Hero Glyn sets up Valley match (From Free Press Series)

Hero Glyn sets up Valley match

IT reads like a story straight out of Roy of the Rovers - a 29-year-old journeyman League Two goalkeeper -- saving a penalty to help his side claim the biggest upset of the FA Cup third round.

However, for Pontypool born stopper Glyn Garner the fantasy is a reality, his heroics at the weekend helped his side Leyton Orient to overcome all the odds and record a victory at Premiership outfit Fulham, managed by fellow Welshman Chris Coleman.

After racing into a 2-0 lead Orient found themselves up against it in the second half, Fulham had already pulled a goal back and had a chance to draw level from the spot.

But Garner, who saved five penalties last season, was not to be denied and his wonderful penalty stop put Orient into the fourth round. Glyn now faces a trip to a different kind of valley to that which he grew up in - his side now face Premiership outfit Charlton at their ground, The Valley.

It was an afternoon he'll never forget and he admits the enormity of the win is only just sinking in.

"To be honest the win has left me speechless, it was the biggest game of my career and we were a 10-1 shot at the start of the game, so I guess we were pretty firm underdogs," he said.

"I didn't have the busiest of games but obviously a goalkeeper is normally up against it with a penalty, but I guessed right and I had a funny feeling I would save it because I really had nothing to lose, there was no pressure. "After the penalty I spent most of the time looking at the scoreboard to see how long was left, the time ticked down slowly but when the final whistle went it was an incredible feeling."

Garner's parents live in Cwmbran and he still has plenty of ties to Gwent. His football career began at the age of six with Llanyarvon Boys and he played with the team throughout his school years at Croesyceiliog School.

Garner played in the Gwent League's with Caerleon and Risca in his youth and also in the Welsh Premier Division with Llanelli while he was at university in Swansea.

His professional career began in 2000 when he joined Bury, who he was with for five years before he signed for Brisbane Road outfit Leyton Orient last summer.

His Merchant Navy father Bill has been a keen follower of his career and attended the game on Sunday, along with 13 other friends and family members.

"I had seven family members and seven mates from my old football team Llanyarvon Boys who I grew up with at the game giving me support, so there was definitely a big Gwent presence at Fulham," Garner explained.

"It probably seemed strange for people driving on the M4 though, four cars decked out with Orient scarves and flags driving back over the bridge!"

Glyn's father Bill admitted watching his son become an FA Cup hero was one of the proudest moments of his life.

"When Glyn saved the penalty it was the most unbelievable feeling, it was a very special day and we are all very, very proud," he said.