Football: Glan Conwy make cup semis

Feb 18 2010

GLAN Conwy manager Jon Chapman had mixed feelings after landing fellow Welsh Alliance League side Llanberis in the FAW Welsh Trophy semi-finals.

Monday’s draw paired two rivals which have met twice already this season, Glan winning on each occasion at Ffordd Padarn - 4-0 in the Cookson Cup and 3-1 in the league.

The other semi-final will be played out between Wrexham area club Venture Community and South Wales outfit Clydach Wasps.

Both ties will take place at neutral venues on March 13 with the Glan Conwy v Llanberis clash set for Farrar Road, Bangor, kick-off 2pm.

Glan reached the last four on Saturday with an heroic 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory at Trophy favourites Rhos Aelwyd of the Welsh National League Premier Division.

Next up is Llanberis, who travelled all the way to South Wales to see off Ton and Gelli BC of the South Wales Amateur League 2-0.

“It’s a bit of a mixed reaction really,” said Glan boss Chapman (pictured inset) after hearing the draw.

“We’ve beaten them twice already this season, but that was a hell of a performance they put in on Saturday.

“That was a brilliant result for them and we’ll be taking nothing for granted. It will be a hard game; the 4-0 win over them wasn’t as emphatic as the score suggests and in the league game they took the lead against us before we fought back to win.

“Whoever you get in the semi-final deserves to be there so you know it’s going to be a tough test.

“We know we’ll have to play to our potential to beat Llanberis.”

Glan made the journey to Ponciau Park on Saturday as underdogs against a Rhos side which lifted the Trophy two years ago, lie top of their league and were on a run of 13 straight victories.

On a difficult pitch, chances were few and far between with Glan’s centre-back pairing of Rob King and Ben Thomas outstanding.

Ashley Smith and Gareth Davies went close for Glan, while five minutes from the end of the 90, Ben Jones found space in the visitors’ area but blasted over.

A further half-hour failed to separate the teams so it was down to the lottery of penalties.

Glan scored through Smith, Aled Stapleton, Sam Sinkinson and stand-in captain and man of the match King, who fittingly put away the deciding kick. Glan keeper Aaron Peel was a true hero as he saved two penalties to see his side into the semis.

Chapman was full of praise for his side after they bounced back from a Cookson Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Conwy United the previous weekend to knock out mighty Rhos.

“To go there and beat such a good side was a great achievement and made up for the defeat last week,” said the Glan chief.

Glan were beaten finalists in this competition in 2007 so will be aiming to go one better in 2010.

To complete a perfect day for Glan Conwy FC, their second string caused a massive shock in the Black Dragon Badges Reserve Premier Division, hammering previously unbeaten leaders Prestatyn Town 8-2 at Cae Ffwt.

Jack Roberts notched two consolations for the Seasiders, but Glan were always in command, Paul Woodhouse (3), Danny Forber (2), new signing James Hobson (2) and Matty Tidswell guiding them to a big win.

Glan’s first team were due to play a league game at Holywell Town last night (Wednesday) and this Saturday travel to second-placed Barmouth and Dyffryn United (2pm). Glan recently hammered Bermo 6-0 in the Cookson Cup.