Horace Wynne Cup – Ruabon and Lex win penalty shoot outs to make semis, Queen’s Park and Greenfield join them

NEWFA Horace Wynne Cup quarter-finals
Coedpoeth United 1 FC Queen’s Park 2

Mike Latham’s double put Queen’s Park through to the semi-finals but Dave Evans’ side had to withstand a big second half effort from hosts Coedpoeth before emerging victorious.

The Park took a fourth-minute lead when a delightful through ball from Tony Jones released Latham to beat keeper Callum Thurnham for 1-0.

From the next attack, Latham played a great one-two with Leroy Ngema, who was unlucky with his shot.

In the 19th minute Dylan Jones twisted past his full-back and drew the tackle to earn a stonewall penalty. Latham made no mistake from the spot.

More incessant attacking from the visitors followed, but as the half came to an end, a long ball forward caught the Park defence out and captain Aaron Camplin pounced to score.

Half-time: 1-2

The second half was a completely different affair and full credit to Coedpoeth’s coaching staff, a change of formation and the evergreen Kev Breeze moving up front had an instant impact.

The full 45 minutes was played in the Queen’s Park half. The visitors were lucky to survive a number of missed chances and hung on for a semi-final spot.

Lex XI 3 Castell Alun Colts 3 (Lex win 3-1 on pens)
Spectators were treated to a dramatic afternoon between two local rivals in the cup at Stansty.

After only 35 seconds Lex’s Al Huxley put the ball in the net only to be adjudged offside.

On 20 minutes the deadlock was broken when Fin Dyer slotted home after pressure from the home team for his 18th goal of the season.

The game swung in Casty’s favour when after 25 minutes the home side’s Jason Edwards was red-carded after the referee heard bad language. The home team now had a mountain to climb.

A resolute defensive performance was needed as the hosts rolled up their sleeves, but pressure of playing with 10 men led to Casty scoring either side of half time through Ben Bailey and substitute Alun Williams.

The fired-up visitors were playing much of the game in the Lex half, but on 60 minutes a counter attack saw Tom Huxley make it 2-2.

Casty then got what they thought was the winner on 78 minutes when Jack Jones made it 3-2. The away team then had a goal ruled out for offside.

With four minutes to go veteran player-manager Ricky Evans came on for Lex. The Lawmen had nothing to lose and threw men up field.

Seb Kidd was hacked down in the box, up stepped Evans to coolly roll the ball in the net from the penalty spot to get a 93rd minute equaliser.

Straight to pens and Lex may have feared the worst as they had lost their last three shootouts, but a save from Scott Evans and the winner from Fin Dyer sent a dogged home team into the last four – a fantastic result after playing 68 minutes with 10 men.

Man of the match was Kidd, playing centre-back for the first time in 28 months.

Ruabon Rovers 5 Penyffordd Lions 5 (Ruabon win 10-9 on pens)
The most dramatic of cup clashes saw Championship underdogs Ruabon progress 10-9 on spot kicks after a 5-5 draw with Premier Division Lions.

Andrew Swarbrick netted on 20 and 28 minutes for Rovers, Paul Messham striking back in between for the visitors.

When Swarbrick completed his hat-trick two minutes into the second half, then Conner Kendrick made it 4-1 on 55, the tie looked over.

However, Messham replied for Penyffordd after 55, then Sam Evans struck again for the away team to cut the arrears to 4-3.

The action became ever more fierce until Ben Hughes took centre stage for Lions, scoring on 80 and 84 minutes to edge his team 5-4 up.

Still, the drama was not over, Conner Kendrick equalising on 88 to force a penalties contest.

The shoot-out was a masterclass, Ruabon leading 10-9 before Penyffordd missed.

Saltney Ferry conceded v Greenfield - Postponed