Colwyn Bay goalkeeper Mark Halstead emerged as a key figure in his team’s recent FAW Welsh Cup tie against Buckley Town, scoring a dramatic late goal to force a penalty shootout before helping secure victory. The match, held in Buckley, unfolded with notable tension as the Cymru Premier side narrowly avoided an upset, ultimately prevailing 4-3 on penalties.
Halstead, 36, who has previous experience in the Premier League and Championship with Blackpool, came up for a crucial free-kick deep into stoppage time during the fourth minute of six added on. His strike leveled the score at 2-2, sending the match to penalties. After returning to his position in goal, Halstead saved two spot-kicks, enabling Colwyn Bay to advance despite Buckley Town’s resilience.
The match had seen Colwyn Bay initially take a 1-0 lead through Jack Kenny in the 20th minute. Buckley Town responded with goals from Connor Littler, who equalized, and Dylan Proctor, who put the hosts ahead in the 64th minute. However, Halstead’s late intervention ensured the tie went to a shootout. Penalty success for Colwyn Bay’s Lewis Sirrell sealed the win after Buckley’s Aled Bellis missed their crucial attempt.
Colwyn Bay advances to the third round alongside fellow Cymru Premier side Holywell Town, who also survived a penalty shootout after a dramatic encounter with Tier 3 club Lay Welfare. Lay Welfare took an early lead through Ieuan Jones-Wellstead and held a halftime advantage of 2-1 thanks to goals from Jonathan Collo and the earlier strike. Holywell fought back with Dom McGiveron equalizing quickly, followed by second-half goals from Sam Baker and Fabrizio Murtas. Collo’s late goal during regular time twice forced the match to penalties, where Holywell converted all five attempts, edging out Lay Welfare 5-4.
Other Cymru Premier clubs advanced comfortably against lower-league opponents, contributing to a high-scoring round. Cardiff Met, Cambrian United, Briton Ferry Llansawel, Haverfordwest County, and Connah’s Quay Nomads combined for 22 goals in dominant wins. Cardiff Met defeated Ynyshir Albions 4-0 at home, while Haverfordwest County produced a similar 4-0 victory against Cardiff Corries. Cambrian United secured a 5-0 win over Trethomas Bluebirds, boosted by two goals from Dylan Edwards. Briton Ferry Llansawel’s 5-0 home win against Afan United featured a hat-trick from Luke Bowen, with a late penalty miss denying an even larger margin.
Connah’s Quay Nomads won 4-0 at Porthmadog, and The New Saints edged Airbus UK Broughton 2-1 courtesy of an 88th-minute goal from Dan Williams. Additionally, Caerau Ely moved on following an emphatic 6-0 victory over Llanelli Town, including a brace from Tim Parker.
With the third round draw imminent, these results set the stage for further competitive fixtures among Wales’s top football tiers.