WELSH Cup holders Llanelli held their nerve to squeeze into this season’s quarter-finals after being taken to the wire by Rhyl at Belle Vue.
In one of three fourth round ties to go the distance, Reds boss Andy Legg saw his side progress thanks to a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory against the former Premier League club.
Legg breathed a huge sigh of relief when Craig Williams converted the winning spot kick following a thrilling 3-3 draw at the end of extra-time.
The encounter had finished 2-2 after 90 minutes, Rhyl taking the lead through Tom Rowlands only for Llanelli to equalise just before the break courtesy of a Rhys Griffiths penalty.
Stuart Jones gave the reigning champions the lead on 67 minutes but just when they thought they could celebrate, up popped Rhyl’s Ryan Williams to level.
Four minutes into the extra 30, Chris Venables struck from Griffiths’ knockdown as Llanelli regained the initiative but yet again Williams was on hand to make it all square.
He slotted home from the spot when Reds skipper Jones brought down Mike Pritchard in the area. In truth, it was all Rhyl deserved given they had been down to 10 men since the eighth-minute when Neil Coverley was sent off.
The first eight shoot-out penalties were all successful until Rhyl’s Shaun Dowling had his effort saved by young stand-in ‘keeper Craig Richards.
Llanelli will travel to Bala Town in the last eight after they won 4-2 at Buckley Town on Saturday. Bala required an extra 30 minutes to win through with Lee Hunt completing a hat-trick in the 104th minute.
Welsh League side AFC Porth pushed Carmarthen Town close before succumbing 3-1 in extra-time. Veteran striker Julian Alsop got Town’s third to go with goals for Nick Harry and Tim Hicks.
Airbus UK will host Carmarthen next after they needed penalties to see off Afan Lido, who levelled the match at 2-2 right at the end of normal time.
Goals from Mark and Gavin Cadwallader cancelled out an Andy Hill penalty on 12 minutes only for Liam Williams to send the game into extra-time with his first strike for the club.
There was shoot-out drama at Park Avenue as hosts Aberystwyth beat Llandudno Town 5-3 on spot kicks. The visitors took a first-half lead through Lee Jones before Alex Samuel levelled with 15 minutes left.
Prestatyn were the only Premier League club to lose to lower-ranked opposition, going down 2-0 at home to Cefn Druids, visitors to Aberystwyth in the quarters.
Adam Hesp gave Cefn the lead early on and Mark Harris sealed a quarter-final place in the last minute.
The New Saints scored all four of their goals against Newport County’s second string in the first-half. Connell Rawlinson, Alex Darlington, Greg Draper and Craig Jones secured the win before the break.
Finally, Neath were comfortable 3-1 winners at Flint Town United for whom there was a familiar name on the scoresheet. John Rush, son of Ian, netted a consolation for Flint after Craig Jones (2) and Chris Jones put Neath 3-0 up.
Neath will make the trip to The New Saints for a place in the semi-finals with all of the quarter-final ties to be played on February 25, 26 or 27.
By David Williams
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