LLANDUDNO Albion’s Mawddach Challenge Cup defence fell at the semi-final stage after a 5-2 loss at Llangefni Town.

The pivotal clash was due to be a home fixture for Darren Jones’ men, but they were forced to change the venue at the last minute due to “circumstances beyond their control”.

Things did not begin well for the visitors and they fell behind on 28 minutes when Matthew Jones made the most of the space afforded to him, but this provoked a strong response from the away side, who levelled matters thanks to a fine effort from the prolific Dave Maddock with 36 gone.

This joy proved to be short-lived as Chris Roberts’ men regained the initiative thanks to Jones’ second of the tie on 40 minutes, and they doubled their cushion in first half stoppage time when Alan Mark Owen found the net from a tight angle.

After the interval saw the home side all-but seal their place in the final when Jones capped off a sensational individual display with his hat-trick on 64 minutes, and Albion conceded another immediately following the restart when Owen took advantage of some hesitant defending for his brace and Cefni’s fifth.

Jones’ side kept going right until the end and managed to secure another consolation for their efforts, with forward Peter Jones converting from the spot with virtually the final action of the game.

Llandudno Junction picked up only their eighth Lock Stock Welsh Alliance Division One point of the season with a 1-1 draw at Mynydd Llandegai.

Matthew Smith put the home side in front in the first period on 27 minutes, but the Railwaymen upped the tempo after the break and secured a share of the spoils with a Richard Hughes strike.