Radnor Valley’s bid to lift the Central Wales Challenge Cup ended in a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Guilsfield but The Goats left the pitch with their heads held high.

Three goals in the last eight minutes saw JD Cymru North side, Guilsfield pick up the silverware for a third season in a row but Radnor, despite being without key midfielders, Elliot Morris and Thomas Edwards, matched them stride for stride for much of their first ever Central Wales Final.

Radnor made the perfect start with a goal after just two minutes. Guilsfield keeper, Luke Evans tipped a long range Joey Price strike round the post for a corner which Price took and Evans carried the ball over his goal-line. The Goats doubled their lead on 43 minutes when Jack Clarke was brought down and Price netted from the spot.

Jamie Hyne scored twice in quick succession for Guilsfield in first half stoppage time, first converting a cross from the right and then heading home from Chris Cathrall’s long throw-in. Radnor could have been in front again minutes after the interval only Joey Price had a deflected effort disallowed for a foul in the build-up.

The teams continued to go toe-to-toe in the second half but Adam Knott put Guilsfield ahead for the first time on 83 minutes with a cracking long-range effort which took the wind out of Radnor’s sails. Joe Haycock added a really good fourth goal for Guilsfield two minutes later and Aaron Lloyd completed their win, the final scoreline not doing justice to an excellent Radnor performance.

Radnor now have two remaining games in the Ardal League North East, away at Llanuwchllyn and Brickfield Rangers, and one win would be sufficient for them to end in the top six and cap another super season.