CADOXTON BARRY 1

ISLAND MARINE 1

CB THIRDS began the defence of their league title with a new manager and new-look squad and, with no practice matches, the team can be forgiven for spending most of the first half learning names and shaking off the rust.

Their second-half performance was much improved and could and should have brought goals.

The new gaffer isMikey Bobbett, with the veteran midfielder forced to don the gloves with no goalkeepers available. He played 'keeper-sweeper for the first 45 and made one decent save, having no chance with the Marine goal. In the second half, he stayed in his box and produced two top-class saves.

The rest of the team was: Barry Rogers, Paul Averies, Charles Davies, Gary Christoforato, Neil Angovie, Wayne Hopkins, Darren Baker, Mark Christoforato, Amos Geary and Joe Dalton.

Anhcored to the bottom of the table after two defeats, Marine were on top for 25 minutes before CB pushed Davies forward into midfield to act as a foil for Baker and Hopkins, both ball winners. Marine, however, took the lead, with Davies almost bringing CB level shortly afterwards. Davies then set up Baker who smashed home the equaliser.

The second period saw CB start to play as if they knew each other, and strikers Dalton and Geary both went close to scoring.

All in all, it was a well-contested, sporting encounter and well refereed by that master of the whistle, Tony Williams. Both teams would be happy with the point.