Third Division Cup final: Lamphey 1–1 Merlins Bridge 2nds (Merlins Bridge 2nds win 4-1 on penalties)

MERLINS Bridge 2nds were rewarded for keeping their nerve when it mattered most as they overcame Lamphey on penalties after a tense Third Division Cup final at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.

The teams were level after 120 minutes after Lamphey skipper Danno Watts cancelled out Walter Lovell’s first half strike – but the Wizards were then clinical from the spot as Dai Davies, Daniel Bryce, Jason Rice and Sean Halpin all scored to secure a 4-1 win.

League champions Lamphey went into the final as clear favourites against a Bridge team that have been relegated this season after finishing bottom of the table – and sure enough, it was Alan Kitts’ men who made the brighter start.

They should have been ahead early on when Billy Davies made ground down the left and squared for Anthony Webb, who stabbed his shot over from eight yards.

Moments later another Davies cross was flicked into Webb’s path by Nico Morrison, but this time the striker’s low shot was gathered by Bridge keeper Dan Birch.

But 23 minutes in, it was the Wizards who took the lead when a deep cross by right back Kevin Phillips found Halpin – and although his first time effort was brilliantly saved by Lamphey keeper Lee Pilot, Walter Lovell did well to hook in the rebound.

And just four minutes later Bridge could have doubled the lead, when striker Ben Skudder latched onto a long ball forward and lobbed Hay, only to see his effort bounce past the post.

At the other end, Lamphey skipper Kitts headed an Alex Lewis cross inches wide – before Davies tried his luck from long range but saw his effort just clear the crossbar.

For the Wizards, Skudder also saw his dipping 25 yard volley fly just off target – before the Bridge held out under some late pressure to keep their lead at the break.

However, within 60 seconds of the restart – the teams were level when Kitts picked up possession 25 yards from goal, and the central midfielder duly curled a spectacular left foot shot into Birch’s top corner.

The league champions then came within a whisker of taking the lead on the 60 minute mark when a Mike Davies cross was headed against the bar by Davies.

Just seconds later, Davies was in the thick of it again when his header back across goal found Webb, but he failed to properly connect with his volley.

But the Bridge were also looking threatening, and substitute forward Owen Lee was denied by a last ditch tackle from Aaron Hay as he set himself to shoot from close range, before Halpin flicked a Lovell corner narrowly over.

For Lamphey, Webb’s bad luck in front of goal continued as he miscued his shot after being set up by Morrison.

The end to end action continued as the game entered the final 15 minutes, and for the Wizards, a Skudder cross just evaded Lee, before the ever lively Davies fired into the side netting for Kitts’ men.

And in the closing stages, Daniel Bryce nearly won it in fine style for the Wizards when his 30 yard shot landed on the roof of the net.

But neither side could find the elusive winner, and for the third time in four divisional cup finals this season, the contest went into extra time.

The intensity seemed to slow in the first 15 minutes of the added period, and although Kitts teed himself up for a volley which Birch gathered at the second attempt, there was little in the way of clear chances.

The second half continued in much the same vein – but two minutes from time, Bryce had a great chance to seal it for the Wizards when he drove into the area, but one on one with Pilot, he curled his effort over.

That proved the game’s last real chance before referee Kevin Milich blew the final whistle to signal penalties.

And the Wizards were immediately in the ascendancy as Davies and Bryce both scored, while Kitts struck for Lamphey was Morrison had his effort saved by Birch.

Rice and Lewis both scored their side’s third penalty, before it was left to Halpin to blast home and ensure his team at least finished a difficult campaign with silverware.

And the Wizards players and supporters expressed their delight as they celebrated on the Meadow after skipper Gareth Williams was presented with the cup by Pembrokeshire Football league Chairman Dave Olyott - bringing the curtain down on an what has been a dramatic set of divisional cup finals this season.

Lamphey: Lee Pilot, Aaron Hay, Rhys Griffiths, Ross Fortune, Alex Lewis, Ben Phillips, Nico Morrison, Danno Kitts (capt), Billy Davies, Mike Davies, Anthony Webb. Subs not used: Dan Powers, Mark Parsons, Richie Williams.

Merlins Bridge 2nds: Dan Birch, Kevin Phillips, Jason Rice, Stephen Clarke, Gareth Williams (capt), Daniel Bryce, Sean Halpin, David Davies, Ben Skudder, Matthew Watters (Owen Lee 56), Walter Lovell. Subs not used: Sam Lee, Joe O’Boyle.

Referee: Kevin Milich.

Assistants: Jeff Hurton and Keith Amos.

Fourth official: Huw George.