REDS SURVIVE A CUP FRIGHT
LLANELLI Town made it through to the third round of the JD Welsh Cup – but they were pushed all the way by Canton Liberal.
The higher-rated side will always be wary of a potential banana skin experience, and Llanelli will be thankful that although this tricky contest in the suburbs of Cardiff was eventually decided on a penalty shootout, they held their nerve to ensure their progression.
Their cause was not helped by the absence of a number of first-team regulars, with Keane Watts and Sean Cronin nursing knocks but named on the bench and actually coming on for the final quarter. Ryan Bevan, Louis Gerrard and Eli Phipps were unavailable.
Canton play in the South Wales Alliance Premier division, and on the evidence of this display will prove more than a match for most opponents as they caused their visitors problems throughout.
An early indicator by the hosts came when a shot on the turn from Stephen Ward skimmed the Reds bar, before at the other end of the pitch Tim Parker saw his header come back off the woodwork when he met a long throw by Adam Robbins.
Canton struck the first decisive blow by taking a 17th-minute lead. It came after a long clearance by goalkeeper Cohen Riella which bounced on the edge of the penalty box, and when James Parry attempted to direct his header back to Scott Coughlan it fell instead to home striker Andre Phillips, who guided it into the net via the inside of the post.
Stung by this setback, the visitors pushed forward and went close to levelling with Jamie Baker directing a far-post header against the upright from close range.
The home side were still threatening, with a long-range attempt by Phillips flying over the bar. And it took a saving tackle by Baker on Aaron Garrett to avert danger.
Riella just managed to keep out a Parker header following a free-kick, before the visitors hauled themselves back into contention when Thomas Hillman rifled home a well-taken effort on 32 minutes after a cross into the middle by Miles John.
It was no more than Llanelli deserved as they had been the better of the sides for a spell.
Almost immediately the Reds thought they had won a penalty when referee Sam Lloyd pointed to the spot following a tackle on Nathan Logan. But he was called over by his assistant, and after a brief consultation changed his mind.
The Reds finished the half strongly, and Riella was called into action to grasp a Hillman attempt following another set-piece.
The second period belonged to the visitors who began to string together some telling moves, forcing the home keeper into a number of saves.
Hillman sent his volley narrowly off target, before both Watts and Cronin were introduced, replacing Logan and Taylor Marsh. Both had chances, with Watts blasting over when well placed, and Cronin failing to get enough power into a header from close range.
The tie was decided by penalties, with the home side first up. Bo Cordle, Tyrrell Webbe, Liam Martin and Riella all converted, before Sam O`sullivan struck the crossbar.
For the Reds, Watts, Cronin, Joe Hopkins and Hillman all scored, leaving Parker to finish off Canton’s brave effort and ensure Llanelli’s involvement in the third round draw of the competition.
More cup action takes place at Stebonheath on Friday evening with the visit of Barry Town United in the second round of the Tier 2 Cup (7.30pm).
CANTON LIBERAL: Riella; Dye,
Davies; Martin, Garrett (capt), O’sullivan, Ward (Camilleri 85), Alamansour, Phillips (Cordle 66), Kane (Sani 66), Webbe. Subs not used: Geme-milford, Jones.
LLANELLI TOWN: Coughlan; John, Parry, Robbins, Baker, Marsh (Cronin 77), Hillman, Steadman (Rees 89), Parker, Hopkins (capt), Logan (Watts 77). Sub not used: Rumbelow.
SCORERS: Canton – Phillips 17; Llanelli – Hillman 32.
YELLOW CARDS: Canton – Kane, Davies, Ward, O’sullivan.
REFEREE: Sam Lloyd.