Last action hero Williams fires Llansantffraid to cup glory

LLANSANTFFRAID lifted the MMP with Norman Lloyd Central Wales League Cup on Saturday night following a dramatic 2-1 victory over Barmouth United in Caersws.

Matty Williams proved to be the hero for the Saints as he netted a stoppage time free-kick to add to his opening goal just before the interval.

It was the Merionethshire club who had the first clear opportunity of the final when Shane Jones saw his half-volley saved by Saints custodian Rhys Jones after a seventh minute corner was only partially cleared.

Action from the MMP Central Wales League Cup final between Llansantffraid and Barmouth United. Picture by Stuart Townsend.

Llansantffraid thought they had opened the scoring three minutes later but Khyam Wytton saw his volley ruled out by an offside flag from assistant referee Gwilym Lewis.

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Osian Ephraim fired wide of the target on the 14th minute after being picked out by a long ball delivered from the Magpies' own half of the pitch.

Liam Jones cut inside off the left flank six minutes later but pulled his shot wide of the near post before Adam Biggs drove towards the Barmouth penalty area in the 22nd minute but his effort was blocked by Tyler Andrews before being cleared to safety.

Action from the MMP Central Wales League Cup final between Llansantffraid and Barmouth United. Picture by Stuart Townsend.

Andrews had to be alert again three minutes later to keep out George Hughes' shot from a corner before Wyton headed over the crossbar from the rebound.

Saints' defender Rob Carruthers headed over from a 31st minute free-kick played into the penalty area before Chris Aitken tested Andrews from 25 yards out three minutes later. 

The Treflan club broke the deadlock seven minutes before the interval when Williams was on hand to convert a low cross from the left flank past Andrews from close range.

Action from the MMP Central Wales League Cup final between Llansantffraid and Barmouth United. Picture by Stuart Townsend.

Aitken nearly doubled the lead six minutes later but was unable to keep his header under the crossbar and Barmouth would take advantage of this near miss. 

The Magpies levelled the score in first-half stoppage time when Shane Jones drove towards the Llansantffraid penalty area and fired a low shot past Jones.

Barmouth came close to taking the lead two minutes after the interval when a shot on the turn by Rob Griffith flew narrowly wide of the near post.

Action from the MMP Central Wales League Cup final between Llansantffraid and Barmouth United. Picture by Stuart Townsend.

Llansantffraid broke swiftly down their right flank in the 67th minute and Liam Jones was picked out at the far post but his effort was kept out by Andrews.

Aitken saw his lofted effort from the edge of the penalty area comfortably saved in the 77th minute before Biggs pulled his shot wide of goal six minutes later.

Griffith saw his 84th minute effort saved by Jones from a tight angle before Andrews got back in time to keep out a lobbed effort from Liam Jones four minutes later.

However, in the third minute of stoppage time, Williams curled a 25 yard free-kick into the top corner of the net to spark the celebrations among his team-mates and supporters.

Llansantffraid, MMP Central Wales League Cup winners. Picture by Stuart Townsend.

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