HAKIN United reached the semi-finals of the West Wales Cup on Saturday (Mar 5) as they put in an excellent performance to see off West Wales Premier League leaders Penlan.
It was a physical and, at times, feisty encounter with 12 yellow cards handed out by referee David Keane, who has previously taken charge of a West Wales Cup final.
A big crowd gathered at the Observatory Field for one of the stand-out ties of the quarter finals and it was the home side who signalled their intent early on, Jack Britton flashing a shot just wide.
Penlan then saw a free kick go over the bar but Hakin had another good chance soon after but Shane Walsh headed over.
The visitors, who are unbeaten in their league this season, pushed forward but Hakin were able to deal with the danger well, Camron Thomas coping well on the left hand side.
Midway through the first half it was Hakin who took the lead as a corner into the box wasn’t gathered by Penlan keeper Marcus Collins and Shane Walsh was on hand to stab the ball home.
Moments later the game’s first flashpoint came as Penlan’s Nathan Lewis was shown a yellow card for a push in the back as Hakin cleared the ball. Hakin’s Walsh was also shown a yellow card.
After that had settled down Hakin won a free kick in the middle of the Penlan half. Britton floated the ball to the back post and Ashley Bevan headed the ball back across goal and into the top corner.
Penlan began to look for a way back into the game and saw Sam Lewis fire over before a Dale Rowe cross was just too high for his team mates and Hakin were able to clear.
Ryan Wilson sent a shot wide on the stroke of half time as the home side continued to look for more goals.
It remained 2-0 at the break but the visitors came out for the second half determined to get themselves back in the game.
They hit the bar from an early corner but on 54 minutes it was Hakin who scored to all but seal their passage into the next round.
Camron Thomas’ cross into the box wasn’t cleared and it fell to Ashley Bevan who had time to turn and fire into the bottom left corner of the net to make it 3-0.
Bevan had another chance soon after before Ben Aldred fired a long-range free kick inches wide of the goal.
With nine minutes to go Hakin’s win was secured as sub Justin Harding crossed into the box for Britton who hit the ball into the bottom left corner.
Penlan kept playing and felt they should have had a late free kick when one of their players was brought down but it wasn’t given.
Hakin saw the game out to inflict a first defeat on Penlan since August and they will now look forward to their semi-final match up.
Hakin United: Sam Franklin, Jay Power, Camron Thomas, Mark Jones, Jake Merry, Ben Aldred, Shane Walsh, Jack Britton, Ashley Bevan, Ryan Wilson, Leon Luby. Subs: Craig Nicholson, Jaden Chapman, Gareth Fawcett, Justin Harding, Garin Gardner.
Penlan: Marcus Collins, Dale Rowe, Dylan Rich, Luke Edwards, Rhys Coffey, Jamie James, Nathan Lewis, Cory Charles, Sam Lewis, Jordan Doyle, Luke Dalling. Subs: Chris Fisher, Ben Simons, Dale Otten, Darren Rowe, Ashley Jones.
