Saints retain the fifth division cup as experience counts in the shootout

Division Five Cup Final:

Venue - Marble Hall, Milford
Referee - Alan Boswell
Assistants - Ben Richards, Steve Badham 
Fourth Official - Keith Amos

St Clears retained the fifth division cup final as their hero, Peter Griffiths, saved three penalties in the shootout. It was never going to be a free-scoring game, as two of the best defences in the fifth division came head to head.

Strong start for Saints

St Clears started the stronger side, pinning Fishguard back in their own half for the first 10 minutes but Blaine John was in the right place to clear the ball off the line from a well worked Saints’ set piece.

Fishguard soon got to grips with the game and Mike Williams was denied twice with last-ditch blocks as the St Clears’ defence stayed strong.

The first real chance for Fishguard fell to Blaine John late in the second half as he guided a low cross on target, only for Peter Griffiths to make a good reaction save in the Saints goal.

Slow start to second half and extra time

The second half started slowly. The first action came in the 65th minute as Matthew Lewis' header hit the post from a Fishguard corner before Fishguard’s top scorer, Mike Williams, had to be replaced due to injury, but his replacement Nigel Davies soon found the pace of the game and tested the Saints’ keeper from distance.
 
The Saints introduced Simon Bancroft to the game and his direct passing caused problems for the Fishguard defence so that Darren Turner in the Fishguard goal was forced to pull off some good saves to ensure the match ended 0-0.

In extra time the pace of the game slowed as fatigue set in for the majority of players. James Wade had a good chance for Fishguard, but his shot brushed the post and went wide.

Penalty shootout analysis

Ieuan Llewellyn (Fishguard) - Saved
Simon Bancroft (St Clears) - Scored
Matthew Jones (Fishguard) - Saved
Andrew Edwards (St Clears) - Scored
Gary Delaney (Fishguard) - Saved
Jamie Goodyear (St Clears) - Scored
 
Both teams selected their penalty takers differently. Fishguard put their faith in youth,  whilst St Clears opted for experience. All three penalties for Fishguard were struck well. Only for the Saints keeper Peter Griffith to make three brilliant reaction saves to win the game. The experienced heads for St Clears kept their calm and slotted home all three penalties, leaving Darren Turner helpless.
 
After the game Peter Griffiths, the St Clears assistant manager and goal keeper said:

"I am really pleased for the boys, it caps off a fantastic season. We have retained our cup and gained promotion to the fourth division. We have done really well."

Pictures:

Simon Bankroft steps up to take a penalty
Mike Williams causes problems for the Saints' defence
Matthew Jones steps up to take a penalty
St Clears celebrate after the game