FOOTBALL: The Welfare marched into the quarter finals of the Gwent Amateur Cup with a victory on penalties in a thrilling cup tie, with Keeper Jamie Davies the hero.
Ynysddu faced a strong Trethomas Bluebirds outfit on Saturday January 4 in round three of the cup, with a place in the quarter finals at stake.
The Welfare started the game brightly and were looking to cause the Trethomas back four some problems. Daniel Coles was heavily involved and had a couple of half chances to test the keeper, but couldn’t hit the target.
The breakthrough came on 25 minutes from an unlikely source. Gareth Knott swung in a superb free kick into the box for Tony Davies to show great bravery by meeting the ball before the keeper. His first goal of the season put the Welfare up 1-0.
Trethomas responded well with their two wingers looking to cause Ynysddu Problems. The Welfare were coping well but on 35 minutes the wingers combined to equalise with a simple header, 1-1.
The Welfare had a chance just before half time to go back in front but Tony Davies couldn’t make a good connection on his header and the ball sailed wide.
The second half was a tense affair with both sides going at each other looking to find the lead again. Ynysddu missed several glorious opportunities with Gareth Knott and Steffan James.
Trethomas had some chances of their own. Jamie Davies made one great save in a one on on situation which was backed up by Tony Davies who made a fantastic defensive block.
With the game heading towards extra time neither side could find the breakthrough despite plenty of effort and the dreaded extra 30 mins was to be played.
Full Time – Ynysddu 1 Trethomas 1
Extra time started quite sloppy, with some very tired legs in both sides.
Ynysddu were still looking to get in behind the Trethomas backline and a fine save from the Trethomas Keeper resulted in a Welfare corner. Aaron Pewtner whipped a fantastic ball in and Captain Ben Murphy rose the highest and sent a header flying into the top corner. 2-1.
Ynysddu were now in control of the game and were keeping the ball very well. With five minutes on the clock The Welfare thought they had killed the game off, and a fine Aaron Pewtner run resulted in him hammering the ball home from 20 yards with an unstoppable strike, 3-1.
Trethomas didn’t give up and were now throwing everything at Ynysddu with their keeper coming up for every set piece. It was a set piece that gave Trethomas a lifeline as a long diagonal ball was misjudged and sailed straight into the net, 3-2.
Ynysddu went back to keeping the ball in the corners and it was from here Trethomas scored. The Welfare lost the ball at the corner flag and Trethomas broke, exploiting the huge gaps in the tired Welfare side. The move ended up at the foot of a Trethomas player who drove the ball home. 3-3
That was the last kick of the game and Ynysddu went through on penalties.
They did enough to win but it really could have gone either way.
• Report supplied by Ynysddu FC