UEFA REGIONS CUP - MATCH REPORT

GWENT  COUNTY  F. A.    2     WEST  WALES  F. A.    1.

    Andrew Bonomi fired home a first half equaliser for West Wales FA, in their UEFA Regions’ Cup South Wales Area group qualifier, to cancel out an earlier Luke Lewis opener. (reports Robert Clement).

    With victory required to secure progress in the competition, to allow the Welsh representatives to travel to Croatia in September, there was second half added on time misery, with a match-winning goal from Michael Williams, at Tredegar Town’s Stable Lane ground.

    With North East Wales awaiting the winners of the group for the May 15^th Welsh area final at Newtown, along with a three goal winning margin being required, Stephen Hughes powerfully headed wide from an Alex McKinney cross after only six minutes for West Wales.  

      Gwent County responded to that scoring opportunity nine minutes later, with it requiring WWFA goalkeeper Darren Evans to be alert to advance to the edge of the penalty area to deny Lewis a scoring chance.

    A clear cut option for WWFA to move ahead arrived with them being awarded a free kick, after Brett Morgan had fouled James Norman, skipper Lee Stone then sent the 40 yard scoring option into the GCFA goalmouth, only for keeper Tom Hinge to hurriedly push around the post.

    WWFA continued to create the better attacking options, and when a Robert Cunnah throw found Stone in space, the Seaside player sent a 25-yard effort narrowly wide of the upright.

    The breakthrough finally arrived with the GCFA moving ahead just before the half hour.

    A Joe Heard pass was seized upon by Lewis, and his initial shot from six yards rebounded off the post; the Abertillery Bluebirds striker then quickly gained possession to fire home at the second attempt.

    The GWFA lead lasted only twelve minutes, with the equaliser coming from a long clearance by Evans, and it was Bonomi who quickly used his skill and pace to good effect to hammer home a quality delivery, which Hinge was unable to stop.

    West Wales threatened to take the lead early into the second half, when Hughes embarked on a route forward assisted by substitute Kyle Morgan; but unfortunately Hughes was unlucky with a goalbound finish being intercepted by Alister Paton.

    The more adventurous attacking options continued to be created by West Wales, and just after the hour, a Bonomi shot rebounded off the legs of Hinge.

    The tempo was once more hastily maintained, when a right-sided delivery by Bonomi found McKinney in space, but he then directed a left footed finish over the bar.

    Regrettably, GCFA then added a second goal three minutes into added on time, with Williams firing in a twenty-yard effort following an opening engineered by Lewis.

    Team check: - Gwent County:  Tom Hinge, David Gibbs (capt), Martin Roan, Alister Paton (Thomas Elwick 68^th min), Jonathan Newall, Brett Morgan, Liam Whiskey, Michael Williams, Luke Lewis, Owen Goodenough (Michael Vagg 89^th min), Joe Heard. Substitutes not used: Rhys Whiteman, Ross Davies.

    West Wales: Darren Evans, Leighton Pritchard, Robert Cunnah, Lee Stone (capt), Jonathan Clarke, Steven Hughes, Ashley Pass, James Norman, Andrew Bonomi, Jamie Hopkins (Kyle Morgan 42^nd min), Alex McKinney (Carl Mucha 89^th min). Substitutes not used: Aaron Pegler, Matthew Tregembo, Michael Yates.

    Referee: - Allen Griffiths (Pontypridd).

    Score summary: - Gwent County: Luke Lewis 28^th min, Michael Williams 90^th +3min.

    West Wales: Andrew Bonomi 40^th min.