Radnor suffer cup defeat after conceding extra-time winner

RADNOR Valley suffered heartbreak in the Aspidistra Radnorshire Cup final following a 3-2 extra-time defeat against Builth Wells.

The Bulls had concluded the season two places above the Goats in the Lock Stock Ardal North East table and made a strong start to this well-attended final.

Tommy Rowlands' near post effort flew over the crossbar from a third minute cross on the right before Danny Hall was played through on goal 60 seconds later but saw his shot cleared off the line after rounding goalkeeper Otto Jones.

The Builth Wells striker then found the side netting after a 16th minute free-kick was played into the Radnor Valley penalty area.

Holders Radnor Valley responded a minute later when Charlie Beaumont volleyed narrowly over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.

Rowlands then latched on to a 19th minute through ball but squeezed his effort wide of the target when being closed down by the advancing Jones.

Builth Wells broke the deadlock in the 44th minute when Lyndon Jones drilled home a low shot from 25 yards after the Radnor Valley players momentarily hesitated after assistant referee Nigel Mathias had raised his flag for handball by Matt Croose, but played was allowed to continue by the referee.

Radnor levelled the score on 64 minutes when Callum Matthews rose highest at a corner to plant his header firmly past goalkeeper Kham Steventon.

Builth Wells substitute Aeron Powell pulled his effort wide of goal from the edge of the penalty area.

However, 60 seconds later but he was more successful when in the 80th minute when played through on goal to coolly finish past Jones whilst under pressure from Elliot Morris and Ieuan Price.

Radnor Valley substitute Elliot Morris' 85th minute effort from the edge of the penalty area was blocked before another replacement for the Goats, Jack Clarke, saw his close-range effort turned over the crossbar by Steventon three minutes later.

Just when it had appeared that the county cup was heading to Builth Wells, the holders netted a dramatic equaliser in the eighth minute of stoppage time, when Morris headed home from a Joey Price free-kick.

Radnor nearly went ahead in the second minute of extra-time when Clarke struck an upright from close range.

Despite the disappointment of conceding a late goal, the Bulls regained the lead when the hard-working Rowlands was set free on goal to tuck past the advancing Jones.

The Goats pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, with Joey Price saw his 119th minute free-kick clip the top of the crossbar.

However, it was Bulls’ captain Chris Roff who would receive the trophy from Linda and Daryl Eaton of the Aspidistra Restaurant.