Mills helps Tigers take the silverware
Johnston celebrate dramatic cup success at the Liberty Stadium.
West Wales Intermediate Cup Final:
Johnston 3 - Penlan Club 2
(After extra time)
Venue: Liberty Stadium, Swansea.
Referee: Mark Evans.
Assistants: David Beckett and Teifion Cook.
Fourth official: Eddie King.
Attendance: 974.
Johnston are the new West Wales Intermediate Cup champions following a dramatic encounter with Penlan Club at the Liberty Stadium last night where late goals by Steve Mills at the end of full time and in the second half of extra time saw The Tigers snatch the verdict
It completed a remarkable three games on the trot in the competition for Russell Murray’s men after coming from 2-0 against Malsters in the quarter final to win 4-2 and a win on penalties against Morriston Olympic in the last four where Johnston equalised in the last 20 seconds of extra time.
Mills epitomises Johnston courage and determination
The Tigers had scored 30 goals in the first four rounds of the competition and there was high drama against Penlan after they had fought back from a 2-0 interval deficit to draw level with goals from Joe John and Mills, the latter goal coming in time added on for stoppages and which resulted in Mills being stretchered off after colliding with Dale Hulland in the Penlan goal.
The Tigers had already used all three subs and so the young full back bravely come back on up front with penalties looming, Mills latched onto a through ball from sub Martyn Tweedie before shrugging off a tackle and finishing coolly past Hulland in the Penlan goal. He epitomised the Tigers never say die attitude, as they fought back from their earlier set-backs.
Penlan power in front
They nearly fell behind just seven minutes in when Penlan skipper Jamie James struck a weak free kick which Langdon awkwardly managed to tip around his post.
But five minutes later the Swansea side were ahead. Danny Roberts and Adam Carroll combined to set up striker Carl Mucha, and his shot from point blank range found the net via the crossbar.
Johnston were enjoying plenty of possession but seldom threatened in the opening half hour and at the other end, Lee Morgan shot inches wide from the edge of the area.
Tigers miss out and Penlan add a second score
The Tigers should have scored when a Mills cross from the left found Hawkins at the back post, but the normally clinical striker headed his effort back across the face of the goal.
It appeared a crucial moment, as on the brink of half time Penlan doubled their lead when Danny Roberts’ corner struck Joe John on the shoulder as the striker covered back at the near post, evaded everyone else and flew into the net.
Both sides miss chances
It left Johnston with a mountain to climb but to their credit, Russell Murray’s men came out in the second half a different team as Ben Phillips and skipper Chris Ormond played well at the heart of the defence. Early pressure came to nothing before a Scott Murray free kick found an unmarked Chris Orm
ond, but the skipper headed wastefully wide.
But Penlan were always a threat on the counter attack as Langdon had to be at his best to deny Morgan with his legs, before John went close for the Tigers when he was inches away from connecting with a Hawkins cross.
Tigers finally grab a goal
But with 58 minutes gone, the same combination brought Johnston right back into it as Andrew John and Kristian Griffiths were involved before Hawkins found space on the right, and his driven cross found John, who made no mistake from close range.
Then Murray so nearly levelled matters when his free kick came back off the post, and Hawkins follow up shot was cleared off the line.
Johnston hearts in mouths time
Tigers’ fans had their hearts in their mouths moments later when Morgan appeared to be brought down by Luke Hayward in the Johnston are, but nothing was given.
A James Skudder cross was then brilliantly cut out by Darren Roberts again, but with two minutes left, it was Penlan who went agonisingly close. A corner was bundled goalwards by Mucha, but Tigers right back Andrew John cleared the ball off the line, and it sparked sustained protests from the Penlan players and coaching staff, who felt the ball had crossed the line.
Crucial late equaliser and Tigers’ chances in extra time
It proved crucial as the Tigers subsequently struck in injury time. Mills raced onto a Hayward through ball and slid home from the edge of the area, clattering into keeper Hulland in the process After a long time on the floor, the left back was subsequently stretchered off, leaving the Tigers facing extra time a man down as they had used their three substitutes.
But Mills courageously reappeared in extra time, and being sent on up front by Murray as Scott Murray, Luke Hayward, Sion Price and Liam Boswell battled superbly in midfield.
The Tigers should have been ahead within moments of the restart when Murray was denied by Hulland from close range, before Tweedie shot tamely at the keeper when through on goal.
Mills scores – and gets a booking
Early in the second period, Penlan had their big chance when Mucha worked space in the area, but his left footed shot was beaten away by Langdon.
And then, with 116 minutes on the clock, came the game’s defining score, as Mills showed all the finishing skills of a top striker as he clipped a right footed shot over Hulland to send Tigers fans and players into ecstasy.
He was actually booked for taking his shirt off in the celebrations, one of five Johnston players to see yellow on the night, but it mattered little as moments later Mark Evans blew the final whistle to complete a dream season for the Tigers.
Great support and manager Murray is thrilled
There was great support from across the county for the Tigers as their fans easily outnumbered Penlan’s followers and when West Wales FA chairman Chris Smart presented the silverware to Johnston skipper Chris Ormond, who was again outstanding, the noise was tremendous
“I said it after the semi final and I will say it again tonight – what a team” said manager Murray.
“Our guts and determination tonight were epitomised by Steve Mills coming back on to score the winner. But all of the players just kept going, what a brilliant night.”
Johnston: Martin Langdon, Chris Ormond, Andrew John, Steve Mills, Ben Phillips, James Skudder (Sion Price 84), Scott Murray, Luke Hayward, Adam Hawkins, Joe John (Martyn Tweedie 77), Kristian Griffiths (Liam Boswell 66).
Penlan Club: Dale Holland, Craig Connochie (Damian Owen 65), Adam Carroll, Jamie Davies, Darren Roberts, Robert Connochie, Lee Morgan, Jamie James, Danny Roberts (Paul Lewis 116), Carl Mucha, Gareth Morrell (Gareth Morrell 88).
PHOTOS:
Goal scorers Joe John and Steve Mills with Tigers' mascot
Adam Hawkins and Ben Phillips share cup joy
Scott Murray dances with joy
Match stats of the final were kindly provided by Scott Helmich, who was raised in Pembrokeshire and is employed by Swansea City FC