SATURDAY 12 APRIL 2008

SOUTH WALES AMATEUR FOOTBALL LEAGUE

W JOHN OWEN CUP SEMI-FINAL

 AT THE WELFARE GROUND, YNYSDDU

Referee: Mr Graham Evans (Hengoed)

YNYSDDU WELFARE CRUSADERS 0 CORUS STEEL 0 (AFTER EXTRA TIME)

YWC WON 4-2 on PENALTIES 

Well, well, well. Where do I start to recount the tale of one of the most dramatic days seen at the Welfare?!  After a couple of days of showers, sometime heavy,  the sun shone throughout on a blustery April day, and the pitch was in perfect condition. Quite remarkable at this stage of the season, especially with grounsharing with the rugby, and a big thank you to Mark and Steve, the CCBC groundsmen, who had spent a great deal of time spiking, cutting and rolling the field during the week. The conditions and facilities drew high praise from the referee, visitors and Amateur League Management team alike.

A real selection dilemma was the first issue of the day, as all eighteen squad players reported fit. The tension was defused however, by a 'Call to Arms' oration by Manager Clive Ash. A passinate and rousing speech, however, ended in hilarity, as Clive made a bit of a faux pas, in describing how, when he was a striker, he didn't like to receive too much close attention early on. Let's just say that a few expletives were heard, intermingled with references to  parts of the anatomy, which conjured up some alarming images in the mind. The dressing-room then resembled something from the Cadbury's Smash advert.

Club sec and stalwart, Ioan Richards, and one of this season's newcomers, Dai Berry, unfortunately missed out on the sixteen chosen to play.

Starting XI: Andrew Prouse, Gareth 'Nipper' Berry, Ben Murphy, Tony Davies (captain), Adam 'Domesey' Thomas, Lloyd Stone, Gareth Knott, Nicky Thomas, Neil 'Nellie' Reardon, Matty Reynolds and Matthew 'Slasher' Jones. Subs: Matthew Evans (for Nellie), Dane Whittaker(for Lloyd Stone), Lee Coombs (for Nipper), Gavin Williams (not used) and Barry Williams (not used).

An excellent home support, from the rest of the club and the local community, saw a crowd of between 150 and 200 present.

Corus started brightly, and with the advantage of the wind at their backs in the first 45 minutes, and playing 'down the valley', created three one-on-one chances, all of which home 'keeper Prowsy saved well. the second half was a reverse of this, with Ynysddu creating the best chances, but not finshing in two or three promising positions.

 Even 30 minutes of extra-time, couldnt produce a match-winning goal, but in this period, Ynysddu looked the stronger team. So it was on to the drama of the penalty shoot-out.

Corus won the toss, and rather surprisingly, elected to go second. So up stepped striker Matty Reynolds, to confidently hit home the first. Then, with the vociferous support making it intimidating for the away side, Prowsy saved the first Corus spot kick magnificently. Advantage to the 'Welfare' . Murf then strode forward to rash home an unstoppable pen, and the next three pens were all well despatched, two from Corus and one from the home side via El Capitano Tony 'Nemanja Vidic' Davies. So, it was 3-2 to YWC,  when Gareth Knott did a Cristiano Ronaldo-style hesitating/stuttering run up, before hitting the corner of the net, again giving the Corus 'keeper no chance. Corus then had to score to stay alive, but with the home crowd baying, and sensing victory, the Corus player fired two yards wide.

Cue delirium, as the entire YWC squad and management made a beeline for Prowsy, who was engulfed. Hugs, handshakes and backslapping aplenty, finally culminating in a huge centre-circle huddle of singing and being drenched with water. Emotional scenes indeed, as the club gained revenge for a 1989 semi-final defeat at what was then, British Steel, and twenty eight years to the day, that Ynysddu hosted (and lost) their only ever other home Corinthian Cup semi.

The game was well refereed by Graham Evans, particularly as he had no official assistants  on the day.

The players all said how amazing that home support was - lets hope they all make the final, details of the date and venue still awaited. The opposition will be cup holders, Aber Valley YMCA.

A brilliant day was concluded with much celebrations at the 'Blue', where the Eridge Vale tasted like Nectar of the Gods. Well, okay then, more like Domestos.

What a wonderful way it would now be to conclude our 60th consecutive season in the Amateur League, by lifting the cup for the very first time.

Well done Phil, Clive, Rocky and all the players. Roll on the FINAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!