Ynysygerwn 1-1 (4-3 p) Penybont: Phillips is the hero as Ynysygerwn shock Penybont on penalties

Division Three side Ynysygerwn are through to the final of the League Cup for the first time after a penalty shoot-out victory over Division One champions Penybont. 

The plucky underdogs put in a proud performance against a side two divisions above them as they continued a fourth act of giant-killing in their memorable Cup run.

Tom Phillips scored the decisive penalty in sudden death after Jaye Bowen missed his spot-kick.

After failing to score in ninety minutes, both sides scored in the thirty minutes of additional time.

In a competitive second semi-final at Taffs Well, Ynysygerwn took the lead through Aaron Biddiscombe after 100 minutes after Joe Humphries missed a penalty in the first half of normal time. Substitute Luke Borrelli brought Penybont level ten minutes after Biddiscombe’s opener.

Jonathan Evans earned the Neath club a penalty after he was fouled by Ioan Samuel. Ynysygerwn failed to take advantage of it though as Joe Humphries thundered his spot-kick onto the crossbar.

Ynysygerwn were using their height to create opportunities. Defender Tom Phillips headed just over from a Humphries cross. 

Nicholas Maggs side finished the half the strongest, creating more threatening opportunities than Penybont.

Penybont began to grow into the game after the restart. Curtis Hutson was introduced at the break. 

Both Ben Symons and Jaye Bowen headed over from close-range as Penybont begun to test Ynysygerwn.

Simon Cole made a great reactive save to Kane Owen’s drilled left-footed shot. 

Ynysygerwn’s defence were forced into overdrive as they defended for extra-time after Penybont threw bodies forward. They were successful and the two played for a further 30 minutes.

Craig Evans forced Penybont into a goal line clearance in a first chance in additional time. 

Underdogs Ynysygerwn broke the deadlock. Aaron Biddiscombe punished Billy Borge for a slip with a well-hit shot from distance. Ynysygerwn were able to hold on until the brief break in extra-time. 

Luke Borrelli who scored Penybont’s title-winning goal came to the rescue again. Adam Carpenter found the front-man with a well-delivered cross and Borrelli headed past Cole. 

Ben Symons almost provided the lead for the first time for Penybont but after a mazy run, he shot just wide. 

Neither side were able to find a winning goal with penalties to decide.

Ynysygerwn captain Daniel Nagle had the chance to win the shootout in the normal five spot kicks after Kane Owen and Adam Carpenter missed their penalties but Wilson denied him.

Instead, it was defender Tom Phillips who sent his side into a final with Penydarren as his penalty sent Wilson the wrong after Jaye Bowen’s penalty hit the crossbar.

Ynysygerwn: Cole, Powell, Newell, Robbins, Phillips, C.Evans, Humphries (Griffin 70), Nagle (C), Biddiscombe (Nicholson 110), Balla, J.Evans (Davies 93)

Penybont: Wilson (C), Emmanuel, Owen, Howard, Borge, Dalton, Symons, Morris (Carpenter 70), Kay (Hutson 45), M.Griffiths (Borrelli 77), Bowen.

(Featured Image: Mackenzie Thomas)