West Wales Intermediate Cup Round Two:

Merlins Bridge 1-2 North End

There was a shock at The Racecourse as an 85th minute winner from North End skipper Spencer Dennis ensured the Swansea League Division Three side knocked Merlins Bridge out of the West Wales Intermediate Cup.

The visitors, who ironically beat The Wizards on route to their last Intermediate Cup win in the 1991/92 season, led after Luke Pyle’s stunning second half strike, and after Dai Davies had levelled for the home side late on, North End grabbed the win when Dennis drilled a left footed shot into the bottom corner from 18 yards out.

In bitterly cold and windy conditions, it was Bridge who made the more purposeful start, as Will Haworth’s curling effort on the edge of the area was brilliantly tipped over by away keeper Lucas Collier.

Adam Hawkins then teed up Daniel Bryce, but he could only shoot straight at Collier from close range, before the forward fired over after a Simon Thomas corner prompted a goalmouth scramble.

The visitors had little in the way of clear chances early on, but striker David Murray looked threatening as he twice unleashed long range efforts – with one narrowly off target and the other not troubling Bridge keeper Gary Thomas.

Murray then had claims for a penalty waved away by referee James Olyott after he went down under a challenge from Chris Ormond – and at the other end, Hakwins cut in from the right and beat two defenders before crossing for Bryce, who was again denied by Collier.

Just before half time another goalmouth scramble, this time in the Bridge area, saw North End’s Josh Williams just fail to turn the loose ball towards goal as the teams went in 0-0 at the break.

But just after the interval Nathan Thomas’ side seemingly took the lead when a Luke Hayward free kick was met by Hawkins, and after his diving header was superbly kept out by Collier, Bryce buried the rebound – only to be ruled offside.

A North End counter attacked then culminated in Pyle heading tamely at Thomas, before Bridge went close again as Haworth broke free down the left hand side of the area, and crashed an angled shot against the post.

Moments after Stephen McNabney played in Hawkins, who turned well in the box before wastefully shooting high and wide from 12 yards.

And just when the momentum seemed with The Wizards, they were left stunned on 54 minutes when Pyle picked up the ball 25 yards out, and with his back to goal, turned and curled a shot into the far top corner.

It could have got worse for The Bridge moments afterwards when Williams failed to get his free header on target – before the home side really upped the ante as they pressed for an equaliser.

Midfielder Davies surged into the area and his low finish beat Collier – but was cleared off the line by North End defender Matthew Lowe.

Ormond then crashed a header against the bar from a Hayward corner – before on 76 minutes, Thomas’s men finally struck.

Haworth made ground down the left and squared for Davies inside the area, who steadied himself before firing into the top of the net.

And just a minute later, Bridge substitute Jordan Raymond broke down the right and played in McNabney, whose close range shot was kept out by the impressive Collier.

The same combination then threatened again, but this time it was Raymond who was denied when his effort deflected wide.

But the visitors were also pressing for a winner themselves, and after Jamie Welsby’s free kick flashed across the face off the goal, Dennis provided the defining moment when he gathered a loose ball outside the area, and curled a precise low shot into the bottom corner.

And in a frantic final few minutes, the visitors held out to secure a big cup scalp, and with it, a place in the third round.

Merlins Bridge: Gary Thomas, Peter Thomas, Chris Ormond (capt), Sion Price (Scott Murray 86), Simon Thomas, Dai Davies, Daniel Bryce, Luke Hayward (Jordan Raymond 65), Will Haworth, Stephen McNabney, Adam Hawkins.

Sub not used: Nathan Thomas.

North End: Lucas Collier, Mark Bennett, Aaron Day (Jamie Barrocco 79), Johnny Jones, Matthew Loye, Dan Bradley, Josh Williams, Spencer Dennis (capt), David Murray, Luke Pyle, Jamie Welsby (Nathan Blackler 88) .

Subs not used: Craig Killey, Josh Evans.

Referee: James Olyott.

West Wales Intermediate Cup results involving Pembrokeshire teams:

Carmarthen Stars 7-5 Herbrandston.
Carew 4-3 Cwmfelin Press.
Cwm Wanderers 4-2 Kilgetty (after extra time).
Hakin United 2-2 Dafen Welfare (after extra time - Hakin win 3-1 on penalties).
Lamphey 1-3 Morriston Olympic.
Merlins Bridge 1-2 North End.
Neyland 4-4 Brynawel (after extra time -Neyland win 3-2 on penalties).

Penllergaer 1-3 Fishguard Sports.
Ponthenri 0-1 West Dragons.

Pwll Athletic 2-1 Pennar Robins.
Seaside 2-1 Narberth.
Seven Sisters 3-0 Goodwick United.