By Ben Withers
USW 4ths extended their impressive run to five wins in six with a commanding 5-0 victory over their internal rivals, USW 5ths.
Braces from Ceirion Williams and Toby Sutton, along with a goal from centre-back Callum Jones, sealed a dominant victory for the 4ths, taking their aggregate score against the 5ths to 11-0 across both fixtures this season.
The 4ths started brightly and were rewarded just three minutes in when James McLaren was brought down for a penalty.
Striker Ceirion Williams fired his spot-kick into the bottom corner, with goalkeeper Lawrence Dockerty guessing correctly but only managing to parry the ball back into Williams’ path, allowing him to slot home the rebound and give the 4ths an early lead.
From there, the 4ths dictated play, controlling possession and carving out several chances.
However, Dockerty kept the 5ths in the game with a string of impressive saves, while Harry Carter made a crucial goal-line clearance to deny them a second before the break.
USW 5ths showed renewed energy at the start of the second half, creating a few chances in the opening 15 minutes as the game became more evenly contested.
A fast counter-attack from the 5ths gave Jack Sowerby time in the middle to play a through ball to Alexander Nicolov, however his pass was crucially intercepted by Jones.
Their resurgence was short-lived.
In the 60th minute, an inswinging corner was met by Jeremy Smith, who’s weak effort from a couple of yards hit the post, a fantastic chance for the 4ths.
Their lead was soon extended, in the 67th minute, a long central free-kick from Oscar Haines found the towering Callum Jones, who guided a precise header low past Dockerty’s left to double the 4ths’ advantage.
Just seven minutes later, Dockerty produced a superb save to deny another effort, but the resulting corner proved costly. Taken quickly, it found substitute Toby Sutton in space on the left side of the box. With time to set himself, Sutton unleashed a thunderous strike into the top left corner, leaving Dockerty helpless and making it three.
The 4ths weren’t finished yet.
In the 82nd minute, a defensive deflection left Williams one-on-one with Dockerty. His weak shot barely had the power, but it crept past Dockerty to make it 4-0.
The scoring was rounded off in stoppage time after some fantastic combination play from Jeremy Smith and Joe Doyle. Their link-up play allowed Jack time and space to unleash a long-range strike from the edge of the box.
Dockerty managed to parry it away, but Sutton was first to the rebound, tapping home to grab his brace and seal a dominant win for the 4ths.
Both sides now turn their attention to Swansea 3rds. The 5ths face them next week at Swansea City Training Ground, while the 4ths make the same trip a week later, their last game of the season.