Dinas progress in Welsh League Cup (From Barry And District News)

Dinas progress in Welsh League Cup

AFTER a good run in the league it was cup duty for Dinas Powys AFC at the Murch last Saturday. They entertained Porthcawl in the Welsh League Cup and kept up their good form with a convincing 5-1 victory.

Manager Gavin Price was back after his spell in the winter sun. He had almost a full squad to select from - the only absentee was John Carpentier with a touch of the flu.

The replacement was Chris Harry at wing back. The opposition are a division lower than the Villagers in the Welsh League but they looked determined and confident in their pre-match warm-up of pulling off a giant killing act.

If luck was going to play a part in the game the visitors must have thought they had a chance as Dinas ripped into them but were thwarted by the woodwork twice in the first ten minutes.

On the first occasion midfielder Anthony Ferguson made progress down the touchline before firing over a firm low cross which evaded everyone except striker Leon Jeanne who hit an angled drive which thumped against the bottom of the upright.

It was Jeanne's striking partner Gareth Hemmens who was then the wrong side of lady luck. Midfielder Leigh Vick hit a superb 50 yard pass which was controlled and flicked on in an instant by Jeanne, but Hemmens first time chip hit the crossbar.

On the quarter Dinas found the net not the wood to take a deserved lead. Good interplay between Hemmens and Vick left Jeanne in acres of space and he duly fired the ball home. Surprisingly the floodgates didn't open as the visitors fought a determined rearguard action.

It took Dinas another 20 minutes before they increased their lead. This time it was a solo effort from Hemmens who beat a defender before side-footing into the corner of the net.

Just after the break the game was safe. It was Jeanne again who caused the visitors defence a headache with a fine individual goal. The midfield got in on the scoring act and on the hour a deep corner from Ferguson found Lloyd Davies on the far post, and he headed into the roof of the net for the fourth.

It was time for Manager Price to ring the changes with Spencer Lamb, Peter Lewis and Lee Piotreski coming on as substitutes.

Dinas went nap ten minutes before the end, and Jeanne was involved again. He broke clear on the left, drew the keeper and passed inside to Lewis who finished the move off in style. Porthcawl scored a consolation goal just before the end.

The verdict back at the club's HQ, the Star, was that it was a solid display against gallant opposition, and it was a contented squad which settled down to watch Wales gain a massive draw against the mighty Russians.

The Supporters Club nominated Leigh Vick as their man of the match. The team is on their travels this Saturday visiting Coychurch Road to play Bridgend Town.

The Seconds, who are top of the Reserve Welsh League, did not have a game last week. This Saturday they have an interesting fixture hosting Chepstow at the Murch, ko 2.15pm.