This Welsh Cup tie began in unseasonal sunshine but there were a couple of familiar details about the match; it was 1876’s second consecutive Welsh Cup tie against a team wearing black and white stripes and there was a caginess about the opening period of the match, as both sides tried to impose themselves upon events.

Llay appeared to have found a balance by the fourth minute when Jonathan Collo scored the tie’s first goal. Collo collected a long pass roughly half way inside 1876’s half and his calm presence of mind allowed him to propel the ball around Brad Farrar, who had ventured forth to stymie the Llay thrust, and pass it into an unguarded goal.

1876 tried to make amends through wing play. The left side of the pitch saw some notable endeavours as Sam Jones coupled well with Cai Powell Roberts. Despite these efforts Llay appeared to have doubled their advantage but Cavan Daley’s goal was disallowed for offside.

1876 continued to use both wings with patient application and the approach bore fruit in the 20th minute when Sam Jones equalised. Powell-Roberts had moved the ball to a crossing position and Jones was the right back post man in the right place at the right time.

The proceeding ten minutes saw 1876 continue to apply the attacking pressure. Both Mason Blackwell Jones and Sam Jones put the ball in several promising positions. Sadly, for the home faithful there were narrow misses rather than further goals.

During the last ten minutes of the half 1876's attacking pressure lead to several corner kicks, the precision wasn’t quite there on these occasions so Tom Clarke and Tom Mahoney produced yet more narrow misses. Further wing work from James Barry and Blackwell Jones failed to create further opportunities but Sam Jones’ effort pressed Cameron Jones, Llay’s keeper, in to making a very good save. The visitors also offered enough threat in the final five minutes of the half to keep the hosts honest.

Half Time - Bangor 1876 1 Llay Miners’ Welfare 1

The visitors began the second half in a positive fashion as they forced the home defence to concede a brace of corners. They were unable to restore their lead as both situations ended with the ball in Bangor’s side netting.

In the 52nd minute the Blues propelled the ball towards Blackwell-Jones in the central area of the pitch. Bangor’s lively number 7 then took the ball towards the visitor’s goal and his progress was only stopped when the referee adjudged that Cameron Jones had conceded a penalty. Tom Mahoney calmly stroked the ball home into the right side of the goal to put the Blues were ahead.

1876 then resumed their wing-based attack as determined moves from Powell-Roberts and Dan Cox nearly became further goalscoring chances. Dale Davies almost added to the home lead at around the hour mark but his header flew narrowly over.

Llay also played their part in an increasingly “end-to-end” match by the second third of the second half; they won a couple of corners, claimed a penalty appeal and missed with an overhead kick in the 18 yard area. 1876’s wing play also continued to provide hopeful opportunities but Jones and Corrig McGonigle failed to add another goal.

Llay exerted further pressure in the last third of the second half to give the hosts something to ponder and the home defence saw their side netting ruffled once more. 1876 saw good moves but Powell Roberts, Blackwell- Jones and Harry Galeotti were not quite precise enough with their touches.

The additional time at the end of the second half was rather uncomfortable for the home support as Llay attempted to force an equaliser. Blackwell-Jones could have extended the home lead but he was unable to beat Cameron Jones with his trademarked burst of energy.

Just when it appeared that the home fans were being given clear evidence that proved Einstein’s theory about the elasticity of time, Brad Farrar claimed the ball from a Llay cross in a authoritative manner and the final whistle followed. 1876 were through to the third round of the JD Welsh Cup.

Full Time - Bangor 1876 2 Llay Miners’ Welfare 1

Our next two matches are away matches in the Cymru North. On Saturday (26th October) we’ll be visiting Caersws (2.30pm kick off). On Friday 1st November we’ll be visiting Airbus UK (7.45pm Kick Off). We hope to see you there!