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Cascade Ladies secured their spot in the South Wales FA semi-final after a six goal thriller against Cwmbran Celtic led to a penalty shootout.

The pair met on a wet and windy day at the Centre for Sporting Excellence, but an early goal soon settled things down for the hosts.

Cwmbran equalised before a wonder-strike from Annaliese Lewis gave Cascade the advantage – but not for long however. Two goals from Cwmbran before half-time put the hosts on the back foot.

A superb solo effort from Ellis Lunn at the death meant penalties were required, which Cascade just about managed to win 4-2 after a controversial retake in what was a great game of football.

Kick-off

Cascade came into the game having won three of their last four against Cwmbran Celtic, and that belief was instantly apparent when they almost took an early lead.

The hosts found themselves in a 3 v 1 through some quick passing. A lovely outside of the foot pass by Ellis Lunn set Annaliese Lewis on her way, but instead of opting for a touch to set herself, she slashed at the ball and fired wide.

The Cascade dominance continued. Chrystalla Moreton had a chance with her head at the back-post but just nodded wide.

Celtic were struggling to keep track of Cascade’s forwards, the hosts had as many as four of them in the final third when in possession, making probing runs to draw defenders out of position.

When the visitors did have the ball, the Cascade line was so high – often on the halfway line – that the pitch was far too condensed to string any passes together.

Cascade forward Pheobe Ware was definitely catching the eye for the hosts. Her aggression on and off the ball was really testing for Celtic – and the referee. She had a shot saved by Alexandra Cridland before moments later entering David Plain’s book for dissent after appealing for a penalty.

It didn’t matter too much however, as from the corner after the penalty shout, Cascade had taken the lead.

The cross came in from the left and it was a bit of a mad scramble, but the ball appeared to touch Cwmbran captain Eloise Meaney last. Either way, it was Cascade who were celebrating.

The hosts appeared to be in cruise control before a routine ball through led to the Cwmbran equaliser.

Goalkeeper Chrissy Kidley came out to clear, but her kick was straight into the back of striker Jade Crofts. Crofts reacted well to the rebound, and walked the ball into an empty net. 1-1.

Not to be discouraged however, Cascade answered back immediately with a sublime strike.

With a bag full of goals to her name already this season, Lewis gets the benefit of the doubt on her ‘shot’ from the right, which perhaps was meant for someone in the middle.

Regardless, she caught it sweet, and it sailed over Cridland’s head into the roof of the net from some distance out.

It was breathless stuff after 30 minutes, but there were still goals to come.

January signing Summer Bowen-Quirk capitalised on the space left by Cascade’s high line, she too rounded the keeper before levelling the tie once more.

Cascade had no response this time, and to make matters worse, they found themselves a goal behind entering half-time.

A corner down the right should have been easy for Kidley to deal with at the near-post, but the wind must have caught hold of the ball that somehow looped straight into the net.

The whistle blew and an opportunistic Cwmbran side were 3-2 to the good. Cascade had been the better side, but that didn’t mean much with the score as it was.

Second-half

Expecting more of the same, the second-half was very flat from both sides.

This suited Celtic of course. It was Cascade who should have been on the front foot, but they didn’t register their first shot until the hour-mark.

A chance to put the game away for the visitors followed shortly after. Fiona Anthony skirted the touchline to shoot from a narrow angle at close range, but her shot was saved well by the keeper.

The game really dropped down a few gears for the next 15 minutes or so. Injuries plagued Cascade, who had to bring keeper Kidley out into midfield as backup keeper Bethan Connolly took her place.

With ten minutes left, it was Cascade who finally realised they needed to get something going if they were to progress to the next round.

The hosts were committing bodies forward, allowing Celtic the chance to counter. Defender Casey Thomas always seemed to be in the right position to stop any breaks however, keeping her side in it.

Deep into added time, a moment of pure magic from Lunn snatched victory away from Cwmbran.

Receiving the ball well outside the box, Lunn danced past three defenders, sending them one way then the other before finally shifting inside and curling the ball into the bottom corner. An inspired bit of play.

Celtic nearly responded with the last kick of the game, but Crofts’ touch was heavy and got away from her. Penalties it was.

Penalties

Cascade opted to take the first penalty, which was slotted home – as was Cwmbran’s.

Lunn stepped-up next, who despite her wonder goal a few moments prior, was saved by Cridland to her left.

Anthony was up next for the visitors but her effort was high over the bar. A let-off for Cascade, who scored their next. 2-1 to the hosts.

Jodie Challenger missed her penalty which was saved, and Cascade scored theirs. Cwmbran’s final penalty was scored making it 3-2 to Cascade.

Lewis had the chance to win it and send her side through to the semi-final but had her effort saved. However, the drama continued when the referee said Cridland was off her line, so it had to be retaken.

Lewis made no mistake this time, firing Cascade into the next round in what was a brilliant game to watch.