Barry Cup Round Two
Barry Albion 2-8 St Athan
Saints marched into the quarter finals of the Barry Cup with a dominant display against second division Barry Albion. Club captain Jordan Mortimore bagged a hat trick after Josh Harfoot struck a brace, with an own goal, Karl Steel and Craig Howells completing the rout.
St Athan shuffled the pack slightly with Paul Lucas, Tony Pugh and Jamie Robinson missing from last week with Bradley Young returning, Nicky Cox was finally released from his goal keeper purgatory to return to the outfield as Saints handed a debut to new signing James Andrews between the sticks.
Saints were quick off the blocks and had the lead minutes in. Kieran Ashton picked up the ball in acres of space and Josh Harfoot took over to dribble through and finish neatly past the keeper.
St Athan were in firm control and soon doubled their lead after ten minutes, Mortimore’s rasping low cross turned in by the Albion defender into his own net.
Saints quickly made it three to kill the tie as Lee Reid’s ball into the box found Harfoot completely unmarked, he brushed his ridiculous hair style from his eyes and finished with a first time side foot volley into the top corner. An excellent finish, with aplomb.
Albion rallied and a fine cross field ball found their striker on the left hand side and he toe poked the ball to score in off the bar. Albion were buoyed.
Saints huffed and puffed their way through the final moments of the half as efforts from Harfoot, Ashton and Laing were well held by the home keeper.
St Athan started the second half well and picked up their game with Ashton and Harfoot seeing shots well saved early in the period.
Saints soon killed off any hope of a mini comeback as Ashton cut inside to shoot and the keeper spilled the shot to the feet of Karl Steel for the easy finish.
The game was over as a contest and after Leigh Lewis won a corner, Reece Lewis lofted the ball into the box for Mortimore to head in his first of the game.
Albion were in real danger of a cricket score now as Saints poured forward and Craig Howells shot wide.
Mortimore then twisted and turned in the area and was brought down, Mortimore dusted himself off and dispatched the spot kick.
Saints saw Young’s tame effort saved and Leigh Lewis’ shot from the edge of the area spooned wide.
But Howells soon made it seven after a bizarre turn of events, Mortimore played in Howells who was brought down, both sides seemingly stopping for the penalty but advantage was played unknowing to most and Howells nonchalantly back heeled the ball in.
Albion’s misery was complete as Leigh Lewis stole possession from the full back to play in Howells, who rounded the keeper to pull the back to Mortimore to slot home his hat trick goal.
Albion, however, did pull back a late consolation as their winger broke forward, the shot hit his own striker only to drop invitingly to another Albion player who rifled the shot in.
Saints comfortably through to the quarter finals. Next week sees Saints host Bluebird FC in the SWFA Senior Cup.
St Athan: Andrews, Cox, R.Lewis, Young, Reid, Laing, Garrison, Steel, Harfoot, Ashton, Mortimore. Subs – L.Lewis, John, Howells.
Many thanks to our sponsors Llantwit Car Valet and Kinsale Stone Co (Wales) Ltd. If your company is interested in sponsoring the club contact us by email stathanfc@outlook.com
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