SB Williams Inter-League Cup:

Pembrokeshire League 4 Carmarthenshire League 3

With less than 10 minutes to go they trailed 3-1 and looked dead and buried - but an incredible late fightback from the Pembrokeshire League side saw them beat Carmarthenshire at the Meadow last night and take control of the SB Williams Cup competition.

Justin Harding had fired the county into an early lead, but an end to end contest duly swung the way of the visitors as goals from Nathan Davies, Tom Roberts and Joel Beynon seemingly secured three points.

But an Adam John goal and Harding penalty levelled matters, and in a frenzied finale, Jordan Griffiths proved the match winner as his shot was cruelly fumbled over the line by away keeper Kyle Powney.
 

Tough tussle in the abject conditions

Rain teemed down on a horrible night at The Meadow, but the playing surface was fine, and any suggestion this would be low key vanished in the opening minute with Carmarthenshire right back Jonathan Fagan carded for a dangerous tackle on John. It set the tone for an absorbing battle between the pair over the 90 minutes.

Iwan Izzard also saw yellow early on for clattering Roberts, shortly after the winger had missed a golden chance to give the away side the lead as he went clean through but only found the side netting.

‘Skinny’ scores but Carms fight back straight away

At the other end Luke Hayward's in-swinging free kick bounced off the bar and over, but after 15 minutes Pembrokeshire took the lead when a slick move involving Adam Hawkins and Izzard teed up Harding, and although his first shot was blocked by Powney, he duly buried the rebound.

The lead lasted barely a minute though as centre back Davies rose unmarked to head in a Roberts corner, and Carmarthenshire soon threatened again when Sam Wilson curled a shot inches wide of the far post.
 

Chances galore before visitors take the lead

The breathless action continued as Adam Hawkins also struck the woodwork for Pembrokeshire and was also denied by a well-timed sliding tackle from Powney, who then did well to tip Izzard's rising shot over the bar.

But five minutes before the break it was Carmarthenshire who went ahead, as Gareth Phillips played in Roberts and his left foot finish beat Gwilt from 12 yards out.

Second half continues at a pace

Pembrokeshire came out like a side possessed in the second half though, and three times Hawkins went close - firstly when Tom Lavender nicked the ball away from him at the back post and from the corner that followed, the Merlins Bridge man glanced a header across goal and then shortly afterwards put a left foot shot over.

John, who was becoming increasingly influential, also went close and Wayne O'Sullivan's 10 yard shot was blocked after a neat header down from Izzard.
 

Delaney throws on his subs – but Pembs suffers another set-back

Manager Nigel Delaney then opted to throw on Jordan Griffiths and Jack Christopher as Pembrokeshire kept pushing, and Harding had claims for a penalty turned down.

But after weathering the storm, with 20 minutes left Carmarthenshire went 3-1 up as Beynon scored a superb solo goal. The Pontarddulais man cut in from the left and skipped past two defenders before whipping a shot across Gwilt and into the far corner.

And although Griffiths tested Powney from 20 yards, the visitors were beginning to look comfortable as the game entered the last 10 minutes, before all hell broke loose.
 

All hell breaks loose as Pembs power back

Firstly the Goodwick striker combined with John in the area, and the Hakin winger turned and fired a low shot home to give his side hope.

And just two minutes later hope became delight when Griffiths was tripped by Rhys Watson, and Harding made no mistake with the penalty as he went low to Powney's right.

Still the drama wasn't done and in a crazy few seconds, Jack Christopher was crowded out as he looked to convert a Mark Jones cross, while Griffiths headed over and Harding pulled a right foot shot a yard past the post.

But then in injury time the fightback was complete as Griffiths worked some space outside the area, and although his effort was straight at Powney, the ball squirted from the keeper's grasp and crept into the net.

Still Pembrokeshire had to deal with some balls into their area, but they held out to make it six SB Williams points from six - meaning they will seal the trophy if they beat the Swansea League at The Meadow next Wednesday.

Nigel Delaney: "What a game! I thought we were brilliant second half from the word go.
"For 16 boys to be thrown together and battle like that for me and Sully (Chris O'Sullivan) for 90 minutes was outstanding."

Pembrokeshire: James Gwilt, Peter Thomas, Wayne O'Sullivan, Scott Delaney (Llyr Tobin HT - Ben Adams 75), Mark Jones, Luke Hayward, Iwan Izzard, Adam John, Justin Harding, Adam Hawkins (Jack Christopher 64), Joe Leahy (Jordan Griffiths 64). Sub not used: Lee Hudgell.

Carmarthenshire: Kyle Powney, Jonathan Fagan, Tom Lavender, Rhys Watson, Nathan Davies, Gareth Phillips, Ashley Lewis, Tom Roberts (Elliot Jones 66), Alex Thomas (Rhys Lewis 87), Sam Wilson, Joel Beynon (Ifan Foster 92). Subs not used: Iwan Rees, Ieuan Petty.