SULLY SPORTS 10

FAIRWATER FC 3

WITH Saturday's South Wales Senior Soccer League clash switched to Sully after the Popular Park venue in Fairwater was deemed unplayable, the hosts boosted their First Division title hopes with an emphatic victory.

The Swanbridge pitch was quite soft but in good condition thanks to the hard work of the ground staff, and the Cardiff team started well with some dangerous raids and took a tenth-minute lead when some sloppy defensive play was punished with an opportunist shot.

Sully fought back and, after Gareth Hemmens broke through the visitors' defence to finish well for the equaliser, Alex Long outpaced his marker and rounded the 'keeper to put Sports in front.

The pattern of Sully attacks and some desperate defending continued until half-time, with Fairwater happy with their first-half performance.

Manager Jim Blackie used the interval to express his disappointment with Sully's first-half performance and was given an immediate response when a flowing move involving strikers Long and Dan Lawlor ended with a goal for the latter. However, Fairwater hit back again with their second goal. Anthony Ferguson restored Sports' two-goal advantage before Fairwater again caught the home side's attack-minded defence upfield.

Keeping positive, Sports stepped up the pace and Ferguson increased the lead before Long and Lawlor also notched their second goals. Fairwater's inactivity over recent weeks started to tell and Sully substitute Garon Davies entered the fray and made his mark with a quickfire hat-trick, the third of which was a stunning volley.

This was a decent performance by Sports but they know that they will have to be a lot tighter in the games to come.

Sports currently lie in fourth spot, nine points behind leaders Cornelly United but with four games in hand.

This Saturday Sports make the long trip to Brecon and will meet at Lidl at 11.30am.

After weeks of inactivity, Sports' Vale League side hope to play a Supporters' Cup game against Wenvoe at Sully this Saturday; meet at Swanbridge at 1pm.

Sully Ladies bowed out of their cup competition at the quarter-final stage, going down to a much fancied Cwmbran. This Sunday the side entertain Vale Ladies; kick-off 2pm.