The Team
McFenton, Baker, Kingdom, L.Harris, Hillier, Hudson, Thomas, Davey, C.Harris, Gav Jones, Brock
The Subs
Probert, Evans, L.Hughes, Ncube, Gareth Jones
Briton Ferry Llansawel will play home to Welsh Premier team Llandudno in round three of JD Welsh Cup after winning a seven goal thriller at Treharris on Saturday.
With the team 3-0 down and a man sent off within half hour the possibilty of progressing seemed impossible but a superb turn around from the ten men put the reds through.
After the postponement of the original fixture the tie took place under beautiful autumnal conditions at Parc Taf Bargoed and what a cup tie it turned out to be.
Manager Carl Shaw was without centre back Lee Bevan due to suspension so Luke Harris partnered Ian Hillier with Sam Baker reclaiming his place at right back, with club captain Rory Healey also missing Warren Hudson partnered Rob Thomas in central midfield with a first start for a while given to Cam Harris to form the front four with Davey, Gav Jones and Tyler Brock. A very strong looking bench included all time leading scorer Gareth Jones for the first time this season.
Treharris who currently sit in the top half of the Division Three table are settling in their new surroundings and had a good support anticipating a potential cup upset, this was evident for all to see within 15 minutes after three quick fire goals left the visitors stunned.
Firstly a Sam Baker challenge was deemed illegal after 3 minutes and impressive midfielder Josh Evans made no mistake from the spot firing high past Conah McFenton in goals.
Within 5 minutes McFenton was beaten again this time a long punt was misjudged by the Sawel defence, this saw forward Alex Jones finish confidently for 2-0.
It got worse within minutes for the Reds with a good move saw Alun Thomas drive low past McFenton for an unbelievable start for Treharris.
It took 20 minutes for the Reds to actually start to try and play and compete but the tie took another turn for the worse for them when an altercation between Josh Evans and Rob Thomas saw Thomas stupidly lash out in front of referee Jordan Harman and recieve his marching orders, everyone was now starting to think it was game over with the hosts 3-0 up and a man advantage not even a third of the way through the game.
As we all know though football is a sport that keeps giving and the next hour saw Ferry show superb character and desire to get back into the tie.
Hope was given by referee Harman on 35 minutes when Brock was hacked down just inside the area with his back to goal, the ever reliable Steve Davey stepped up to make no mistake and reduce the defecit to two before half time.
Belief could be heard in the players voices after the goal with supporters man of the match Warren Hudson heard shouting ' we can still win this game lads', a belief that still wasnt fully felt by many supporters at the ground at the interval.
The players were kept on the pitch at the break with Carl Shaw and Ray Pennock giving them some choice words as well as tactical changes, Sam Baker was replaced by club legend Gareth Jones his introduction was the changing point of the game.
Within two minutes of the restart the ball fell to Jones from close range and he struck it home, a celebration towards the excellent away support while hitting the badge on his jersey was just the ispiration everyone needed.
The game was now turned on his head with the numerical advantage not making a difference and tiring Treharris legs seeing the Reds turn up the heat, indeed the equaliser did come on the hour mark, a superb tackle on the half way line by Warren Hudson set up a counter and as so often down the years Steve Davey delivered an inch perfect right wing cross for that man Jones who this time headed home from six yards for 3-3.
As Welsh League bloggers 'Road to the Final' have put in their report this week 'The miracle of Taf Bargoed' was well and truly on!
Unbelieveably the comeback was complete with twenty minutes remaining and it was a goal worthy of completing it and winning any game, with a clearance dropping outside the box Cam Harris half volleyed the sweetest strike from 30 yards past the despairing dive of keeper Leighton James sending players, management and supporters into raptures.
Treharris had a good chance on 78 minutes when McFenton misjudged a cross but couldnt capitalise, shortly after a big penalty shout for handball was turned down for the Reds by referee Harman.
The final chance of the game fell to the hosts in injury time but substitute Ross Fowler was denied by a fantastic save low down by McFenton before the referee blew for full time.
A truly fantastic cup tie with both teams playing their part in a game to remember.
The reward for the Reds is a home tie in round three against Welsh Premier team Llandudno, to be played the weekend of 7/8/9 December.
