Serious Injuries Mar Cup Loss

The Firsts made the trip to Bridgend to play Bryntirion Athletic FC in the Second Round of the Hugh James SWFA Senior Cup on the 4G pitch at Penybont FC's ground. The Athletic are a re-formed side this year, having been the Penybont 3rd team the season before last.

The Cons welcomed back Dylan Waddington to the line up for his first start of the season following him suffering a broken collar bone in a pre season friendly.

The home side got off to the better start with some good passing and movement and they took the lead on 10 minutes when the striker beat 3 players before firing past Berian Morgan in the Cons goal, to the delight of the sizeable home crowd.

Having initially struggled with their passing, the Cons grew into the game and had a great chance to equalise on 34 minutes. Stef Veck fed striker Josh Kloet through on the inside left channel where he just beat the advancing keeper to the ball by poking it under his body. The ball was travelling just inside the near post when a defender slid in and made a fantastic goal line clearance to deny the Cons.

3 minutes later a Morgan clearance from the goal was received unchallenged by an Athletic midfielder who fed his striker to again advance on Morgan's goal and shoot inside the right hand post, despite the last minute challenge of left back Veck, to double his side's lead. In making the challenge it appeared that Veck had snapped his hamstring and had to be helped from the field, to be replaced by Sam Hotchkiss, with Chris Walsh moving from centre back to the left side of the back four.

Half time was reached with the score at 2-0 and whilst the home side were the better side, the Cons were not out of the game.

10 minutes after the re-start the Cons had the ball in the net when Alec Stevens volleyed home a punched save from the keeper, only to have it disallowed for a foul challenge on the keeper when he made the save, which seemed a little harsh.

On the hour, Bryntirion made the game safe when another through ball from midfield was converted by the home side's impressive striker to complete his hat-trick.

With 15 minutes to go, the Cons had another injury blow when defender Chris Walsh suffered a suspected double fracture of his left arm in making a challenge for the ball.

On the stroke of full time the home side got their fourth goal when a cross from the right was headed home.

Despite the result the Cons can hold their heads high because, in parts, they played some good football and could have had a couple of goals. However the well organised home outfit were too strong and fully deserved their win.