West Wales Intermediate Cup Round One:

Fishguard Sports 2-1 Pontlliw

TWO goals from striker Jordan White gave Fishguard Sports a cracking win in the first round of the West Wales Cup as they overcame Carmarthenshire Premier League side Pontlliw at Tregroes Park.

White opened the scoring in the first half with a well taken volley, and after Liam McCann had levelled for Pontlliw after the interval – the young forward ensured The Sports would be in the hat for round two with another good finish after being set up by Steve Lewis.

It was the visitors who made much the brighter start to the tie, three times going close in the opening 10 minutes.

Firstly, McCann had his powerful 20 yard free kick tipped over the bar by Fishguard keeper David Pepper, before Dan Smale drove his way into the six yard box before being crowded out by the home defence.

And it was Smale who then should have put his side ahead, latching onto McCann’s flick on but having his close range shot blocked brilliantly by Pepper.

Steve Lewis had Fishguard’s first real sight of goal when he fired narrowly wide from the edge of the area, but at the other end, Pontlliw missed another guilt edged chance when James Howells was off target from 15 yards with Pepper stranded.

It proved costly as 17 minutes in, The Sports led as right back Jonny Williams’s deep cross was well controlled by White, who duly volleyed high into the net past Pontlliw keeper Rhys Owen.

The goal took the sting out of the visitors, although McCann had another sight of a goal from a set piece, he drove 25 yard free kick straight into the arms of Pepper.

At the other end, Lewis Banks had a free kick from a similar range well held by Owen, and with Steve Lewis controlling matters in midfield, The Sports looked increasingly assured before another scare in first half injury time.

Smale turned well in the area before having his left foot shot parried by Pepper, who then had to react sharply to dive at the feet and deny Pontlliw striker James Howells as he prepared to tap home the rebound.

But shortly after the break, it was Ali Davies’ side who went close to a second goal when Ieuan Llewellyn’s free kick fell to Banks, whose stabbed shot was tipped wide by Owen.

From the resultant corner, the same pairing threatened again as Llewellyn’s delivery was headed narrowly over by Banks at the near post.

But within eight minutes of half time, the visitors levelled when Pepper picked up a backpass in a goalmouth scramble, and after referee Dai Badger awarded an in-direct free kick, Howells teed up McCann to smash a left foot shot into the net.

The visitors threatened again when Smale had a goal ruled out for offside, but then on 60 minutes, it was White who struck again with what proved to be the winner.

The youngster latched onto a Lewis through ball, and showed great composure to steady himself before whipping an effort into the far corner.

Moments later, the home side nearly extended the lead when a low Williams cross deflected off Dan Jenkins and forced Owen into a superb reaction save.

At the other end, Howells flashed a shot just wide, and then had strong appeals for a penalty turned down when his cross was seemingly blocked by the arm of Davies.

From the corner that followed, Smale headed an Alex Morralu delivery straight at Pepper.

The keeper was soon called into action again when he denied Tim Lewis at his near post, but as Pontlliw pushed forward, The Sports had chances to put the game to bed.

White came close to a hat trick when his angled chip was tipped over by Owen, and the impressive keeper was at it again when he thwarted Gareth Mathias as the substitute went clean through on goal.

Owen was beaten however, when Ryan Howells’ in-swinging cross went over his head but crashed back off the bar.

Pontlliw did try to press in the dying moments but on several occasions, Pepper was equal to the task as high balls came into his area, and The Sports held on to book their place in round two.

Fishguard Sports: David Pepper, Simon Jones, Matthew Lewis, Ali Davies, Jonny Williams, Lewis Banks, Steve Lewis, Ryan Howells, Ieuan Llewellyn, Jordan White, Keegan Summers.

Subs not used: Steve Jones, Matthew Harries, Gareth Mathias.

Pontlliw: Rhys Owen, Steve Lorey, Richard Lewis, Dan Jenkins, Andrew Shaw, Alex Morralu, James Williams, Tim Lewis, Liam McCann, Dan Smale, James Howells.

Subs not used: Ian Williams, Matthew Murphy, Leigh Jermine.

Referee: Dai Badger.