Pentwynmawr Athletic - 5

Blaenavon Blues - 6

BLAENAVON Blues progressed to the quarter finals of the FAW Welsh Trophy for the first time in their history on the weekend with a penalty shoot out win over Gwent County Division One league rivals Pentwynmawr Athletic.

Pentwynmawr started like a train and dominated the opening exchanges, and they soon found themselves one nil up, when David Hurly scored for the home side, after a break down the left saw the wide man cut inside and fire low in the bottom corner.

After the opening twenty minutes of home domination the Blues found their feet, and started to get their foot in, the Blues were competing for everything and they soon had their reward when the excellent Mike Waite's shot from twenty yards was miss-judged by the home keeper Mark English as the ball squeezed under the unlucky keeper.

The Blues started the second half in a positive fashion, and started to control the game.

Blaenavon took the lead midway through the second half when a long throw by the hard working James Parfitt was flicked on by Matthew Cox. The ball fell at Darren Harris's feet and the big striker kept his cool to fire home.

The Blues should have kicked on, got the third and killed the game off, but Pentwynmawr to their credit fought back and the game opened up, with both sides attacking at will. Pentwynmawr soon had their reward when a great cross into the Blues box was not dealt with and Blues defender Lee Wathen saw his attempted clearance go into his own goal.

Both sides attacked at every opportunity and had gilt edge chances to win the game, but Pentwynmawr found that Blues keeper Chris Jones was in outstanding form as he made a handful of top class saves.

With extra time looming Pentwynmawr had the best chance of the game, but their front man Tom Dando fired wide with the goal at his mercy.

The half hour of extra time was a delight to watch as the ball was moved from one side of the pitch to the other as both sides tried their hardest to win the game.

Unfortunately the game was destined for the penalty shoot out, and for their second FAW Trophy game of the season the Blues held their nerve to win the shoot out, and again keeper Jones made a telling penalty save. (3-4 on Pens)

Blues manager Chris Mason was very pleased with this performance, the effort and commitment of the players was brilliant - something which has been lacking over the past few months.

And the fitness levels of the Blaenavon players was also very good, as the Pentwynmawr players were going down with cramp all over the pitch, the Blues players looked fresh.

This game was a superb advert for Gwent football, and the Blues are the only remaining Gwent club left in the competition, as local rivals Clydach Wasps lost out to Bargoed.

The Blues can now concentrate on improving their league form as the quarter finals are not until February. This weekend the Blues welcome Abertillery Excelsior's to the Co-op Field for a 2pm kick off.