Berriew 5 Montgomery Town 2
WILL Thomas proved the difference as Berriew ended the campaign with the Spar Mid Wales League Cup on Saturday night.
The former Welshpool striker ran home a hat-trick, with Martyn Ziemann a two goal hero to ensure their season ended with silverware.
Berriew manager Neil Pryce said: “It is a great feeling to win a cup, particularly after such a performance.
“With the team we have in place at Berriew it would have represented a failure to go two seasons without a trophy, so I’m happy to have come away with the cup.”
Defeat was harsh on second division league and cup winners Montgomery Town, having twice led.
Thomas set the tone inside the opening five minutes by forcing Montgomery goalkeeper Steve Goodwin into a save.
However Montgomery led on nine minutes with Ross Harris skilfully chipping into an unguarded net, after Berriew’s Dave Jones saved at Gaz Bromley’s feet.
However the lead did not last with Thomas opening his account from the penalty spot just minutes later, after being clipped in the area by Jake Parr.
Goodwin was forced into action to fingertip away an Ed Baldwin shot, as Berriew sought to get their noses in front.
Instead it was Montgomery who reclaimed the lead with Bromley squaring for Stuart Buckley-Robins to sidefoot home from 20 yards.
Berriew dominated the remainder of the first-half, but found Montgomery staunch and disciplined in defence.
Ian Jones saw his effort clawed away by Goodwin, while Ian Probert was denied by Luke Tanner’s desperate tackle as Berriew sought a riposte.
The leveller came just before the break in controversial circumstances.
Harris was unceremoniously clattered in the area but with penalty appeals ignored the Rhiewsiders countered, with Ziemann volleying home a stunning goal after Monty had failed to clear a long ball forward.
Berriew could have put the contest to bed by the break with Ziemann forcing a diving save from Goodwin, while Mark Probert heading over from a corner.
The next goal was always going to be crucial and it went in favour of the Rhiewsiders.
Man of the moment Thomas headed home Baldwin’s cross and before the crowd could settle, completed his hat-trick with an outstanding 20 yard drive.
Montgomery’s cup hopes finally ended when Ziemann rose unopposed to head home a corner from Thomas for his brace.
Rhydian Morris headed wide at the death, with Ian Probert also firing over as Berriew ended the campaign with the coveted silverware.
Montgomery manager Clive McNamee said: “We had a gameplan which we stuck to in the first-half, but made too many mistakes after the break.
“To win the league and reach two league cup finals, winning one of them, is a great achievement for the club.”
BERRIEW: D Jones, Gamble, M Jones, Williams, I Jones, M Probert, Morris, Ziemann, Thomas, I Probert, Baldwin. Subs: Webster, Langford, Gethin, Phillips, Bowen
MONTGOMERY: Goodwin, Parr, Bocking, L Jones, R Davies, Buckley-Robins, T Evans, Tanner, G Bromley, Cockram, Harris. Subs: Meredith, A Bromley, McNamee