Friday 13 unlucky for Wasps in final (From Free Press Series)

Friday 13 unlucky for Wasps in final

Friday, May 13 proved to be unlucky for Clydach Wasps as Blaenavon Blues beat them 2-0 in the final of the Langdon Cup played at Goytre's Plough Road ground.

With a blustery wind behind them Clydach put the Blues under pressure in the first twenty minutes, never troubling Lee Jones in the Blaenavon goal.

On 25 minutes Blaenavon were awarded a free kick on Clydach's left. Dean Yemm crossed into the area where the ball was flicked on to Marc Creese who shot into the roof of the net from eight yards. The goal settled the Blues who started to play with more confidence.

At half time the Blues were leading 1-0. On 50 minutes the Blues broke down the left through Marc Browning, he passed to Jeff Sterry who put Ryan Keen through with a neat flick. Ryan took the ball into the Clydach area and calmly lobbed the advancing keeper to score the winner.

Clydach committed more players to attack, putting the Blues back four under heavy pressure. Blues' defender Chris Morgan led by example, winning many tackles for his side.

With Clydach committing so many players to attack this left gaps at the back which the Blaenavon strikers exploited only to be stopped by some fine saves from Peter Smith in the Clydach goal.

In the dying minutes Clydach worked the ball down the left through Simon Tippings who crossed only to see the all headed over the bar for a goal kick. This proved to be Clydach's last attempt on goal as referee Neil Reed blew the final whistle soon after, seeing the Blues lift the cup for the first time since 1962.

The cup was presented to winning captain Alun Scammell by Mike Jones, of A Jones & Co sponsors of the competition. Alun Scammell was also awarded 'Man of the Match'.