| Match
report by Peter Reynolds
Well we made it to
the Final, we are the second Welsh League side to reach the final,
Barry Town being the first when they beat Cardiff City at the
Millennium Stadium in the 1993-94 season.
Our first effort
on goal came after 5 minutes when John Felton crossed for Ian
Jones but his shot was high and wide. After 8 minutes a Shaun
O'Leary corner was met beyond the far post by Karl Lewis but he
leant back in his shot and sent it high over the bar. We continued
to take the game to Welshpool and after 11 minutes Ian fed Craig
Jones whose shot was turned behind for another corner. Karl Lewis
got his head to the corner but it was headed away for yet another
corner. There was an amazing sequence in the Welshpool penalty
area after 24 minutes, it resembled a ping pong match when a
number of our shots were blocked and the ball was eventually
cleared. On 26 minutes a Liam shot was fumbled by the Welshpool
keeper but there was no-one near enough to turn the rebound in. We
then had a free kick for a foul on Ian, Steve Parry took the free
kick but Karl Lewis headed wide. Then disaster and completely
against the run of play Welshpool scored. A poor defensive header
was picked up and passed to Aden Shannon who scored from the edge
of the area giving Brian no chance. We hit back and forced another
corner and maintained the pressure over a period of 5 minutes
without finding the finishing touch. On 37 minutes Craig Jones fed
Liam but his shot went straight at the keeper, within seconds we
were back on the attack but as Ian went to shoot the ball bobbled
and went harmlessly over the bar. Brian then distinguished himself
with two terrific saves just before half time.
On 49 minutes John
Felton was clear but adjudged offside, and two minutes later Ian
was played in by John but his shot went wide. Again on 56 minutes
Ian played John in but his shot was blocked by the keeper at the
expense of a corner. We continued to pressurise Welshpool without
finding the final ball. Disaster on 65 minutes when Craig Martin
gave away a penalty by handling the ball. Steve Rogers took the
penalty and sent it hopelessly wide. On 71 minutes came the goal,
Phil Holmes who had gone on for Craig Jones after 68 minutes won a
free kick in the middle of the goal about 23 yards out. Steve
Parry struck the free kick and scored, although, Phil is claiming
it went in off him! Still GAME ON.
Paul Evans then won two important headers in our area and
Welshpool finally put us under some pressure. In added on time Ian
was clear but was forced wide and eventually shot wide and right
on time Welshpool forced a corner but it was cleared to the sound
of the full time whistle.
In the first five
minutes of extra time great work by Liam found Ian but his cross
was too near the keeper. Shaun O'Leary then found John Felton but
the ball wouldn't come down cleanly and he was forced to head the
ball which from 15 yards was straight at the keeper. Welshpool
finally attacked but Brian was equal to it with a smart save.
Right on half time the Welshpool keeper miskicked and the ball
went straight to Phil Holmes who shot first time but just over the
crossbar from 30 yards.
John Felton, Ian Jones and Steve Parry combined well several times
in the second period of extra time but neither side could find an
opening in the half, and so to penalties.
We took the first, Ian Jones, scored 1-0
They scored 1-1
John Felton was saved 1-1
They scored 1-2
Liam Mccreesh scored 2-2
They scored 2-3
Shaun O'Leary scored 3-3
They scored 3-4
Craig Martin scored 4-4
Brian Thomas SAVE 4-4
Sudden Death Greg Hurley scored 5-4
They scored 5-5
Paul Evans saved 5-5
They put it wide 5-5
Steve Parry scored 6-5
They scored 6-6
Karl Lewis scored 7-6
Brian Saved 7-6
Final Here WE COME
Lido Heroes
Brian Thomas Karl Lewis Steve Parry Craig Jones
John Felton Craig Martin Liam McCreesh Paul Evans
Ian Jones Shaun O'Leary Greg Hurley
Subs Phil Holmes for Craig Jones 68
Matt Lavis not used
Chris Latham not used
One Booking Craig Martin 65
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