After a summer of hard work and plenty of preparations, it was time for Riccardo Pellegrino to assemble his first competitive starting lineup of the 23/24 season.

A trip onto Angelsey was the first instalment of the new season, as we faced Aberffraw away. However, this was no ordinary weekend of football: it was the Welsh Cup.

The cliché "Magic of the Cup" gets banded around for almost every cup competition available nowadays, however, the Welsh Cup rightly deserves the almost mystical wives tale. With seven goals, a late minute rocket and a father and son goal spree this match certainly lived up to the magic.

From the get go, the visiting Cocklemen piled on the pressure from the front, with the front three searching for an early opening goal. #11 Gwion Davies was the first to test the nerve of the Aberffraw shotstopper, as great pressing only three minutes in lead to the away ‘keeper being forced to blunder the ball out for a throw in.

The pressure didn’t stop there, with the boys in sky blue continuing to carve out chances in the opening few minutes of the game. In pursuit of an early, and deserved, lead the first goal of the afternoon came through #7 Deio Hughes whose quick press of the in possession Aberffraw centre half allowed him in on goal, unfazed and composed the young winger slotted his chance home nicely. A sweet finish, and an even sweeter start to our Welsh Cup campaign.

Despite a strong opening 20 minutes, the home side struck on the counter and were able to level it through Tomos Hughes. As the first half developed, Pellegrino’s men looked unfazed by the equaliser, as they pushed for a goal to return the deserved lead. Forward #18 Tom Hughes was a the centre of a fair few chances, whether threading balls through for advancing players or attempting to beat the goakeeper himself.

On the 39th minute, somehow, the score remained at one goal a piece - following a great double save from the young Aberffraw shotstopper, with Tom Hughes forcing the last save. However, it wouldn’t take long before Hughes would get the better of the man between the sticks.

With the half-time whistle looming, Tom Hughes does what he does best and puts the ball into the back of the net. A great lobbed finish from outside the box makes it 2-1 to the Cocklmen with two minutes of the opening half left to play.

On the cusp of the break, shouts erupt from the Pen players for a penalty as Tom Hughes continues to make a handful of himself and is brought down inside the box. Despite the appeals for a penalty being waved away, the forward dusted himself off - there would be more chances to come.

We entered the break with a slender, but deserved lead. The home side managed to snatch a goal back against the run of play, but it was a goal each from the father and son attacking duo Deio and Tom Hughes that meant we entered the second half ahead.

The second half would prove to be a stern test for Pellegrino’s men, with chances far more spread out than the first half. The home side found themselves growing into the match in the final forty five, with an equaliser on the horizon too. On the hour mark, Aberffraw were awarded a penalty, a handball from Carwyn Forster. Although, in defence of the Pen centre half, it did appear to strike him outside the box. Nonetheless, the hosts struck sweetly from the spot and made it 2-2 through Tomos Hughes again.

Thirteen minutes after equalising, and the hosts confidence growing, captain #6 Deegan John attempted to salvage the lead with a great half volley that forced the home ‘keeper to make a finger tip save. Moments later it was clear to see that Pen had rediscovered their footing in this match, during a difficult second half.

After a flurry of chances, #3 Ifan Jones burst into the box carrying the ball at his feet. Despite his best efforts to brush off the Aberffraw defenders clinging to him either side, he was brought down. His determination paid off, a penalty was rightly awarded. Much like the first half, a Hughes once again steps up to the spot - this time it’s Pens own Tom Hughes who slotted it home to secure his double for the afternoon and restore our lead.

With the momentum now back with Pen, Pellegrino’s men extended their lead on the 85th minute through #8 Cedri Jones who struck the ball sweetly from outside the box sending the ball flying past the shotstopper. Mummers from the crowd, between cheering, exclaimed “You do not save them!” - how right they were!

Nonetheless, despite the comfortable lead, it was a far from comfortable finish to the match. On the 89th minute, Tomos Hughes who adorned vibrant yellow of Aberffraw made it a hat trick. It was to be a tense finish to a thrilling game of Welsh Cup football.

On the 95th minute, with the end almost in sight, Aberffraw had a last chance at goal - an open one too. But, a young #11 Gwion Davies was having none of it, with a fantastic last ditch tackle to ensure the game finished 4-3, in favour of Penrhyndeudraeth.

Moments later the whistle blew, relief, joy and excitement flooded the pitch - along with a celebrating media officer.

The result meant we carried our unbeaten pre-season form into our first competitive fixture. Pellegrino and co will be hoping they can do the same this Saturday, as we welcome Mynydd Llandegai to Maes Y Parc as we began our 2023/2024 league campaign