WWFA SB Williams Inter League Competition 2016/17:

Swansea League 0

Pembrokeshire 1

TONY Evans’ dramatic late strike secured Pembrokeshire a famous win in Swansea and deservedly secured the SB Williams silverware at the home of Garden Village on Wednesday night.

This superb solitary one-goal victory was the icing on the cake for Pembrokeshire manager Gary Dawes and assistants Ian Baker and Steve Briers’ men.

This season, following a 3-2 win at home to Carmarthenshire and a 0-1 away win in Neath, the visitors came into this clash with Swansea needing at least a point to win the trophy, but remarkably they went a step further by claiming all three, and at the final whistle it gave them a perfect played three, won three record!

The game started at a frenetic pace, with both sides looking to score an early goal. It’s fair to say that the hosts had the better of the opening 45 minutes.

Swansea’s Tom Blackburn was proving a handful up front, but he failed to find way past the  visitors’ experienced solid back four consisting of skipper Steve Allen, Wayne O’Sullivan, Scott Delaney and Bradley Barrett.

Blackburn fired an early opportunity over the crossbar, County goalkeeper Patrick Hannon pulled off a string of good saves to deny a Liam Otten 20 yard direct free-kick, a one-on-one with Kieron Griffiths, and he also tipped a stinging Blackburn rising shot over the bar.

The visitors had a strong penalty appeal turned down in the 35th minute, livewire Scott Crawford was taken down inside the box, referee Daniel Beckett deemed nothing wrong with the challenge and waved play on.

In the second half Pembrokeshire began to get on top in terms of territory and possession, with central midfielders Gethin Roberts and Ashley Williams really putting in an impressive shift, with Jonny Horgan working hard down the right flank and Adam John down the left flank.

O’Sullivan headed a Barrett free-kick over the bar, and Swansea goalkeeper Marcus Collins pulled off a good save to deny striker Joe Leahy.

This titanic clash was swinging from end to end, Blackburn cut in from left and let fly from the edge of the area with Hannon palming his wicked shot for a corner.

Within two minutes the visitors were unlucky not to break the deadlock, Horgan’s pinpoint cross was met inside the box by Leahy’s header that beat Collins and struck the foot of the post.

On the hour mark, Dawes then made a double substitution, bringing on Jordan Richards and Tony Evans for Joe Leahy and Adam John respectively.

Within a minute the hosts were reduced to ten men when midfielder was issued a straight red card by Beckett for a reckless two-footed tackle by Jamie James on Evans.

Henry Durrant replaced Barrett at left back as the visitors were holding out for a draw before a dramatic twist right at the end.

Three minutes from time and the hosts were reduced to nine-men as Otten took an early shower for picking up his second yellow on the night.

On the stroke of full time the visitors grabbed a winner, Crawford unselfishly threaded a pass to Evans inside the box, the super sub kept his composure before confidently drilling low shot past Collins.

Proud county skipper Steven Allen received the silverware much to the delight of his ecstatic team-mates.

Shortly after the final whistle ecstatic Pembrokeshire manager Gary Dawes said: “I’m over the moon.

“We’ve won this competition the hard way, winning one game at home and winning two on the road.

“I’m proud of every player who has played in the tournament this season. Winning this tournament suggests that we have the best league and footballers in West Wales.”

Swansea League: Marcus Collins, Sam Bevan, Liam Otten, Luke Edwards, Levi Assadi, Ryan Harlow, Jamie James, Tom Blackburn, Kieron Griffiths, Jordan Lloyd Evans. Substitutes: Jonny Harding, Adam Carroll, Scott Harris, Sam Harrison.

Pembrokeshire League: Patrick Hannon, Steven Allen (Captain), Bradley Barrett (76 Henry Durrant), Scott Delaney, Wayne O’Sullivan, Adam John (60 Tony Evans), Ashley Williams, Gethin Roberts, Jonny Horgan, Scott Crawford, Joe Leahy (60 Jordan Richards).

Referee: Daniel Beckett.

Assistants: Ben Williamson and Gwyn Jones.

Fourth Official: Ryan King.