Canton Liberal saw off the challenge of Sully Sports as they won 3-2 to progress in the Welsh Cup.
Jordan Carey’s second-half brace put the Libs into the second round after Kofi Rowe had opened the scoring for the hosts. Conner McInery scored a consolation goal for Sully and first-goal scorer Rowe was sent off, but the visitors could not get back into the game.
Andrew Godwin looked a threat for the visitors early on, with Luke Davies having to contend with his clever dribbling.
Sully started as the better team, controlling possession but Canton on a few occasions had a chance to score in a scramble in the box. Midfielder Gareth Cawley ran with the ball and laced a shot just over the bar.
Canton scored against the run of play with some clever-thinking from Rowe. A ball came over the top and with Ashley Hart rushing out with his defender, Rowe poked it home.
Sully pushed for an equaliser, and it was their talisman who drew a save out of James Wood. A corner-kick came in Goodwin shouldered his way past the defenders to hit a shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Canton in search of an insurance goal but were denied by the resolute defending of the visitors. Cian Hales’ low driven effort was saved and then Jordan Carey was superbly denied by Best Lee on the follow-up.
Sully had their best chance of the game when Luke Boyle let fly with a strike from 35-yards that cannoned off of the underside of the crossbar.
As the first-half drew to a close, Sully brought another save out of Wood. They continued to attack down the right and Boyle’s shot was blocked well by the goalkeepers chest.
Canton came straight out of the dressing room with a spring in their step and got that all important second goal. Carey scored with a clinical finish, which made it an uphill battle for Sully to get back into the game.
A good chance presented itself to Canton to go three up but they fluffed their lines. Chris Dye put the ball across goal to Carey, but he missed from a few yards out.
Former Taffs Well man Carey made amends however moments later to earn himself his second goal. He found himself in a more central position and despite Sully players defending on the line he squeezed the ball home.
Sully didn’t take things sitting down however as they searched for a consolation goal. Conner McInery hit a shot from 25-yards out but Wood dealt well with the effort. Canton meanwhile went near to increasing their lead with Carey involved again but Rowe slid his shot wide.
Sully pulled a goal back and it was a pick of the bunch. McInery from 15-yards out hit a powerful left-footed shot that Wood was powerless to resist.
Sully still had 25-minutes to get back in to the match, and had to be thankful to their goalkeeper who denied Carey a hat-trick after attempting a far-angled shot. The men from Glamorgan then nearly pulled another back but Boyle’s chip went the other side of the post.
Sports continued their search for a route back into the match and were denied by the reactions of James Wood. A quickly-taken corner saw Luke Evans find space just outside the box and but for a last minute touch over the bar, Canton could have conceded a second.
The referee set up an interesting finish however as he dismissed first goal scorer Rowe. He was given a straight red, and Canton had to see out the rest of the game with a man light. Amanj Hassan found a pocket of space and crossed in to Goodwin who had his shot deflect off the crossbar.
Canton nearly put the game to bed late on though. Abdoulie Tunkara thread the ball through to Thierry Otu, who wheeled away celebrating but the post denied his low-cornered shot. Sully despite their efforts could not mount a late comeback and it was the Ardal South West team that progressed.
Canton Football Club
James Wood , Christopher Dye, Luke Davies (Samuel O’Sullivan, 77), Kyle Campbell, David Allen (Harvey Powell, 73) ,Abdoulie Tunkara, Jordan Carey (Ashley Park, 77), Louie Crowe (Harrison Collins, 57) , Kofi Rowe, Cian Hales (Thierry Otu, 57), Abraham Cordle
Subs
Harrison Collins , Harvey Powell, Ashley Park ,Thierry Otu, Samuel O’Sullivan
Goals: Kofi Rowe 12 , Jordan Carey 46, 52
Yellows: Cian Hales 55, David Allen 70, Ashely Park 82
Sully Sports
Ashley Hart, Best Lee (Aidan Perrett, 69), Amanj Hassan, Gareth Cawley, Aaron smitten, Sean Russell, Andre Goodwin, Luke Evans (Joe Collins, 90+5), Luke Boyle, Kieran Eveleigh (Rory Price, 55), Conner McInery.
Subs
Aiden Perrett, Nick Simcock , Rory Price , Joe Collins , Rhydian Hopkins
Goals: Conner McInery 66
Yellows: Conner McInery 37
(Featured Image: Jordan Jones)
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