Garw Reserves rip up the form book with epic victory in the cup

FOOTBALL

writes Tony Poole.

Though Carne were unbeaten in six matches, it counted for little against the buoyant Blandy boys.

In a packed crowd were bigwigs Kevin Day and Ray Smiles, who saw Liam Ward, give Carne a sweet 16th-minute lead.

But that only served to rouse Garw, and it wasn’t long before a long-range effort from Olly Davies sailed home.

And they were travelling ahead of their dreams when Harry Davies gave them a lead that they took into the second half.

But on the hour, the best Carne man on the day, ex-Garw star Lee Hogg, hogged the limelight with a sizzling equaliser.

Once again, however, Garw refused to panic and speed merchant Damian Bernard gave them back the lead.

Things then got worse for Carne when top whistler Peter Williams dis- missed Shane Williams for two rugby tackles.

That only served to rouse the home side with Adam Fealy making it 3-3 on 65 minutes.

The gallant 10 men even won back the lead through ex-Bryntirion ace Cian Johns – and Garw seemed to be bowing out.

But approaching time, Garw goalie Owain Lloyd, son of Pontycymer allround sportsman Deri, pulled off a key save.

From the ensuing cor- ner, he hoofed the ball up to Bernard, who forced extra-time with a dramatic stoppage goal.

The first period produced plenty of huff and puff – and eventually the 10 men ran out of puff.

With the gluepot Carne pitch getting stickier, it was the Garw young guns who stuck it out and fired to victory.

Star man Bernard got Garw noses back in front when he slid the ball past ex-Maesteg RFC No 8 Matt Hocking on 110 minutes.

And close to time, Garw were in the hat for the next round draw after Harry Davies got a second goal of the tie.

“We drank the Vetz dry and a few players even managed a Mannequin Challenge after this superb cup win,” said Garw head of media Deri Lloyd.

Garw Reserves resume league duties on Saturday at home to Llanharry Reserves.