They might not yet be daring to dream of reaching a first JD Welsh Cup final since 2010, but for now Port Talbot Town’s Round 2 win over local rivals Afan Lido will be more than enough to keep everyone happy at the Victoria Road ground.
In the pre-match build-up to their clash with the Lido, who had to make a journey of only a couple of hundred yards along the Aberavon beach to play the game, the home side’s Facebook page told fans to “expect fireworks, fierce tackles and unforgettable moments as we take on local giants in this much-anticipated showdown.”
Currently playing in Tier 4 in the South Wales Premiership, the Steelmen came into the game with a decent cup pedigree having completed an impressive cup double last season as they claimed the Dragon Signs Amateur Trophy and the SWFA Senior Cup.
In their two previous games they had to go to a penalty shoot-out to progress in both those competitions before beating Pure Swansea FC and Caerau All Whites.
There was no need for any late drama against the Lido.
Their stunning 3-1 win over a team playing two tiers above them in JD Cymru South stretched their unbeaten run this season to 13 games in all competitions and put them in the hat for the third round draw.
Jordan Edwards, Christian Allen and James Dolman got the goals that mattered for the home side.
Llanelli Town bundled Haverfordwest County out of the cup for the second season in a row as they piled on the agony for the Bluebirds by beating them 3-0 at Stebonheath.
The first of only three all JD Cymru Premier clashes in Round 2 of the tournament won by The New Saints last season, the home side notched a second win of the season over Tony Pennock’s men as they followed up their 1-0 league win with a comprehensive cup triumph.
Joe Lloyd struck the first blow on the stroke of half-time and then Bradley Gibbings doubled the lead 13 minutes into the second half.
The third goal came from Ethan Cann in the 73rd minute and condemned Haverfordwest to their fifth away defeat.
Penybont were three goals to the good by half-time in their game at Briton Ferry Llansawel and ran out 5-0 winners in the end.
Gabe Kircough gave the visitors the perfect start against their Cymru Premier rivals with a goal after only two minutes.
Kircough scored again in the 18th minute and James Crole made it three 20 minutes later. Second half goals from Owen Pritchard and Crole again, this time from the penalty spot, completed the rout.
In the other all-Cymru Premier clash, Connah’s Quay Nomads had a Callum West goal to thank for going into the break 1-0 ahead at Bala Town.
The Nomads had already won 3-1 at Maes Tegid earlier in the season and went into the contest on the back of three successive league wins.
Max Woodcock and Harry Franklin then made the victory secure with late goals as it ended 3-0 in favour of the Nomads, winners in 2024 and runners-up last season, to see them safely through to the next round.
Reigning champions TNS were made to work hard at Mold Alex, where veteran defender Ryan Astles finally broke the deadlock after 68 minutes against Tier 2 opposition.
But no sooner had they fallen behind than the battling home team got back on level terms through Eddie Servuts, only for Harvey Godsmark-Ford to bury the winner and make it 2-1 to the visitors in the 88th minute.
Callum Bateman scored two of Cambrian United’s half dozen in their 6-0 win at Goytre United, while Jordan Davies took his overall goal tally for Colwyn Bay to six with his effort in the 5-0 win over Kimmel Bay.
Jasper Payne was a hat-trick hero for Cardiff Met in their 5-1 home win over Taffs Well, while teenager Josh Joda came off the bench to finish off Carmarthen Town’s 5-1 demolition of Trethomas Bluebirds.
The visitors took the lead through Alex Newman-Jones in the 18th minute and then lost Ben Keen to a red card nine minutes later.
Carmarthen needed no second invitation and piled on the agony in the second half as they added three more goals from Keyon Reffell, Luke Cummings and Joda all in a six-minute period before Liam Thomas added the fifth at the death.
Elliot Reeves scored twice for Flint Town United at third tier Bow Street to help the Silkmen win 3-0.
The brace took Reeves’ tally for the season to 11 goals in 13 games.
Ollie Hulbert notched a hat-trick and Ieuan Owen scored twice as Barry Town United won 5-0 at Aberystwyth Town.
Broughton United defender Dan James had the misfortune to score two own goals in his side’s 6-0 home defeat to Treaddur Bay.
Toby Jones also scored twice for the visitors.
