Port Talbot Town and Penygraig United will look to lift the Dragon Signs Amateur Trophy for the first time on Saturday 19 April as they head to Ynys Park, Trefelin for the final that will be streamed live on YouTube and RedWall+ (5.15pm).
Port Talbot Town currently compete in the South Wales Premier League Premier Division (tier four) while Penygraig United are two divisions below, making their appearance in the final all the more impressive. Both clubs booked their place in the final by defeating opponents from the Ardal North West as Port Talbot Town claimed a 3-1 win over Trearddur Bay and Penygraig United edged out Llanrwst United with a 1-0 victory.
Port Talbot Town
The season so far
Former striker Richard Ryan returned to Port Talbot Town as manager last summer following their relegation to the fourth tier. Assembling a new backroom staff together with new faces to the playing squad, the side were expected to challenge for an immediate return to the Ardal Leagues but the division has proved tougher than expected. However, an upturn in results during the second part of the season has done enough to ensure a top-half finish and should provide the foundation for a promotion push next season.
Road to the Final
Port Talbot Town made light work of Bonymaen, Birchgrove Colts and Pontarddulais in the early rounds of the competition, scoring 14 goals in the process before defeating Llangeinor 2-0 in Round 3. Their reward was a trip to the Deeside Stadium to take on Connah’s Quay Town, and penalties were required after a 0-0 draw to book their place in the quarter-final. Ryan Kostromin, Chris Allen, Michael Morgan and Ceri Williams converted from the spot.
The quarter-final against FC Cwmaman at their Victoria Road home should have been more comfortable than it was as Morgan and Allen put the side two goals ahead, with Allen also missing a penalty in normal time. However, the visitors, who were down to nine-men at the final whistle, scored twice to draw level and take the game to penalties. Jordan Edwards, Morris, Williams and Warren Hudson all scored to seal a place in the semi-final despite the late scare.
Trearddur Bay of the Ardal North West would provide the opposition at Park Avenue in Aberystwyth, but it was Port Talbot who defied the odds as two goals from Edwards either side of a goal from Aidan Chappell Smith earned the Steelmen an impressive 3-1 victory. The club now have the opportunity to win their first piece of silverware for 25 years, with their last success coming in the Welsh League Cup back in 1999/2000.
Penygraig United
The season so far
Reaching the final of the Dragon Signs Amateur Trophy has not distracted Penygraig United from their title challenge in the South Wales Premier League Division 1 East (tier six) as they sit just two points behind leaders AFC Penrhiwceiber with a game in hand. The two teams also meet on the final day of the season in what could be the title decider. The top scoring team in the division and boasting the best defensive record, 20-year old Tai Watts has been the man to watch for Josh Brown’s side with 39 goals in all competitions.
Road to the Final
It was Watts who stamped his early authority on the season back in August as he scored four goals in the 9-1 win over local rivals Penygraig BGC Seniors. A 2-1 victory over Cardiff Airport through two goals from Mitchel Hathaway set up a Round Two match against Dinas Powys, and goals in the opening five minutes from Watts and Jordan Cicigoi ensured their progress with a 2-0 win.
An away tie at Bridgend Street followed as the momentum of the cup run increased and it was Penygraig United that claimed an impressive 4-0 win. A 3-2 victory over West End in the next round was delivered courtesy of a double from Hathaway and a goal from Conor Edwards that proved enough to send the club from the sixth tier into the last eight.
Hathaway was again on target in a 1-1 draw away to Bow Street of the Ardal North East that took the tie to penalties, and Josh Phillips, Ian Smith, Cicigoi and Edwards converted from the spot. Latham Park in Newtown was the scene for the semi-final against Llanrwst United, and backed by an incredible travelling support, Broom’s side made history as Watts scored the only goal of the game after just 11 minutes to book their place in the final.
The venue
Ynys Park is the home of JD Cymru South team Trefelin BGC and has undergone a major transformation over the last years. With a new all-seater stand, floodlights, changing rooms, hospitality areas, a new training facility and a major clubhouse extension, the improvements were recognised recently when Ynys Park hosted two fixtures in the UEFA WU19 EURO qualifying tournament.
Port Talbot Parkway train station is 1.3 miles from the stadium and is approximately a 25-minute walk. There are local bus services such as the 81 and 83 that stop at Trinity Cottages which is a two-minute walk from the ground.
Port Talbot Town v Penygraig United ticket details
Tickets for the match between Port Talbot Town and Penygraig United can be purchased on the gate, payable by cash only. Tickets are £5 for adults and £2 for concessions.
How to watch Port Talbot Town v Penygraig United from home
The game will be streamed on the FAW’s official YouTube channel and streaming service RedWall+, which has an extensive and rich library of Welsh football content and is available for free.
Commentary will be in English with legendary Welsh football commentator Rob Phillips being the man with the microphone to lead the coverage.
Audio Descriptive Commentary
The FAW offer an audio description commentary service at every Senior National team home fixture and every domestic Cup Final.
The free to use service for blind and vision impaired spectators will be provided by Alan March Sport Ltd and will be available to fans with trained audio describers keeping up with play to the second to ensure listeners know exactly where the ball is and what is happening on the pitch.
To register your interest and book a receiver for the forthcoming matches, email PAWB@faw.co.uk
You will need to provide your name and phone number and your receiver will be delivered by a steward prior to kick off.
It will be possible to request a receiver on the day by speaking to a steward at the stadium. Please note receivers are subject to availability. We advise users to bring their own headphones to ensure both comfort and hygiene.
History of the Dragon Signs Amateur Trophy
The Dragon Signs Amateur Trophy is one of the oldest in the domestic game with Wrexham Victoria being the first club to win the trophy back in 1890/91. Initially called the Welsh Junior Cup, it was also known as the Welsh Amateur Cup and the FAW Intermediate Cup prior to taking on the current name in 1993. Newport City the current holders following their dramatic 5-4 win over Penrhyncoch at Newtown last season.
The competition is open to clubs from Tier 3 of the domestic pyramid and below, while Cardiff Corinthians are the most successful team in the history of the competition having lifted the trophy on six occasions. One of the most controversial seasons in the history of the competition was in 1901/02, and to this day it still isn’t clear whether Wrexham Victoria or Machynlleth were crowned winners of what was then called the Welsh Junior Cup.
