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Risca United lost out on penalties to Swansea-based side Mumbles Rangers when the pair met for league cup quarter final action on Friday February 2.

It looked like a comfortable win on paper for the Cuckoos, who had lost just two of their last 16 games in all competitions.

Whereas the visitors, who play in the Ardal South West, had lost seven of their last nine.

An early goal for Risca through Harvey Selway suggested the game was only going one way, but Rangers responded well through Joseph Pelosi and Christian Allen to take the lead.

A late equaliser by substitute Connor Evans forced penalties, where it was the visitors who remained composed, edging out Risca 3-2 to progress into the semi-final.

Kick-off

The game opened-up under some fairly blustery conditions. Weather that should have suited a Risca side who are always keen to get the ball down and play football.

Top scorer Leon Thomas had the first chance of the game for the hosts. He was slipped-in by captain Lewis Ellis but had his effort tipped wide by keeper Tye Williams.

Risca are used to seeing Owen Cuddihy bombing down the wing before crossing into the box, but since his midweek departure to rivals Newport City, the job was left to Arthur Furness, who seamlessly delivered the goods.

He drew Williams and defenders in down the left before floating a lovely ball back-post to Harvey Selway. He couldn’t miss from a yard out, and headed home to give the Cuckoos a 1-0 lead.

The goal seemed to calm Rangers down if anything. Their wingers Nathan Wickham and Joseph Pelosi were doing their best to stretch the field in possession, playing right on the line of the defence looking for balls in behind.

Their momentum could and perhaps should have been halted however. A superb solo effort from Selway in midfield led to a through ball to Thomas.

The forward seemed to overthink the chance, he tried to lob the onrushing keeper but got it all wrong to the frustration of his teammates.

Pelosi continued to find joy down the right as the minutes ticked by. A few offsides, but to be expected given the way Rangers were playing.

The addition of midfield runners through the middle was making it especially difficult for the Risca backline to keep track.

A rare mistake from the often reliable Connor Hanford seemed to switch momentum in favour of the visitors.

The defender played a square pass as the last man which was intercepted by Harrison Davies. Davies’ shot was blocked but fell to Christian Allen who scored, but was offside.

A few moments later and it definitely should have been 1-1. Pelosi this time, intercepting another stray pass from Risca before bursting through and forcing a great save from Joseph Massaro.

Eventually though, it was third time lucky for the visitors. A hattrick of mistakes from the hosts inside 35 minutes, this time Shane Parry with a mistimed header back to his keeper.

Pelosi anticipated well and through on goal, he managed to squeeze the ball past Massaro from a narrow angle.

Although the rain and wind was swirling, it hadn’t been good enough from Risca. They held on for the rest of the half but needed a stern talking to from manager Simon Berry if they were to get anything out of this one.

Second-half

The Cuckoos began the second-half much like the first, on top. If the first-half was anything to go by however, they’d need a goal quickly before momentum shifted.

Selway should have perhaps got that crucial goal, as well as his second of the day. Furness again providing the service, Selway had all kinds of space down the right but his effort was sliced wide at the near post.

Unfortunately for Furness, he soon turned provider at the other end of the field when he was caught in possession by Rangers’ top scorer, Allen.

Allen calmly sat the keeper down and fired into the top right corner. Another costly mistake by the hosts.

After an hour played, Risca looked devoid of confidence. They’re a team who like to keep possession, but in the conditions, recycling the ball through the defence was a risky strategy.

The game seemed to be getting away from the chasing hosts. Some big tackles were flying in from the visitors who were doing their best to slow things down.

Looking for a spark, Risca eventually found one through an unlikely source.

Substitute defender Connor Evans found himself shoulder to shoulder with his opposite number from a throw-in, who he managed to muscle off of the ball and drive into the box.

From a tight angle, Evans managed to nutmeg the keeper and bring things level with five minutes to go.

The game flipped once again. Rangers looked there for the taking with a few minutes left. They held on well however and referee Joseph Gibson blew for penalties.

Penalties

Risca opted to take the first penalty, which was confidently dispatched before Pelosi, who had been one of Rangers’ best players that evening, had his effort saved.

Both sides scored their next penalties, making it 2-1 to Risca before their captain Ellis had his shot saved.

Rangers responded with a goal, before Risca keeper Massaro stepped-up. He must have been confident, but his effort was poor; straight down the middle and saved comfortably.

He made-up for it immediately however, saving Adam Jones’ effort. Still 2-2.

Lloyd Oliver was up next for Risca. Leaning back slightly, his effort clipped the crossbar and went over. A chance for Wickham to win it.

He did so emphatically. Scenes of celebrations at the end for the visitors who, on balance, deserved the win and a spot in the semi-final.