East Gwent Senior League

Centenary Cup semi-final

Severn Tunnel A 2 Mathern FC A 2 (aet)

Severn Tunnel won 6-5 on penalties

STAND-IN goalkeeper Matt Addis was the hero after saving Mathern’s sixth penalty to book Severn Tunnel’s place in the final.

Addis replaced regular keeper Tom Pickin who was forced to leave the field because he had work commitments and as Tunnel had already used their subs, Addis donned the jersey for the half-hour extra time period.

The move meant that both sides were reduced to 10 men after Mathern striker Wayne Duffield was sent off for a foul on Pickin in the first half.

Tunnel had taken the lead midway through the first half thanks to a fine header by Chris Owram but the advantage was short-lived as Tom Watson headed Mathern level.

Daryl Berry produced good work to get to the line before delivering a low pass for Tom Atkins to slide home and restore Tunnel’s advantage.

Duffield was sent off after chasing a through ball and colliding with Pickin. Ugly scenes followed as Tunnel players furiously appealed to referee Adji Shuid to show him the red card.

Tunnel manager Steve Duddridge ran onto the pitch to remonstrate with the ref and was also shown the red card, both he and Duffield forced to watch the rest of the match from the children’s play area.

The dismissal of their 24-goal striker seemed to motivate Mathern far more than it did Severn Tunnel and the visitors – prompted by Ryan Guscott who took the captain’s armband and appeared to cover every blade of grass – went in search of a second goal.

Mathern boss Lee Baker was adamant his men had enjoyed the majority of the possession and created more chances after the break.

That resulted in a deserved but very late equaliser scored by substitute Richie Rees following a brilliant piece of individual skill by Jordan Barrett, to force extra time.

That ended with no further score so the two keepers, Addis and his counterpart Jason Johnson became the focus of events.

The first five penalties from both sides were scored but in sudden death, Addis produced his save, diving full length to his left to block the shot and was duly mobbed by his teammates.

Duddridge declined to speak about either the match or his dismissal later but Mathern manager Baker said he was proud of the way his team had reacted to being reduced to 10 men.

“It would have been easy to give in but the team worked hard for each other,” he said. “Every player gave everything, played good football on a terrible pitch and out-played the 11 men.

“We controlled the game and to lose on penalties is cruel but that's football. We can walk away with our heads held high with no regrets. My players should be proud.”

Tunnel will meet Undy Athletic – who beat Tintern Abbey A 2-1 in the other semi – in the final at a date to be announced.