Second Division Cup final

Hundleton 2–1 Prendergast Villa

A SECOND half header from Ben Pannell sealed the Second Division Cup for Hundleton as they fought back from a goal down to beat Prendergast Villa at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.

In stunning evening weather, Villa took a first half lead through skipper Dan Wilks, but Scott Brunton levelled matters before the break before Pannell rose unchallenged to nod home a Brunton free kick eight minutes into the second half.

The two sides had only met in the league on Saturday, with Villa prevailing 5-2, but it was Hundleton who made the brighter start as Jason Donohoe darted down the left wing and saw his low cross turned wide by Dylan Davies.

Villa then had their first real opening 15 minutes in when the lively Joe George got on the end of a Ben John long throw, and turned neatly in the area before shooting straight at Hundleton keeper Daniel Griffiths.

At the other end, Parnell pounced on Wilks’ mistimed header, but his side footed shot was gathered by Villa no 1 Peter Blain.

But 24 minutes in, it was 2012/13 cup winners Prendergast who took the lead. And just like the final two years ago, it was Wilks who opened the scoring when striker Joe John was tackled in front of goal – and the captain picked up the loose ball and placed a shot home from close range.

However, nine minutes later Brunton equalised in style, playing a neat one two with winger Donohoe before driving a left foot shot into Blain’s bottom corner from outside the area. John then was just off target for Villa with a long range effort, as the teams went in 1-1 at the break.

But Hundleton began the second half with real pace and purpose, and Donohoe drew a rash tackle from Steff Atyeo, who was booked for his troubles. Jason’s brother, Shaun Donohoe, swang the resultant free kick into the box where William Abrahams put his free header wastefully wide.

But it mattered little as moments later, right back Rhodri Davies skipped past two tackles before being fouled by Damien Ellis – and Brunton’s inswinging free kick was met by Pannell, who made no mistake with a bullet header.

Unfortunately for Davies though, he was forced to leave the field just moments after helping create the the goal, taken to hospital with a suspected broken wrist after landing awkwardly in a tackle.

Villa came close to levelling on the 60 minute mark when Wilks narrowly failed to get on the end of a Jake Davies corner, before the latter put in another telling set piece cross that Ellis headed wide.

Hundleton missed a golden chance to seal matters when substitute Lloyd Wilson played in Brunton, who miscued his shot wide, before the striker saw his deflected effort palmed to safety by Blain.

And with 10 minutes left, the Villa keeper kept his side in it by tipping away Jason Donohoe’s 25 yard effort. But Simon Gilderdale’s side pressed hard in the closing stages, with the introduction of Matthew Davies up front adding an extra dimension to their attacking play.

Indeed, it was a Davies cross that was headed goalwards by George, but Hundleton substitute Geraint Lewis blocked his effort. With four minutes left Davies nearly pounced on a spilt ball by keeper Griffiths, but the latter recovered to snuff out the danger.

However, hearts were in Hundleton mouths in the dying seconds as Griffiths fumbled another long ball forward, and Jake Davies took advantage to drive a low shot towards goal – only to see his effort cleared off the line by Hundleton skipper Jack Richards.

It proved pivotal as seconds later, referee Kevin Bowen blew the final whistle to spark big celebrations amongst Richards and his Hundleton players. Villa meanwhile, will need to pick themselves up ahead of a potentially crunch promotion clash with Milford United on Saturday.

Hundleton: Daniel Griffiths, Rhodri Davies (Geraint Lewis 55), Lee Murray, Jack Richards (capt), Marc Edwards, Shaun Donohoe, William Abrahams (Lloyd Wilson 67), Ben Pannell, Scott Brunton, Dylan Davies, Jason Donohoe (Marcus Adie 87).

Prendergast Villa: Peter Blain, Steff Atyeo, Rickie Thomas, Damien Ellis, Simon Gilderdale, Richard Hilling (Matthew Davies 70), Joe George, Dan Wilks (capt) (Giac Malvisi 79), Jake Davies, Joe John, Ben John (Richie Davies 62).

Referee: Kevin Bowen.

Assistants: Sean O’Connor and Kevin Williams. Fourth official: Paul Jackson.