Gavin Redfern-Jones documents our latest trip to mid Wales

A goal from Jamie Jones deep into added time meant Bangor 1876 crashed out of the Welsh Cup at the third round stage for the second consecutive season.

Bangor 1876 made their third visit down to the Caersws Recreation Ground this season. This particular week's face off against Caersws FC, brought us a third round tie in the JD Welsh Cup with a place in the last 16 up for grabs. Bangor earned their spot in the third round by means of a 2-1 home victory over Llay Welfare, whilst Caersws came out on top in a 7-3 thrashing of Ardal North West side, CPD Y Rhyl 1879.

Following a lengthy even opening period, where both teams were unable to carve out any real opportunities, Bangor fired their first warning shot on 25th minute. Goalkeeper Bradley Farrar took a free-kick from deep within the Bangor half which was flicked-on by Dales Davies on the edge of the penalty box by Dale Davies. Right-wingback Cai Powell-Roberts latched on to Davies' header at the right byline and was able to pick out Mason Blackwell-Jones just inside the box at the opposite side. Blackwell-Jones took a moment to steady the ball before taking a shot, but his effort was blocked by Bluebirds defender Ashley Harries.

With less than 10 minutes remaining in the half, Caersws' Craig Williams delivered a 30-yard free-kick that picked out centre-back Harry Cottam just outside the six-yard box near the left post. His header was nodded back towards the penalty arc where Craig Harris waited to line up a low, side-footed shot. The attempt was marginally wide of the left post.

Caersws threatened just on the stroke of half-time with a short corner-kick routine. Corner-kick taker Craig Williams played a one-two with Sam Phillips before squaring the ball to Rhys Hesden just outside the penalty box. Hesdens' powerful, medium-height shot was bobbled into the air by Bangor stopper Farrar before he claimed it.

The referee blew the whistle for half-time and both sides went into break goalless, in truth it had been a rather uneventful first half.

HALF-TIME: Caersws 0 Bangor 1876 0

The hosts took the lead early into the second half when a cleared Craig Williams corner-kick found its way to Sam Phillips on the edge of the box. Phillips struck a sweet, low volley that managed to sneak in just inside the left post.

As the game approached the hour-mark, a curling free-kick from deep on the left-flank by Corrig McGonigle found the head of Captain Tomos Clarke, but his header was directed over the bar.

With 20 minutes remaining, a flat cross from the right-wing by Sam Jones was collected by a backtracking Dale Davies just inside the penalty box. With his back towards goal, Davies was able to turn and get a shot off. The effort was on target but was safely collected by Caersws goalie Max Williams.

With less than 10 minutes left in the game, a right corner-kick taken by McGonigle was followed by a period of chaos in the penalty box, with both Clarke and Davies having their goal-bound headers cleared off the line. The decisive touch finally arrived when the ball fell to Liam Morris just outside of the six-yard box and his volley on the half-turn hit the roof of the net to give Bangor 1876 a late equaliser.

Deep into added time, the game looked set to go to penalties until a Caersws counter-attack, lead by Max McLaughlin, made advances against an outnumbered Bangor backline. McLaughlin's pull-back pass from the left byline found team-mate Jamie Jones unmarked at the far-post who slotted the opportunity away into the empty net as Caersws re-took the lead in the dying minutes.

The referee blew the whistle for full time and the Bluebirds emerged victorious with a narrow last-minute win. Consequently Bangor 1876 were knocked out of the JD Welsh Cup and Caersws progressed into the last 16.

FULL TIME: Caersws 2 Bangor 1876 1

As our Welsh Cup adventure concludes for another season we would like to wish Caersws well for their continuing journey in the competition. Our next match will be next Friday's home match with Holywell Town in the Bangor City Stadium (Friday 22/11/24 - 7.45pm Kick Off). We hope to see you there.