Nelson Cavaliers crashed out of the Greyhound Cup to Pontyclun on penalties in an amazing game that finished four a piece after extra time.
The Cavaliers were ahead in the shoot out intil the final two spot kicks, ending in a 4-3 win to the visitors on November 29.
Nelson took the lead on the half hour when Tom Woods burst through and smashed the ball into the roof of the net. The first half remained tight with both teams trying to play football.
Nelson needed to get two goals clear but Pontyclun fought well throughout and showed great character.
They equalised on the hour through a quick counter attack following a poor Nelson pass.
The Cavaliers pushed on again and went back in front when Ben Banks beat the offside trap to calmly slot home.
Again Pontyclun came back and another quick counter attack got them level.
Pontyclun finished the game strongly and hit the crossbar in the closing minutes but Nelson survived to take the game to extra time.
Nelson drew first blood in extra time with a goal following good work by Damian Paget to chase a lost ball and keep it in play. Paget then got on the end of the resulting cross to head home.
In the first minute of the second period of extra time a through ball by Pontyclun was intercepted by Joe Brain 40 yards out, the ball flew up into the air and went over keeper Matthew Farr and bounced into the empty net for a freak own goal.
Nelson went forward again to grab the lead with a good move which was well finished by Lewis Roberts.
Pontyclun threw everything at the Cavaliers who seemed to be holding firm but the equaliser came when a massive scramble from a corner wasn’t cleared and the resulting shot took a wicked deflection and spun into the net.
Penalties were needed to separate the teams as the light faded. Despite two excellent saves by Cavalierss keeper Mathhew Farr, he was ultimately powerless to stop Pontyclun winning 4-3 in the shoot-out.
Ian Dillon, Tom Woods and Ben Banks were Nelson’s successful penalty takers.