Llanilar vs Llanrhystud 15th Mar 2003

15th Mar 2003 Results:
Llanilar 3 vs 4 Llanrhystud (Cup Game)

Llanrhystud started positively, and Llanilar had not been out of their own territory, when a counter attack led to Martin Davies gave the home side the lead. Llanrhystud replied minutes later, with Steve Gravell scoring with a well struck shot from 25 yards.

Llanilar again took the lead before the half time interval, with Gravell turning from hero to villain as he under kicked a back pass that was pounced on by Richard Pugh, who took full advantage of the error.

With a 2-1 half time lead and home advantage, Llanilar must have fancied their chances of progressing to the semi finals. However, the forced departure of Dylan Morris soon after the restart did not aid their chances.

Llanrhystud levelled matters again when Llanilar gave away a scrappy penalty after a scramble in the box. Carl Gittens put away the equaliser from the penalty spot, and 30 minutes of extra time beckoned. Llanilar pushed Captain Tegyd Roberts up front in a bid to win the game. This proved a wise decision by manager Richard Tudor as Roberts headed home an Anthony Christopher cross.

Llanilar faced a battle to hang on to their lead with players feeling the effects of cramp, with all the subs used. Llanrhystud's younger, fitter team capitalised on a one-man advantage, created by a home team player needing treatment, to equalise through an Anthony Tedaldi volley following a cross by Carl Gittens.

With Gary Pugh forced off the field due to severe cramp, the advantage was now with llanrhystud, and with just minutes remaining of extra time, Gerallt Woolley broke free of a tiring defence to score in to the corner of the goal to seal a victory. Llanilar manager Richard Tudor said: "The boys came off with their heads down, extremely disappointed, but mine was held high. I know that we came really close to defeating a very good team, and I'm very proud of them. You can't be too disappointed about losing a game like that. I'd rather lose in that manner than go out with a whimper."