, Newtown needed a penalty shoot-out to edge past a plucky Flint Town United following a 2-2 draw.

Alex Fletcher put Newtown ahead but Luke Boundford restored parity with an own goal ten minutes later.

Newtown went back in front in extra time through Ryan Kershaw but Richie Foulkes forced a shoot-out with a late equaliser. And Jamie Reed went on to net the winning kick as Newtown prevailed 4-3.

Elsewhere, Liam Thomas scored twice as Carmarthen Town defeated Airbus

Broughton 4-1 and Llandudno saw off Ruthin Town 4-3 in extra time. Connah’s Quay Nomads were 3-1 winners over

Porthmadog and Bangor City edged past Llanrhaedr 3-2. In other action, nine-man

Llanelli Town missed the chance to go back top of Welsh League Division One after a 2-1 home defeat to Afan Lido.

The game sparked into life on the half-hour mark when Reds goalkeeper Scott Coughlan saw red for bringing down Sacha Walters – with defender Lee Bevan forced to replace him between the sticks.

Rob Thomas put Llanelli in front just before the hour mark however Lido hit back immediately through Mark Jones.

The hosts then also had Joe Clarke dismissed for an elbow on Josh Webber before the Chris Thomas put through his own net in the dying moments.

Bad weather decimated most of the programme throughout the three divisions. But credit to

Cambrian & Clydach, who managed to get their Division One game with Penybont going.

Although they probably wished they hadn’t after falling to a 1-0 defeat with Kieran Howard’s strike proving to be the match winner for the visitors.

Up in the north, James Murphy scored five times as Rhyl powered into round three of the Huws Gray Cup with a magnificent 7-0 win over Llandudno

Junction. Tom Harley and Alun Webb also netted as the Lilywhites ran riot.

There was one game played in the league and saw Holywell Town win 3-0 at Gresford

Athletic to move four points behind leaders Caernarfon Town.

Steve Thomas, Sam Jones and Steve Lewis netted for Holywell in what was their 11th victory from 19 games so far this season.