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here is the full report:-

Cardiff and District U16 Cup Final at Taffs Well

Lisvane Panthers 4 Ely Rangers 4 AET

(3-3 at full time, 3-1 at half time, Panthers won shoot out 4-2 after 4 pens taken by each side)

What a night! The Panthers took an early lead through a wonderful Steve Mallinson strike. Some stout defending kept Ely Rangers at bay. The Rangers could count themselves unlucky when a well struck shot thundered the ball against the underside of the bar, landing infield where Declan took it on the bounce. Midway through the half Ioan ripped through the defence and thundered an amazing shot from twenty yards before Adam doubled the lads’ advantage with a well taken goal to make in 3-0 to the Panthers! Things were looking good but in stoppage time at the end of the first half Ely grabbed a goal back after some frantic goal mouth action. Unfortunately, another goal early in the second half for Ely Rangers changed the game completely and all of a sudden a comfortable lead now looked anything but. Ely started to boss the game and wave after wave of attack needed to be repelled with Declan being called on a number of times to keep the lead. Eventually, the pressure told and the score stood at 3-3 with ten minutes left. The final whistle sounded and the lads could be forgiven for feeling it was not going to be their night. Early in the first period of extra time the lads were devastated when a close shot hit Declan and appeared to bounce a foot away from the line before he fell on it. Amazingly, the referee signalled a goal and the lads were incensed! To their credit the boys put it behind them and got on with the job of saving the game. The loudest shout of the night from Panthers fans came in the second half of extra time as Adam met a corner with a powerful header which crashed into the net! 4-4 with five minutes left! Despite frenzied efforts at both ends that’s how things stayed and the most dramatic part of the long evening was still to take place!

After ten minutes the penalty shootout had been organised and it was the Panthers to take the first kick. Adam crashed the ball home with aplomb to make it 1-0. Ely equalised despite Dec getting close, 1-1. Up stepped Bradley to confidently stroke the ball home. 2-1. The Ely Ranger next up tried to confuse Dec with a change of direction in his run up before hitting the ball low to Declan’s right. Dec dived to his right and pushed the ball away! The advantage was with the Panthers. Nile strode up and shot immaculately to make it 3-1 to the Panthers. Ely put the next away before Ioan made it 4-2 with a low shot to the keepers left. The pressure was on the next Ely Ranger to keep his side in the final. The ball was struck firmly but too high and it flew over the cross-bar! The cup was won! Well done Panthers and well done Dave and Roy!

As well as the scorers and the keeper the solid uncompromising defence of Chris and TJ must be highlighted as well as the tackling on the flanks of Nick and Simon who also drove forward when the opportunity arose. The midfield battle was taken to the Rangers by Rhys, Jon and Bradley who provided wonderful service to the lads up front. Steve, Adam and Ioan kept the Rangers defence guessing all night and it is a testament to the strength of the squad that Nile’s introduction caused yet more problems for Ely particularly in the extra periods. It was also good to see Sean appear late in the game to help make up for his injury ravaged season. It goes without saying that he slotted in easily and played his part as expected. Declan’s exuberance at the end was reflected by the rest of the squad and the celebrations will linger in memory for a long time!

YouTube link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EDDF8TigYQ

Photo 1 link

http://cid-a94d00d7c6856e8a.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/panthers.JPG

Photo 2 link

http://cid-a94d00d7c6856e8a.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/panthers_rangers.JPG