CADOXTON BARRY 2

SULLY SPORTS 4

HAVING cruised through the previous round of the South Wales Senior Cup despite playing the final hour with 10 men, CB tried the same trick again.

This time, however, the opposition were from a league above and had five very capable subs. CB had only three subs and, strangely, all three had featured at right back this season. So, in terms of game-changing options, Sports looked to have a decided advantage.

The teams were: CB - Davie,Baldock, Bickley, Royle and Walsh; Hopkins, Baker, Blackmore and Thompson; Weekley and Adams. Subs - Christoforato, Matthews and Sam Williams. Sully - Sharratt, Lamb, L James, Curran and Hopkins; Hanlon, Lewis, Beddard and Ogden, Lawlor and Hemmens. Subs - Long, Harding and Garon. Unused - McInery and D James.

Pat Curran, Aiden Lewis and Connor McInery all started 2013 as CB players.

Both CB’s regular wingers were missing, but this allowed others to strut their stuff. Casey Thompson was one example and, sprinting onto a Blackmore pass in the first minute, he fired in a good cross which was scrambled away. The 0-0 scoreline lasted eight minutes, with Sports taking the lead when striker Gareth Hemmens sauntered through.The game swung from end to end and then, eight minutes later, flying winger Luke Hanlon lobbed CB 'keeper Davie.

CB were not firing on all cylinders but worked their way back into the game and, after a Sully defender cleared a Weekley shot off the line, Walsh whipped in a great corner and Thomson’s bullet header reduced the leeway.

Catastrophe struck for CB in the last minute of the half when midfielder Liam Blackmore, booked earlier for a late tackle, received a second yellow and his marching orders and meant the game was pretty much spoiled as a spectacle.

The loss of a man could have triggered a collapse by the home side, but, within half a minute of the restart, it was almost 2-2 when Weekley fed Hopkins and his cross was volleyed just past by Dean Adams. As often happens, the 10 men all upped their game and Sully management, smelling danger, soon introduced top striker Alex Long.

Hanlon soon had a chance to tap in for CB, but somehow screwed his shot wide, and a Weekley snap shot clipped a post.

Sully brought on powerful winger Taylor Harding, and Davie made another brilliant save when a goal looked inevitable. A goal was inevitable, but it came at the other end when Adams sent Thomson clear and he smashed in a low cross which went in off a defender. It was no more than CB deserved, but there were still 20 minutes remaining.

CB were visibly tiring and five subs might have made a difference, but, as it was, the difference was Sully sub Long. With less than quarter of an hour to go, he latched on to a through ball and rounded the 'keeper and then doubled his tally within two minutes with an ‘apologetic’ header. There was still time for Thomson to have a one on one, with the 'keeper blocking his low shot and the follow-up, while Davie dived full-length to tip Long’s hat-trick attempt round a post in the final minute.

All in all, this was fine advert for local football, and CB wish Sports every success in the next round.