Briton Ferry’s Welsh Cup run goes on after penalties win over Buckley
Briton Ferry Llansawel reached the quarter-finals of the Welsh Cup as they defeated Buckley Town on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Old Road.
Rhys Wilson was the hero for Briton Ferry saving two kicks in a tense penalty shootout to send the Reds into the next round. After an intense 90 minutes which saw Buckley come from two behind the sides needed penalties to determine a winner.
Kris Evans gave the home side the lead after 23 minutes in an even contest. Tom Walters added Briton Ferry’s second after 44 minutes but Buckley replied straight away with Jake Roberts sending the visitors in one down at the break. It took until the 87th minute for the Buckley equaliser from Max Moore.
Buckley pushed hard to win the game in normal time but Ferry held on. The match went to match went to a shootout which saw 10 players from each side step up. Rhys Wilson saving twice at the end to help Ferry win.
Briton Ferry will now go in to the hat for the quarter final draw. Buckley will feel hard done by as they will have felt that they could have won this cup tie.
It was the visitors who crafted the games first chance from their first attack. Some quick passing play getting the ball to Jake Roberts who hit a quick curling shot at goal. Rhys Wilson diving across to make an important early save.
Buckley had a good spell during the early moments of the game as the two sides tired to settle into a rhythm. Briton Ferry came back into the game and Alex Gammond hit a shot that was straight at James McHarrie.
Kris Evans hit a long pass up field and found the run of Tom Walters in the box. Walters was forced a bit wide and from a tight angle he fired into the side netting.
The home sides pressure resulted in them winning a corner. The ball was whipped into the near post and Kris Evans was on hand to head the ball home.
Kieran Moore spotted what could have been a chance as he went for goal from distance with a lob. Ferry keeper Rhys Wilson aware of the treat and made a comfortable save.
Just as the half was coming to an end a clever ball into the box found Tom Walters. Walters rolled the ball under the keeper for 2-0.
Just as quick however and Buckley had a goal back. A quick piece of play to get forward was finished off by Jake Roberts to send Buckley in just one down.
The second half saw the teams go back and fourth with the best early chance going the way of the home side. A good ball from Keiran Williams found Kris Evans in the box, he fired at goal but McHarrie saved.
As the half wore on the game became tense and the fouls started to add up and from a free kick Briton Ferry hit the bar. What looked to be a cross from Connor Goldsworthy bounced back out off the top of the crossbar.
Leonard Hamilton was causing problems for Ferry down the right and on two occasions he put good balls into the box. Both times though no one could reach them.
Buckley did start to enjoy some pressure as the host’s started to sit back and hold on to their win. Working the ball into the box and they found sub Max Moore who fired in from close range.
With the sides level after 90 minutes they would need a shoot out to deicide a winner. In a nail-biting shoot out that saw both side use all their outfield players, Kris Evans had the chance to win the game. He sent his kick high over the bar but Briton Ferry were saved by their keeper Rhys Wilson who saved from Max Moore. Rhys George then converted for the home side before Wilson saved again this time from Joshua Jones.
Briton Ferry: Rhys Wilson (G), Ryan George, Decan Evans (Luis Bates 88), Alex Gammond (C), Kris Evans, Callum Saunders, Tyler Brock (Dylan Perkins 88), Keiran Williams, Tom Walters, Cullen Kinsella, Connor Goldsworthy.
Goals: Kris Evans 23, Tom Walters 44.
Yellow Cards: Keiran Williams 39, Cullen Kinsella 60, Dylan Perkins 90+2.
Buckley Town: James McHarrie (G), Iwan Jones, Dylan Roberts, Joshua Jones (C), Daniel Burgess, Keiron Moore, Patrick Hinchcliffe, Aled Bellis, Leonard Hamilton, Connor Litter, Jake Roberts.
Goals: Jake Roberts 45, Max Moore 87.
Yellow Cards: Connor Littler 59, Dylan Roberts 78, Leonard Hamilton.
