Cwpan Coffa Dai Dynamo Final
Bargod Rangers 2 Cardigan Town 3
Cardigan Town lifted the Dai Dynamo Cup for the second year in succession after a fortuitous late goal from midfielder James Evans secured victory but they were lucky to win and should have had their goalkeeper Casey Walters sent off early in the first half.
Walters who pulled off two fantastic double saves in the final minutes to keep his team in the game flattened Rangers striker Robbie Jenkins out near the touchline but got away with a yellow card. Town manager Seamus Doherty who admitted to having a ‘sore head’ this morning following the late night celebrations said : “Casey was gone as far as I was concerned and was about to ask Alun Williams to warm up and take over between the sticks.” If Casey had been red carded we would have lost that is 100% certain.” But we got away with it.!
However Rangers strengthened by the return of Shaun Leonard in the middle of the park were able to push Sam Skinner further up the field and he and man of the match Phillips caused the town defence problems throughout.
It was Phillips who opened the scoring with a goal that he predictably described as a ‘worldie’ and it was a real gem from long range that beat Walters hands down and Bargod were all over a lethargic Cardigan with Leonard dominating Ben Davies in the middle and Town forced to chase after the ball for a change
Cardigan hit back to level matters when Liam Doherty finished clinically from a John Lumb cross but Bargod added their second shortly afterwards when the unpredictable bounce caught out Ben Davies and fell into the path of Skinner who needed no second invitation to slot the ball past Walters to go 2-1 up.
The Magpies played a bit smarter after this second set back and switched Tomos Toft into the middle, pushed Dylan Davies out on to the flank and introduced experienced campaigner Alun Williams into the centre of midfield and this system worked a treat as within a few minutes Town were level after Liam Doherty slipped a superb pass through to unsung hero Davies, a player who works tirelessly every week and the game was all square.
The final quarter was fast and furious and Walters saved his team on several occasions with top drawer saves but it was Cardigan who managed to carve out a victory late on when a shot from Evans was deflected into the net.
This was very tough on Bargod Rangers on that performance alone and especially so as it was a second cup final they have lost this season when they were the best team. But nevertheless a season to be proud of for Owain Thomas and his men who still have the small matter of winning the league to sort next.
It was a superb end to end affair and just the sort of game that would have brought a smile to the face of the late Dai Dynamo Davies.