GRESFORD ATHLETIC. Buckley Town and Llay Welfare all dodged potential shocks in the first round of the Welsh Cup.

Eddie Maurice-Jones’ Gresford stormed into the next round with a 9-0 thrashing of Cymru North rivals Prestatyn Town.

Charley Edge’s volley gave Gresford the ideal start and this was soon followed by Haci Ozlu’s strike.

Lewis Dutton’s excellent save preserved the two-goal cushion and victory was in the bag before the break as Edge struck twice more to complete his hat-trick.

There was no let-up in the second half, with Paul Johnson, Joe Ormrod and Ozlu adding to the tally.

Things went from bad to worse for Prestatyn as Patrick Hamid was sent-off and Gresford took advantage with further efforts from Ben Buley and Dominic Deacon.

It was far closer as Llay Welfare progressed courtesy of their 1-0 triumph at Ardal League Corwen.

The breakthrough came midway through the second half, with Ethan Simpson claiming the only goal.

Buckley Town eased through to round two as they got the better of Builth Wells 7-2.

Brad Knight’s first half hat-trick played a part in making it a comfortable afternoon for Buckley.

Danny Holland, Rhys Edwards and player-boss Asa Hamilton (2) added the others, as Danny Ives and Alex Hicks hit back for the Mid Walians.

Reflecting on what turned out to be an excellent day for his Buckley side in the competition, Hamilton told the club’s Facebook page: “A good performance. A professional performance.

“Done what we needed to do. Always tough games. I think these were second of their league last week... so good team.

“I thought we moved the ball really well and created loads of chances and, thankfully, took our chances today.”

There was penalty shoot-out misery for Flint Mountain at Rhyl 1879.

Tom Kemp put Rhyl ahead in front at Belle Vue but Aaron Sampson’s leveller took the tie to penalties with Tom Dyer and Jack Sconce missing from the spot as the hosts went through 4-3.

Llangollen Town produced a brilliant display to secure their place in this week’s draw.

Luke Maybury’s side won 2-0 at St Asaph City thanks to goals from Vinnie Cooke and Louie Middlehurst.

Rhydymwyn were beaten 1-0 at Llannefydd for whom Ciran Jones scored the only goal.

Queen’s Park - the only other North East Wales League side left in the competition - were beaten 6-1 at home by Porthmadog.

Liam Lawrence was the Park marksman with Tom Hilditch (2), Dan Brookwell (2), Jack Gibney and Sion Williams scoring for the visitors.

Brickfield Rangers were surprisingly beaten 3-1 at Kinmel Bay for whom Sean Sheridan grabbed a double. Connor Morris also scored. Cefn Albion were hammered 5-0 at Caersws whose star man was two-goal Josh Astley.

Other Cymru North sides to go through included Llandudno, who beat Llanberis 4-0, and Penrhyncoch, who edged out Talysarn Celts 2-1.

Llangefni Town hammered Gaerwen 7-1 while Will Owen and John Evans scored in Llanuwchllyn’s 2-1 win at Penmaenmawr Phoenix.

Other Northern Section ties: Llandudno Amateurs 0 Holyhead Hotspur 4; Llansannan 0 Cerrigydrudion 2; Carno 0 Llanrhaeadr 4; Trearddur Bay 2 NFA 1; Llanrwst Utd 5 Menai Bridge Tigers 1.