They were very unlucky to be trailing 1-0 with just seconds left of extra time, before Luke Hayward headed home to set up a penalty shoot out. Then in injury time, they were given one last chance. Scott Murray launched a free kick into the area that Charnley awkwardly pushed onto his own cross bar - substitute Martyn Tweedie then headed the rebound back onto the bar, before Luke Hayward nodded home to spark wild celebrations amongst the Johnston players and supporters.
Russell Murray’s men then kept their nerve to score all four of their spot kicks, including one by keeper Martin Langdon, who then kept out the first two penalties by Olympic to set up a clash with Penlan Club at the Liberty Stadium on May 8th.
Frantic Start
In a frantic start, it was Morriston who were quicker out the blocks, and Tigers’ keeper Martin Langdon was forced into a close range save from Chris Williams in the opening minute. But after that there were few clear chances in an intense first half. Tigers’ skipper Chris Ormond was outstanding at the back as his side stood up to the physical challenge posed by the Swansea-based side.
For The Tigers, Steve Mills’ deflected free kick nearly fell into the path of Joe John whilst Mark Jones dragged a left foot shot wide. At the other end Langdon had to be out quickly to deny Kris Lacy. On the stroke of half time Langdon had to be alert again to tip Sam Morrison’s inswinging corner over the bar.
Chances at both ends in second half
Early in the second half Andrew John nearly gave Johnston the lead when his 30 yard shot beat Josh Charnley but drifted just wide and at the other Langdon again proved his worth to the Tigers by twice denying Williams from close range.
Mark Jones then headed over a Scott Murray free kick before Luke Hayward set up Joe John, but his shot was deflected just wide. Then the Tigers had their best chance. A superb run and pass by Steve Mills played in James Skudder, but he miscued his shot wide.
The final 20 minutes were tense as it increasingly looked like one goal would win the tie – and it was Morriston who so nearly got in injury time when Williams blasted over from close range following a goalmouth scramble.
Olympic on the spot with hotly-disputed penalty
The Swansea side then dominated the opening period of extra time, Morrison putting a free kick just over before disaster struck for the Tigers when Jones was adjudged by the assistant referee to have handled in the area. It seemed harsh and brought a wave of protest from the Johnston players and their supporters before Sam Morrison hammered his penalty high into the net.
But to Johnston’s credit, they surged back in the second period and with seven minutes left, Adam Hawkins shot just wide from the edge of the area. They still held on to their belief and were rewarded with that dramatic late equaliser by Hayward. Olympic had one final half chance when sub Chris Mountfield went close before referee King’s final whistle took the game into the penalty shoot out.
Keeper Langdon leads by example:
Martin Langdon went first for The Tigers to some silly loud noises on drums by two Olympic ‘supporters’, designed to put off the Johnston penalty takers. But The Tigers’ keeper casually scored for Johnston before Morrison, who had scored in normal time, blasted wide in total silence.
Scott Murray made it 2-0 and Langdon then saved from sub Sam Bevan to put his side in control. Robbie Graham did score for Olympic but Luke Hayward and Adam Palmer both found the net, and with the score at 3-1, it was left to Adam Hawkins to blast the fourth spot-kick home and seal a sensational win for the Tigers.
As supporters swamped the Johnston players on the pitch, manager Murray said:
"I feel 75 after that tonight.
"It’s hard to describe. What a night, and what a team."
There are few who watched the match, other than some over-vociferous Olympic fans, who would disagree!”
Johnston: Martin Langdon, Chris Ormond, Andrew John, Steve Mills, Ben Phillips, James Skudder, Scott Murray, Luke Hayward, Adam Hawkins, Joe John, Mark Jones. Subs: Richie Davies, Liam Boswell, Martyn Tweedie.
Morriston Olympic: Josh Charnley, Ben Taylor, Robbie Graham, Matthew Bass, Michael Chapman, Jordan Jones, Adam Palmer, Kieran Griffiths, Kris Lacy, Sam Morrison, Chris Williams. Subs: Sam Bevan, Rob John, Chris Mountfield.
PHOTOS:
Johnston's Mark Jones and Joe John heavily involved in the early action
Semi final match officials