The final of the J Emrys Morgan Cup, widely regarded as the most prestigious competition in Mid Wales junior football, will see Llandysul of the Costcutter League Division One and JT Hughes Montgomeryshire League Division One leaders Llanfair United go head-to-head on Good Friday.

If there were celebrations in the Llandysul camp after a quarter-final win in Powys they faded into insignificance compared to the euphoria at Parc Emlyn on Thursday as the Tir Dref battlers dug deep to knock out holders Cardigan Town with a 2-1 win.

The winners of five trophies last season the Cardigan Magpies are also out of the Easter Monday League Cup and have only an outside chance of retaining their league title.

Cardigan’s demise means that a record set by Maesglas as the only club to win the Emrys Morgan in successive seasons – the Cardigan Blues lifted the coveted trophy in seasons 1986-87 and 1987-88 – will stand for a while longer.

It was all about Llandysul at Newcastle Emlyn as everyone in their ranks gave a hundred per cent and more to reach the final for the first time in their history.

Delighted Llan manager Chris ‘Coco’ Davies, a former player with the club, who took over the reins prior to the start of the season after a number of years associated with Carmarthen Town, said afterwards “It was a superb team effort. Everyone was up for it and although Cardigan put us under pressure in the latter stages and some of our lads were almost out on their feet they held out and I’m a proud man tonight.”

Town fans will undoubtedly feel their favourites could and should have gone through after dominating for lengthy periods but found difficulty breaching a resolute defence and when the Magpies did find a way through they found goalkeeper Carwyn Richards on top of his game.

When teenage striker Liam Doherty was upended inside the penalty area Cardigan were presented with an opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot but John Lumb’s stab at the target from 12 yards thudded against the crossbar and was cleared.

Town went ahead after a spell of pressure when midfielder Dylan Davies poked the ball past Richards.

Llandysul bounced back with two quick-fire second half goals, both claimed by left-sided midfielder Ben Thomas. He nodded in the first after the ball was played over the Town defence and squared to him and he got what proved to be the winner at the far post.

Midfielders Terry Maynard, a former player with Newcastle Emlyn in the Welsh League, and Ian Barrett along with goalkeeper Richards stood out in a first-rate Llandysul team performance.

In a re-arranged midweek semi-final at Llanidloes a brave effort by Dewi Stars of the Costcutter Division Two was not enough against Llanfair United Reserves who were generally in control and went through after winning 2-0.

The high flyers from Llanfair Caereinion near Welshpool, who sprang a 3-2 win over Crannog at the Urdd Centre in Llangrannog in the quarter-final, netted in the opening quarter when Josh Astley blasted home a 25-yard free kick.

The lead was doubled after 35 minutes through Ashley Davies who also hit an upright before the break.

Stars launched breakaway moves after the interval but didn’t seriously trouble goalkeeper Mark Richards.