| Welsh Leaguers give Old Gold a scare |
| Monday 30 January 2012 |
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CARMARTHEN were given a scare by their Welsh League opponents from the Rhondda before securing a place in the last eight in extra-time. AFC Porth took the lead in their first attack after eight minutes when a flowing move down the left found Robbie Thomas in space and he hammered his 15-yarder past keeper Mike Lewis. It took the Old Gold nearly half an hour to carve their first real chance when Paul Fowler's fierce drive was deflected over the bar by a defender. But, five minutes later, a long Cledan Davies throw released Steffan Williams whose pinpoint cross was headed home by Nick Harrhy. The hosts upped the pressure after the break with Fowler heading just over the bar and then firing a shot from the edge of the box just wide of the target. Porth keeper Steven Hall did well to punch away a stinging drive from Steffan Williams, but the visitors started to find their feet again and Gethyn Jones saw his fierce shot well saved by the feet of Lewis. In a frantic finale to normal time, a Lee Bevan header was cleared off the line by a Porth defender, sub Sam Wilson drew an excellent save from Hall and Nicky Palmer, clear through on goal, was only denied by another superb save. With the first period of extra-time drawing to a close, Town got the breakthrough when Wilson raced into the penalty area, dribbled past a defender and was tripped. Tim Hicks despatched the resulting spot kick and Julian Alsop sealed the win three minutes from the end after Jack Christopher had intercepted a sloppy back pass. |