Fifth Division Cup final: Angle 2nds 3-3 Narberth 3rds (Angle 2nds win 6-5 on penalties)

A TRULY remarkable Fifth Division Cup final went the way of Angle 2nds after they fought back from 3-0 down before beating Narberth 3rds on penalties at Monkton Lane.

Fittingly, the final was played between the two best sides in the division, with the Bluebirds already confirmed as league champions, and Angle joining them in gaining promotion as league runners up.

And at half time, Narberth appeared to have all but secured the double as they led 3-0 – but a hat trick from Angle striker Jason Evans forced extra time. With no further goals in the additional 30 minutes, it was left to Angle player manager Gavin Wickland to seal glory for his side with the winning spot kick in sudden death.

And yet there was no sign of the drama to come in the early stages as both sides cancelled each other out – before Angle fashioned the game’s first clear chance.

A Jason Davies cross found Josh Richards in the box, and he turned sharply before crashing an angled left foot shot against the post.

Narberth keeper Jamie Bate was then bravely off his line to deny Stuart Ferrier, before the Bluebirds took command 26 minutes in.

A long throw from skipper Karl Jones was flicked on by Ryan Williams – and found centre back Jason Jones, who made no mistake with his glancing header.

And three minutes later, the lead was doubled when striker Dafydd Wright burst into the area, and fired a precise left shoot across Angle keeper James Reed and into the bottom corner.

Angle tried to respond and Jake Seaton struck a low free kick just wide, before striker Evans missed a guilt edged chance when he got on the end of a long ball forward but failed to find the target with Bate stranded.

The miss became crucial as moments before the interval – the final appeared all but over when Williams pounced on some hesitant defending and set up Wright, who buried his close range shot to make it 3-0.

Wickland’s men knew they had to come out firing after the break to stand any chance – and sure enough, they laid siege on the Narberth goal in a frantic first ten minutes.

Evans made amends for his earlier miss as he turned well in the area before placing a left foot shot home, and just seconds later, came close to a second when he side footed wide at the near post.

Seaton then put a half volley just over from ten yards out, before Evans threatened again when his header from a Nick Willis cross was well tipped over by Bate.

From the resultant corner, a goalmouth scramble ensued and the keeper again had to be alert to gather Alex Jones’ curling shot.

But midway through the half, it appeared the Bluebirds had weathered the storm and they nearly extended the lead when Ben Barnett’s dipping long range effort was tipped onto the bar by Reed.

But just when their threat appeared to be dwindling, with 20 minutes left Angle struck again when skipper Andrew Thomas saw his cross headed in by Evans.

Narberth substitute Tom Walters nearly restored the two goal lead with ten minutes left when he jinked past two tackles, only to see his shot gathered at the second attempt by Reed – who then pushed away Mike Jolly’s long range effort.

And in the dying minutes, Wright came within inches of sealing the cup, and a hat trick, when his lobbed effort beat Reed but bounced wide of the post.

However, there was still time for a dramatic twist at the other end when deep into injury time, Nick Willis headed against the underside of the bar – and Evans reacted quickest to nod home, complete his treble, and force extra time.

In the half hour that followed, both sides came agonisingly close to a winner, with Angle substitute Connor Willis striking the near post from a tight angle – before missing two clear chances as he scuffed a shot wide when clean through on goal, and then headed over from close range.

For Narberth, Wright was also denied by the woodwork when he cut inside and clipped a left foot shot against the post, and Walters saw another shot well saved by Reed.

So perhaps fittingly, the sides could not be separated after 120 minutes – and both then converted their first five penalties in the shootout to force sudden death.

But then Narberth defender Tom Miller, who had been one of his side’s best performers on the night, saw his effort saved by Reed - and Angle boss Wickland took full advantage as he fired home the winning spot kick to spark big celebrations amongst his squad and supporters.

Afterwards, secretary of the Pembrokeshire Football league Micky Phillips congratulated both sides on their efforts, and labelled the final one of the best he had ever seen in Pembrokeshire.

It was then left to League Chairman Dave Olyott to present the trophy to winning captain Thomas, and round off what was a superb advert for both the Fifth Division and local football.

Angle 2nds: James Reed, Stuart Ferrier (Gavin Wickland 82), Jason Davies, Nick Willis, Martyn Davies, Simon Lewis, Andrew Thomas (capt), Josh Richards, Jason Evans, Alex Jones (Connor Willis 66), Jake Seaton. Sub not used: Josh Powell.

Narberth 3rds: Jamie Bate, Tom Miller, Jonathan Marson, Jason Jones, Ben Barnett (Jacob Layfield 84), Jake Harden, Ryan Williams (Tom Walters 64), Mike Jolly, Dafydd Wright, Rory Jolly (Luke Davies 58), Karl Jones (capt).

Referee: James Olyott.

Assistant referees: Steve Badham and John Lewis.

Fourth official: Steve Williams.