LLANTWIT MAJOR 4 SULLY SPORTS 0

FOR THE second time in six years, Sully Sports had to prove themselves in a South Wales Football Association play-off and, unfortunately, again fell at the final hurdle.

In this year's play-off at Bridgend's Bryntirion Park, Sports – champions of the South Wales Senior League – came off second best to South Wales Amateur League champions Llantwit Major who will play next season in the Third Division of the Welsh League.

So, despite being a member of the biggest association in South Wales and winning their title by 19 points, Sully Sports – with 24 victories from their 30 league games, and three draws (the three losses were their opening games of the season) – now face another term in the South Wales Senior League.

It is disappointing for Sports, knowing that the 'pyramid system' in place dictates that just one club from South Wales can be promoted to the Welsh League.

In Saturday's game, after a terrific league season and their Welsh Trophy triumph, Sports found themselves up against a flying Llantwit side who took total control in the second half.

A strong, gusty wind was a feature of the first half as Sports looked for an opener. In a first half of few chances for Sports, the nearest they came was when player/coach Mike Fowler flicked a header on to the bar.

On 20 minutes Sully goalkeeper, 16-year-old Kieron Sharratt, needed extensive treatment after sustaining a knee injury on the solid ground but carried on in obvious pain.

After the break Llantwit started to dictate, with Pratt and Nash causing all the problems. The injury to the Sports goalkeeper was evident as a normally routine shot from Pratt caught him cold and the ball took a horrid bounce and looped over his head.

Inspired by this unexpected piece of luck, Llantwit forged forward and Sharratt was again unlucky when, after he parried a good shot, the ball fell to a Llantwit player who fired home.

So many times the saviour for Sports, Alex Long made a great run before his cross-shot just cleared the bar but, that apart, Llantwit had their tails up and Nash finished well after a great through pass.

The icing on the cake for Llantwit came when Sully gave away a silly free kick which was dispatched into an empty net with the Sports wall missing.

Llantwit's second-half display ensured them a Welsh League spot next season, with Sully having to do it all again.

As for Sully Sports, the club is too big and organised to be held back much longer and will continue to strive for that elusive Welsh League spot.