Goodwick suffer semi final heartache
PHOTO: Goodwick United line up before their cup exit.
West Wales Intermediate Cup – Semi Final
Poor finishing in front of goal costs Goodwick
Goodwick United 2 – Penlan Club 4
How did Goodwick United lose this important cup clash?
It wasn’t as though United were completely outplayed by their Swansea League Division One opponents as the final score suggests, United were leading 2-1 with 26 minutes on the clock when Penlan were reduced to ten-men, surely the writing was on the wall for the Swansea outfit?
Well it wasn’t, the ten-men showed tremendous character, to claim a famous win and take their place in the final at the Liberty Stadium, where they will face the winners of the Johnston versus Morriston Olympic semi-final, that takes place at the same venue Stebonheath Park, next Monday, 9th April, 7.30pm kick-off.
The difference between the two sides was the important fact that Penlan took their goal-scoring opportunities, and Goodwick were guilty of fluffing a host of decent chances. It’s as simple as that!
Goodwick got off to a flyer, taking the lead on five minutes when Stephen Evans’ deflected shot flew in from inside the box. But on 24 minutes Penlan squared matters, tenacious diminutive right-sided midfielder Robert Connochie slotted home after Goodwick defender Anthony Couzens failed to clear his lines.
Penlan pay penalty
On 26 minutes and Goodwick were awarded a penalty, defender Craig Connochie was guilty of using his hand to stop a Lewis Banks shot that was definitely on target. Referee Teifon Cook issued the defender a straight red card, it looked harsh, but by the letter of the law, he had to go for destroying a goal scoring opportunity. Industrious midfielder James Evans lashed home from 12 yards.
Goodwick fans at that stage must have had thoughts in their heads that their side would now go on and win it - and the Liberty dream well and truly was on. But those fans had not read the script.
Brilliant finish
Carl Mucha equalised with a brilliant finish four minutes later. The striker latched on to a long through ball and Carl Woodhouse who was caught in no man’s land, the striker hitting his shot early from 20 yards to comfortably beat the outstretched keeper.
On 41 minutes Penlan were awarded a penalty when Stephen Evans tripped left back Adam Carroll inside the box, referee Cook immediately pointed to the spot. Mucha made not mistake from with the resulting spot kick and gave his side an unlikely 3-2 half time lead.
Hammer blow
The second half once again started brightly for United, O’Sullivan and Rhys Dalling both guilty of missing two glorious scoring opportunities to level matters.
On 59 minutes United suffered a hammer blow as Penlan added a fourth goal, Daniel Roberts tucking the ball past Woodhouse from a tight angle.
Goodwick pressed forward but just could not find a way past Penlan keeper Dale Holland. James Dean’s header from a corner missed the target. Dalling’s low drive brought another good stop from Holland. Dalling did find the back of the net when Holland failed to gather Lewis Bank's fierce direct free kick, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Five minutes from full time and United’s Stephen Evans received a second yellow of the night, after colliding with keeper Holland, who angrily over reacted and also was issued a yellow, before the striker received his marching orders.
That was it and cruelly United will have to accept that it would be Penlan Club who will now march on and play in the final.
Goodwick United: Carl Woodhouse; Wayne O’Sullivan (Captain); Steve Blackford; Anthony Couzens; Lewis Banks (79’ Lee Burrows); Kieran O’Brien; James Evans; James Dean; Stephen Evans; Rhys Dalling; Aled Thomas. Substitutes: Darren Devonald; Patrick Hughes.
Penlan Club: Dale Holland; Craig Connochie; Adam Carroll; Darren Roberts; Jamie Davies; Robert Connochie; Lee Morgan; Jamie James (Captian); Daniel Roberts; Carl Mucha; Gareth Monnell. Substitutes: Damien Owen; Jamie Day; Paul Lewis.
Referee: Teifon Cook.
Assistants: Ben Williams & Ryan Kenny.
PHOTO: Match officials: Ryan Kenny, Teifon Cook and Ben Williams.