Llandysul and Bont will carry the flag for Ceredigion into the semi-finals of the J.Emrys Morgan Cup after they secured hard fought wins over local rivals.
Two late goals sent Llandysul through to the last four and with it a chance of making amends for losing in the final last season when they were defeated by Llanfair United.
The Swallows deserved their 3-1 win but they were forced to work exceptionally hard against a Crannog side that made life difficult for them but who never really got going until after the break. Hosts manager Chris ‘Coco’ Davies picked Danny Williams to man mark dangerman George Colven and this was a sensible move as Colven is a real livewire and scores plenty of goals but this ended up being a waste of time as Colven apart from his early goal was never given the service by his midfield and this tactic never had a chance to work and had no bearing on the game.
The visitors made a dream start when Colven tapped home from short range after only a few minutes albeit against the run of play but this was the only real chance of the half for his team as they were thoroughly outplayed. Their insistence on trying to produce the money ball rather than thread it shorter to feet played into the hands of the hosts and Llandysul, through the likes of Terry Maynard and Ian Barret Llandysul dominated for long periods. Chances though were still relatively scarce with centre back Dean Jones going close with a header from a corner and Adrian Hazelby also seeing a powerful shot go just wide. However, Hazelby was bang on target just before the break when he curled a superb right foot shot past keeper Rhydian Morgan and into the net.
The visitors played much better after the break with former Magpies midfielder Dylan Davies more prominent as was Huw Reed and any doubts about the Crannog fitness levels were put to bed in the second half as Crannog got physically stronger as the game went on and they looked the more likely team to go on and snatch the all-important second goal. Davies made one superb break that should have ended with a goal whilst at the other end Jones went close once again with a snap shot.
With just ten minutes to go and extra time very much on the cards and Llandysul looking nervous, midfielder Maynard was sent out wide with a fine pass from Lewis Jones and as he raced into the penalty box he was needlessly up ended and referee Llyr Evans had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Up stepped Dean Jones, no doubt reliving his penalty miss in the final of this competition last season, but he calmly fired his team ahead. Eight minutes later it was all over when Barrett claimed the third goal with a good strike from just inside the box to send his team through.
Llandysul just about deserved their win as they played more of the football and kept possession far better and created more chances but just as in the last round against Pencader it could have gone either way with Crannog missing out on a big penalty shout when Ben Thomas appeared to bundle Huw Reed over late on. This escaped the view of referee Llyr Evans who had an excellent game but it could easily have been a different outcome.
Some stand out performances with Jones very commanding at the back, Barret was influential alongside Maynard and Lewis Jones impressed when he came on late in the game as he is one player who will put his foot on the ball and make time for himself. That was something Crannog very rarely did as a team or as individuals and it cost them in the end.
The post match reaction of managers Dylan Evans and Chris Davies.
Bont 4 Tregaron Turfs 2
There were big celebrations as Bont progressed into the semi-finals of the Emrys Morgan Cup for the first time in the club’s history. The match winner for the Tangerines was Dewi Sion Evans whose first half hat trick sent his team on their way to a 4-2 victory over local rivals, Tregaron.
Despite the visitors getting the better of early possession, it was the home side who took the lead when Tregaron failed to clear their lines and Sam Jones handled in the box to give Bont a penalty which Evans slotted with ease. Evans doubled the tally after glancing home a powerful Andrew Gilbert corner from a few yards and Evans went on to complete his hat-trick after peeling off the defence and finding space on the back post to give the home side a 3-0 advantage at half time.
The second half began as the first ended, but this time it was Lee Jones that got on the score sheet after drilling home a free kick from 20 yards, leaving the goalkeeper flat footed and giving Bont what seemed like an unassailable lead. Credit must be given to the visitors though who kept on fighting and coming at the Bont defence, and they were rewarded for their efforts when Llyr Davies found himself free on the back post to slot home a first, and a strike from the edge of the area from Ifan Jones gave the scoreline some respectability but the hosts hung on to reach their second semi-final in as many weeks.
There was a scare for Tregaron midfielder Gareth Davies who took a heavy knock to the head after an accidental collision with moments to go, but thankfully for all, after a few minutes of treatment, he was able to get back on to his feet and was communicating with everybody after the final whistle.
The favourites for the trophy are both through to the semi-finals and neutrals will be hoping that these two inform teams can be kept apart in the draw as it would make a very good final. However there will be two other teams with similar aspirations.
