Carmarthen 2 - 3 Cardiff City AET

Last updated : 14 February 2007 By Michael Morris
Action from Richmond Park
Substitute Curtis McDonald scored the winner in the first period of extra time to earn City a 3 - 2 win at a wet, windy and muddy Richmond Park.

McDonald broke Carmarthen hearts with a 90th minute goal in normal time to force the extra 30 mins. City had to come back from being 2 - 0 down.

Paul Fowler stroked Carmarthen's opener past a flat footed David Forde. No chance for the keeper but City's defending was poor in that incident. The ball should have been cleared away and not allowed to fall invitingly for Fowler.

The game was played in difficult conditions and in fairness to both sides they did not hold back. Some impressive stamina and guts from both teams as they tackled hard and battled the elements.

There were regular chances at both ends. Redan saw a goalbound shot tipped around the post and Forde produced some stunning blocks (although I was less impressed with his ability to deal effectively with back passes, a few scary moments in my opinion). City also hit the post in the first half from Kevin Cooper.

Redan waits for keeper clearance
Into the second half and former City youngster Danny Thomas burst through to make it 2 - 0 to Carmarthen.

It was looking like another poor FAW Premier Cup performance to add to past seasons.

City's best players were Darcy Blake, Willo Flood and I was liking the movement of Kevin Cooper. Chris Gunter came more into the game later on. I was less impressed with the strike force of Redan and especially Campbell. Too many balls were lost and possession given away cheaply but as the game progressed the fitness and quality of City started to come through. I may be a bit harsh on Redan as he was not getting the service he would like and he was not helped by Campbell who struggled to win any meaningful ball.

City's comeback was on when a corner was headed goalwards by fullback Bradley Middleton. This time Campbell was perfectly placed to get his head to the ball to direct it past the Carmarthn keeper.

City then looked to pile forward at any oportunity with Willo Flood making several probing runs. Carmarthen were tiring but still slugging it out. Forde produced a super stop which he directed onto the post to deny the hosts what would have been a killer winning goal. Danny Thomas cleared off the line to keep Carmarthen in the lead.

But as some home fans started to make their way to the exits thinking they had won the game City got a deserved equaliser. Kevin Cooper found space on the left and chipped a ball over the keeper, it would have gone in but McDonald was on the line to make sure.

Three minutes of added time were played before the final whistle.

Goodnight. The pitch empties
In the first period of extra time McDonald was put through and he rounded the keeper to slot home what turned out to be the winner. McDonald came on with Andretti with 15 mins to go in normal time to replace Campbell and Redan.

As Carmathen tired in extra tme McDonald found himself in situations where he had clear runs at goal but he could match his earlier effort.

The last action saw a Carmarthen free kick from the right clear all the players in the box including their keeper who'd come up looking for that last gasp goal.

It was not to be for Carmarthen and now City face TNS in the semi finals at Ninian Park.


External Reports
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