FAW Welsh Cup – Round 1

 
 

Afan Lido 0 - Hakin United 1

 
Brennan Devonald’s late header earned Hakin United a famous Welsh Cup win against stunned nine-man Afan Lido at the Marston Stadium, Aberavon.
 
The Vikings have pulled off a few big scalps over the seasons, but this is up there as one of the biggest upsets in their history, as they knocked out the Cymru South outfit in their own backyard.
 
The opening quarter saw the hosts put The Vikings constantly under pressure, but defenders Jake Merry, Camron Thomas, Jay Power and Mark Jones stood strong and keeper Sam Franklin was faultless.
 
It remained 0-0 at half time much to the delight of Vikings boss Scott Davies who knew his team could only get better in the second period.
 
Shane Walsh was denied by a one-on-one with Lido keeper Aaron Jones, but the Hakin striker would have felt he should have done better.
 
Midway through the second period both teams were reduced to ten-men as when Lido’s Ioan Evans and Hakin’s Leon Luby received a straight red card each following an altercation.

Nicky Woodrow came close to breaking the deadlock, the striker's vicious strike struck the crossbar, at the other end, Lido had an effort disallowed.
 
In the 83^rd minute it got worse for the home side as keeper Jones was also issued a straight red card as they were down to nine men.
 
Late in the cup tie The Vikings got the crucial break through when Jack Britton’s free kick in the box was met by a glancing Devonald far post header and there was no way back for poor Lido as The Vikings celebrated a massive success.
 
Hakin United manager Scott Davies said: “We really dug deep in the first half, but once we weathered the storm we grew in confidence. The boys showed incredible character, they never let the club down and I’m super proud of them and the result.”
 
Afan Lido: Aaron Jones, Daniel Dima, Sean Hanbury, Ben Keen, Liam McCreesh, Joshua Webber, Christopher Jones, Jay Thomas, Ioan Evans, Bradley Flay, Carlos Indjai. Subs: Jackson Hall, Toby Link-Jones, Sacha Walters, Michael McCalmon, Travis James.
 
Hakin United: Sam Franklin, Jake Merry, Camron Thomas, Jay Power, Mark Jones, Leon Luby, Shane Walsh, Jack Britton, Ashley Bevan, Nicky Woodrow Brennan Devonald. Subs: Ben Aldred, Jaden Chapman, Ryan Wilson, Justin Harding, Laurie Haworth.
 
Referee: Kris Hames.
 
Assistants: Michelle Portelli & Martin Oliver.