2024 West Wales Intermediate Cup Semi Final

 
 

Penlan 3 - Goodwick United 1

 
The treble hopes of Goodwick United were ended at Stebonheath Park by Penlan on Tuesday night on what proved a night of frustration for Chris O’Sullivan’s side, writes Fraser Watson.



Goals from Corey Young and Luke Dalling had put the Swansea side in control at half time, and although Will Haworth’s stunning strike gave Goodwick hope after the break, Darren Rowe’s header sealed matters as Penlan moved to within 90 minutes of a second successive West Wales Cup win.



The Pembrokeshire League leaders appeared to miss the creativity in midfield of the injured Rhys Jones, Jake Smith and Jonny Horgan, and Rowe’s goal was disputed after being deemed to have just crossed the line amid Ben Adams’s last-ditch clearance, but in reality Goodwick could have few complaints about the result after struggling to get into any kind of ascendancy for much of the night.

 

Penlan take control in a chaotic 60 seconds

For 35 minutes, a contest that promised much failed to properly deliver. Goodwick had flashes of threat, but bursts out wide from the likes of Rhys Dalling, Dan James and Haworth ultimately came to nothing as they struggled to trouble a resolute Penlan back four.



James Bryan did flick Luke Hayward’s free kick harmlessly wide and at the other end, Penlan centre back Jack Jenkins headed straight at Kyle Marsh. But when the game’s first real chance came, it was the West Wales Premier side who wasted it.



Theo Waters, whose set-piece deliveries would become a feature of the night, curled in a free kick that Rowe headed back across goal only for an unmarked Jordan Doyle to nod over from close range.



Goodwick didn’t heed the warning though. Although they had reason to be aggrieved three minutes before the break when Bryan was dubiously adjudged to have conceded a corner, and again Waters found Rowe with his cross but this time, the striker’s header into the six yard box was finished off by Young.



Less than 60 seconds later it was 2-0, and this time the Phoenix Boys only had themselves to blame. With full back Stefan Hayes tracking a long ball forward, keeper Marsh needlessly rushed from his line and the mix-up that followed, the loose ball fell to Rowe who squared to Dalling to tap into an empty net.

 

Haworth brings brief hope

It was Penlan who started the second period still on the front foot as from another set-piece, Jenkins flashed a left-foot volley wide before only a last-ditch clearance from Scott Delaney stopped Rowe from tapping in Waters’  low cross.



But the introduction of Steven Dockerty did add some zest to Goodwick’s attacking place and on the hour mark, it was wide man Haworth who gave them hope. After Rhys Dalling’s blocked shot fell into his path, the wide man curled home a sublime 20-yard effort that flew into the top corner.

 

Rowe heads home before referee shows red

That goal appeared to turn the tide and moments later, Hayward found Delaney in the area with his header well saved by Penlan keeper Marcus Rollins. But with 19 minutes remaining it was Penlan who decisively struck, after Ross Hudson’s hammered a long free-kick into the danger area.



It was Rowe who bravely got to the ball first, his back-header trickling past Marsh and towards the net and although it initially appeared as if the retreating Adams had cleared off the line as play continued, referee Spencer Williams was alerted by his assistant flagging to award the goal. In the protests that followed, Goodwick coach Lee Morgan was sent to the stands by the officials after being shown a red card.



As a last throw of the dice Goodwick skipper Delaney was pushed up front alongside Dalling, but Penlan saw out the final moments to deservedly set up a final at the Swansea.Com Stadium with the winners of Thursday’s clash between Merlins Bridge and Llangyfelach.



Goodwick United: Kyle Marsh, Ben Adams, James Bryan, Scott Delaney, Stefan Hayes, Dan James, Luke Hayward, Sion O’Sullivan, Will Haworth, Nathan Greene (Steven Dockerty 52), Rhys Dalling. Subs: Kyle O’Sullivan, Kyle Smith, Seamus Drake, Chris O’Sullivan.



Penlan AFC: Marcus Collins, Dale Rowe (Dylan Rich 88), Liam Otten, Jack Jenkins, Ross Hudson, Jordan Doyle (Jamie James 61), Corey Young (Luke Gear 64), Cory Charles, Darren Rowe, Theo Waters, Luke Dalling. Subs: Khory Morton, Joshua Newman.
 
Penlan: Marcus Collins, Dale Rowe (Dylan Rich 88’), Liam Otten (Khory Morton 88’), Jack Jenkins, Ross Hudson, Jordan Doyle (Jamie James 81’), Corey Young (Luke Gear 64’), Cory Charles (Captain), Darren Rowe, Theo Waters (Joshua Newman 88’), Luke Dalling.
 
Goodwick United: Kyle Marsh, Stefan Hayes, Ben Adams, James Bryan, Scott Delaney (Captain), Luke Hayward, Sion O’Sullivan, Nathan Greene (Steven Dockerty 52’), Rhys Dalling, Will Haworth, Daniel James.
Unused substitutes:, Kyle O’Sullivan, Kyle Smith, Seamus Drake, Chris O’Sullivan.
 
Referee: Spencer Williams.
 
Assistants: Kieran Waters & Adam Bray.
 
Fourth Official: Paul Jones.