COEDPOETH UNITED 2

RUTHIN TOWN 3

CHRIS Williams' Ruthin Town dodged a real banana skin over the weekend to book their spot in the next round of the JD Welsh Cup.

Huws Gray Alliance Town were staring at a shock first round exit when they trailed Wrexham Area League Division One hosts Coedpoeth United 2-1 after 90 minutes.

However, Ruthin kept battling and they grabbed a dramatic two goals in injury time to secure their passage into the draw for the second round.

The Ruthin team showed four changes to the one that was narrowly beaten by Llanrhaeadr YM in the league seven days earlier.

Tom Sharples, Lewys Turner, Izzy Edwards and Rhys Rowlands all came into the Town team.

Initially, things went well for the visitors, who enjoyed a dream start.

After just 90 seconds, Gwion Owen picked the ball up in midfield, drove at the Coedpoeth defence and beat a number of challenges before being brought down for a penalty.

Up stepped Ryan Jones, who comfortably beat the Coedpoeth keeper from the spot to make it 1-0.

The first 20 minutes belonged to Ruthin, but they couldn’t find that key final ball to create a further clearcut chance to make it 2-0.

To their credit, Coedpoeth grew into the contest and Ruthin keeper Ryan Goldston twice had to rush off his line to thwart a home striker.

Just before half-time, Gwion Owen's brilliant cross found Llyr Morris at the far post, but his header was well saved.

The second half started with Coedpoeth sensing that they could cause an upset.

These dreams were boosted when they managed to find an equaliser on 54 minutes.

A break resulted in a couple of quick passes setting up striker Curt Griffiths to supply a deft finish.

Ruthin introduced youngster Tom Watkin-Jones to add some impetus to their frontline, but a further break saw United claim a surprise lead.

A through ball down the right released Olly Lewis to run in on goal and he finished well to make it 2-1.

The rest of the tie saw Ruthin on the front foot in an effort to turn things around.

Coedpoeth defended well with three goal-line clearances to keep out efforts from Tom Sharples, Tom Watkin-Jones and Llyr Morris.

As the match entered injury time, Ruthin were throwing everything at their opponents to try and force extra time.

Eventually, in the 91st minute, substitute Tom Williams worked his was down the right and from his pinpoint cross, centre half Lewys Turner powered in a header to make it 2-2.

Unbelievably, Coedpoeth had a great chance to go back in front straight from the restart, but a striker put his effort just wide of the target.

Then, in the sixth minute of injury time, Ruthin dramatically won the tie.

From a long ball into the box, Tom Williams did well to win a far post header and from his knockdown, skipper for the day Osian Davies finished into far corner to send Ruthin into the second round.