AVFL JUBILEE CUP FINAL

AFC LLWYDCOED ........ 6 FC ABERCWMBOI ........ 4 (AET)

THE much-awaited final was preceded by guard of honour by the AVFL officials and both teams for AFC Llwydcoed’s U16s history makers.

The final did not disappoint – a 10-goal thriller keeping all the spectators on the edge until the final whistle.

The match began with Aber controlling possession through Craig Lewis and Leighton Price looking to break open the Llwydcoed shape, they started better than the opposition who grew into the game.

Llwydcoed’s young players rallied and began to threaten through Morgan Andrews, Callum Henry and Liam Price but no real goal attempts by both sides. As half-time approached Llwydcoed were forced into a substitution after their captain Jonothon Price received an injury, Adam Hawkins replaced him, both defences were on top in the half.

Llwydcoed players began to gain better possession in the second half and looked to build from defence/midfield but that changed after Llwydcoed gave away a needless free kick and before they could organise their defence Aber’s Jarrod Price scored with a superb piece of opportunism – a setback for Llwydcoed. Aber were in the driving seat controlling possession whereas Llwydcoed’s defence stopped the threat and then after this difficult period for Llwydcoed their substitute Adam Hawkins stepped inside the Aber defence, passed to Callum Henry who moved the ball onto his left foot to score a screamer.

The match had swung towards Llwydcoed but they gave the advantage back to Aber, a high ball was played into their defence and as the Llwydcoed goalkeeper Andy Hargreaves went to catch the ball Gabriel Williams headed the ball past him for an own goal. What a disaster for Llwydcoed, so Aber were again in the driving seat. Llwydcoed’s response was immediate, a superb pass by Morgan Andrews split open the Aber defence, Callum Henry forced the Aber goalkeeper into a save but Adam Hawkins pounced to equalise. More good play by Llwydcoed’s midfield of Morgan Andrews and Callum Henry almost gave them the lead but there were no more goals in normal time.

The large crowd were then treated to some brilliant attacking football. Llwydcoed were in charge, the excellent Liam Price was working non-stop keeping the Aber defence on red alert and Bleddyn Richards scored to give them the lead from a corner kick after Gabriel Williams header was only part cleared. More good play by Llwydcoed saw the excellent Morgan Andrews score a screamer from 20 yards.

The first half of extratime had brought two goals from Llwydcoed, Aber responded and they were awarded a penalty after Llwydcoed’s defender Morgan Phillips made a poor tackle. Up stepped Aber’s Nathan Jenkins who blasted the penalty high over the bar, what an opportunity missed.

The match entered the second half of extra-time with Llwydcoed a twogoal advantage. Aber had other ideas; their midfielder Craig Lewis found too much space in Llwydcoed’s midfield and scored with a superb 30yard belter. The match had swung back towards Aber. Could they score again? Yes, was the answer. Nathan Jenkins hit a hopeful shot that took a horrible deflection and looped over the Llwydcoed goalkeeper Andy Hargreaves to equalise, so four goals in extra-time.

Both teams used their substitutes – Matthew Phillps and Connor Waters for Llwydcoed. Could they recover from throwing away a two-goal advantage?

The young midfield player Adam Hawkins was in the right place at the right time after Morgan Andrews and Liam Price created the opportunity for him to score.

Amazingly there was still time for Aber to respond but the fourth and final goal of extra-time was in Llwydcoed’s goal account. The Aber goalkeeper lost possession and the Llwydcoed stalwart Matthew Phillips scored the fourth goal of extra-time.

The final whistle blew with Llwydcoed the winners.

Both sets of players played the match in superb spirit and expertly refereed by Ian Thornton.

What a brilliant game for the large crowd to witness some of the goals were outstanding.