Back-to-back wins for CB 2nds (From Barry And District News)

Back-to-back wins for CB 2nds

8:10am Thursday 17th January 2013 in Sport

COGAN CORONATION 0 CADOXTON BARRY 2

THE CB First Division squad was missing three of the previous week’s players - the goalkeeper, a striker and penalty-scorer Matthew ‘Wurzel’ Bradley. Having had his goal wrongly attributed to Gareth Fiddler, it is possible that there is some truth in a rumour about Harry Redknapp being interested.

Karl Steel’s reappearance was no rumour and, with his two-month absence allowing his hair and his waistline to grow in equal measure, he was on the bench. Beside him sat last week’s ’wonder goal’ scorer Amos Geary and first-team leading scorer Ross Weekley.

The last-named was a late call-up, along with 'keeper Shaun ’Edu’ Harker and club captain Chris Barnett. They were available due to the damaged state of pitch number one at Bryn-y-don.

The first team now lag up to seven matches behind several sides in the South Wales Senior League, including the likes of Fairwater who play on a pitch available to the world and his brother - and his numerous dogs. Why a simple problem cannot be dealt with continues to mystify the writer.

Some may have mocked Fiddler for netting only one of what seemed a score of chances last week, but most will agree that natural goalscorers have the happy knack of being in the right place at the critical moment. Significant, therefore, that the first two shots on target came from Mr Fiddler.

After seven minutes, he reacted fastest after a corner, and only a desperate lunging block on the line delayed the opener. He had similar luck a minute later, and then full-back ’Nonny’ fed Barnett whose snap shot skimmed the crossbar. Chris, troubled by niggling injuries over the past year or so, was starting his first game since August, but when he burst past two defenders and into the box, it was shades of the old ‘Barney.’

A deflection prevented a dream start. It was fully 10 minutes before the next bit of excitement, with Scott Christoforato sending in a free-kick and preparing to celebrate. A defender popped up on the line to head clear.

With several skilful, experienced players in their ranks, the home side had begun to find a second wind, stifle the Barry attacks and start to push forward with purpose. The CB back four had been completely comfortable for the first 20 minutes, and their composure had allowed the team to play some very attractive stuff.

Cogan’s first shot on target came after 25 minutes, ’Edu’ producing a cracking full-length save to illustrate why he had taken over the first-team jersey. Now fully awake, he was happy to see another long-range shot whistle over the top, and he breathed a sigh of relief when an ambitious overhead kick slipped past a post.

Some of the CB side had possibly gone into hibernation, but the final 10 minutes of the half saw a flurry of activity at both ends. ‘Edu’ made a regulation save, ’Blockhead’ sent a free-kick just past after Barnett had been chopped down, and an almighty scramble in the away goal came to nothing.

Steel made his entrance at half-time and, within a minute, had given ‘Ato’ the chance to try another 25-yarder. It clipped the post and stung Cogan into action; a shot went wide, and then a free-kick was net-bound until ‘Edu’ clawed it to safety. When the resultant corner was swung in, he ended up gloomily picking the ball out of the net.

He brightened up when eagle-eyed referee Mark Bright indicated that the scorer had obstructed the keeper. Shortly afterwards, Geary came on just as Cogan had conceded a free kick out wide. Geary couldn’t quite get on the end of it, but the ball eventually fell to ’Ato’ some 25 yards out. Again he tried his luck and third time lucky it was as the 'keeper allowed the ball to squirm through his fingers for the opening goal.

Barnett had enjoyed his comeback, holding the ball up well and winning numerous headers. His replacement, Weekley, has never intentionally headed a ball but there is no substitute for pace, and this substitute has it in abundance. So it was that ’He who knows’ advised the ref to write down: “2nd goal for CB - R Weekley.”

Thirty seconds later and his pen was out after the striker had outstripped the Cogan defence, rounded the 'keeper and done what he does best - 2-0 and CB were in cruise mode.

With the conditions soon beginning to take their toll, the action slowed down. Cogan, urged on by veteran Dave Murray, began to enjoy a period of ascendancy. It was a breakaway, therefore, that gave Weekley the chance to fire in a powerfully struck overhead kick which was magnificently tipped over by the home 'keeper.

At the other end, ’Edu’ was kept warm, palming away another free kick before clutching a shot when a bit of sloppy defending had crept in. As the match drew to a close, Cogan players were wandering around muttering, “Your keeper is saving everything.” “That’s what I’m there for,” says he.

Best for Cogan were Murray and “No 7".

Apart from ’Edu,’ ’Ato’ caught the eye and Charles Davies was mighty impressive. Manager Ross ’Panto’ Matthews can be well pleased with his substitutions, the overall display and back-to-back victories.