When manager Kerry Mullins and his Penydarren BGC team say they always give 100 per cent they really mean it.
The 2017-18 football season is almost six months old – and the Penydarren lads still boast a perfect winning record in league and cups.
Former Merthyr Saints manager Mullins has a close-knit group of players and they are advancing on all fronts in a remarkably successful season so far.
They were given a scare by Goodwick United in the FAW Trophy in their latest match, but equalised in the dying seconds of extra time and won the penalty shootout 4-3.
The reward for Penydarren is a quarter-final against Llangefni Town at home.
Good wick goalkeeper James Gwilt produced a string of superb saves during a goalless 90 minutes played in torrential rain. The home team were then awarded a penalty three minutes into extra time and captain Adam Raymond scored to leave Penydarren facing potential defeat.
Connor Kinsey saved the day when he netted from close range after 120 minutes and the tie was decided on penalties.
Penydarren won 4-3 in the shootout and Goodwick captain Raymond said: “It was an outstanding effort from everybody.
“An heroic, proud effort against probably the best side to play at Phoenix Park for many years.
“James Gwilt, yet again, produced one of those special performances that will live in the memory for a long time. The back four of Hayes, O’Sullivan, Delaney and Tobin were magnificent against a front three of real class.
“Chris O’Sullivan, Kieran O’Brien and Iestyn Evans hassled, harried and went toe-to-toe in midfield, and Lee Hudgell and Jonny Horgan probed and tested the Penydarren back five for the 120 minutes.
“A cruel way to bow out, but the boys will bounce back stronger after such an epic tie. Best wishes to Penydarren – don’t be surprised to see them lift this trophy at the end of the season.”
Penydarren are due to play against Porthcawl in the John Owen Cup this Saturday, although that may not go ahead with FAW officials investigating whether Porthcawl played an ineligible player in the last round.
Mullins and his Penydarren team than travel to play Pontypridd Town at the USW Sports Park in the JD Welsh Cup on Saturday, January 27 (2pm), while they are fifth in the South Wales Amateur League and have won all nine fixtures played so far.
They are on 27 points and have scored 36 goals while conceding three. Penydarren have nine games in hand on leaders Cardiff Draconians and 10 on second-placed Sully Sports.
Fixture congestion could be a problem for Penydarren later in the season, but if they do win the Premier Division title look certain to be promoted to the Welsh League.
Llangefni Town defeated Pembrokeshire League Hakin United 3-1. Dan Thomas headed in a Harry Galleotti corner to put Llangefni ahead after 32 minutes and Paul Rowland made it 2-0 from a Cai Powell-Roberts pass.
Ben Fawcett pulled a goal back after 70 minutes, but Craig Roberts ran clear after 77 minutes and unselfishly set up Galeotti to complete the scoring.
Llanrug United will take on Greenfield FC in the last eight after overcoming trophy holders Chirk AAA in another tie decided by penalties.
Chirk had two players sent off in normal time, but held on for a 2-2 draw before suffering the pain of defeat from the spot.
Top scorer Louie Middlehurst fired Chirk ahead with Joni Sadler equalising from a 65th minute penalty, albeit via a post after Chirk goalkeeper Zac Bebbington saved his initial shot.
Ashton Williams was the first player dismissed for a second bookable offence and Chirk were incensed by the decision, describing it as ‘ridiculous’.
Jack Edwards, making his Chirk debut, was then dismissed on a straight red card for a rash tackle during second half injury time.
The nine-men battled fiercely, but were opened up after 107 minutes when Lion Jones tapped in from close range.
Still Chirk refused to buckle and equalised after 118 minutes when Middlehurst scored his second of the game.
Llanrug won the penalty competition and moved into the last eight.
Conwy Borough have drawn Cardiff-based Grange Albion in the next round after a 5-4 win against Mid Wales team Llanfair United.
Matty Hughes headed the winner for Conwy after 111 minutes following a corner.
Llanfair led 2-1 at half-time with Andy Hughes (31 mins) and Matt Bamford (45) scoring after Jamie Roberts had put Conwy ahead in the first minute.
That Bumford goal came when he cut out a Conwy attack and cleared from just outside his own penalty area. He watched in delight as the ball bounced over the goalkeeper and into the net.
Matty Hughes headed in from a Corrig McGonigle free-kick to make it 2-2 after 48 minutes and Conwy thought they had won when captain Iolo Hughes scored in the 87th minute.
To Llanfair’s credit they attacked, won a corner straight from kick-off and Gethin Stevens headed home to make it 3-3.
Andy Hughes edged Llanfair ahead in extra time (104 mins), but Jack Hoult (107) and Matty Hughes (111) sent Conwy into the last eight.
Buckley Town defeated Garden Village AFC 2-1 in a North Wales v South Wales clash.
Jake Reilly put Buckley ahead and that was the only goal of the opening 45 minutes before Scott Smith made it 1-1 when he died past goalkeeper Joe Makaruk.
Buckley hit the bar with 15 minutes left and scored their winner when Aron Williams finished a move started Aled Bellis.
Village finished the game pressing hard after Buckley had a player sent off, but the home team progressed.
Buckley now play Rhos Aelwyd, who won 3-1 at Abertillery Bluebirds.
Captain Aled Robertson headed Rhos in front from a Scott Reeves cross, while Bluebirds levelled the score and it was 1-1 at half-time.
Abertillery looked comfortable passing the ball on the 3G pitch, but Rhos scored their second when Jamie Rogers finished clinically to put his team in front.
Their third goal followed a counter attack with James Haynes finding a pin point pass to Ryan Jenkins to run clear and he squared the ball for Rogers to tap into an empty net.
Abertillery sent more and more players forward, but the Rhos midfield and defence stood firm and Jake Simms also made a vital tackle when an Abertillery player was just about to strike at goal.
FAW Trophy results: Abertillery Bluebirds 1, Rhos Aelwyd 3; Buckley Town 2, Garden Village 1; Conwy Borough 5, Llanfair United 4; Llangefni Town 3, Hakin United 1; Llanrug United 2, Chirk AAA 2; Goodwick United 1, Penydarren BGC 1; Brymbo 2, Greenfield 4; Mynydd ISA Spartans 1, Grange Albion 3.
FAW Troph quarter-final draw (ties to be played Saturday, February 10): Llanrug United v Greenfield, Penydarren BGC v Llangefni Town, Rhos Aelwyd v Buckley Town, Conwy Borough v Grange Albion.