Welsh Cup Final
16 Aug 2009

Portcawl Athletic amazingly reached the final of the Welsh Cup after beating a number of strong teams along the way to the quarter finals.

Gowerton were overcome on penalties in the quarter finals after a goal by man of the match Sam McCarthy. Ollie Lewis providing an outstanding display in the centre of defence.

The semi final saw Porthcawl up against pre-tournament favourites Penydarren at a packed Locks Lane. The crowd certainly played their part in an emphatic 3 - 0 home win for the home side in an excellent performance which earned huge plaudits from the opposing management team. Goals from Sam Hodgson, James Harris and a header from man of the match Dave Palmer saw the Ath home.

The final again saw Porthcawl as major underdogs agaianst a hugely talented Treboeth side made up largely of ex Swansea City Academy players.

Porthcawl hadn't read the script and took the lead when Ollie Lewis shot home following a corner. They were comfortable until Treboeth capitalised on a defensive error to equalise on the stroke of half time. The second half saw Sam Hodgson take the game over as he netted twice superbly to take Porthcawl into an unseemingly unassailable 3 - 1 lead.

Sam McCarthy was completely controlling the game in his "free" position behind the strikers yet his discipline was again letting him dowm as he needlessly got booked and had to be subbed before he got himself sent off with a couple of minutes to go. Worse was to follow as captain, James Harris, hobbled off with 4 minutes to go.

Unbelievably, the referee then gave a goal in the final minute even though Treboeth didn't appeal as it clearly hadn't got anywhere near crossing the line. Worse was to follow for Porthcawl as Treboeth equalised in injury time with the last kick of the game.

Porthcawl managed to regroup and again took the lead as man of the match Sam Hodgson completed his hat trick.to put the Ath back in front at 4 - 3 five minutes into extra time. Porthcawl retained the lead until the seemingly inevitable happened as treboeth equalised with THE last kick of extra time and the game went to pentalties.

Treboeth won the shoot out 4 - 3 to claim the Welsh Cup. Well done Treboeth, a great side who never knew when they were beaten. Also, well done to Porthcawl - a mighty effort boys!!