NEYLAND booked their place in the semi-finals of the Senior Cup on Saturday (Feb 19) as they beat St Clears 3-2 after extra time.
Division 2 side St Clears had built up a 2-0 lead but Neyland hit back in the second half to force the game into extra time.
The home side took the lead in extra time and then had keeper Patrick Hannon save a St Clears penalty.
There was still time for more drama as the Saints felt they should have had another penalty but their protests fell on death ears and soon after the referee blew for full time.
Neyland will now look forward to a semi-final tie against Hakin United.
Conditions were tricky for both sides with strong winds blowing down the pitch throughout the match but both looked to take full advantage when having the wind behind them.
Kyran Lewis put the Saints ahead after 14 minutes and they continued to dominate, winning a succession of corners, the last of which hit the front post.
Steve Thomas also saw a shot blocked for the Saints before Neyland began to have a good spell of pressure.
Max Bowman-Davies saw a shot go wide and moments later he held the ball up well before crossing to Mike Chandler, who in-turn found Josh Watts but his shot went over the bar.
On the stroke of half time a ball upfield was collected by Will Clewes but his passback almost allowed the Saints in to score but the ball was cleared.
However, from the resulting throw in the ball found its way to Martin Thomas who lofted the ball into the right side of the net.
That gave the Saints a 2-0 lead at half time but Neyland were keen to get themselves back in the game in the second half.
They did just that as they pulled a goal back on 67 minutes through Andrew Kemp.
Neyland were now looking for an equalising goal and had the wind at their backs and they came very close to a second goal.
A blocked shot looped up into the air and Saints keeper Jason Jones came to collect but he dropped the ball and it fell to Bowman-Davies but he couldn’t get the ball out of his feet and Jones recovered to gather the ball.
Lewis then shot wide for the Saints before the home side drew level with five minutes left to play.
A long free kick wasn’t dealt with and after an initial shot hit the post it fell to Bowman-Davies who was in the right place to slide the ball into the bottom left corner to make it 2-2.
Such was the strength of the wind that it then took a free kick from Neyland keeper Patrick Hannon into the arms of fellow keeper Jones.
Both sides had chances to score in the closing stages but it finished level meaning extra time would be needed.
Neyland looked for the goal which would have put them ahead as Bowman-Davies cut in from the right but he put too much on his cross and the chance was gone.
Chandler also saw a shot tipped wide by the Saints keeper as they dominated the opening stages of the first half of extra time.
On 105 minutes the home side won a corner which they took quickly, floating the ball into the box and Andrew Kemp was the only one who jumped and he powered a header into the top left corner of the net.
That put Neyland into the lead for the first time and it meant the Saints had to come out in the second half of extra time looking for another goal.
They were given an excellent chance to level the game up as a foul from Dylan Rowland gave the Saints a penalty.
Will Evans stepped up to take the spot kick but he saw his effort superbly saved by Patrick Hannon.
Undeterred by that miss the Saints looked to keep the pressure on and they had a free kick on the edge of the box but Dorian Davies’ effort hit the wall.
Neyland had a chance to put the tie to bed but Bowman-Davies saw his effort saved.
The Saints won a late corner and they sent their keeper up as well but Neyland were able to deal with it and clear.
As time ran out a long ball looked to have put the Saints in on goal but Hannon came to claim the ball and the collision sent him and the Saints player to the ground.
The visitors were adamant they should have been given a penalty but their protests were waved away and the referee blew for full time.
