Vale win cup on penalties (From Barry And District News)

Vale win cup on penalties

IT WAS A sunny evening at Jenner Park for the final of the Dockers Cup and the atmosphere for both Vale United and Cwm Talwg was tense.

There was a good show of support for both teams, especially the Cwm Talwg fans showing extra support with their home-made banners.

With the stage and atmosphere set, the game got under way to a quick pace. There were lots of chances at either end, but the deadlock was finally broken around the 15 minute mark with a brilliant Vale move involving James Howe, Jason Rawlings, John Farrugia and Luigi Cavaliere (Gino), before Patrick Curran headed home.

In the 35th minute, a free kick was awarded on the right hand side and it hit the first defender, broke to Michael Clements, who put in a wicked ball to the back post for Matthew Watts to pounce to make it 2-0 to the Vale.

The second half was a different story and saw numerous attacks from Cwm Talwg which were thwarted by inspired keeper Ceri Jones, whose fantastic night was only just beginning.

The defence was being led well by Matthew Watts, but in inspired form were also Gareth Payne and John Farrugia, with a number of goal-saving challenges.

Ashley Wallace pace on the left hand side was helping deal with the problem of their goal threat, but Matthew Watts who was leading well, had a re-occurring back problem and had to be substituted by Michael Mees.

Cwm Talwg counter-attacked and scored with a soft shot. This turned the game on its head and with excellent support from the Cwm Talwg fans, it looked as if it could go the other way.

So many opportunities were spurned, none more so than the chance that fell to Shane Harding from inspired substitute Christian Gronow s pass, but it was stopped by Matthew Twose in goal.

Leigh Cogbill on the line decided it was time for some youthful legs and on stepped Jason Reed, who gave a new energy level on the left.

The missed chances were eventually to be rued by the striker, though, as Cwm Talwg hit an equaliser, which took the wind right out of the sails of Vale United, who could feel their world crumbling around them.

At 2-2 at 90 minutes, extra time was required. This was such a well-spirited game from the start and was becoming quite a spectacle. Chances were few and it seemed as if nobody wanted to risk losing it at such a late stage.

Penalties came and Leigh Cogbill had to decide who would be confident enough to take them.

Up stepped Shane Harding, Jason Rawlings, Patrick Curran, John Farrugia and Gareth Payne, the onus now on them, and keeper Ceri Wood.

Ceri saved, and Shane made it 1-0. Cwm Talwg scored, and Gareth Payne then struck the post and the game was back on level terms.

Ceri Wood saved again and Patrick Curran who had scored during the game stepped up and scored to make it 2-1 with three penalties taken.

Ceri was then close to stopping another and Jason Rawlings scored before Cwm put the next shot over the bar.

There was elation in the Vale camp as injured players Peter Curran, Richard Young and number one fan Martin Coffey joined in the spraying of the champers. There was great support from all ex-players, family and friends and the celebrations continued through the night.