Late winner from Doherty seals it for Town.
Costcutters Division One title decider
Cardigan Town 3 Lampeter 2
Another crucial goal from Cardigan Town striker Liam Doherty sealed a dramatic win in the title showdown at the King George and more importantly secured the Norman Llewellyn Memorial Trophy for the Magpies.
Doherty had very little to do in attack with the ball spending far too much time in the air but he produced the goods at just the right time when he finished off a superb move that was created with a touch of magic from super sub Tomos Toft.
The Magpies though spent most of this game chasing a goal as twice they fell behind to a Lampeter side that got stuck into them from the start and who contributed greatly to a very exciting contest that more than made up for its lack of quality with some nerve tingling moments that had the large crowd on its toes.
The opening half hour was a tight affair as expected with Cardigan enjoying more of the half chances and they went very close when veteran defender Steve Blackford hit the ball sweetly on the half volley but it was superbly saved.
Up the other end Blackford was forced to clear his goal line when Luke Lovell tried to scramble the ball over but the Magpies looked to be growing in confidence until Gethin Davies scored with a cracking shot from well outside the box that gave keeper Casey Walters no chance.
This sparked the biggest roar of the afternoon from the Lampeter supporters who added to the fantastic day with their singing and chanting which was generally in great humour.
The second half started in a similar manner when the visitors conceded a penalty in the opening minute for a clumsy challenge but James Evans, who had a fine game, made a complete hash of his spot kick and it went wide, much to the amusement of the Lampeter wind up merchants on the touchline!
Just a few minutes later Cardigan gained sweet recompense when they levelled matters after they were rightly awarded another penalty by referee Alan Thomas and this time Iestyn Evans was handed the job and he tucked his penalty away with confidence to make it 1-1.
Lampeter came flying back with Martin Hunter and James Gudgeon working tirelessly and they took the lead again on 55 minutes when Town were caught napping down the left touchline and powerful striker Luke Lovell, who was a handful throughout, was put through by Mark Rivers and he threaded the ball home. Walters managed to palm the ball away but it trickled agonisingly over the line to spark off some wild celebrations as Lampeter scented blood and a league title.
However this was not to last as Magpies skipper Blackford produced one of the two champagne moments of the game when he ghosted down the Gwbert road touchline, slipped a defender and sent over a pin point left foot cross to the far post for unsung hero Dylan Davies to nod home.
Lampeter who needed to win this game to pip their rivals for the silverware came back once again but the Town defence with Alun Williams in particular outstanding, held firm and they went back up field and grabbed the goal that sealed a well deserved win.
The hosts broke quickly down the flank and teenage substitute Tomos Toft produced the second piece of individual brilliance of this entertaining match when he glided past his marker, shaped up to shoot but in one movement slipped the ball through to Doherty who let fly from ten yards into the roof of the net.
This was a fitting end to a very exciting contest with Cardigan just about deserving their victory but Lampeter produced a passionate and powerful display and gave this Magpies side, who looked out of it after the Lovell goal, plenty to think about .
Champions in sport have to produce the mental toughness when the proverbial hits the fan and on this occasion Blackford and co were able to do just that to retain their title.
Lampeter will come back again for another shot at the title, there is no doubt and they must be congratulated for their super effort but Cardigan were just that little bit better when it really mattered.
