Llantwit Major avoided a Welsh Cup upset with a comfortable 3-0 win over Pencoed Athletic at Windmill Lane to move into Round Three.
Rob Jones opened the scoring before Tom Walters added a second in stoppage time of the first half. Substitute Josh Morgan added to Llantwit’s tally around the hour mark to secure the victory.
A 2-0 deficit at half-time was slightly harsh on Pencoed, who had their fair share of chances, but Llantwit dominated the second half and should have scored more.
The away side had the first chance of the game. Some great build-up play from Pencoed led to the ball being played into David Martin-Levers. The striker couldn’t control the ball fully, and his connection for the shot wasn’t clean.
Llantwit’s dangerman Josh Jones created their first opportunity. The winger played a tantalizing ball across the face of the goal, but nobody could get onto the end of it for what would have been a tap-in.
Josh Jones then had another opportunity, after goalkeeper Martin Grover gave the ball away in the box. The winger tried to slot it under the ‘keeper, but it was deflected wide. Jones got another opportunity minutes later, after unleashing a thunderous shot from range, which cannoned off the crossbar.
After a period of Llantwit dominance, Pencoed got an opportunity through a free-kick. The ball evaded the head of a defender, but Lewis failed to capitalise as he blasted his shot over the bar.
Just when it looked like the half would end goalless, Llantwit broke the deadlock. Tom Walters headed the ball at goal, but Grover got a hand to it. Unfortunately for Grover, the ball fell straight to Rob Jones who made no mistake.
After another long-range effort from Josh Jones blasted off the bar, Tom Walters doubled Llantwit’s lead on the stroke of half-time. Grover gave the ball away far too easily in the box, and the striker scored his eighth goal in his last seven games.
After an even start to the second half, substitute Josh Morgan secured the win for Major. Josh Jones was again the creator, playing a pass across the face of the goal which Morgan received. His first effort was parried by Grover, but he slotted home the rebound.
After the third goal, Llantwit Major completely dominated and should have gotten at least one more goal. Former Penybont midfielder Ioan Emmanuel headed over from a corner before Morgan came close to doubling his tally. The substitute broke free behind Pencoed’s defence, and tried to lob the goalkeeper from range, but failed to bring the shot back down in time.
Player of the Match: Josh Jones (Llantwit Major)
The winger was a constant threat to Pencoed’s defence, and he played a key role in their first and final goals. He was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself, failing to find the target on a couple of occasions in the final minutes.
A special mention should also go to Josh Morgan, who made an impression as a second-half substitute and could have been the man of the match had he played the full 90.
Llantwit Major: Jack Lansdown, Dafydd Owen, Conner Goldsworthy, Jonathan Fletcher, Jamie Miller, Kris Evans (C), Rob Jones (Ben Keen 67′), Nathan Jones (Ioan Emanuel 60′), Tom Walters, Cian Goldsworthy (Josh Morgan 53′), Josh Jones
Unused substitutes: Jack Davies, Kyran Gardner
Goals: Rob Jones 39, Tom Walters 45, Josh Morgan 63′
Pencoed Athletic: Martin Grover, Declan Howe, Levi Carpenter, Mason Roach, Rhys Thomas, Drew Watson (Rhys Lamont 83′), Richard Lewis, Adam Carpenter (Keegan Alexander-Rees 70′), David Martin-Lavers (Kyle Owen 70′), Jack Delve, Jamie Isidoro-Marlowe
Unused Substitutes: Jordan Burrows, Justin Powell
Yellow Card: Adam Carpenter 35′
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