Llandrindod Wells made it to the semi-finals of the Dragon Signs FAW Amateur Trophy as they dug deep to record a 3-2 victory over South Wales Alliance Premier Division leaders Cardiff Corries at the weekend.

Llandod continued their excellent run in the competition with a hard fought victory at The Riverside, with all five goals scored during the first half of the match.

The Spa Men joined Bridgend Street, Denbigh Town and Trethomas Bluebirds in the draw for the semi-finals of the national competition.

The Radnorshire club arrived in the capital after having overcome Tywyn/Bryncrug, Builth Wells, Abertillery Excelsiors, AFC Llwydcoed and Aberfan to reach the last-eight stage.

The visitors made the perfect start when Jack Evans' 25-yard effort could not be held by Shay O'Grady in the home goal in the third minute of an encounter played on a sticky surface affected by pre-match showers in north Cardiff.

Llandrindod Wells doubled their lead five minutes later when the experienced Daryl Nicholls was afforded time and space to see his effort from just outside the penalty area fly over the head of O'Grady and hit the back of the net.

Cardiff Corries halved the deficit after 12th minute courtesy of a close-range finish from Mahmadi Mane Sanha following a slick move around the visitors' penalty area that the Spa defence had failed to clear.

Former Goytre flyer Lamin Conteh fired narrowly wide of the target from the edge of the penalty area four minutes later before Curtis Dabusco headed the wrong side of the near post from a 23rd minutes corner for the Corries.

Many home supporters thought their team had levelled the scores two minutes later when Conteh drove into the penalty area two minutes later but his low shot was turned into the side netting by James Barker in the visitors' goal. The Gambian forward saw his 34th minute cross to the far post headed back across goal but Aron Davies lashed his close-range effort over the crossbar.

Chris Worsley was unable to keep his 25-yard drive on target six minutes later before the Spa Men doubled their lead against the run of play. Robbie Nicholls was given the opportunity to test his shooting skills, after Liam Hall went on a surging run down the right flank, and the midfielder found the top corner of the net from 25 yards.

Llandod v Cardiff Corries
Robbie Nicholls found the top corner for what would turn out to be the tie's decisive goal (Barcud-Coch Photography)

But he visitors switched-off again following the restart and Corries reduced the deficit within two minutes through Aron Davies after being set-up by Joe Evans.

Gareth Jones' men headed to the changing rooms at the interval knowing that they would have to work hard to preserve their lead against opponents that had only lost one league match so far this season as they look to earn promotion to tier three of Welsh football next season.

But the Spa Men continued to defend resolutely against the Corries' main attacking threats of Conteh and Mane Sanha with their pace and trickery. Davies was given the opportunity to drive forward in the 59th minute but drilled his low 25-yard shot wide of Barker's goal before Dabusco struck a 25-yard free-kick straight into the defensive wall three minutes later.

Davies was unable to keep his header on target from a 70th minute cross on the left before Cole Jarvis' free-kick from just outside the penalty area hit the Llandrindod Wellls defensive wall.

Barker was called upon to punch away under pressure when the ball was launched into his penalty area in the 82nd minute before Cardiff Corries were reduced to ten players when Evans was shown a red card by referee Cieran Lebreton for inappropriate comments.

Llandrindod Wells were coming under sustained pressure in the closing stages as the hosts looked for a third goal to take the match to a penalty shout-out.

Conteh beat Barker to a low 89th minute cross from the left side of the penalty area but, fortunately for the visiting contingent, the ball fell narrowly wide of the upright.

Barker was called upon to make one last key save in stoppage time when he denied Dabusco from close-range before the Spa Men were left to celebrate victory on the final whistle and carry the mid Wales flag into the latter stages of the competition.