MATCH REPORT: BRIDGEND STREET 2-2 GOYTRE (4-5 P)
The Division 3 outfit came within a whisker of a massive upset which on the balance of play over the 120 minutes would have been well deserved.
The first half an hour ebbed and flowed with the Welsh League leaders perhaps surprised at the intensity of the home team on a perfect pitch, this on a day of postponements elsewhere. Harry Burge went close early doors with an overhead kick attempt then skipper Paul Fowler got the breakthrough with a pearler of a free kick curled around the wall before the interval.
Goytre made all three changes at half time an unusual tactic from the dugout obviously unhappy at the performance of the visitors. The ubiquitous Fowler hit the bar from twenty yards and Street had three penalty appeals including one a certain penalty or handball to put the game out of reach.
Bridgend Street were now sensing the finishing line and for the first time Goytre looked like scoring but keeper Nicky King was holding firm. With just a minute remaining beanpole striker Lewis Sommers popped up at the far post to break Street hearts with a nice control and finish.
Extra time then with Goytre now looking favourites still energised by the late leveller and so it proved when sub Jack Aladice gave them the lead within four minutes of the restart. Street dominated the rest of extra time with Goytre’s decision to use all three changes so early looking to have backfired as their centre half limped off.
Wave after wave of attack ensued from the home team with youth team replacement Nathan Jones causing havoc on the right flank. Street levelled in the second period of extra time when Jeff White scored a strike similar to Hal Robsonon-Kanu’s against Belgium when he took on two Goytre defenders on the touchline cut inside, then after a one-two on the edge of the six yard box calmly slid the ball past Nick Thomas in the between the posts.
Goytre managed to make it to penalties with the home side frustratingly unable to get a winner in the remaining ten minutes. The penalty shootout didn’t provide the greatest quality of penalties with three missing the target put penalties into sudden death in the which the higher league side Goytre would go through on.
