Junction land home draw in Trophy
LLANDUDNO Junction have landed a home draw against South Walians Abergavenny Town in the quarter-finals of the FAW Trophy.
Junction will welcome the Gwent County League outfit to the Arriva Ground on February 21.
The Railwaymen earned their place in the last eight with a memorable penalty shootout win at Mid-Wales League side Penrhyncoch last Saturday.
The Robins started well and took the lead in the fourth minute when Mark Gornall cut in from the right to the edge of the box and fired home.
John Blundell went close for the visitors before Ricky Jones fired straight at keeper Lee Jenkins.
Penrhyn went two-up in the 23rd minute when Jon Foligno headed home from a corner.
Back came the visitors, Dean Seager denied by a great tip over from Jenkins.
In the 38th minute Junction reduced the arrears when a free kick deflected in off home defender Aiden Nyhus.
Junction came out of the blocks flying for the second half and only two heroic stops from Jenkins thwarted their attempts to level the contest.
It was no real surprise when on 70 minutes the score became 2-2.
A Junction corner was cleared to Bryan Roberts who smashed the ball home.
It was end-to-end stuff for the final 20 minutes but neither side could nab a winner.
The tie went into extra time and Penrhyn’s Liam Jacques was foiled by a great save.
Junction rallied and Ricky Jones volleyed just wide before the visitors struck the post.
However, there was to be no further score so penalties were needed to settle the argument.
Penrhyn missed their first two spot-kicks, while the visitors converted their opening couple.
The hosts made it 2-1, then Junction’s Sam Sinkinson had one saved.
It went to 2-2, Aaron Boyle put the North Walians back in front, and Penrhyn then missed to send the travellers into the quarters.
Junction return to league action this Saturday when they play host to Pwllheli in Welsh Alliance Division One.
With Junction second and Pwll third, it has the makings of a good encounter.