Briton Ferry Llansawel 2-2 Pontypridd Town: Dragons progress after penalties victory
Pontypridd Town earned their place in the second round of the Nathaniel MG Cup as they defeated Briton Ferry Llansawel on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Old Road.
Shane Parry showed composure to send the Dragons into the next round as he capitalised on Warren Hudson’s saved effort in the shootout.
Former Ponty manager Gavin Beddard opened the scoring but a penalty from Luke Powell levelled proceedings. Liam McCreesh may have thought he had won the game for Ferry but a dramatic Lee Baldock equaliser took the game to spot-kicks.
The match was an absolute humdinger, with the intensity of a real competitive match with a potential goal of the season opener cancelled out immediately by a penalty. Two late goals followed by a tense penalty shootout with Ponty coming out on top.
After a tight start, Briton Ferry had the best of the early chances. From some early corners, Alex Gammond once headed straight to the keeper before heading wide just after.
Sam Baker put a good cross into the Pontypridd box which was collected by Davies. The Pontypridd keeper spilled the ball loose but was quick to recover the ball.
Despite Briton Ferry’s early pressure the first big chance of the game fell to Corey Jenkins. A good run out wide from Bo Cordle gave him space to cross, Jenkins met his cross but headed over with the goal wide open for him.
Briton Ferry started to push forward and Joe Dyer saw his shot go wide, before Corey Hurford rattled the crossbar with a powerful strike from distance.
The home side won a free kick not far outside the box. Sam Baker stepped up to take and put the ball towards the top corner. Davies at full stretch got a hand on it to tip it over the bar.
Pontypridd were able to withstand the pressure and soon took the lead. Pontypridd captain Gavin Beddard with a stunning effort into the far corner leaving McFenton no chance.
The lead wasn’t to last as Briton Ferry went straight on the attack and won a penalty as Davies committed a foul. Luke Bowen sent the ball low into the corner to level the game.
The second half began with Pontypridd playing the ball around and building attacks from the back.
Lee Baldock found some space out wide and sent a cross into the box. Beddard was able to meet it but put his header wide of the goal.
Baldock again was causing problems for the home team as his ball into the box for Beddard was half-cleared. The ball found its way to Jenkins who took aim but shot high over the bar.
Briton Ferry came back as Corey Hurford saw his shot blocked and the follow-up by Kyle Grave went just wide.
The game began to go end to end as Beddard found Sam Johnson in the box. Johnson however was only able to find McFenton out quick to save his shot.
As the game entered the final ten minutes Hurford’s good run won Briton Ferry a free-kick. Liam McCreesh took the kick and it was headed out for a corner. From the corner, the ball eventually ended up with Hurford whose close-range shot was well saved by Davies. McCreesh however was on hand to head in from close range to give the Reds the lead.
Pontypridd soon pilled on the pressure on Briton Ferry as they looked to save the Cup tie. Beddard forces McFenton into a superb save with a flicked header.
Recent new addition Sam Johnson, who moved from Cambrian and Clydach Vale also forced a good save from McFenton with his close-range shot.
Moving into stoppage time, Pontypridd weere able to break down the Ferry rearguard clawed back the tie. Lee Baldock fired in low from close range.
Both sides had chances in added time as both wanted to win the match in normal time. It was not to be and the tie went to penalties.
The shootout began with Luke Bowen and Lee Baldock both scoring. Rory Healy stepped up next for Briton Ferry but his kick was saved by Davies. Pontypridd were unable to take advantage as Luke Gullick’s pen was saved by McFenton. Alex Gammond and Liam McCreesh for Briton Ferry and Gavin Beddard and Aiden Lewis all scored taking the shoot out to the final kicks. Warren Hudson stepped up for Briton Ferry but his kick was save. It left it to Shane Parry to have the chance to win it for Pontypridd and he coolly converted to put his team into the second round.
Briton Ferry Llansawel: Conah Mcfenton (G), Sam Baker (Kyle Graves 75), Warren Hudson, Rory Healy (C), Alex Gammond, Joe Dyer (Declan Evans 69), Liam McCreesh, Corey Hurford, Gareth Jones (Nathan Ribeiro 85), Luke Bowen, Joe Hunt.
Goals; Luke Bowen Pen 37, Liam McCreesh 86
Yellow Cards: Liam McCreesh 25,
Pontypridd Town: Morgan Davies (G), Lee Baldock, Evan Fowler, Aiden Lewis, Jordan Carey (Luke Gallick 85), James Saddler, Shane Parry, Sam Johnson, Bo Cordle (Jarrad Welch 75), Gavin Beddard (C), Corey Jenkins (Joshua Maksimovic 69).
Goals; Gavin Beddard 35, Lee Baldock 90,
Yellow Cards: Corey Jenkins 28, Morgan Davies 36, Aiden Lewis 50, James Saddler 58, Jordan Carey 85, Luke Gullick 90+1
