PENARTH TOWN 2NDS 3 CADOXTON BARRY B 3 (CB win on penalties after extra-time)

PENARTH Town FC's second team were denied a trip to Jenner Park after an agonising penalty shoot-out defeat to Cadoxton Barry B in the semi final of the Dockers Cup last Tuesday(writes Jack Stansfield).

Goals from Nicky Hain (2) and captain Jez Millard for Town saw the action-packed affair end 3-3 after 90 minutes in Sully, before a nail-biting shoot-out was won in sudden death by the Barry side.

Craig Hegarty missed a chance to win the game for Town from the spot, after seeing Cadoxton's counterpart miss the target. And Town bowed out when Kurtis Shapley sent the ball wide with the next spot-kick, after needing to score to keep his side in the shoot-out.

Penarth saw off FC Pumas B and ABC Leasing to reach the last four of the cup and goal-scorer Millard admitted feeling 'gutted' at the exit of his team from the competition.

"I'm massively disappointed," he said.

"Even in the car on the way to work I was still kicking myself over the result.

"The dressing room was pretty quiet after the game. The chit-chat and team banter that has been constant throughout the season wasn't the best."

Skipper Millard opened Town's scoring with an impressive volley.

"There haven't been many I've hit that well, and it gave the team a boost at the right time," said the midfielder, who didn't take a penalty in the decisive shoot-out at the end of the game.

"I missed a penalty in a big game once and since then I've tried my best to avoid them. I made it clear I'd step up if needed, but we're a confident team and there were enough players willing to take one.

"Everyone knows when it comes to penalties that it's a lottery, and unfortunately for us it didn't end the right way – but if we keep the performances like that this season, we'll finish on a high."

Cadoxton set out to extend their own cup run and within five minutes they took a step towards doing so when a defensive mix up between Town's defence and keeper Ellis Davey left a simple tap-in for Barry striker Connor Doyle.

Penarth fought back though, and five minutes later their best chance of the opening exchanges fell to Simon Byard. Shane Parker played a neat ball down the right flank to winger Hain who crossed for Byard but he couldn't convert from 10 yards.

Town gained confidence and grew into the game to dominate proceedings. Cadoxton remained dangerous on the break but it was their opponents who struck next through centre midfielder Millard.

10 minutes before the break, Wayne Harris' long throw from the left wasn't dealt with by Cadoxton's defence and the ball dropped to Millard who fired home with a stunning right-foot volley.

With the last kick of the half, Cadoxton's Doyle had the chance to double his tally when a misjudged header by Ross Dennison fell to his feet, but Davey made up for his earlier mishap by plucking the forward's volley out of the air with his right hand.

After the restart, Penarth's second string raised their game another gear and took the lead within five minutes when Hain beat Barry keeper Graham Sumsion from the right hand side with a neat finish.

Phil Carter's men looked comfortable in their deserved lead, but the tie was far from over and against the run of play Cadoxton earned themselves a penalty when Millard turned from hero to villain by handling the ball in Town's penalty area. Right back Mark Christoforato stepped up and converted to level the scores at 2-2.

After 75 minutes, Hail looked to book his side's place at Barry Town's Jenner Park when he doubled his tally with a finish across goal after a quick Penarth break.

But there was still time for more drama and Cadoxton equalised 10 minutes from time when a long ball found its way over Penarth's backline, leaving a simple finish to send the game to penalties.

But it wasn't to be for Penarth when the shoot-out went to sudden death and Hegarty missed the opportunity to steal the headlines and send Penarth through to the final.

Substitute Shapley stepped up, needing to score to keep his team's hopes alive, but he shot wide of the right-hand post and it was Cadoxton who went through to meet Pro Copy Athletic in the final (Pro-Copy winning 3-2 in extra time).