St Clears 1

Johnston 2

CUP holders were given a fright as they gained a narrow victory at St Clears to reach the semi-final of the Senior Cup.

This cup-tie had a potential banana skin written all over it. The Saints lost heavily in the league at Glebelands and then gained sweet revenge in the return clash at home.

But Saints boss was deeply disappointed that their top goal scorer Steve Thomas was unavailable to play and The Tigers managed to squeeze home by the skin of their teeth.

Sean Seymour Davies gave The Saints the lead in the 15th minute, a long ball over the top saw the striker run clear and kept his composure to drill the shot past Martin Langdon.

Five minutes before the break and the visitors scored a timely equaliser. Scott Murray’s cross fell perfectly for Adam Hawkins to header in the back of the net.

Five minutes after the interval and The Tigers took the lead through a brilliant solo goal scored by Nicky Woodrow. The striker waltzed his way into the box with a break from half way and then slotted past James Dixon for what turned out to be the winner.

Right at the death and The Saints nearly forced the cup-tie into extra time, but keeper Langdon pulled off a top drawer saves to deny Ian Derbyshire and it was The Tigers who have reached the last four.

St Clears: James Dixon, Martin Thomas, Scott Page, Nick Squire, Danny Peters, Nathan Evans, Gareth Griffiths, Thomas Hughes, Josh Jones, Ian Derbyshire, Sean Seymour Davies. Subs: Eddie Wiggins, Ynyr James, Kristian Isaac.

Johnston: Martin Langdon, Andrew John, Chris Ormond, Ben Phillips, Mark Jones, James Skudder, Scott Murray, Luke Hayward, Steven Dockerty, Nicky Woodrow, Adam Hawkins. Subs: Ben Skudder, Steve Mills, Joe John.

Referee: Steve Williams.