JD WELSH CUP
PENYBONT .................... 1 UNDY ATHLETIC .......... 0 (AFTER EXTRA-TIME)
KANE OWEN produced a dramatic extra-time winner from the penalty spot, as Penybont just saw off Undy Athletic at the Kymco Stadium, writes Tony Poole.
This first-round proper tie had penalty shootout written all over it until the 120th minute when Jimmy Barnes handled in the box.
Referee Dean John (Swansea) duly pointed to the spot, and Owen drove the ball past Jimmy Smallcombe in the Undy goal to settle an untidy clash between these Division One rivals.
It was the second occasion for Undy to visit the ground this term, as back in August they crashed to an 8-1 league defeat.
But the summer goal fest turned into a drab autumn goal drought with precious little to write home about.
In the 12th minute, Ben Symons and Josh Jones set up a chance for Marcus Griffiths that he sent over the cross bar.
Josef Hopkins, who was returning from a threematch suspension, also missed out, as did Griffiths once again.
Little changed on the restart but on 75 minutes, Bont goalkeeper Rhys Wilson sampled rare action courtesy of Danny Jarman.
Near the end both Cullen Kinsella and Josh back matches, writes Tony Poole.
Last season the Green Machine sunk on successive weekends to Tata Steel in league and cup, and this time around they were trying to bounce back from a 2-0 FAW Trophy exit at Rest Bay to Haverfordwest suburbanites Merlin’s Bridge. creaming it, as was young Tyzack, and they eased into a 3-1 lead with a lovely strike from Connor Price.
But Cefn were never a spent force and they set up a driving finish on the back of another Carrington goal.
However, Llan clung on to inflict a first league defeat of the season on Cefn.
This Saturday, Cefn Cribwr play host to Carn Rovers while Llan Rangers are away to Caerau.
In Highadmit South Wales Alliance Premier Division on Saturday, Llan welcome Cardiff Draconians to the Llan Siro.
Meanwhile, Pencoed maintained a perfect start to the season in Division One, defeating Tondu Robins, 4-2, at Felindre Road.
Former Penybont star Jack Delve was in dynamic form with the jack in the box popping up with a hat-trick for the leaders.
And free-scoring hitman Matthew Bowen was also on the scoresheet. Jones went close but not surprisingly the tie went into extra-time.
Barnes tested Bont goalkeeper Wilson in the 92nd minute while during the second period, Brad Flay had two pots at goal.
But with fans resigned to the lottery that is penalties, Bont forced a late corner.
Dead-ball expert Owen
In arguably the biggest game of the season to be staged at Rest Bay there was only standing room.
But Porthcawl were unable to field their strongest side with goal poacher Joe McCarthy forming the biggest miss.
On a first senior start of the season, Alex Treharne went up top and early on ANOTHER weekend and another blank for Highadmit South Wales Alliance newcomers Vale United, writes Tony Poole.
In what has become beyond a joke for the Cabo Roche aristocrats from Five Bells Lane in Bridgend, they have played just once since losing 3-1 at Penrhiwfer way back on August 30.
Their fixture woes have thumped it into the box with the ball only partially cleared.
And when it was pumped back into the penalty area, Barnes stuck out a hand to prevent damage being done.
That proved fatal and it was Bont who made cup progress in one of the least interesting ties witnessed at the Kymco Stadium. he set up Zak Furness, who failed to score.
A tip-top save then denied Adam Jones before the Port Talbot side began to impact, and it was the turn of home goalkeeper Brett Davies to make a couple of smart saves.
Jordan Pugh replaced injured Geraint Davies on 25 minutes and soon after syndrome for the mean Green Machine from Rest Bay, they levelled with 10 men after Dewi Owen had gone for his early shower.
Having lost their last two matches to Merlin’s Bridge in the FAW Trophy and Cwmavon in the league, Porthcawl were determined to get back on track.
They made a fast start and during the early exchanges, James Harris and Jordan Pugh set up been compounded by the South Wales Alliance W J Owen Open Cup-tie at Blaenrhonnda.
A waterlogged pitch in the Rhondda Valley over the past two weekends has led to Vale simply sitting back and watching other Alliance clubs strike matches off fixture-lists.
Ironically, last Saturday they were down to play a league fixture at Carnetown, but the league instead instructed them a dangerous James Harris cross was well defended.
It was goal-less at the break and in a game of cat and mouse, few chances were created.
But significantly it was the champions who broke the deadlock when James Forde motored them in front via a cool finish.
The Green Machine Ben Bryant without an enproduct.
Joe McCarthy frequently brought out the best in experienced campaigner Geraint Ferguson in the Croeserw goal, but it was 0-0 at half time.
Though Porthcawl continued to create more chances, it was wind-assisted Croeserw that took the lead.
With Dewi Owen gone, the 10 men fronted up with Dan Burt, Matt Laverty and Sam McCarthy that the delayed Blaenrhondda cup-tie took preference.
The second-round draw was announced last weekend and the winners of the Blaenrhondda/Vale tie will travel to Llanharry.
This has grouped the three teams that last season won promotion to the Alliance from parks grade.
More cup football awaits Vale on Saturday, as they welcome reigning Port Talbot & District response was good - two penalty shouts fell on deaf ears - and at this stage Cwmavon were simply content to hang on to the tenuous one-goal advantage.
And with the Green Machine throwing everything bar the kitchen sink at them, they eventually saw victory hopes sink. providing fresh legs.
And it wasn’t long before Sam McCarthy fired in the equaliser while soon after Burt almost sent them in front.
But after Cornock received his marching orders, Porthcawl were denied what seemed like a stonewall penalty.
Two players upended Sam McCarthy in the box, but the referee merely waved play on, and the game petered out in a somewhat controversial League champions Cwmavon to leafy Corntown in the South Wales Senior Cup.
Last winter the Port Talbot suburbanites came late to just pip FC Porthcawl for the title during the Green Machine’s inaugural season.
The cup clash with Cwmavon might well form a club debut for former Penybont and Llantwit Major fox in the box Luke Cox.
A piercing Cwmavon raid on the break led to goalkeeper Brett Davies dealing with a Cori Davies shot – but the ball just trickled over the goalline.
The feeling as a large crowd headed home was that Porthcawl were unfortunate – but Cwmavon were a class act. stalemate.
But given the disruption, Porthcawl showed character to emerge from the encounter with a point.
This Saturday they face Kenfig Hill at Croft Goch in the opening round of the league’s Challenge Cup.
Meanwhile, FC Porthcawl Reserves crashed 5-1 at Baglan Dragons having previously lost 3-1 at home to Cornelly Utd.
He has been left without Saturday football since exiting Windmill Lane midway through last month.
Another Vale newcomer, Giovanni Bertorelli, who signed from Garw, has also yet to sample any action with Lloyd Thomas and his merry men.
But all things considered, Vale are just hoping to get back down to business on Saturday.