ABERYSTWYTH TOWN 2

RUTHIN TOWN 1

THERE was late, late heartbreak as unlucky Ruthin Town departed the JD Welsh Cup at top flight Aberystwyth.

Extra time looked to be looming during the third round contest as visiting captain Ilan Hughes converted an 89th minute penalty to make it 1-1.

However, Aberystwyth won the tie in injury time courtesy of Wes Baynes' stunning effort from distance.

That was tough luck on Ruthin, who created more than their fair share of chances during a close tie.

Backed by their vociferous supporters, Ruthin started the contest brightly.

Wil Owen found the side netting with Ruthin's first attempt, but Aberystwyth were celebrating before 10 minutes had elapsed.

After eight minutes, Connor Roberts’ clearance found Geoff Kellaway in space down the left channel and he found the net with a cute finish across goalkeeper Ryan Goldston.

Ruthin looked to respond following this early setback and Owen fired wide after a nice move.

The away Town were seeing plenty of the ball, but Aberystwyth remained a danger at the other end, with Joe Phillips having a shot blocked and Wes Baynes’ free kick almost fell nicely for Stuart Jones.

As Ruthin continued to look lively, Kevin Evans headed wide from an Ilan Hughes free kick and then a superb clearance by Lee Jenkins denied Llyr Morris a strike on goal.

Then came a key moment when Adam Hughes was adjudged to have fouled Morris on the edge of the area.

As a result, a red card was issued to the TNS loanee with less than a quarter of the game gone.

With Ruthin dominating possession, Aber needed to defend well from now on and Paulo Mendes was doing an excellent job of blocking off the midfield area.

Jones’ header from a free kick was saved by Goldston in the visitors' goal, who later also denied Baynes from a free kick.

At the other end, Garmon Hafal called Roberts into saving his low effort and Aber went into the break with their lead intact.

?Aberystwyth started the second half well as they looking to kill off the tie.

Luke Boundford volleyed wide, before Marc Williams had a shot blocked.

At the other end, Osian Davies had a shot saved and Lee Jenkins was on hand to again block Llyr Morris' path to goal.

The hosts were defending well and Gwydion Ifan’s shot did not unduly trouble Roberts in the home goal.

Kellaway had two shots on goal blocked down the left for Aberystwyth, before Boundford crossed from the right for Mendes to flick a header inches wide.

The tie remained in the balance as Ruthin continued to search for a leveller.

Ilan Hughes found the side netting with an effort, before Llyr Morris got into a great position, but he couldn't make the most of his opportunity.

At the other end, Geoff Kellaway brought Ryan Goldston back into action with a cute near post effort that was deflected away for a corner.

Chances kept coming, with Gwydion Ifan’s shot being parried to safety by Roberts, before Jones forced Goldston into yet another stop at the other end.

With Aberystwyth defending bravely, it looked like they were going to hold out.

But Ruthin were presented with a glorious chance in the 89th minute.

A foul right at the edge of the area resulted in a penalty being awarded to the visitors.

Showing nerves of steel, Ilan Hughes converted the spot kick much to the joy of the Ruthin faithful.

Extra time now looked a certainty, but Aberystwyth had other ideas.

Wes Baynes picked the ball up on the right and sent in an amazing volley that flew into the top corner of the net from all of 30 yards.

There was little time for Ruthin to respond and Garmon Hafal fired wide from his side's last attempt before the whistle blew to confirm Aberystwyth's triumph.