LAZAROU LEAGUE CUP FINALS
AFTER a closely contested game, Canton Rangers triumphed with a 1-0 win over Saints to lift the Lazarou First Division Cup at Taffs Well FC.
The first half ended with honours even as half chances fell to Declan Church and then Josh Allen for Canton, while Saints could have capitalised through Rhys Brydon.
After the break, Saints looked to have taken the lead, but after Rangers keeper Joshua Ingram appeared to have punched clear, Perry Squire followed up and his drive seemed goal bound before Sebastian Gee headed off the line.
The crucial breakthrough came soon when a Rangers free-kick found defensive general Sebastian Gee and he headed home from close range to set off mass celebrations amongst the Canton team and their supporters.
Canton had chances to increase their lead, firstly from Dayle Hughes, followed by other chances which fell to Ashley Park and then Alec Godwin, but they were unable to find the final finishing touch.
For their part, Saints continued to battle away looking for an opening that would have brought them back on level terms, but it was not to be and Canton Rangers lifted the cup amongst wild celebrations.
The second cup final played on the day at Taffs Well FC, between Michaelston Rangers and Radyr Rangers proved to be an even closer contest, which was only decided after extra-time and a penalty shootout in Michaelston’s favour.
Michaelston threatened early on through Jamie Edwards, before Radyr responded with Kamran Khan and Daniel Sage combining, but the final shot went over.
Further half-chances fell to both sides, but the half finished goalless.
After the break, the best chance of the game so far came from Ben Cody for Michaelston has he turned and fired goal bound, but his effort was well saved by Radyr keeper Vincent Bailey.
Jamie Edwards then just headed wide for Michaelston, before Nathan Quick also forced a save out of Radyr keeper Bailey.
At the other end, Thomas Jones and Ciarhan Webb combined, but the final volley went wide.
Michaelston continued to threaten and after a shot from Ben Cody was saved by Bailey, Nathan Quick just missed the chance to connect with the rebound.
Michaelston looked to have taken the lead, when a free kick by Jamie Edwards came back off the wall and his follow up was well saved by Radyr keeper Bailey, only for the ball fell to Nathan Quick who calmly stroked the ball into the back of the net.
However, the officials ruled that the goal didn’t count as it was offside.
Despite further endeavours from both sides in the second half and in extra-time, the game went to a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
With the first four penalties for each side all being well converted giving the respective keepers no chance, the fifth penalties proved to be decisive.
Michaelston keeper Nathan Alderman became the hero as he saved the Radyr spot kick to his right and Michaelson went on to convert their kick to clinch the cup after an epic encounter.
Before both games, a minutes silence was held as a mark of respect and to honour the memory of long serving Management Committee member and Sunday football legend Cyril Murphy who passed away earlier this month and whose funeral will take place on Friday at Thornhill Crematorium.