FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

AFTER Llandysul gave everything in reaching the final of the J Emrys Morgan Cup for the second season in succession with a penalty shootout victory over Waterloo Rovers of Welshpool at Lathan Park in Newtown, manager

Chris Coco Davies said it was "a monumental effort."

And the boss was absolutely spot-on after his charges overcame a long midweek journey into mid Wales and did the Costcutter League proud with a stunning performance against opponents oozing class and confidence.

Manager Davies said: "We have beaten a lot of teams quite comfortably this season but on this occasion we really had to dig deep and the lads were up to the task. I was very proud of them."

Rovers were in the ascendancy during the opening 45 minutes when the Swallows dug in and mounted the occasional breakaway move and pressure told early in the second period when Sean Holly unleashed a half-volley.

The ball hit the underside of the crossbar before entering the net to put Waterloo in front.

As the Teifisiders came more into the game they equalised after 70 minutes when Dean Jones, who is scoring for fun from his central defensive role, headed home at a corner.

With just minutes remaining 6ft 4in Llandysul goalkeeper John Durbridge who turned in a man-of-the-match performance, worked wonders in turning aside a goal-bound Holly effort.

Rovers regained the lead after seven minutes of extra time when a rare defensive lapse let in front-runner Mark Roberts.

Soon afterwards Lewis Jones went close to squaring matters again but his chipped effort went just the wrong side of a upright.

The Costcutter side switched to a 3-5-2 formation during the second half of extra time with Ian Barrett moving to a striking role and they got a deserved second equaliser from a Lewis Jones volley after good work by Barrett and substitute Mathew Newbold.

It was evident that several of the Llandysul players were virtually out on their feet before penalties, but they again rose to the occasion to win the shootout 4-2, the final spot kick converted by Lewis Jones and Durbridge pulling off a superb save from Waterloo's first stab at the target.

Llandysul will take on another Powys outfit in Berriew Reserves in the final to be played at Penrhyncoch on April 14 (Good Friday) with a 6pm kick-off.

On Saturday the Swallows took another step towards the Division One title with a 4-1 win at home against bottom of the pile Bargod Rangers.

The champions-elect showed the effects of their midweek exertions in the Emrys Morgan Cup and trailed at half time after a Jack Fisher free kick gave Rangers the lead.

Llandysul, who gave starts to Danny Williams, Mathew Newbold and Andrew Evans, controlled the second period and got goals through two Newbold headers and Dean Jones also bagged a brace, the central defender taking his goal tally for the season to 18.

If Lewis Jones and Co bank maximum points from the visit of Aberaeron Reserves this Saturday they will be crowned champions – the previous title came in 1949.

The Cwpan Coffa Dai Dynamo Davies quarter-final tie between St Dogmaels and visitors Newcastle Emlyn at School Field was abandoned after Saints attacking fullback Chris Jones suffered a suspected fractured right fibula.

The 25-year-old was involved in a tackle after which Emlyn defender Sam Skinner was shown the yellow card by referee Alun Jenkins.

There was a lengthy delay before the arrival of an ambulance and after half an hour or so the match official abandoned the game.

Chris Jones, who lives in Cilgerran, and works at the Dairy Partners (Cymru Wales) Ltd factory in Newcastle Emlyn was conveyed to Glangwili Hospital and everyone connected with the sport will join in wishing the popular player a speedy recovery.

It was the fourth occasion on which the clubs had tried to get a result – before Saturday the tie was postponed three times due to waterlogged pitches.