Cwpan Ceredigion - Maesglas 5 v 4 Aberdovey

Maesglas battled through to the next round of the Cwpan Ceredigion after a see-saw battle with first division Aberystwyth league side Aberdyfi, the game played in windy conditions which contributed to some good and poor play throughout the afternoon.

Maesglas went ahead after 5 minutes when Aled Rees toe poked from 6 yards, Maesglas had a number of breaks to increase the lead, but were then caught napping when the away side midfielder turned and looped a shot over Blues keeper Graham Keen. Keen had a busy afternoon and was probably the Blues best player as a number of the boys were not on top of their game, too many passes going astray and concentration levels not as they should be, fortunately other players carried these boys and two of those were Dai Cole and Llifon Howell who were instrumental throughout the 90 minutes and even more so when the game entered extra time. It was all square at the break.

The Blues went back ahead with free kick from Johnny James, who is getting sharper by the game and his Beckham-esque free kicks are becoming a habit, a good habit for the Blues. Aberdyfi are a good foot-balling side and play the ball on the deck, but their equaliser was route one and with the wind causing havoc with the high ball the Blues defence got into a tangle and handed the leveller on the plate for the away side.

The Aberystwyth side then edged themselves into the lead when the communication between captain Dafydd George and keeper Keen were nonexistent and the Dyfi striker pounced and put his side ahead for the first time in the game and time running out for the Blues.

The next goal was a classic, with the Blues chasing the game they raised the tempo and Cole and Howell created a superb goal by playing one- twos down the left and almost the full length of the pitch and Howell crossed superbly to find Aled Rees running in and his header flew into the top corner, one of the best goals seen at Maes Radley. The goal made sure of extra time and after an uneventful first 15 minutes with both sets of players looking dead on their feet.

Blues manager Paul Hope changed a couple of positional changes and this seemed to pay off, with Daz Davies winning a ball in midfield he flicked on to Johnny James who laid the ball off some 25 - 30 yards out to Dai Cole and his drive screamed passed the Dyfi keeper, who was flapping at fresh air, another quality finish and this seemed to give the Blues an extra step in their stride. Blues substitute Emlyn George grabbed goal number five after a through ball from Llifon Howell, this looked to have made the game safe, but Maesglas always make it hard for themselves and when a cross connected with the crossbar from Dyfi it totally unbalanced keeper Keen and the ball dropped into the goal, fortunately the game had seconds to go and referee Mike Thomas blew to end the game.

The game was not a cracker but some good play from both sides made it what it was and the result maybe was a little harsh on Aberdyfi with Keeper Keen

In good form and keeping out the more difficult efforts but the Blues will find it a totally different game next week when they play St Dogmaels in the league, a game which both sides need to win, defeat for either will really make the championship a stretch.