PONTYPOOL TOWN A.F.C.

BENEVOLENT CUP WINNERS 2008

We're on our way to Penperlleni !

20 October 2007, Round One: Pontypool Town 4-2 Lower New Inn
TAYLOR POWER! With the club in turmoil around this time, Caretaker-Manager Patrick Kearns steered Town into the next round with what was to be a very valuable win. A Scott Taylor hat-trick and a Matthew O'Neill header sealed our placed in Round Two.

16 February 2008, Round Two: Pontypool Town 8-4 New Inn
HOOPER TROOPER ! By the time this match came around, Matthew Didcott was back at the healm and Town were scoring for fun, in particular, new signing Karl Hooper bagged 7 goals in 2 matches and scored another 4 in this cup to book a place in the quarter-finals. New Inn were further swept aside by Richard Wakeling (2), Scott Taylor and a rare goal from full-back Wayne Jobbins.

12 April 2008, Quarter-Final: Pontypool Town 5-1 Fairfield Utd
THE REFEREE'S A WANKER! At this stage of the season Town were in top form as they notched up 9 straight wins including a 2-0 win at Usk Town the previous week to book one cup semi-final place. Could Town make it two semi-finals? There was no doubt as from start to finish Town were relentless and made Fairfield Utd, who were 2nd in the County Reserve League at the time, look a very ordinary side by thrashing them 5-1. Goals came from Matthew O'Neill, Karl Hooper, Richard Wakeling, Scott Taylor and Simon Pugh, but the win was spoilt by a ridicolous decision when referee Graham Jones sent-off man of the match Matthew O'Neill for two blocked corners in injury time!?

22 April 2008, Semi-Final @ Pen-Y-Pound, Abergavenny: Pontypool Town 1-0 Clydach Wasps
PUGH THE MERCILESS ! Similar to last season, Town's form slipped a little when it really mattered and there were real concerns as to whether Town could make their first final in over 12 years and face their arch rivlas Trevethin in May. In the first half, Town were given a lesson on how to work the ball across a big pitch and if it weren't for captain and goalkeeper Justin Silver the game would have been over by half-time, but Town survived 0-0. It stayed this way up to 90 minutes as both teams went for it to avoid extra-time, Karl Hooper having the best chance of the match on the 85th minute. It was time for Simon Pugh to be introduced as extra-time was needed to settle this match and within 5 minutes of the first period up stepped Pugh to blast Town into a 1-0 lead that ultimately booked a Cup Final date with Trevethin.

07 May 2008, Final @ Plough Road, Goytre: Pontypool Town 3-2 Trevethin
SILVER TONGUE CAVALIER ! Who would have believed us back in February that Town were to begin and end their season at Goytre. 10 consecutive wins, 2 cup semi-finals and a cup final !? Amazing !? This Cup Final had everything - breathtaking saves, blood, sweat, anger, but most importantly Town won by 3-2 and that's all that matters! Every single player who came along for this journey can hold their head up high and honestly say we deserved to win this cup. Goals came from Simon Pugh, Richard Gallagher and Karl Hooper.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED ALONG THE WAY - PONTYPOOL TOWN A.F.C. ARE BENEVOLENT CUP WINNERS 2008!!!

For more pictures, please click here.