Daniel nets the winner (From Barry And District News)

Daniel nets the winner

Dinas Powys FC U-13s returned to league action after last weeks 'break' and the club sponsored walk, with what was expected to be their toughest game of the season so far, away at Cadoxton Imps.

With last seasons' games both drawn, Dinas hoped to go one better against one of only three teams that they failed to beat.

It was soon evident that the Imps would live up to expectations, despite the absence of striker Peter Fordham, and with two organised, committed teams largely cancelling each other out in a keenly contested first half, chances at either end were very much at a premium.

Goals were likely to be scarce with Chris Hignett prominent as usual in the heart of the Dinas defence, supported by Jack Boylan, Max Smith and Sam Gardiner, and the equally imposing Daniel Ayard outstanding at the back for the Imps.

Disaster struck for Dinas early in the second half when Ayard aimed a rocket of a clearance cum shot from mid way in his own half and the normally faultless Aneurin Norman, probably the best keeper in the league, let the ball speed through his hands to put Cadoxton ahead.

When defender Chris Hignett hit the post from a Dinas corner shortly after supporters wondered if it was to be one of those days.

In a much improved second half display, it was no more than they deserved, when they drew level midway through the half, when Dan Jose ran on to a Josh Sewell pass down the left flank, cut in and took the ball on under pressure, before lashing a shot past the Imps keeper.

With an absorbing game still evenly balanced, both teams went close, but as the clock ticked down, it looked honours even again.

It was perhaps fitting that it was Daniel Jose, who capped a personal performance of non-stop effort and real quality, on and off the ball, by bursting on to a Tom Ensor challenge with defenders in hot pursuit, and, reacting clinically when his first shot was parried by the Imps keeper, hammered the winner into the back of the net for his eleventh goal in five games, and Dinas's fifth win in five.