TUESDAY 11 MARCH 2008

FAW Premier Cup Final

County banished the painful memories of last year’s defeat to TNS in the FAW Premier Cup Final with a gritty, determined display against WPL leaders Llanelli at Spytty Park.  On a bitterly cold night with a gale force wind to contend with, it wasn’t pretty at times, but the Exiles dealt with the conditions much better than their visitors and fully deserved their triumph.  As a result, the club are now richer to the tune of £100,000 and can now switch their attentions to their main goal in attempting to climb out of the Blue Square South.

Peter Beadle couldn’t disguise his delight after landing his first silverware in management; … “it feels so much better after last year’s final” … he said … “plus it is so nice to be winning trophies at last.  Hopefully it’s not the last silverware in our cabinet.  We stayed extremely strong in terrible conditions and fully deserved our success”.  The County supreme named an unchanged line-up for the fourth successive match, keeping faith with impressive 18-year old goalkeeper Scott James and the central midfield partnership of Gurney and Davies.  Llanelli arrived at Spytty boasting a whole host of familiar faces.  As well as gaffer Peter Nicholas, the Reds also included ex-Newport employees Andy Legg, Gary Lloyd, Andrew Mumford, Antonio Corbisiero, as well as skipper Lee Phillips.

Llanelli came into the match seeking their first major domestic trophy and surprised the hosts by appearing content to play a stifling game of containment, rather than exploiting their obvious attacking talents and taking the game to County.  A slow start was inevitable given the horrendous conditions; not helped by a sticky pitch.  Enormous credit must go to Tony Gilbert and the County ground staff for getting the game on at all.  Jason Bowen threaded a lovely ball through for Craig Hughes on 5 minutes, but Stuart Jones got back well to block the forward for a throw-in – and that was about as good as it got in the opening quarter, with County finally coming to life around the 30 minute mark, when a sustained bout of pressure led to the half’s best chance on 35 minutes.  Paul Cochlin’s headed clearance was flicked on by Hughes, straight into the path of his strike partner Charlie Griffin, who cut past Mumford with ease before firing a great chance wide of the goal with his left foot.  Three minutes later, the lively Hughes jinked his way expertly down the right, before cutting inside and drilling a low shot that flew inches past Ryan Harrison’s post.

As the second-half began, a glorious opportunity fell the way of Llanelli when the prolific Rhys Griffiths spurned a wonderful chance with the half just 50 seconds old – and it would prove to be the best chance the Reds would get all night.  A flowing move ended with Griffiths being given a real sight of goal, just 12 yards out – the striker fluffed his lines however by toe-poking an effort which brought a smart save from a well-positioned Scott James.  County hit back and three minutes later, Griffin did likewise and spurned a terrific opportunity to break the deadlock.  Andrew Mumford tripped Craig Hughes some 35 yards from goal and when Gurney swung the free-kick over, Griffin agonisingly blazed high over the bar from just 6 yards out.  Llanelli’s Mark Pritchard then fashioned a half-chance for himself on 58 minutes, but his curled effort on goal was smartly fielded by James.   Ten minutes on from that, Hughes met a whipped Bowen cross from the right but his header was dealt with comfortably by Harrison.

It was County that were in the ascendancy now and on 78 minutes, midfielder Nathan Davies burst forward and unleashed a low shot from 20-yards that was well saved; while just a minute later, Andy Gurney fired wide of the Llanelli goal from range, bringing groans from the expectant crowd.  There was only really one side trying to win the game now and County, roared on by a passionate 1,889, looked evermore likely to be the side that would edge this contest.  Indeed, the noise and encouragement from the supporters was so loud around this time, that the poor old players could no longer hear their instructions from Mark Vickery on the Shed!  It was no surprise when the Exiles finally nabbed that all important goal with just eight minutes remaining – a strike worth a cool £100,000.  The towering Lee Jarman, absolutely immense on the night, met a Bowen corner from the right with a downward header that was nodded in by ace poacher Craig HUGHES, almost on the goal-line.  Cue delirious scenes and complete jubilation, both on and off the pitch.  Rather than hold nervously onto that lead though, Newport continued to roar forward, seeking the second goal that would kill the game once and for all.  Substitute Lee Fowler, so very impressive on the left-flank after his 79th minute introduction, sent his fellow substitute, Jermaine Clarke racing away down the left.  The huge front-man jinked his way into a shooting position before firing unluckily straight at a relieved Harrison.

On 86 minutes, another delightful Bowen cross was met by Craig Hughes who’s downward header flew just inches past the wrong side of the post.  With four minutes of added time to save them, Llanelli did their best to claw their way level but they looked a tired outfit by now and Corbisiero’s 20-yard rocket on 94 minutes flew high wide and handsome.  The final whistle sparked jubilant scenes with much rejoicing, players and supporters displayed their approval and gratitude of each other; while Charlie Griffin even saw fit to rugby-tackle poor old Spytty the Dog!  Newport County had deservedly won the last-ever FAW Premier Cup.

Man of the Match:

County: Lee Jarman (an absolute rock, but both Nathan and Guppy ran him mightily close)

Llanelli: Andrew Mumford (the Jan Molby look-alike barely put a foot wrong as sweeper)

Special Mention: Young Scott James who, whilst not having a great deal to do, has stepped into the magnificent Glyn Thompson’s boots and displayed a calmness and maturity that mocks his tender age.

© Sam Shingler

© Sam Shingler

© Sam Shingler

© Colin Jeremiah