Victory was ‘arguably the best in Pencoed’s history’

GOODWICK UNITED .... 0 PENCOED ATHLETIC ... 1

PEMBROKESHIRE belonged to Pencoed Athletic on Saturday night after gaining a stunning victory over Goodwick United at Phoenix Park to reach the last-16 stage, writes Tony Poole.

The treble-winning Fishguard side of last season were downed by a 25th-minute penalty from top scorer Kyle Owen.

It has been described by Pencoed chief Mark Pow- ell as the finest victory in club history.

He said: “Goodwick United have a superb set up and were generous hosts, but for us to come away with the win was a tribute to every player who wore the shirt on the day. They all made a huge contribution to arguably the best win in club history, and it will recalled in Pencoed for years to come.’’

Despite heavy rain that lashed the western seaboard on Saturday, the state of the Phoenix Park pitch was good.

Coed soon ran off travel stiffness with Marc Turner and Kyle Owen lively attackers who tested the home goalkeeper.

In midfield too the visitors showed up well with Rhys Thomas taking to a holding role as if he’d played there all his life.

The defining moment in the tie arrived in the 20th minute when Richie Lewis was bundled over in the box. Owen took responsibility for the spot kick, tucking away a second penalty this season to move on to eight goals for the campaign.

The remainder of the half was evenly contested but on the restart, the Felindre Road boys turned the screw.

A surging run from jack in the box Richie Lewis had Goodwick struggling and the ball was played into the red zone.

But a lack of gloss in the box from Rhys Goss saw him blaze over the cross bar from 10 metres.

Pencoed needed another goal as assurance and nearly got it through Griff Williams, Turner and jack in the box Jack Delve with this miss disappoint- ing mentor Deri Lloyd of Garw fame.

But in a desperate last throw of the dice, Goodwick threw everything bar the kitchen sink at Coed, and it was just as well Paul Martin mimicked the proverbial stonewall.

When the final whistle sounded, it seemed like Pencoed had just lifted the trophy, as opposed to reaching the fifth round.

This Saturday, Pencoed host fellow FAW Trophy last-16 colleagues Sully Sports, who took the reverse match 2-0 back in September.