Under-18s top the league but go out of the Youth Cup on penalties

Four wins from four put the Under-18s top of the Gwent Youth League South, before Porthcawl Town edged them out of the Welsh Youth Cup in a shoot-out.

Celtic’s Under-18s were in action twice last week. On Thursday, under the Pen-y-Pound floodlights, they beat Abergavenny Town 3-2 to go top of the table. On Sunday they drew 0-0 at home to Porthcawl Town in the first round of the Welsh Youth Cup, then lost 4-2 on penalties.

The Veo camera was at Abergavenny, where the home side took the lead on 18 minutes. Sam blocked the first shot with his foot, but a loose pass gave the ball back and Abergavenny finished across goal into the corner.

Celtic were level four minutes later. Luca fed Noah in midfield, and he raced forward and shot through the keeper’s legs. On 38 minutes Noah turned provider, making a fine run from the left wing and playing a superb pass through for Rheuben, who rounded the keeper and scored.

Abergavenny equalised on 44 minutes with a header from a free kick. The winner came on 54 minutes: Luca tricked his way down the right wing and crossed for Rheuben to drill the ball in, his ninth goal of the season. Only three fine saves from the Abergavenny keeper stopped Celtic adding more.

How the league season has gone so far
The run began at the Motazone on 6 September with a 13-1 win over Caldicot Town, Noah scoring four. Luca, Jacob, Kian and Harri all scored in a 4-3 win at Monmouth Town on 20 September, and Rheuben’s late double and an Ollie penalty saw off Newport Corinthians 3-0 at home on 27 September.

Results
Sun 6 Sep · Cwmbran Celtic 13-1 Caldicot Town (league)
Sun 20 Sep · Monmouth Town 3-4 Cwmbran Celtic (league)
Sun 27 Sep · Cwmbran Celtic 3-0 Newport Corinthians (league)
Thu 8 Oct · Abergavenny Town 2-3 Cwmbran Celtic (league)
Sun 11 Oct · Cwmbran Celtic 0-0 Porthcawl Town, lost 4-2 on penalties (Welsh Youth Cup R1)

Report: John Stockwell