Ammanford AFC 4-4 Briton Ferry (Briton Ferry win 4-3 on penalties)

Ammanford were knocked out in the first round of the new Cymru South League Cup by table toppers Briton Ferry in a thrilling tie at The Rec, settled by a penalty shoot out which Ferry won 4-3.

A healthy crowd were treated to eight goals in an absorbing 4-4 draw which had everything including seven yellow cards and a fair amount of controversy.  

Ferry took a second minute lead when Thomas Walters ghosted through a static defence to slot the ball past Kyle Marsh in the Ammanford goal.

Ammanford were awarded a penalty in the 27th minute when Lee Trundle was fouled in the box. Trundle's ensuing penalty was saved but Mathew Fisher was on hand to slot home from the rebound.

Ammanford were looking lively on the attack and the Ferry keeper was forced into a couple of good saves to keep the score level.

Ferry was then awarded a contentious corner in the 37th minute which they made the most of, Keiron Williams scoring from close range.  

South Wales Guardian: It took only two minutes for Ferry to take the lead. Picture: Ian ParfittIt took only two minutes for Ferry to take the lead. Picture: Ian Parfitt

Ammanford started the second half on the front foot and equalised in the 56th minute, Jordan Langley firing home off the far post after being set up by Trundle.

Josh Jones restored Ferry's lead with their third goal in the 61st minute, firing home from outside the area.

Ammanford heads did not drop and Langley then completed his second brace in the space of five days with a superb finish with the outside of his left foot in the 65th minute.

Ammanford took the lead for the first time in the match in the 75th minute when centre half Euros Griffiths planted a firm header past the reach of the Ferry keeper.

Unfortunately, Ammanford were unable to hold on to that lead and the experienced Luke Bowen slotted home from close range for Ferry in the 82nd minute.

Neither team were able to find a winner in the time left which meant that the tie had to be decided by a penalty shootout won by Ferry.

In a night of high drama Ammanford keeper Kyle Marsh, having already saved his first penalty then saved the second Ferry penalty from Walters.

Marsh was then harshly adjudged to have come off his line by a linesman and Walters duly scored the re-taken penalty. Ferry went on to win the shootout 4-3.

An excellent performance from a committed Ammanford team which bodes well for the future.