HOLDERS BALA OUT AS ABER IMPRESS

BALA TOWN’S defence of the JD Welsh Cup is already over after they crashed to a comprehensive 4-0 third round defeat at Aberystwyth Town.

Declan Walker put Aber in front after 15 minutes and the tie was settled by three second-half goals in the space of 12 minutes scored by Jon Owen, Joe Phillips and Luke Borrelli to send the 2014 runners-up through.

This is the stage where the 12 Welsh Premier clubs enter the fray and safety into to the last 16 are The New Saints – who have appeared in the last four finals – after they thrashed 10-man

Penrhyncoch 6-0 at Park Hall. Alex Darlington, who also missed a penalty, netted a hat-trick with Blaine Hudson, Aeron Edwards and Wes Fletcher also on the scoresheet.

The visitors’ cause wasn’t helped by Rob Muffet’s red card in the first half.

Bangor City, who enjoyed three straight cup wins between 2008-10, are also through but were taken all the way by Welsh League Division One side

Cwmamman United, eventually running out 4-3 winners.

Daniel Gosset, Anderson Cayola, James Demetriou and Brayden Shaw grabbed the goals for the Citizens, while Ashley Curtis, Chris Allen and Ryan Thomas replied for Cwmamman.

Meanwhile, South Wales Alliance outfit Penydarren BGC – the lowest-ranked side left in the competition – recorded a crushing 4-0 win at Llandudno

Junction, the bottom club in the Huws Gray Alliance. Chris Owen’s hat-trick inspired the win while Ben Jones was also on target.

Carmarthen Town, rock bottom of the Welsh Premier, put their league woes to one side as Liam Thomas’ brace helped them to a 3-2 victory at Ammanford.

Welsh League Division One leaders Haverfordwest County, however, went out 3-1 at division two side Pontypridd Town, while Airbus edged out Gwent side Goytre 3-2 after extra-time.

The other sides through are Flint Town United, Connah’s Quay Nomads, Llandudno, Llanrhaeadr, Newtown, Cardiff Met, Porthmadog and Ruthin Town.

The one remaining third round tie will be played this afternoon and sees Caernarfon Town host Barry Town United (2.45pm).

In Welsh League Division One, a four-goal salvo from Luke Bowen helped Port Talbot Town claim a first win in four with a crushing 5-1 victory over strugglers Ton Pentre at Ynys Park, while a first-half hat-trick from Tom Walters inspired Goytre

United to a 4-2 victory over Caerau Ely at Cwrt-yr-Ala.