Big upset as Berffro beat the Rwsters

IT was labelled the biggest match in CPD Aberffraw’s history before kick-off and the Anglesey villagers marked the occasion in style.

The Gwynedd League underdogs caused a major upset when they knocked Welsh Alliance Division One side Llanrwst United out of the Welsh Cup with a 2-1 victory at Cae Cynlas on Saturday.

Although facing a team from two divisions higher, Berffro knew they had been playing well of late and went into the match full of confidence and believing they could pull off a shock.

Aberffraw created the first real chance when Ieuan Lloyd’s inswinging free kick from the left clipped the post and went wide.

This seemed to spur Berffro on and after 20 minutes they took a deserved lead.

John Earnshaw won possession and sent a searching ball down the right for Richard Roberts. He in turn did well to square to Gary Bolton, who took a touch and as a defender came to close, the ball flew into the bottom corner to edge Berffro in front.

Aberffraw pushed for a second, Bolton whipping in a cross which Roberts narrowly missed and Lloyd had a great chance but followed a superb touch with a shot just wide.

Llanrwst carried a threat at set pieces but nothing troubled keeper Gavin Roberts.

The second half started with the Welsh Alliance side applying a bit more pressure and pushing higher up the pitch.

Nonetheless, Berffro were looking comfortable until on the hour Tom Casey made the most of a fortunate run of the ball to finish clinically for the equaliser.

Llanrwst now sensed another and the hosts struggled to slow the game down and put pressure on themselves with some sloppy errors creeping in to their play.

However, slowly but surely, after riding the storm, the Gwynedd League men got themselves back into the game.

As extra time loomed, Aberffraw were awarded a free kick which was delivered high into the box and Stephen Jenkins cushioned the ball kindly into the path of Matty Reynolds, who drilled in the winner.

Berffro celebrate