Johnstown FC are Champions!

Richmond Apparel Championship Final – BP Llandarcy 20th May, 2016
Match Report by Roger Thomas (WWYL Committee)

This was a repeat of the recent cup semi-final in which Pontlliw ran out comfortable 2-0 winners.
Both teams played in Group B of the League and overcame rivals from Group A in the semi-final play offs.
The Llandarcy pitch looked immaculate as the teams kicked off in drizzle, the weather promising to deteriorate further as the evening progressed.
Pontlliw were dominant during early exchanges as both teams attempted to gain control over their opponents. Pontlliw forced several corners during the first 15 minutes, but a combination of poor finishing and saves by goal keeper Matthew Davies kept the score at 0-0. During this period of play, Pontlliw’s Chris Day was instrumental in controlling possession in midfield and distributing to his forward players.
After 20 minutes, one of Johnston’s isolated attacks resulted in Joshua Bennett heading against Pontlliw’s post from a cross by Sion Jones.
Pontlliw continued to dominate exchanges with a far greater percentage of possession. Johnstown resorting to long clearances to ease the pressure they were experiencing. Leon Johnson provided a cutting edge to the Pontlliw attack, but there was always one more defender to block a shot or provide a tackle to keep the scoreboard blank.
On the few occasions that Johnstown threatened the Pontlliw goal, their defence did look suspect to ground attacks, culminating in Liam Burke heading a far post cross into the side netting on the half hour. During this period of play, Samassi Henderson-Crowther was the architect of most of the Johnstown attacks and provided good cover for his other midfield players.
The half came to an end in heavy rain, with Pontlliw continuing to pressure the Johnstown goal.
The second half opened with Johnstown taking control in midfield through Samassi, taking responsibility to push his players further up field.
As the weather worsened and the players began to tire, chances were created at both ends, but at this stage finishing was poor.
On 70 minutes a free kick awarded to Johnstown was launched into the Pontlliw six yard box by Sion Jones and in the melee it was turned into goal by Bradley Arnold, giving Johnstown a deserved lead based on their second half performance.
This goal certainly spurred Johnstown on and following a tricky run by Cai Evans, his final ball was turned in by Jonathan Morris for a 2-0 score line. Morris’ goal celebration in front of the main stand added to the feeling of delight for both players and supporters of the Johnstown team.
There was only one way for Pontlliw to play now and to their credit they certainly pressurised their opponents from a series of corners and from open play.
In the 81st minute, from one of these corners Ben Bowen saw his header blocked on the line, but the clearance deflected off a Johnstown defender and into his goal.
With tails up, Pontlliw continued to press and in the 86th minute from another corner up popped Ben Bowen again to score with a header to make it 2-2.
The score remained the same at 90 minutes.

Extra time in the deteriorating weather conditions was a tiring experience for both teams.
Any ball played into either teams penalty box was proving problematic and the feeling grew that any mistake now would surely result in a winning goal. Saves at both ends meant that the 30 additional minutes provided no goals and thus we moved into the dreaded penalty shoot out.
Johnstown took the first penalty and scored, as did Pontlliw.
The second penalties were also scored by both teams, but Pontlliw missed their third.
Both teams scored their fourth.
Joshua Bennett stepped up to take the fifth Johnstown kick, knowing that if he scored, they were Champions........he scored.
Johnstown were Champions.
Great credit to both teams who made this match a truly memorable occasion in poor weather, showing the quality and strength of teams competing in the West Wales Youth League.
Congratulations to both teams.