The Ruthin faithful arrived in Aberystwyth in their numbers and in fine voice daring to dream of an upset. The hosts had not been playing well and Ruthin had a history of doing well in the Welsh Cup over the last few years. It could be on.
The visitors started brightly as Will Owen fizzed a shot into the side netting showing Ruthin’s intent. Ruthin settled into the game well and looked comfortable until top scorer Geoff Kelaway burst their bubble on 8 minutes. He met a long ball over the top, controlled the ball well and shot into the bottom corner to Ryan Goldston’s right.
Undeterred Ruthin continued to play their football seeing plenty of the ball with Will Owen causing all sorts of problems up front. Aber reminded the visitors of their JD Cymru Premier League status when Kevin Evans did well to stretch to block a shot from Joe Phillips. Kevin Evans was in action at the other end heading just wide from a free kick and a Lee Jenkins clearance denied Llyr Morris a strike on goal. Ruthin looked as if they had control of midfield, passing and moving well, but Aber always looked dangerous when they attacked. The game changed on 21 minutes as Llyr Morris chased a through ball. He was brought down by Adam Hughes just outside the penalty area and the defender was sent off for preventing a clear goal scoring opportunity.
This changed the shape of the game and Ruthin looked a little less effective against 10 men as Aber concentrated on the defensive element of the game.
In the second half Aber came out determined to hold on to the lead. Ruthin dominated possession and patiently probed an organised defence. The theme continued throughout the half and the pressure from the visitors increased as the game came into its final quarter. Llyr Morris had a couple of chances as Ruthin became desperate to score the equaliser. The breakthrough came with a minute to go. Llyr was fouled as he received the ball in the box and Ilan Hughes scored the penalty with aplomb, much to the delight of the visiting fans who had supported the team excellently throughout.
However, Ruthin’s joy was short lived. Straight after the kick off the Aber pushed forward, the ball was worked out to former Wrexham man Wes Baynes who was 30yards from goal, Baynes controlled the ball and let fly his swerving shot powered into the opposite top corner giving Ryan Goldston no chance. A great strike, which gave Ruthin no time to respond.
The lads from the Vale of Clwyd should hold their heads high. They played really well against JD Cymru Premier opposition and on a different day may well have found themselves in the hat. Aber defended well for long periods and dug deep with ten men. Ruthin dominated most of the game and virtually all of the second half only to be denied at the death by Baynes’ wonder strike.