13s advance in West Wales Cup
Penllegaer 3 D3XFC 4
Dunvant's u13s needed extra-time and a Dylan Bebb hat-trick to see off Penllegaer and claim their place in the second round of the West Wales Cup. Despite leading three times, their opponents hit back each time and forced the Yellow and Greens to dig deep for victory.
The match began in pleasant conditions, on a decent pitch, but heavy rain soon made passing very tricky. After a tricky opening, Dunvant looked the more fluent team and were rewarded when Bebb found the corner of the net from Jack Coker's clever lay-off. However, for the second week running their opponents hit back with a goal direct from a corner to tie the scores at the break.
Bebb restored the Dunvant lead with a wicked 35yd free-kick but another scrappy goal brought the home side level. Sam Davies looked to be an unlikely hero when he drove an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net, with minutes remaining, but a late equaliser saw the match move into extra time.
Forced to play the additional 20 minute period with 10 men, as a result of Leo Burdett's injury, the Dunvant boys had to work hard to win possession and create an oppening. Iwan Preddy was a tiger in the middle of the field and it was his run into the box which led to a Dunvant penalty. Despite the pressurised situation, Bebb showed no nerves as he completed his hat-trick with a sweet strike, into the corner, from the spot.
After a run of four narrow defeats any kind of victory was welcome for the Yellow and Greens and the effort they showed certainly deserved the win. A good cup run would certainly increase confidence and motivate the team to improve their leagu position, in the weeks to come.