PAUL Hale proved the hero for Llanarth as the keeper saved Panteg 2nds' first two penalties in a Gwent Central Open Cup first round shootout on Saturday.

The teams drew 1-1 in normal time, Kyle Baldwin stepping up to find the net from the penalty spot after a handball in the box to put the hosts in front just before half-time.

And just when it looked like the final whistle was about to bring the afternoon to a close, Panteg's Dylan Stiles struck a late free-kick equaliser to send the tie to a penalty shootout.

Hale then produced two moments of brilliance while team mates Jack Bannister and Liam Oliver hit the target for 2-0 to the hosts.

Panteg netted their next two, but Llanarth's Ashley James and Callum tudball matched them to secure a 4-2 shootout win. sparking joyous celebrations.

But Usk Town were clattered 6-2 at home to Croesyceiliog Athletic in Gwent Premier 2 after taking the lead in the second minute through a Sam Vaughan goal and drawing 2-2 at half-time following the latter's second equalising strike on 42 minutes.

That's how it stayed until 13 minutes into the second half when Athletic scored a third before the floodgates opened and they added three more on 67, 86 and 90+2 minutes.

Rockfield Rovers also lost 3-1 at home to Caldicot Town 2nds in East Gwent 1, Ben Wiggins with a late consolation.

Raglan Juniors in their first season back enjoyed a third East Gwent 2 three-pointer at Portskewett & Sudbrook though, a second half Larsson Brown hat-trick (58, 76, 90+1) and goals from Harry Dallyn (11) and Martyn Dembicki (52) securing a 5-3 win.

Fixtures this Saturday – Usk Town v Alway, Llanarth v Fairfield Dev, Rockfield Rovers v Monmouth Town 2nds, Sudbrook CC v Chepstow 3rds, Tintern Abbey v Thornwell R&W 2nds.