PURE SWANSEA: Coughlin hat-trick takes his tally to seven in two games

Casey Coughlin has now scored seven goals in a week for Wales.

The Pure Swansea striker followed his four goals against Bitola with a hat-trick as Tîm Rhanbarthol Cymru beat Armenian side Cilicia 6-0 to move top of their UEFA Regions’ Cup intermediate round group.

He was not the only man from Sketty Lane involved at the Mladost Stadium in Kakanj. Full-back Dan Ingram had a hand in the second goal, and winger Mason Kelly was on the end of the challenge that reduced Cilicia to ten men.

Wales made the perfect start, taking the lead after 13 minutes when Pontypridd United duo Jack Jones and Clayton Farrah linked up, the former’s throw-in finding the centre-half at the near post. Farrah’s flick-on set up Coughlin to head home at the back post.

Cilicia held out for the rest of the half, but it took only five minutes after the interval for the lead to be doubled.

Ingram’s marauding run made the space to play Coughlin through, and although the goalkeeper cleared, the ball broke right to Kofi Rowe. The Pontypridd forward’s cross found Ynysygerwn midfielder Ollie Redhead at the back post, who calmly slotted home.

Eight minutes later Jones’ corner from the right picked out Coughlin to nod in his second and put Wales firmly in control.

Things went from bad to worse for the Armenians when their goalkeeper kicked out at a Wales attacker, leaving the referee with no hesitation in awarding a penalty.

Jones took the responsibility and duly converted, sending his effort into the top-right corner. The goalkeeper went the right way but could not keep it out.

The fifth came on the counter, Rowe’s pacey burst down the left making space before a cutting ball into the box found Coughlin. The forward turned provider, cutting the ball across goal for substitute Sam Cawley to get a crucial touch ahead of the defender and score his first for the side.

Cilicia were reduced to ten men in the 82nd minute when Artur Allahverdyan was shown a red card for a bad foul on Kelly.

There was still time for a second penalty, Pontardawe Town attacker Josh Dorward brought down inside the box, and Coughlin took the ball to complete his hat-trick.

It is some week for a striker who had already scored five in five for Pure before he travelled, including a hat-trick at Baglan Dragons.

Wales sit top of the group on goal difference ahead of the final game against hosts Zenica-Doboj, who beat Bitola 4-0 in the other fixture.

That leaves a winner-takes-the-group meeting with the Bosnian side, with a draw or a win enough to secure qualification for next summer’s final tournament.

Coughlin, Ingram and Kelly are due back for Pure’s next fixture, at home to Pontardawe Town at Swansea Bay Sports Park on Friday 11 September, 7.30pm kick-off.