There were Welsh Premier upsets across three ties in the first round of the Nathaniel MG Cup midweek with five Cymru Alliance clubs advancing.
A total of eight clubs from outside the JD Welsh Premier League are in the hat for Thursday afternoon’s second round draw, which is being made live on Facebook.
Cefn Druids, Prestatyn Town and early Welsh Premier pacesetters Llandudno were all handed early exists at the first hurdle of the competition.
A stunning late comeback saw Holywell Town advance at the expense of Prestatyn Town.
Leading 2-0 up, Prestatyn looked set to progress to the next round until Holywell halved the deficit in the 88th-minute before Graeme Williams completed after a stunning comeback, equalising three minutes into added time.
Prestatyn then regained their lead in extra-time, only for Jon Jones to rescue Holywell a minute into added-time in extra-time.
Hollywell keeper Joe Griffiths twice denied Prestatyn in the first ever ABBA penalty shootout to be officially used in Wales before Jon Jones sealed a dramatic win for the Wellmen to complete a trip of Cymru Alliance shock wins.
At the Hollingsworth Group Stadium, Aaron Bowen scored against his former side as Airbus saw off Cefn Druids, winning 3-2 in extra-time.
Caernarforn Town recorded a notable upset against early Welsh Premier League pacesetters Llandudno. Danny Brookwell’s strike midway through the second half proved to be the only goal of the game as the Cofis recorded a morale-boosting win.
In the round’s only all-WPL tie, Newtown avenged their 3-0 defeat at Bala Town on the opening weekend of the season by handing the Lakesiders an early exit. New striker Jamie Reed scored his third goal in two matches to send the Robins through.
Dean Rittenberg made the most of his opportunity to impress Bangor City boss Kevin Nicholson after being recalled to Cizitens line-up against Denbigh Town.
The 21-year-old former Blackburn forward has been restricted to substitute appearances in the Welsh Premier League so far this season but hit four goals as City came back from a goal down to eventually run out comfortable 5-2 winners.
Aberystwyth avoided a potential banana skin in Mid-Wales against Caersws. Midfielders Ashley Young and Jack Rimmer earned Nev Powell his first win since taking over with Caersws’ Luke Sherbon missing the chance to score a late spot-kick against his former club.
Nathaniel MG Cup first round results
Central region: Bala 0-1 Newtown, Caersws 0-2 Aberystwyth
North-Eastern region: Airbus 3-2 Cefn Druids (AET), Holywell 3-3 Prestaytn (a.e.t, 4-3 pens), Rhyl 0-1 Flint Town United (AET)
North-Western region: Bangor City 5-2 Denbigh Town, Llandudno 0-1 Caernarfon Town, Porthmadog 3-5 Holyhead Hotspur
South-Western region: Afan Lido 2-1 Penybont, Haverfordwest County 2-1 Goytre United
South-Eastern region: Goytre AFC 1-2 Cardiff Met, Pontypridd Town 3-0 Taff’s Well
