Street on road to success after semi-final stormer

THE Nathaniel Cars League Cup semifinal between Haverfordwest and Bridgend Street on Tuesday evening produced a football match to stay long in the memory of Welsh domestic football fans.

Three red cards, a penalty shoot-out and goals aplenty only told half the story as 120-minutes of stunning endto-end football witnessed a tense encounter that not only saw the form book ripped up but eventually put through a shredder at the Kymco Stadium, home of Penybont.

With Haverfordwest third in Division One and Bridgend Street midway up the Third Division table, the west Walians started off more than warm up favourites.

And the odds on them booking a final ticket shortened even further when after 50 minutes Bridgend fullback Rhys Foley O’Dare was shown a second yellow card.

They were 1-0 up at the time through a Nick Davison goal, though it was soon 10 v 10 when Haverfordwest defender Matthew Broome was shown red.

The queue for an early bath got even longer when Bridgend Street’s captain and midfield linchpin Paul Fowler was sent off which threw the advantage very much the way of Haverfordwest.

It was now surely a matter of time before a team that defeated Port Talbot Town 6-2 on Saturday would pick off the nine men and ex Welsh Premier League winger Steffan Williams scored a brace before centre forward Ashley Bevan added a third with eight minutes of the 90 left to make it almost curtains for The Street.

In the 91st minute, Davison, who had been injured for a couple of minutes, produced a fierce 25-yard shot to give the nine-men a shout of something with one minute remaining.

Then incredibly centre-back Ross Dingle unbelievably tucked away a 94th-minute equaliser.

In extra time, Jeff White spun his marker and put ‘The Mission’ back in front, but the game swung back in Haverfordwest’s favour as Stefan Davies equalised with a near post diving header before Steffan Williams completed his hat-trick.

In the dying embers of an enthralling encounter, Street took it to penalties when a shove on Davison saw him level things again from the spot for a 5-5 scoreline.

It was also a nervy penalty shoot-out with Nicky King pulling off some blinding saves and Richie Noyes duly despatched the winning spot-kick to see his side home.

Bridgend Street will once again start as the underdog in the final when they play Llanelli who defeated Caerau Ely 5-1 on Wednesday evening at Afan Lido.

In the Nathaniel Cars Welsh League Barry Town United and Gavin Chesterfield have five games left to complete their Welsh Premier dream. The Jenner Park club are five points clear of second placed Goytre and need 10 from 15 points to make certain of the title.

Chesterfield faces Lee Johns Goytre United in Port Talbot and knows how tough these last five games will be.

“Five cup finals left and every game has something on it, and as in every other game in this league there are no easy points up for grabs which makes it a terrific league to win,” said the Barry boss.

Goytre in second spot have no fixture and Haverfordwest the only other real challengers now go to Cambrian and Clydach who need points for their future in the division.

Penybont entertain Caerau Ely in a top six clash, while Port Talbot have a massive derby fixture at their Gen Quip ground when they host Afan Lido.

Only five seasons ago this was a top Welsh Premier League clash, but the Steelmen are now urgent for points to keep them in Division One.

The Bulldogs of Ton Pentre are on the road to Undy Athletic and would be pleased with a point to climb away from the bottom three.

Pontypridd Town host league leaders Llanelli at Ynysangharad Park this evening to kick off matters in Division Two.

Aberdare Town and Porth are both on home soil tomorrow against Abergavenny and West End. Dinas Powys travel west tomorrow to play Pontardawe.

In the Third Division, leaders STM Sports travel across Cardiff to visit Ely Rangers at Station Road.

Llantwit Major are hot on the heels of the leaders and are at home to an improving Chepstow Town.

Bridgend Street are back in league action at the Willows where they host Panteg.