Fairwater 2-3 Maesteg Park: Steffan Roberts brace puts Maesteg into the final
Bridgend Football League side Maesteg Park will play in the South Wales Alliance League playoff after beating Fairwater at Cwrt-yr-Ala Road.
Steffan Roberts scored twice in the first half whilst Kyran Steadman made sure of the victory in the second. Despite goals from Elliot May and Ryan Hocking, Fairwater were unable to complete a remarkable comeback.
Maesteg Park were good value for their lead in the second half but allowed Fairwater more opportunities in the second half.
The Bridgend League champions met the Cardiff Combination league champions in the second play-off semi-final of the day after Ynysybwl’s convincing victory over Penygraig United.
A ball over the top fell kindly to Steffan Roberts who showed composure to finish past Jason Charles who committed to the feet of the Maesteg striker, allowing him to fire it home.
Fairwater sought a response and goalkeeper Cory Seldon had to be alert as he saved James Fish’s powerful effort from a tight angle.
Seldon’s save proved to be important as Maesteg Park scored a second.
Ashton White found an unmarked Steffan Roberts on the far side, with the forward delivering with a smart finish.
Fairwater attempted to use their height to get back into the game. Daniel John headed just wide for the Cardiff side.
Maesteg’s method of attack was their pace which Ashton White had an abundance of. He was showing good link up play with his forward Roberts.
Twice, Maesteg were presented with two opportunities. A backpass from Matthew Jones allowed Ashton White in but Charles blocked. Matthew Rogers then had space following a pumped ball into the box but he blazed over.
Approaching half time, Maesteg were denied a third from a goal line clearance as Ashton White was able to head at goal following Ellis Horrigan’s touch.
Steffan Roberts chased a first-half hat-trick but having complicated his run, Charles was able to deny him with the ball at his feet.
The final chance again fell to the dominant Maesteg. Charles was unable to hold Matthew Noyes header back to him and White almost benefitted but the Fairwater made amends to keep his side in it.
Fairwater came out in the second half with more verve about them. They tried to include Ryan Hocking into the game more. He was Fairwater’s bright spark in a poor first half.
Sam Kitchen very nearly pulled one back after James Fish’s header fell to Kitchen’s feet but Seldon did enough to deny him a clean strike.
The game did go quiet for a spell with both sides lacking to create anything.
A header across goal fell to Kyran Steadman who smacked an effort past a helpless Jason Charles to make sure of Maesteg’s victory.
Fairwater though looked what seem to be a consolation goal almost immediately. Ryan Hocking put an effort under the arms of Seldon for a first goal of the afternoon.
Shaun Mizen had a good opportunity to put the game to bed as Fairwater piled bodies forward but he skewered his effort wide.
Substitute Elliot May almost pulled another one back for Water as a layoff from Hocking allowed him to drill an effort forward but agonisingly it hit the post.
May did have his goal minutes later though. A corner into the box reached the head of May who powered a header home.
A melee in the box came as Fairwater tried to complete a remarkable comeback but Maesteg Park were able to hold out any Fairwater pressure.
Maesteg Park will now play Ynysybwl in the final at Penybont FC’s KYMCO Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Fairwater: Charles, Rudling-Smith, Whelan, Barlett, Noyes, Norman, Jones, John, Hocking, Kitchen, Fish
Maesteg Park: Seldon, J.Lewis, T.Lewis, H.Lewis, Horrigan, Mizen, White, Howells, Roberts, Steadman, Roberts.
