Lliswerry - 2

 

GOVILON showed little sign of slipping in their successful defence of the John Payne Barber Amateur Cup last Saturday after a superb first-half display saw them do more than enough to beat Lliswerry 4-2.

Although they fell behind after two minutes when Govilon's keeper Morrison was deceived by a Lliswerry free kick, last year's champions hit back almost immediately when Richard McCarthy bent his free kick around the defensive wall to leave Lliswerry goalkeeper Ross Davies stranded.

Govilon took the lead on eighteen minutes when James Powell carried the ball from mid-field and fed Dean Morgan.

Morgan's through ball into the box found Craig Thomas who coolly slotted a diagonal shot past Davies into the far corner of the net.

Morrison made sure Govilon kept their lead producing a top drawer save from a Lliswerry thunderbolt on the 24th minute mark.

Playing flowing football and spurred on by a crowd of over 150, Govilon increased their lead just after the half hour when Laurent delivered a corner which was only partly cleared.

Morgan found the ball at his feet, and it was his persistence in braving tackle after tackle that enabled him to set up defender Jamie Wilkins's diagonal shot into the corner.

Govilon completed their first half assault when Dean Morgan's snap caught Davies unawares.

Lliswerry brought themselves back into the game two minutes after the re-start when a looping free kick soared over the head of Morrison.

Govilon had further chances as the second half progressed when Richard McCarthy met Robert Frost's free kick, but his first effort was saved by Davies.

Dean Morgan almost added to Govilon's tally, but Davies blocked a shot low down at his near post.

In the last ten minutes Matthew Ham burst into the box but fired just wide, and further chances for Dean Morgan and Craig Thomas were denied by the Liswerry keeper.

The last play of the game saw Lliswerry's Tony Shier fire straight at Morrison, as the final whistle sounded, heralding Govilon's advance to the quarter finals.

Next Saturday Govilon's Gwent County side aim to keep their Division Two top of the table status when they travel to Newport to meet a lowly placed Cromwell side.

Meanwhile Govilon's Gwent Central League side who currently sit second in Division One, face a mouth-watering top of the table clash when they entertain leaders Clydach Wasps with a 2pm kick-off.