J. Emrys Morgan Cup round up- Emlyn, Saints and Stars go through…
Former winners Newcastle Emlyn stormed into the fourth round of the J Emrys Morgan Cup following an emphatic win over Crannog difficult windy conditions at the Urdd Ground.
The reds under the guidance of manager Owain Thomas have now won four on the bounce following a shaky few weeks when they suffered heavy defeats and their quality is starting to show through.On target for the visitors was wide player Cory Davies who bagged a brace of goals and there was one apiece for returning front man Jake Kelly, Sam Hall and player boss Thomas.
St Dogmaels who were finalists last season made smooth progress into the next round following a well deserved win away at Penybont, a club whom they lost out to in the 2012 final.
The heavy conditions made life very difficult but it was the Saints who struck first when midfielder Rhys Jones was brought down in the box and he duly stepped up and slotted the ball high into the roof of the net. The Ceredigion Costcutter League champions doubled their lead just a few minutes after the interval when wing back Chris Morgan found striker Louis Harding with a pin point cross and the front runner brought the ball down and fired home into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
The game was killed off late on when Adam Williams set Josh Mellor off down the flank and he slipped past his marker before unleashing a superb shot past the Penybont custodian to make it 3-0. The hosts created several decent chances but they were denied by a succession of saves from Saints keeper Carl Woodbridge.
Dewi Stars recovered after a heavy defeat to Cardigan the previous week, to progress into the latter stages with a 3-1 success over Aberaeron Reserves.
The Stars welcomed back four of their university contingent who were home for the weekend and were also boosted by three new signings who were making their home debuts. The Stars were far more competitive as a result and could have won by a bigger margin had it not been for some resilient defending by Aberaeron.
Instead of conceding early like they have done so many times this season, they struck in the opening minutes as Gethin Thomas’ free kick found the bottom corner. Aberaeron though settled and with player manager Rhydian Davies prompting from midfield they played attractive football but without threatening the home goal. The remainder of the half saw Stars wasting chances and it was a single goal that separated the teams at the break.
Try as they might, the Stars could not double their lead as custodian Simon Tinney and his defenders made some heroic blocks, but eventually David Beck broke clear to guide his shot in via the post. Soon after Ifan Thomas made it 3-0 after a series of attempts were cleared by the visitors.
Instead of lying down Aberaeron threw caution to the wind and home custodian Iestyn Edwards was called upon to make several fine saves and the seagulls eventually got a deserved goal as the hard working experienced campaigner Simon Bray finished well, but the Stars held on for victory.
Bargod Rangers who have never lifted this prestigious trophy, sneaked through by 4-3 against Penrhyncoch Reserves following a penalty shoot out after the scores were locked at 2-2 after extra time.
