Whitchurch AFC 8 Cadoxton Barry FC 2 (From Barry And District News)

Whitchurch AFC 8 Cadoxton Barry FC 2

10:27am Friday 22nd February 2013 in Sport

WHILE the mix ‘n’ match sides of the last four games would have been expected to take this South Wales Senior Soccer League match in their stride, the return of most of the first team regulars meant that a more than comprehensive win might have been on the cards.

The only problem was that the comprehensive Second Division win went in favour of the hosts. And all credit to them as they fully deserved it.

Having said that, had not CB conceded five of the eight goals through unnecessary defensive howlers, they would have still been in with a shout right up to the final whistle.

However, Whitchurch’s first goal was worthy of winning any match - a looping cross from the right to set up a tremendous overhead volley taken from the left side of the box. It gave CB ‘keeper Harker no chance.

Then the howlers started coming thick and fast.

However, there was a very short lived glimmer of hope as, straight from the restart following Whitchurch’s second goal, Barnet spotted the ‘keeper off the line to score with an excellent dipping drive. But, almost immediately, possession was lost in midfield for the home side to restore their two-goal advantage.

Territorially, this was not an entirely one-sided encounter, with headers from Barnet and Baker going close. Then the game seemed to begin to develop a pattern as periods that saw CB creating half chances were interspersed with defensive errors at the back that almost always resulted in the conceding of another goal.

The pattern was broken briefly when a well placed Aiden Lewis free kick was met by the head of substitute Jack Butler at the far post - a quality goal and his first for the first team.

Having said that, Whitchurch did score another two worthy goals that, on both occasions, followed good passing build ups. But, in between, oh those howlers!

Players now need to forget this, and treat it as a mere a blip or the bad day at the office that we’re all entitled to once in a while.

It’s Garw away next Saturday, a chance to muster the forces and gain the win that could infuse new confidence.