Cadoxton Barry 4 Max United 2 (From Barry And District News)

Cadoxton Barry 4 Max United 2

10:39am Thursday 7th March 2013 in Sport

CADOXTON BARRY 4 MAX UNITED 2

AN indifferent start to Saturday’s South Wales Senior Soccer League clash from both teams was brought to an end when CB’s Mcinery was upended in the box, only to dust himself down and stylishly convert the penalty.

But, from CB’s angle, the first half was all downhill from there, as they struggled to get the ball into the opposition’s half.

So it was no surprise when, after 25 minutes Jones found himself in space on the right before firing to level things up.

Intending to return a Max clearance, Curran inadvertently headed the ball on towards the CB goal. And it set up a move which saw Jones put the visitors ahead. CB heads seemed to be down and it looked as though it would be only a matter of time before they fell further behind. But thanks to some confident goalkeeping from Harker, CB just about managed to stay in the match up to the half time whistle.

But it was clear that if changes weren’t made soon, CB were going to suffer another shock defeat.

However, the starting line up had other ideas as, with substitutes Blackmore and Harvey both warming up on the touchline, they turned the score around within five minutes of the restart.

A good build up that involved Hurn and Mcinery saw the ball find Weekley who levelled things up once more with an unstoppable drive. And only minutes later, United’s Evans, in trying to intercept a fierce cross from left to right, could only dip it in over the head of his own ‘keeper.

And, as Matt says, there was no looking back for CB. From then on there was only going to be one outcome.

As CB took the game by the scruff of the neck, the only question was, ‘is it going to be a comfortable win?’ or ‘is it going to be a rout?’ Having both put in a good shift, Gavin McKinney and Gareth Fiddler made way for Adam Harvey and Liam Blackmore. With Harker looking solid in goal, the ship now seemed watertight. And this new-found confidence saw CB pressing at every possible opportunity.

However, CB had to be vigilant as Max did look capable of playing on the break - on one occasion forcing Harker into a spectacular diving save.

Back at the other end a rash challenge on Weekley by the visiting ‘keeper should have resulted in a penalty, but, as the referee waved play on, it was Hurn who picked up the loose ball.

And he managed to feed it on to Mcinery.

In the meantime, Weekley, now back in position and in space, was ready for the cross.

In it came and he was able to pick his spot.

Numerous further chances were created as CB pressed for long periods, but a combination of inaccurate finishing and, to their credit, well organised defending, saw Max managing to keep the score within the realms of respectability.

Next Saturday CB get the chance to put the record straight when they entertain Whitchurch, the side that put eight past them just recently.

K.O. at Byrn-Y-Don at 2pm.

●A Joe Hudson hat-trick, plus goals from Todd and Smith, gave CB’s Youth side a comfortable 5-1 win over Thornhill in the South Wales Youth League on Sunday.

●Pressed hard by lowly Island Marine, Cadoxton Barry 3rds retained their unbeaten Vale League Division Two record with a 3-2 win. CB scorers were Hopkins (two) and Joe Hudson. Marine replied with a Byrne goal and an own goal.