LEX XI 1
LLANGOLLEN TOWN 1
(Lex won 9-8 on penalties)
UNLUCKY Llangollen Town said farewell to the NEWFA Challenge Cup in the cruellest of fashions.
Although they had the better of their tie at fellow-Cymru Alliance outfit Lex XI, Gareth Lloyd’s side couldn’t quite get their noses in front - and they eventually departed the competition after a mammoth penalty shootout.
Lex bagged the first goal as Kevin Roberts put the home side in front on 25 minutes after some good work from Gavin Maloney.
However, the sides went into the break level as Aaron Aby crossed into the danger zone and Max Bayle was there to score.
The second half saw Llangollen create a clutch of decent chances, but they failed to take any of them.
Aaron Aby went close for the visitors, while Danny Owen had a couple of decent opportunities as Llan pressed for a winner.
Extra time proved to be a nonentity with the thoughts of both sides on penalties - and what a shootout it proved to be.
From the 20 penalties taken, 17 of them were successfully converted, but crucially Llangollen missed twice as Lex booked a last-eight berth.