Rhydymwyn FC secured a place in the first round proper of the JD Welsh Cup with a 3-2 win over Meliden FC at The Mine on Saturday afternoon.
The game started with neither side settling quickly, but the visiting Rhydymwyn eventually took control following an opening goal from Rhys Cooper, who broke through to slot in after 23 minutes.
A second came via Adam Woosey after a well worked piece of play in the 38th, with the third added just two minutes later.
It was in the form of a brace for Cooper, whose goal capped off a strong first half performance for Rhydymwyn.
While the second half started with Anthony Weaver and Jordan Parry’s side on top, the hosts found a way back with a 65th minute goal from Aled Evans.
The goal kept the game alive, and the prospect of a comeback became very real in the 83rd minute when a header from Lewis Thompson made the score 3-2, with the game set to go penalties in the event of a draw.
However, Rhydymwyn showed their resilience in the final stages and were able to hold out for their place in the first round.
Following the game, coaches Weaver and Parry said:
“We started the game slow trying to adjust to a small pitch, but once we started to move the ball and combine five or six passes, we looked a better team and started to assert. We dominated the first half with some fantastic football and scored three very well worked goals.
At 3-0 up for half time we were completely in control of the game, so credit to the home side who put up a spirited second half performance, coming back into it to make it an uncomfortable last five minutes for us.
It was a game of two halves for us, as following a brilliant first 45 we dropped our intensity and quality of our play, but we can now be pleased with being in the hat for the first round proper, and we look forward to our next test. All the best to Meliden FC for the season and thanks for the hospitality.