Penmaenmawr Phoenix’s incredible Amateur Trophy run continued as they battled past a strong Llannefydd side to march into the last four — and a semi‑final against Bangor City 1876 now awaits.
Photo: Thomas Barrett
After the original fixture was abandoned in the 68th minute last weekend due to an unplayable pitch, Phoenix arrived at Llandudno FC knowing there would be no saving grace: turn up, battle hard, find a way to win.
Pen started in a system that may have caught their opponents off guard. It looked simple on paper, but the roles were clear and deliberate — a display of tactical sharpness from the Phoenix coaching staff.
It was a surprising decision to start Jay Sutton on the right wing, but the choice paid dividends through a scrappy opening 20 minutes. With both teams struggling to settle, Sutton’s pace was the constant. He repeatedly got in behind and unsettled the Llannefydd back line.
And it was Sutton’s pace in behind that led to the all‑important breakthrough. A corner was won after he beat his man, and the quality of Toby Jones shone through once again as he delivered a pinpoint ball for Dan Evans to nod home in the 20th minute.
The half remained scrappy, but Phoenix were dangerous. Leon Atkins did brilliantly to control the ball in the box and unleash a fierce volley that the keeper did well to save. Llannefydd responded with a swift counter and forced a fine stop from Cameron Darling to preserve the lead. A speculative curling effort from Dan Evans drifted just wide, and it was 1–0 at the break — Phoenix fully deserving of their advantage.
The second half was not what the Phoenix fans would have hoped for. Llannefydd came out hungry, and Darling was called upon to make a big one‑on‑one save ten minutes in. As pressure mounted, Phoenix’s shape was tested.
With an important decision to make, the coaching staff once again proved their worth. Dan Williams made way for Harley Crossfield, with Phoenix adjusting in midfield for greater control. It didn’t bring immediate relief, as Dean Wright soon made a superb, goal‑saving sliding challenge — but it did help Phoenix regain a foothold.
The game reverted to the first‑half pattern: scrappy and tense. Phoenix were stronger, the extra midfielder bringing control, and while Llannefydd still edged territory, clear chances became fewer. A free‑kick on the edge of the Phoenix box was a major moment, but it was blazed over.
More changes followed as Phoenix looked to see the game out. Daniel McIlvogue and Daniel Ahmed replaced skipper Liam Griffiths and Jay Sutton in the 75th minute. Soon after, Lewis Williams and former goalkeeper Elliot Jarvis came on for Ricky Jones and Leon Atkins. Dan Evans dropped into midfield while Jarvis led the line — a clear message: we are protecting this lead.
Late on, Toby Jones produced another sublime dead‑ball delivery that the keeper claimed before spilling, but the loose ball agonisingly trickled away from the Phoenix men in the box. There would be no two‑goal cushion, and the added‑time period was going to be rough.
It almost was seen out — until a last‑minute corner gave Llannefydd hope. They sent their goalkeeper forward in a final attempt to force extra time. The ball looped to the back post and was rifled into the side netting, but it wouldn’t have mattered: the linesman’s flag was up. With that, the win was in the bag for Phoenix.
A proper throwback battling performance turned out to be enough for Phoenix to make their way into the last four, where Bangor City 1876 await. They couldn’t… could they?
