Briton Ferry Llansawel v Buckley Town  , Old Road, 14/01/23
 

Report by Martin Townley, Photos Perry Dobbins.

The Reds march on in the JD Welsh Cup after beating Buckley Town on penalties. 

The Reds had led by two goals, but Buckley were able to come back taking the game into penalties.  Red’s keeper Rhys Wilson saved two kicks to take the Reds into the quarter finals. 

Kris Evans gave the home side the lead after 23 minutes, Tom Walters got Ferry’s second on 44 minutes with his 15th of the season.  Ferry were pegged back almost straight away as Jake Roberts scored to make it 2-1.  A tense second half saw Ferry have chances, but the only goal came from the visitors.  Substitute Max Moore getting a late equaliser for Buckley. 

Ryan George scored the vital kick in the shoot out to give the Reds the advantage and Rhys Wilson saved from Joshua Jones to send Ferry though.

Buckley had an early chance as Jake Roberts tried to curl the ball into the corner.  Rhys Wilson diving across goal to turn it away.

Ferry came back and Alex Gammond hit a shot straight at Buckley keeper James McHarrie.  The Reds kept the pressure on, and Keiran Williams saw his shot blocked and Ryan George shot wide on the follow up.

Kris Evans sent the ball over the Buckley defence and found the run of Tom Walters.  Walters was forced wide and hit the side netting from s tight angle.

The pressure told in the 23 minutes as Kris Evans headed in at the near post from close range. 

Kieran Moore tried from distance for the visitors, but his lob was easily caught by Wilson.

As the half came towards the end the Reds went two up thanks to Tom Walters.  Receiving the ball in the box Walters slid the ball past McHarrie. 

Buckley soon made it 2-1 Jake Roberts netting after a pass from Connor Littler. 

The second half was tight and back and forth as both sides looked to progress.  Ryan George tried from distance, but his effort went wide.  Connor Littler then tried from range for Buckley but his effort went wide as well.

Kieran Williams found Kris Evans in the box; Evans shot but James McHarrie was able to save.

Connor Goldsworthy whipped a free kick into the box towards the far post.  His cross dipped and hit the top of the bar.

As the clock was running down Buckley started to push Ferry back.  Leonard Hamilton sending in a couple of good balls into the box, but no Buckley players were able to capitalise.

In the 87th minute however Buckley got their equaliser.  Buckley able to get the ball to Max Moore in the box and the sub fired in from close range. 

The game ended in a draw and went to a penalty shoot out. 

The match went to penalties and was even throughout both teams scoring from their first four kicks.  Callum Saunders and Jake Roberts then both missed, and it went to sudden death.  Another six conversions followed before Kris Evans blazed over giving Buckley the Advantage.  Max Moore, Buckley’s hero in normal time then saw Rhys Wilson save his effort.  Ryan George buried his kick meaning Buckley captain Joshua Jones had to score.  Wilson again saved sending the Reds marching on in the Welsh Cup.

Briton Ferry: Rhys Wilson (G), Ryan George, Declan Evans (Luis Bates 88), Alex Gammond (C), Kris Evans, Callum Saunders, Tyler Brock (Dylan Perkins 88), Keiran Williams, Tom Walters, Cullen Kinsella, Connor Goldsworthy.

Goals: Kris Evans 23, Tom Walters 44,

Yellow Cards: Keiran Williams 39, Cullen Kinsella 60, Dylan Perkins 90+2.