SB Williams Inter League Competition: 
Neath League 0
Pembrokeshire League 1

A first half goal from striker Ben Steele was enough to secure a narrow win for the Pembrokeshire League side as they overcame their counterparts from Neath at Briton Ferry Llansawel AFC last night (Wednesday).

Steele’s decisive strike came just 11 minutes in from a well worked short corner routine with Hakin teammate Adam John – although the visitors had to survive a nervy finale, in which Neath had an injury time goal disallowed, to notch a second successive SB Williams Inter League Cup win.

And a good night then got better for coach Gary Dawes and his assistants Steve Briers and Ian Baker, with news that the Swansea and Carmarthenshire League sides had played out a 4-4 draw – meaning Pembrokeshire will need just a point in their final game away to Swansea on Wednesday, January 25, to be crowned winners.

In freezing conditions, Dawes’ side started brightly as Joe Leahy fired in a low cross, but home keeper James Harris reacted sharply to deny left winger John – before another Leahy ball in saw Steele’s close range shot blocked by Craig Evans.

But moments later Pembrokeshire were ahead, when John’s short corner caught the Neath defence off guard – and Steele rifled in a first time shot from the edge of the area that beat Harris high at his near post.

Neath responded as midfielder Matthew Lewis had a 20 yard effort saved by Pembrokeshire keeper Patrick Hannon, before Gareth Thomas hammered home from an Aaron Price knockdown – only to see his strike rightfully ruled out for offside.

At the other end Steele continued to threaten, flashing a shot across goal before seeing his whipped free kick pushed over by Harris.

Pembrokeshire midfielder Ashley Williams was then played in by Leahy, but his control let him down at the crucial moment – before Hannon was relieved to see his captain Steve Allen clear the danger after the keeper had spilt another long range effort from Lewis.

Centre back Craig Evans also headed over from a Tim Stephans corner for the home side – but the visitors finished the half the stronger as John cut in from the left but had his effort blocked by a sliding Chris Adey.

Right winger Jonny Horgan then missed a guilt edged chance to double the lead before the break, side-footing wide from close range after good work from Leahy and John.

The early stages of the second half followed the same vein as the first – with both sides creating openings but lacking a clinical finish.

Neath right back Jonathan Douglas put a free header over from a Stephans free kick, while for Pembrokeshire, John and Steele twice tested Harris with efforts from outside the area.

The home side then wasted a great chance when Douglas met Daniel Evans’ header across goal, but fired over under pressure from away midfielder Gethin Roberts – whose work rate stood out over the 90 minutes.

Neath had another goal ruled out when Nathan Jones went through and finished well, but was also ruled offside – before Hannon had to get down low to save Price’s driven effort.

As the home side pushed forward, Pembrokeshire looked increasingly threatening on the break, and Horgan jinked past four would be tacklers before setting up Leahy – who missed the chance to seal matters by placing his right foot shot inches wide.

With the Goodwick centre back pairing of Wayne O’Sullivan and Scott Delaney looking increasingly assured, Dawes’ men seemed to be comfortably closing out the final stages – but were nearly stunned when Price’s 25 yard effort beat Hannon and cannoned off the bar.

And there was further drama to come at both ends, as Pembrokeshire substitutes Tom Aldred and Scott Crawford combined well on the break – although the latter was then lucky to escape sanction when he took a heavy touch and appeared to lunge in on Neath keeper Harris, who had rushed bravely off his line to deny the striker.

Crawford was again set up by Steele but saw his angled shot blocked at the near post by Harris, before the West Dragons player did beat the keeper with a first time curling effort from 12 yards – only to be denied by the underside of the bar.

But in the dying seconds, it was Neath who were frustrated again when Harris launched a free kick forward from half way that prompted a goalmouth scramble  - but although the ball ended up in the net, referee Dan Beckett blew for a foul on away keeper Hannon.

It meant Pembrokeshire hung on for another vital win, and afterwards Dawes hailed his side’s character.

“It was a real 50/50 game,” he told Telegraph Sport.

“We could have had more but just lacked a cutting edge at times.

“But I’m proud of the side and the commitment they showed was excellent. To come down here on a Wednesday night and win, especially with a few boys missing, is a great result.”

Neath: James Harris, Jonathan Douglas, Craig Evans, Chris Adey, Daniel Evans, Matthew Lewis, Nathan Jones, Marc Thomas (Ross Newell 66), Aaron Price, Tim Stephans, Gareth Thomas (Callum Edwards 59).
Sub not used: Damien Turner.

Pembrokeshire: Patrick Hannon, Steven Allen, Scott Delaney, Wayne O’Sullivan, Bradley Barrett, Jonny Horgan, Gethin Roberts, Ashley Williams, Adam John (Tony Evans 73), Joe Leahy (Scott Crawford 82), Ben Steele (Ben Aldred 84).

Referee: Dan Beckett.
Assistants: Jack Deschoolmeester and James Sheils.

More pictures and reaction in next week's Telegraph Sport.