PORTHKERRY Panthers Under-15s played their last competitive football match on the Buttrills Field on Saturday, May 14 before disbanding.

Ironically that game was against their local rivals since day one Barry Athletic who still had an outside chance of winning the league. The match was very competitive, as it always has been with these two side and played in the usual fantastic spirit with bragging rights available for the last time between friends.

This game did not disappoint and the Panthers started slowly. The Athletic had the better of the first half, without creating too many chances, the best effort from them came from a long range effort from Evan Wells that came off the bar.

The opportunity of the first half came from an in-swinging corner taken from the impressive Jack Shewring which was headed off the line by his own Panthers team mate Jack Stokes, who also saw a long range effort skim the bar. The second half was very even with the Athletics’ danger man Harry Edwards forcing the Panthers 'keeper Ben Wallace into a fine save to keep the scores level.

The Panthers were making some last ditch tackles to keep the Athletic at bay with both Olly White and man of the match Rhys Everitt blocking everything thrown at them. The Panthers were creating chances however with Jack Cummings shooting just wide from distance and Ben Hayes seeing a one-on-one go just wide.

Jacob Morgan and Iwan Hadfield were growing into this game and both a shots saved by Matthew Mayer. Will Drew and Sam Hopkins were determined not to be on the losing side against their former club whilst captain Ben Jones covered every blade of grass.

The Athletic had the majority of the possession but with just minutes left the Panthers were awarded a free kick just outside the box and maybe, just maybe there would be a last minute twist.

As Callum Bellemy was suspended the resultant free kick taken by Jack Shewring found its way into the top corner only for a wonder save from Matthew Mayer to deny the Panthers their last ever win. The Panthers had to settle for their first ever nil-nil draw in their last league game which was a fitting way to end.

Congratulation to Cogan for the double this year. The Panthers management would like to thank all the boys for their efforts not just this year but over the last 10 years.

Best wishes go to past Panthers players Adam Davies, Lloyd Perkins, Declan Edwards, Joe Mellars and many more for all the wonderful memories of past days gone by.