Trethomas Bluebirds won the first edition of the Ardal South Cup as they defeated eight-man Cardiff Draconians 1-0 in Penydarren.
A 73rd-minute Alfie Jones strike from distance spared Jordan Needs’ blushes after the defender missed a penalty which saw Tom McClean sent off for a handball.
In stoppage time, Liam Williams received a straight dismissal for a foul on the halfway line whilst Joe Morrelli was also sent off for his protestations, reducing the South West side to eight men.
Trethomas started the brighter of the two sides and challenged from set-pieces. A free-kick from Jones found namesake Adam but the defender’s header was taken over the bar. Arron Hill then had a chance from the resulting corner but headed wide after peeling away from his marker.
Dracs had their own chances to take the lead and were also using the ball in the air to cause Trethomas problems. A Richard Noyes throw-in was met by the head of Josh Payne whose header was cleared off of the line.
A golden chance then presented itself to Jamie Morgan after Alfie Jones burst down the flank but the midfielder spurned the chance by blasting his shot over the bar.
Dracs then responded with Clayton Farrah’s shot blocked off the line as they tried to turn the ball in from a corner.
Emerging from the dressing rooms, Trethomas came out the brightest in the second half. James Hill forced Harry Johnson into a low save after the attacker-controlled the ball and quickly swept his shot at goal.
A defining moment in the game then came as McLean was shown a red card for blocking a Trethomas shot on the line. Needs stepped forward to take the penalty but the goalkeeper was alert to his low-placed shot destined for the corner.
The game’s first and only goal then came with 20 minutes to go, coming in a fortuitous fashion. Man-of-the-match Jones drove in a cross that evaded everyone and ended up in the back of the net.
In search of an equaliser, substitute Jack Kane almost got his side level as on the counter-attack, he drew a save out of Iriving.
Cardiff Draconians: Harry Johnson (Daniel Hurton, 90+2), Richard Noyes, Callum Nippers (Callum Gunstone, 82), Liam Williams (C), Clayton Farrah, Josh Payne, Tom McLean, Rhys McCarthy, Matt Hibbs (Jack Kane, 76), Shaun McCarthy, Joe Morrelli.
Yellow Cards: Liam Williams 58, Shaun McCarthy 75’
Red Cards: Tom McLean 53, Liam Williams 90+4, Joe Morrelli 90+6
Trethomas Bluebirds: Harry Irving, Jordan Needs, Mathew Jones, Nathan Hill, Adam Jones, Tom Rutherford, Alfie Jones, Jamie Morgan, Jordan Harding (C), Gareth Tedstone, James Hill (Adam Raymond, 90+1)
Goals: Alfie Jones 73’
Yellow Cards: Jordan Needs 34’
Attendance: 324
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