Into the semis for Goytre (From Free Press Series)

Into the semis for Goytre

GOYTRE are in the semi finals of the Gwent Senior Cup for the first time in the club's history after a memorable midweek extra-time win over Welsh League Division Two side Tredegar Town, writes Noel Davies.

Andy Walsh side-footed home the winning goal to make it 2-1, after a break by Steve Collett, to book the club a mouth-watering semi-final tie against Croesyceiliog.

Chairman Paul Green-halgh admitted they had little chance of winning the cup, but said they can use their inspirational cup form to spearhead their push into the top half of the Welsh League Division Three table, where they lie 11th.

"The lads were superb and its another famous win for the club. We rode our luck at times in the game, but we thoroughly deserved the win. All we need to do now is just enjoy the ride for as far as it goes," he said.

Goytre had already beaten Welsh League football giants Caerleon in the previous round and defied their underdog status for a second time with this fairytale win.

Striker Lee Grimes got Goytre off to the perfect start with a goal after 15 minutes.

Reverting to a back four for the first time this season, defenders Darren Haines, Dean Taylor, Kevin Wallace and Richie Taylor did a superb job manning the back line, and could do nothing to stop Tredegar equalising with a towering header off a corner.

With the game forced into extra-time, Goytre kept their cool to find the winning goal with Walsh's neatly taken effort.

"We're really pleased to have got this far," said Greenhalgh. "It's certainly further than we ever thought. We've beaten two top draw sides and played some great football."

But for the former Goytre manager, Saturday's 3-0 league win over Risca was far more important.

"The league is our bread and butter and we need to find the right results in that competition before any cup game. The victory over Tredegar has given us confidence and that showed on Saturday. We're on a bit of a roll, and hopefully we can build on it," said Greenhalgh after goals by Lee Grimes, Mark Langford and substitute Stewart Price secured a valuable three points and the club's first cleansheet of the season.

Saturday's game away at AFC Porth kicks off at 3pm.