By Ben Withers
UWTSD 1st’s dramatic last-minute winner extended USW 3rds’ winless run to four games.
Goals from Xander Jones and a stoppage-time winner from Luke McDonald helped UWTSD come from behind to maintain their 100% record this season, after USW substitute Max Webb opened the scoring in the 71st minute.
Both sides struggled to settle in the opening 20 minutes. The best chance came for USW with Max Mathews’ long range shot which flew well over.
In the 31st minute, a defensive error from Callum Cox handed McDonald a golden opportunity to put the away side ahead, but his weak shot was saved by Floran Disco.
St. Davids started the second half brilliantly.
In the 48th minute, Owain Davies played a brilliant through ball to Nico Sofiu, who was brought down by USW goalkeeper Floran Disco, for a penalty.
With an impressive 14 goals in 4 games this season, prolific striker Sofiu stepped up to take the spot-kick, but his poorly placed low shot dragged wide past Disco’s left post.
St. Davids kept applying pressure. In the 57th minute, Charlie Chicken’s shot cannoned off the left post, the rebound then fell to Sofiu, whose two quick-fire shots were blocked superbly by Cox and Adam Chaba before Disco finally secured the ball.
Despite St. Davids’ complete dominance, it was USW who opened the scoring.
Pic: Ellis Sheppard
A brilliant through-ball from midfield set substitute Max Webb in on-goal and he perfectly placed his shot into the top right corner, giving USW the lead against the run of play.
However, USW’s advantage was very short-lived.
Fantastic wing play from Chicken saw him deliver a perfect pass into Jones, who had time and space to line up a shot on the edge of the area.
His powerful effort struck the inside of the right post, finding the back of the net to give St. Davids a crucial equaliser.
USW thought they had done enough to secure at least a draw, but St. Davids’ relentless pressure proved too much for their defence.
Sofiu made a brilliant run in behind, calmly assessing his options before dribbling around the keeper. He squared it to McDonald, who smashed it into the empty net from two yards to snatch a dramatic victory in the 93rd minute.
This crucial victory keeps the visitors at the top of the Men’s Western Tier 5 table, ahead of Cardiff Men’s 5th’s on goal difference.
Meanwhile, USW will aim to climb off second-bottom and end their winless streak when they face UWE 4th’s next Wednesday at the Sport Park.