Builth Wells were crowned Mid Wales South League champions today after coming from behind and beating Rhosgoch Rangers 1-2.
Rhosgoch started the brighter against a very nervous looking Builth and were awarded a free kick very early on, whilst the visiting side were organising the wall the quick thinking Drew Lloyd took the free kick and bent in his shot from around 25 yards out giving the keeper no chance.
Rhosgoch dominated the remainder of the first half and perhaps could of added to their tally, whilst everyone from Builth was appealing for a handball the homeside carried on, Josh Watson beat the keeper from just inside the box but a covering defender slid in and kicked the ball off the line to keep the score 1-0. A rare Builth attack on the stroke of half time saw Kev Lewis cross into the box, Harry Bastable jumped with the home keeper and the loose ball fell to the oncoming Neil Davies who couldn’t miss from two yards. Half time score 1-1.
The second half saw Builth get on top with Rhosgoch having to rely on the counter attack, Davies went close for Builth on the hour mark with a spectacular bicycle kick which landed on top of the cross bar. Tom Brown hit a couple of long range efforts but these were easily saved by Adam Jones, on 75 minutes a jinking run in the box by Daniel Walker saw him beat three men before he was scythed down, referee Chris Corfield didn’t hesitate in pointing to the spot. Youngster Harry Bastable stepped up and hit a powerfull shot to his right but keeper Jones guessed right and tipped it around the post at full stretch to keep the score 1-1.
Manager Sean Hackett made two changes bringing on midfielder Shane Claridge and striker Phil Draper and it was Draper who found himself in the spotlight in the 89th minute when Builth were awarded another penalty, Rangers Trevor Lloyd was penalised harshly in my opinion for a tackle in the box, however you always risk a penalty if you fly into a challenge like he did so I can understand why the ref gave it.
Draper blasted the ball as hard as he could and it rose high, hit the bar and bounced behind the line to the delight of the Builth players and supporters. The referee blew his whistle after a couple of minutes of stoppage time. The final score 1-2.
An enjoyable game to watch for the neautral, Builth were very nervous first half and were lucky to go in at 1-1 when on another day it could of easily been 2 if not 3-0 to Rhosgoch. They were much better second half although on chances a draw would of been a fair result in my opinion.
Congratulations to Sean Hackett and his players.
OTHER RESULTS.
Talgarth Town 1 Llandrindod Wells 3.
Presteigne Reserves 0 Knighton Town 1 (Jarvis).
Newcastle 7 Builth Wednesday 1.
Sennybridge 3 Penybont Athletic 1.