Central Wales Challenge Cup Final
Rhayader 1 Aberaeron 2
Aberaeron striker Mattie Davies was the toast of the town on Saturday night as his dramatic extra time winner sealed an historic win for his team after they edged out Rhayader at Park Avenue.
The seagulls who are only the third Ceredigion side ever to win this competition along with Penrhyncoch and Aberystwyth Reserves were forced to dig deep in the dying minutes as their opponents threw everything at them but they managed to hang on for a well deserved success.
This eagerly awaited final between two of the top sides in division one of the Spar mid Wales league started at a brisk pace with both teams creating half chances but it was Aberaeron, playing into a strong wind who began to take control and Mattie Davies and Mikey Gornall both came very close to scoring in the opening minutes.
Rhayader who were recently crowned league champions hit back and dominated the play for long periods but the Aberaeron defence which was superbly marshalled by Sion Clark were quite comfortable in allowing the opposition to have possession well outside the danger areas.
The deadlock was finally broken mid way through the half when following some good pressure from the seagulls the ball was crossed towards the back post where Davies volleyed the ball from above his shoulder and into the top corner of the net.
Aberaeron looked like going in at half time with a slender lead but Rhayader had other ideas and they bounced back with a cracker of a goal when Richard Powell sent a thunderous header past keeper Barry Edwards.
The second half was a stalemate with both defences dominant and chances were few, although the clearer opportunities fell to the Ceredigion men with Davies going close in normal time with a long range volley following a great pass from Mikey Gornall.
Both teams tired as the game went into extra time and it took another piece of individual brilliance from front runner Davies to separate the teams when he latched on to a long clearance to outstrip the red kites defence and launch an unstoppable volley that set off scenes of huge jubilation from both supporters and players.
Rhayader threw the kitchen sink at Aberaeron in the final seven minutes but the black and ambers defence stood firm to see out the game and win the cup for the first time in their history and join an exclusive set of only three teams to have won this prestigious trophy.
Aberaeron chairman Rhydian Davies saluted the achievements of his players and said :”It was a very proud day for our club and team manager Jason and his team deserve every credit for this achievement as they have all worked tremendously hard over the season and they got their just rewards on Saturday.
Pics from Chris Howells.
