Garden Village  2 - 0  St. Joseph's

Tony Nakonecznyj West Wales Senior Cup Semi-Final

Sunday March 25th, 2007

Garden Village booked their place in the final of the Tony Nakonecznyj West Wales Senior Cup for the very first time on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over St. Joseph’s.

Steven Evans and Gary Davies were the heroes for the home side as their strikes set-up a cup final date with Welsh Premiership hopefuls Neath Athletic.

Both goals came during the first-half but it could have been more had it not been for visiting ‘keeper Chris Didenko who played extremely well between the sticks for the Swansea Senior League side.

Village were without goalkeeper Stuart Lloyd (injury) and Matthew Martin (cup-tied) so veteran shot-stopper Norman Ward, who manages the club’s Third team, donned the gloves and put in a first-rate performance as Bob Lloyd’s side kept clean sheet for the fourth time in their last five outings. Midfielders Phil John and Chris Thomas were also missing which lead the way for Steven Evans and Chris Morgan in the middle of the park.

It was the visitors who had the game’s first shot on goal but Ward was at hand to make a comfortable save. Ashley Richards headed over shortly afterwards but the deadlock was broken as early as the eighth minute when Steven Evans beat Didenko from close-range. Lee Rastatter re-claimed possession from St. Joseph’s and played a defence splitting pass through to Evans who struck the ball into the top of the net.

The early goal increased the home side’s confidence and in the space of 60 seconds had a further two chances to extend their lead. Welsh College’s midfielder Cameron Hopkins saw his chance cleared off the line and Chris Morgan’s well-taken free-kick was deflected just wide of the Saints’ goal.

Ashley Richards, though, came closest on 23 minutes when he rattled the crossbar with a well-struck half-volley but all this pressure finally paid off as Village doubled their advantage three minutes before the break. Cameron Hopkins played the ball deep into the heart of the Saints’ box from a corner and player-coach Gary Davies was quickest to respond as he found the bottom corner of the net from 8-yards.

The visitors looked a completely different side second-half as they kept a lot more possession and forced Norman Ward into making a few fine saves.

Cameron Hopkins did have an excellent chance at the start of the half to add to Village’s tally but he blazed over from close-range, Steven Evans forced another excellent save out of Chris Didenko soon afterwards and Ashley Richards couldn’t hit the target after riding a few tackles.

St. Joseph’s dominated possession for large periods afterwards but they were guilty for failing to turn their dominance into chances. With three minutes left to play Paul Popham’s side undoubtedly had their best chance of the game when a ball into the box was flicked towards the bottom right-hand corner and Ward scrambled across goal to push the ball wide.

South Wales Evening Post (Tue Mar 27)
Welsh Football League
West Wales Sport

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