Sully Sports 3 Cwm Welfare 0 (From Barry And District News)

Sully Sports 3 Cwm Welfare 0

5:40pm Thursday 14th March 2013 in Sport

THE top two teams in the First Division of the South Wales Senior Soccer League met at Swanbridge on Saturday, with the pitch on the soft side after recent rain.

Sports faced the slope in the first half, with Cwm needing to win the game to put pressure on the tabletopping home side.

Starting brightly, Sports’ Fowler and Long created early problems for the visitors and, after a few nearmisses, Gareth Hemmens found space and centred before a Cwm defender handled.

Alex Long confidently scored from the spot.

Sports’ defence settled in well and dealt with the Cwm forwards with ease, Lee Piotrowski, making his full debut in midfield, formed a good understanding with Garon Davies and Liam Beddard.

Sports went further ahead when Hemmens found space and beat the ’keeper at his near post. The second half, with Cwm coming out firing on all cylinders, brought a busier period for the Sully defence but, with Beddard like a rock, Sports continued to attack the Cwm back four.

Paul Light burst through with a great run from defence,e only to shoot against the ‘keeper’s legs.

The third telling goal, after good work from Fowler and Long, saw Hemmens chase a through ball and, with the ‘keeper making a hash of the clearance, he pounced.

The midfield battle gradually saw a frustrated Cwm tackling a bit stronger and, after a foul on Piotrowski went unpunished, the two players clashed. Both were cautioned but, within minutes, the Sports player received his marching orders for a high clearance which, unfortunately, caught the player.

Still creating the better chances, Sully held out for the last half hour for a very good win over a Cwm team who, in all honesty, were disappointing on the day.

This Saturday Sports are in cup action with a local derby against Rhoose at Cwm Welfare’s ground in Beddau. With a backlog of fixtures, the semi-final is a bit of a distraction to Sports’ main aim of retaining the senior league title. However, the team are looking forward to a classic with a number of former teammates.

It should be interesting.

The team will meet at 12 noon at Lidl.

In the First Division of the Vale of Glamorgan League, a weakened Sports’ side slipped to a 3-2 defeat to the Ship. Both Sports’ goals in a hard-fought game came from Vincent Kharbachi.