Brecon Corries, Knighton Town and Llandrindod Wells are through to the second qualifying round of this season’s JD Welsh Cup following victories at the weekend, writes Paul Worts.

Corries took on Caerleon from the Gwent Premier League and progressed with a 2-1 win at the Rich Field.

The hosts had much the better first half and deservedly led at the break through Craig Evans and James Jeffreys.

Last season’s topscorer Evans fired the first from the edge of the box and Jeffreys converted a cross from new signing, Nathan Williams at the far post.

Caerleon however staged a spirited second half rally and were always in the tie after Scott Smith pulled a goal back on 48 minutes. Corries lost goalkeeper Declan Gaydon to injury in the second half with the returning Brian Keddle-Jones replacing him between the sticks.

Knighton, who have welcomed back Jack Bright and Jack Francis from Rhayader Town, triumphed 2-1 at Berriew where goals from Declan Beddoes and Dan Farmer midway through the first half put The Robins in the driving seat. Sion Wilde reduced the deficit with almost an hour gone but Knighton stood firm to book their passage.

Llandrindod Wells sealed their 3-1 win against visiting Four Crosses virtually in the first half when Daryl Nicholls, Samed De Groot and Zac Baker were all on target. Nicholls opened the scoring from Kieran McCarley’s corner, De Groot added a second and it was three inside half an hour with Baker heading home another McCarley corner.

Luke Jones pulled one back late in the tie for Crosses but Llandrindod had done the hard work by then.

Presteigne St Andrews are through to the second qaalifying round without kicking a ball after scheduled opponents Trefonen conceded that tie.

Rhayader Town however bowed out at the first hurdle after a 2-1 defeat against Penparcau in a tie played at Aberystwyth Town’s Park Avenue on Friday night.

In a physical encounter, an uncharacteristic error from goalkeeper Kham Steventon gifted Mattie Davies Penparcau’sopener. Rhayader had their chances but it was new signing Elwyn Edwards who added a second for the hosts following a corner early in the second half. Jordan McFadden raised Rhayader hopes from the penalty spot after a foul on Sion Herman on 77 minutes but that was how it remained.

Builth Wells also lost 2-1 in a tough tie at Dolgellau ending the afternoon with nine men following red cards for Lee James and Ryan Powell.

Gerwyn Williams gave Dolgellau an interval lead and added a second from the penalty spot. Builth were adamant it should not have been a penalty and that the referee got it wrong as Chris Roff did not appear to make any contact with his opponent who went down..

Ten minutes into the second half it was down to ten aside with James seeing red along with Dolgellau’s Gethin Evans. Builth looked to be coping the better as Aeron Powell struck with a good finish to put them right back in the tie but their hopes faded as Ryan Powell picked up his second yellow card with quarter of an hour remaining..

Elsewhere in Mid Wales in the Welsh Cup, Carno eased past an out of sorts Aberaeron with Tyler McCarthy (2), Ryan Pugh, Geraint Jones and Sean Wild netting in a 5-0 victory. Bow Street, who have strengthened and look in good shape, went one better as they beat Llansantffraid 6-0 with Richie Ricketts scoring twice while Ifan Burrell, Steff Richards, Sion Ewart and Ben Davies completed the six hit.

Abermule caused an upset by knocking out Welshpool Town 3-1 with goals from Greg Pryce (pen), Ed Bennett Jones and Charlie Humpreys after Harry Harding had given Welshpool a first minute lead. And Waterloo Rovers maintained their fine start to the term winning 2-1 at Llanilar where first half goals from Steve Jones and Tom Ellis put them two up before Ryan Hopkins educed the deficit.

The most exciting tie of the day was at Montgomery Tow who pipped Tywyn Bryncrug 5-4 thanks to Tom Evans (2), Jack Williams, Alec Jones and Lee Jones. Ryan Goddard bagged a hat-trick for Tywyn whose other scorer was Nick Williams.