Cup joy for Llan youngsters after scare over qualification

FOOTBALL

LLANGYNWYD Rangers U13s rounded off an eventful end to the season in beating Llangeinor 3-0 to lift the Celtic Tyres Bridgend & District League Cup, writes Tony Poole.

Staged at Bridgend super club Penybont, the Llan youngsters rewarded their coaches Justin James and Dale Rogers for some sleepless nights brought about by league red tape.

Originally, Llan were barred from the final, owing to a player qualification saga, but eventually the South Wales FA stepped in and it was a case of all’s well that ends well.

And the Llan Siro youngsters did things in style, turning in some stylish football during a final that will linger in the memory.

Llangeinor also played a part in one of the best Bridgend Cup finals of the season – and it was a shame there had to be a loser.

The Llynfi Valley side shaded the first half, but failed to turn decent possession into goals.

That said, Llangeinor went closest to breaking the deadlock, as a shot crashed against the cross bar and bounce back into play.

Eventually, the Llan Siro youngsters took the lead 10 minutes into the second period.

Precision work down the left touchline resulted in a clever pass finding Ellis Bird, who caught Llangeinor on the hop and duly curled the ball home.

That led to them ruling the roost, and it wasn’t long before they went on to double the lead.

Some inch-perfect passes freed wing man Bird, who flew in on goal, and got the better of the advancing goalkeeper.

But to their credit, Llangeinor didn’t throw in the towel, and they again saw the ball strike the woodwork while a goal-bound shot was scrambled off the goal-line. But Llan sealed the deal five minutes from the end when towering Alex Rees used his head to nod home from close in.

Late on the Llan Siro youngsters were content to wind down the clock, knowing the time had come to lift the cup.

And during the presentation ceremony, captain Coby Rogers - son of coach Dale - was crowned man-of-the-match.