Newtown 2 STM 2

(STM won 4-3 on pens)

NEWTOWN twice fought back against JD Cymru South upstarts STM Sports only to crash out on penalties in the quarter-final of the Nathaniel MG Cup on Tuesday.

Despite arriving late and a delayed kick-off the Cardiff side began brightly and led inside the opening five minutes with Ben Ahmun lifting a shot over an advancing Dave Jones.

Newtown enjoyed plenty of possession against a direct STM but struggled to carve any clear openings with Joe Kenton, Alex Fletcher and Nick Rushton spurning opportunities.

Rushton drew the hosts level on 32 minutes after rounding goalkeeper Ben Boyer and tapping into an empty net.

Jack Kelly and Jack Thorn blasted over as Newtown continued to spurn their best openings and on the stroke of half-time the Cardiff side were awarded a penalty after Kieran Mills-Evans brought down Chris Worsley.

However Jones proved equal to Worsley's penalty to ensure the sides remained on level terms at the break.

Referee Richard Harrington pointed to the spot again on the hour having controversially adjudged a handball from Mills-Evans with Calum Batemen on target.

Newtown dominated the remainder of the tie with Mills-Evans' header saved by Boyer before Kenton levelled with a curling 25 yard shot.

Niall Flint was joined by Kelly and Craig Williams in firing wide while Kenton sent a tame header into the hands of Boyer who also denied Fletcher in the final seconds.

With time almost up the match erupted when Kenton and STM substitute Diop Hamady clashed and sparked a mass melee which led to Kenton and STM'S Tom Burridge seeing red while remarkably Hamady survived with a caution.

After the chaos the match went straight to penalties which saw Craig Williams and Kelly fail to convert and STM hold their nerve to prevail.

NEWTOWN: Jones, Mills-Evans, Rushton, Sheridan (M Williams 79), Kenton, Thorn, C Williams, Flint, Fletcher, Kelly, Barnes (McAllister 64). Subs: Steventon, Brownfield, Berquez.

Att - 129