SB Williams Inter-League Cup: Pembrokeshire League 4-3 Carmarthenshire League

With less than 10 minutes to go they trailed 3-1 and looked dead and buried - but an incredible late fightback from the Pemrokeshire League side saw them beat Carmarthenshire at the Meadow last night and take control of the SB Williams Cup competition.

Justin Harding had fired the county into an early lead, but an end to end contest duly swung the way of the visitors as goals from Nathan Davies, Tom Roberts and Joel Beynon seemingly secured three points.

But an Adam John goal and Harding penalty levelled matters, and in a frenzied finale, Jordan Griffiths proved the match winner as his shot was cruelly fumbled over the line by away keeper Kyle Powney.

Rain teemed down on a horrible night at The Meadow, but any suggestion this would be low key vanished in the opening minute with Carmarthenshire right back Jonathan Fagan carded for a dangerous tackle on John. It set the tone for an absorbing battle between the pair over the 90 minutes.

Iwan Izzard also saw yellow early on for clattering Roberts, shortly after the winger had missed a golden chance to give the away side the lead as he went clean through but only found the side netting.

At the other end Luke Hayward's inswinging free kick bounced off the bar and over, but just 15 minutes in Pembrokeshire did lead when a slick move involving Adam Hawkins and Izzard teed up Harding, and although his first shot was blocked by Powney, he duly buried the rebound.

The lead lasted barely a minute though as centre back Davies rose unmarked to head in a Roberts corner, and Carmarthenshire soon threatened again when Sam Wilson curled a shot inches wide of the far post.

The breathless action continued as Adam Hawkins also struck the woodwork for Pembrokeshire and was also denied by a well timed sliding tackle from Powney, who then did well to tip Izzard's rising shot over the bar.

But five minutes before the break it was Carmarthenshire who went ahead, as Gareth Phillips played in Roberts and his left foot finish beat James Gwilt from 12 yards out.

Pembrokeshire came out like a side possessed second half though, and three times Hawkins went close - firstly when Tom Lavender nicked the ball away from him at the back post and from the corner that followed, the Merlins Bridge man glanced a header across goal and then shortly afterwards put a left foot shot over.

John, who was becoming increasingly influential, also went close and Wayne O'Sullivan's 10 yard shot was blocked after a neat header down from Izzard.

Manager Nigel Delaney then opted to throw on Jordan Griffiths and Jack Christopher as Pembrokeshire kept pushing, and Harding had claims for a penalty turned down.

But after weathering the storm, with 20 minutes left Carmarthenshire went 3-1 up as Beynon scored a superb solo goal. The Pontarddulais man cut in from the left and skipped past two defenders before whipping a shot across Gwilt and into the far corner.

And although Griffiths tested Powney from 20 yards, the visitors were beginning to look comfortable as the game entered the last 10 minutes, before hell broke loose.

Firstly the Goodwick striker combined with John in the area, and the winger turned a fired a low shot home to give his side hope.

And just two minutes later hope became delight when Griffiths was tripped by Rhys Watson, and Harding made no mistake with the penalty as he went low to Powney's right.

Still the drama wasn't done and in a crazy few seconds, Jack Christopher was crowded out as he looked to convert a Mark Jones cross, while Griffiths headed over and Harding pulled a right foot shot a yard past the post.

But then in injury time the fightback was complete as Griffiths worked some space outside the area, and although his effort was straight at Powney, the ball squirmed from the keeper's grasp and crept into the net.

Still Pembrokeshire had to deal with some balls into their area, but they held out to make it six SB Williams points from six - meaning they will seal the trophy with a win over the Swansea League at The Meadow next Wednesday.

Nigel Delaney: "What a game! I thought we were brilliant second half from the word go.

"For 16 boys to be thrown together and battle like that for me and Sully (Chris O'Sullivan) for 90 minutes was outstanding."

Man of the match: Adam John (Pembrokeshire)

For 45 minutes, that was mental to watch. The next 45 minutes equally so.

Both sides attacked with real pace and as a result, both defences looked at sixes and sevens.

Tom Roberts was outstanding for Carmarthenshire before being forced off but while it was Harding who scored twice, and Griffiths who had the winner, it was 'Titch' who instigated the fightback more than anyone.

His skill and trickery is a nightmare for defenders and he never tired last night, constantly getting on the ball and stretching the visitors.

Not bad for a small lad.

Fraser's final word:

The SB Williams Cup has its critics, but no one present last night could have doubted the commitment or desire of the players involved.

Both sides went hell for leather at each other, and Iwan Izzard, Peter Thomas and Justin Harding were all booked for tackles that you wouldn't exactly dub 'half hearted'.

The pace with which the respective attacks swept forward, in the first 45 minutes in particular, was off the scale, and there were times in the second half where the visitors were throwing bodies everywhere when Pembrokeshire poured forward. In that respect, it was a cruel ending for them.

Nigel Delaney and Chris O'Sullivan will know their side got out of the jail, but will also be delighted with the manner in which they gave everything until the bitter end.

But although Pembrokeshire are now in control of the tournament, the pair will know they cannot afford to play as openly against the Swansea League next Wednesday.

Whilst they threatened every time going forward, the same could be said of Carmarthenshire. It's impossible to bring 16 players together with no training time and be flawlessly organised, but there were times in the first half in particular when the hosts looked all over the shop. That has to be addressed.

Victory against Swansea, who are expected to be stronger than when the two sides met last month, will see Pembrokeshire retain the trophy with a game to spare. Picking a county squad always becomes a contentious issue but if they can get the right result next week, then for Delaney and O'Sullivan, the ends will justify the means.

Pembrokeshire: James Gwilt, Peter Thomas, Wayne O'Sullivan, Scott Delaney (Llyr Tobin HT - Ben Adams 75), Mark Jones, Luke Hayward, Iwan Izzard, Adam John, Justin Harding, Adam Hawkins (Jack Christopher 64), Joe Leahy (Jordan Griffiths 64). Sub not used: Lee Hudgell.

Carmarthenshire: Kyle Powney, Jonathan Fagan, Tom Lavender, Rhys Watson, Nathan Davies, Gareth Phillips, Ashley Lewis, Tom Roberts (Elliot Jones 66), Alex Thomas (Rhys Lewis 87), Sam Wilson, Joel Beynon (Ifan Foster 92). Subs not used: Iwan Rees, Ieuan Petty.