Christian Davies brace helps Treowen Stars fight back against Lliswerry
A general view of Treowen Stars v Lliswerry at Bush Park. (Image: Ben Thomas)
Treowen Stars picked up their second win of the season as they came from behind to beat Lliswerry 2-1 at Bush Park.
Lliswerry forward Benjamin Taylor opened the scoring on 16 minutes before Treowen striker Christian Davies levelled from the spot in first-half-added time. Davies got his second of the game in the 59th minute which turned out to be the winner for the home side.
It was a fast start for the hosts as they looked for the early goal. Jacob James was played through with but was brilliantly denied twice by Jack Jarvis in the Lliswerry goal.
Both teams looked to grow into the game and it became very end to end with both looking to open the scoring. It was Treowen again who come close after Morgan Evans struck the post after a quick counter-attacking move.
The Treowen pressure continued as an Evans cross found Davies in the box but his volley was tipped wide by Jarvis.
Despite the early dominance from Treowen, it was Lliswerry who struck the opening goal in the opening quarter. A long kick from the goalkeeper was flicked on by Dale Cooke dropping to the feet of Taylor who controlled and struck the ball in off the post.
The Treowen pressure continued as another Evans cross this time found Ellis Hibbert whose effort was flicked just past the post.
Despite not having much of the ball Lliswerry looked dangerous on the counter and looked like they were going to get a second as Cooke rounded the keeper from a through ball, the striker was flagged offside though in what looked like a close decision.
The pressure from Treowen finally paid off after a cross into the box was misread by defender Jacob Murdoch who was penalised for handball. Treowen skipper Davies stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner in first-half added time.
There was one last chance for Lliswerry at the end of the half as a free kick from just inside the Treowen half was floated into the box. Defender Daniel Oldfield rises to head the ball down but his effort dropped just passed the post.
The first change of the game came early in the second half as Lliswerry’s Cory Painter was replaced by Ashley Sully after he went down with a hamstring injury.
The Treowen pressure continued as Simon Prangley saw his effort from a free kick saved by the keeper before Evans fired over the crossbar from range.
It was Lliswerry who come closest to getting the third as a free kick crossed in bobbled in the box before being struck onto the post and the resulting rebound struck out for a goal kick.
Not long after it was Treowen who struck the woodwork as a cross by James found Aaron Thomas on the edge of the area but his effort clipped the top of the bar.
Treowen eventually broke through again after a clever ball by Thomas found Davies free in the box. He calmly controlled the ball before firing the ball across the goal and into the back of the net past a helpless keeper for his second of the game.
Lliswerry pushed for the equaliser as substitute Pidcock looked to make an instant impact, but his long-range effort was comfortably held by Treowen keeper Cael Jones. Jones was called into action again as a free kick struck by Sully landed safely in the gloves of the keeper.
Lliswerry started to dominate the ball as Treowen looked to sit in and protect the lead they worked so hard to gain.
With Lliswerry pushing for the leveler, it was Treowen who looked more dangerous on the counter. Evans used his pace to break in behind and dribble inside the box before firing a low shot that pulled out a great save from Jarvis.
It looked like Lliswerry were going to grab an equaliser as Allman broke through but his shot from the edge of the area rolled just wide of the post.
The away side continued to push but their efforts were in vain as Treowen held on for all three points. The result sees Treowen rise to sixth in the table meanwhile Lliswerry drop down to 12th.
Treowen Stars AFC: Cael Jones(GK), Aaron Thomas, Scott Jones, Shane Brewer, Tommy James, Simon Prangley, Jacob James (Tye Duggan 66′), Ellis Hibbert, Morgan Evans, Christian Davies, Ross Jolliffe (Lewis Coote 85′)
Goals: Christian Davies 45+1, 59
Lliswerry AFC: Jack Jarvis(GK), Joshua Richardson (Ethan Pidcock 61′), Brandon Lovett, Daniel Oldfield, Cory Painter (Ashley Sully 48′), Jacob Murdoch, Jay Stapelton, Finnley Chard, Dale Cooke (Owen Goodenough 77′), Benjamin Taylor (Ross Rodgers 77′), Shay Lonergan (Macca Allman 61′)
Goals: Benjamin Taylor 16′
