Cwmamman United travelled to West Wales Intermediate Cup holders Penlan AFC and both sides produced a thrilling end to end cup tie which saw Penlan keep their nerve at the end to see the game through.

The excitement started in the very first minute as Elliot Smith broke away from his marker and calmly steered the ball past Penlan keeper Marcus Collins for a tremendous start.

The game then settled and both sides had half chances until the 21st minute when a failure to clear the Cwm lines saw Penlan’s Darren Rowe pounce on a perfect through ball to equalise. It then immediately got worse for Cwm when a neat Penlan move saw Luke Dalling run on to a back heel to give Penlan the lead. All this within two minutes.

With Ryan Cole and Jackson Brereton working hard in the Cwm midfield and Brieg Matthews and Taylor Smith linking well upfront Cwm continued to press but Penlan went further ahead in the 29th minute when Darren Rowe leapt highest at a corner to cleverly steer his header past Callum Andrews.

Both sides kept the energy levels high up to half time and Harrison Thomas. Nathan Wickham, Charlie Davies and Iestyn Evans worked hard against the experienced Penlan attack.

With Cwm hoping to start the second half well they were further behind when Theo Walters made it 4-1. To Cwm’s credit they kept going and the fightback began. 

Cwm introduced Callum Howell for his debut in the 56th minute along with Luke Caffrey and Grant Overand and after a goalmouth scramble in the 59th minute, Elliot Smith steered the ball home and it was also Smith who completed his hat trick with his perfect spot kick after Taylor Smith was brought down in the 76th minute.

The crowd were ready for a big finale, but Penlan showed why they were the cup holders as Darren Rowe also completed his hat trick with a free header at the back post from a long corner in the 83rd minute.

Cwm continued to launch a number of attacks, but time had run out and Penlan go through to the next round after a cracking match.

Final score: Penlan AFC 5 - 3 Cwmamman United

Next Saturday, December 2, Cwm travel to play Giants Grave in the Macron West Wales League. Kick-off is 2pm for the rearranged match.