West Wales Cup Round 2: Herbrandston 3-2 Johnston

Andre Algieri scored twice as Herbie held on for a morale boosting win over Johnston.

The home side took the lead when skipper Scott Reid latched onto a long ball forward, and cut back onto his left foot before scoring from eight yards.

Reid was then involved in the second goal, picking up the ball out wide on the left and going on a mazy run into the area before being brought down. Algieri made no mistake with the penalty.

Johnston, who famously won the competition in the 2012/13 campaign, fought back after the break though and Joe John pulled one back when his wind assisted cross drifted over Jack Ackermann and into the net.

John then thought he’d levelled matters but after originally giving the goal, referee Jeff Hurton ruled offside after consulting with one of his linesmen.

The Tigers continued to press but then were undone on the break as a clearance forward found Algieri, and he went through on goal and kept his nerve to make it 3-1.

The visitors responded again though and sub Oli Murray cracked in a superb long range strike to set up a nervy finish, but it was Sean Thomas’ men who made it into round three.

“It was an important win for us mentally,” said the manager afterwards.

“Especially given we were missing a few players.”

Next week Herbie will target another knockout win when they host Llangwm/Haverfordwest CC in the Senior Cup, while Johnston, chasing promotion from Division Two, are away to Carew in the same competition.

Herbrandston: Jack Ackermann, Jake Houston, Adrian Rees, Marc Boswell, Sean Williams, Archie Maccallum, Kyle Sutton, Marc Gelona, Macauley Marshallsay, Jake Barrett, Scott Reid. Subs: Andre Algieri, Lewis Nicholas, Jonty Bennett.

Johnston: Keegan Codd, Marcus Allen, Ross Williams, Chris Phillips, Jamie Hughes, Jake Smith, Joey George, Luke Hayward, Scott Murray, Joe John, Scott Crawford. Subs: Paul Jones, Oli Murray, Ben Phillips, Scott Patterson, Rhodri Barlow.