J D WELSH CUP
LLANTWIT MAJOR ...... 3 TAFFS WELL ................. 2
LLANTWIT Major came late against Taffs Well to arguably pull off the biggest victory in club history, writes Tony Poole.
With just two minutes remaining and the Windmillers 2-1 down, it seemed as if they were about to exit as gallant losers.
But Karl Lewis’s side thought otherwise with former Penybont star Rob Jones proving the hero with two tie-clinching goals.
The Rhiw D’dar side looked to be in the driving seat once Sammy O’Sullivan gave them a 23rd-minute lead – and soon after Marcus Jones doubled the lead.
The Windmillers then went close when Sammy Snaith headed just over the cross bar, and it was 2-0 at the changeover.
Into the second half and Llantwit Major nearly reduced arrears from two corners before goalkeeper Jack Lansdown kept them in the tie with a pair of quality stops.
Those saves appeared to lift the Windmillers and had an opposite impact on the Division One side.
Manager Lewis shuffled his pack in sending on Josh Morgan and Joe Jones for Glyn Davies and Kris Smith – and that certainly perked Llantwit Major up.
They pulled a goal back in the 65th minute when Rob Jones picked the ball up in the centre circle with an arcing run and pinpoint cross complemented by a Morgan header for 2-1.
Llantwit Major then mounted pressure, forcing four consecutive cor- ners and Rob Jones rattling the cross bar ahead of the most dramatic finish ever witnessed at Windmill Lane.
In the 88th minute, Rob Jones floated in a superb free kick from 30 metres to equalise and during stoppage time, Connor Goldsworthy received a two-footed challenge in the box.
The referee pointed to the spot and Rob Jones calmly slotted the ball home to set up an away tie in round two with Ammanford.
Ironically, on Saturday the clubs meet in a cup dress rehearsal at Windmill Lane in the league.