Briton Ferry Llansawel 3-1 Taffs Well: Reds knock out Well in season opener

Briton Ferry are into the next round of the Nathaniel MG Cup after beating Taffs Well.

Mark Jones, Robert Thomas and an own-goal from Scott Hayward saw Briton Ferry Llansawel progress past Taffs Well. 

Taffs Well put in a battling performance but came out empty-handed as the Reds showcased their class. 

Cameron Harris was slightly barged by Scott Hayward, resulting in a penalty for the hosts. Mark Jones opened his Briton Ferry account with a composed penalty.

Taffs Well went on the search for an immediate response. Kieron Proctor tried a speculative effort with an overhead kick from outside the box but McFenton was unchallenged.

Sam O’Sullivan fed the ball down the line to Jason Bertorelli who hit a first-time volley at McFenton, with the Reds goalkeeper saving well.

Cameron Harris jostled a header at goal but Tom Bodger made a superb reactive save to deny him the Ferry a second. 

Richard French shot an effort just wide of the post to finish off the half as Taffs Well finished strongly. 

A corner-kick was whipped in and Mark Jones first touched a header onto Robert Thomas to provide some breathing space.

Taffs Well reacted positively to the second-goal. Warren Hudson was penalised for a handball, providing them a route back. Jason Bertorelli stroked his spot-kick home to reduce their arrears.

Ferry called for a penalty for handball but the referee waved away their appeals.

The hosts’ two-goal lead was restored in fortuitous fashion. Cameron Harris’ low cross was met by a pinpoint header of Scott Hayward who calamitously headed into his own net.

The three goals in ten minutes livened up what was a timid first half as the two sides shook off the cobwebs of pre-season. 

Bertorelli slid a cross to French but the Well forward was superbly denied by Conah McFenton, who saved at point-blank range.

Declan Evans tried to inflict further damage as he laced a shot at Bodger who had enough to deal with the effort.

Debutant Colin Harris skewered a chance to open his account after Declan Evans opened the Well defence, leaving Harris to score from close range.

Taffs Well finished the game strongly and Jack Fox shot just wide of McFenton’s post but were unable to provide a late scare for the hosts.

Briton Ferry will now play Llanelli Town next week at Old Road in Round Two.

Briton Ferry Llansawel: McFenton, Baker (Tomlinson 76), W.Hudson (R.Hudson 71), Healey (C), Cam Harris, Thomas, Colin Harris (G.Jones 83), Williams, M.Jones, Harris, Evans

Taffs Well: Bodger, Thomas, O’Sullivan, Fox, Hayward (Chandrinos 65), Martin, Matthews (C), Proctor (Mondo 73), Bertorelli, French, Carey (Cann 62)