TONYREFAIL 5

CADOXTON BARRY 5

FIELDING a weaker than usual side, Cadoxton Barry battled well to secure a South Wales Senior Soccer League point from this high-scoring draw at Tonyrefail on Saturday week.

Goals came from Dawson and Weekley (two each) and Thompson.

With Bryn-y-Don passed fit on Friday and a stronger side available, it had been hoped Saturday's reverse fixture against the same opposition would treble the yield of points. However, the match referee arrived to find that there had been an unexpected game on the pitch in the morning, rendering it unplayable for the more senior game. With both sides originally without fixtures for this Saturday, March 15, the league has now pencilled in another attempt to play the game; kick-off 2pm at Bryn-y-Don.

In the First Division of the Vale of Glamorgan League, CB Seconds made the short journey to Cogan where Inter-Penarth were hosts. Pressing during the early stages, CB missed a number of opportunities until Angove showed great control before drilling the ball home.

Seeing a lot more of the ball, Inter failed to create any serious chances in the first half.

Although CB again began the second half on the front foot, there was a spell of jitters when 'keeper Taylor was deceived by the hummocky pitch into popping a gentle clearance into the path of an incoming forward. But, with an empty net, the player scuffed it wide - a real let-off for CB. This was a very busy period for Taylor as, within a further 90 seconds, he pulled off two excellent saves.

Then it was CB's turn to go forward once more and, in one of the raids, a Watkins dipper landed on the upper side of the bar. And, from the 'keeper's goal kick, the ball fell to Rhys Hopkins who took a swipe from 30 yards. It wasn't a clean strike and bounced at least three times on its way towards goal, but, maybe, that's what confused the 'keeper as the ball eventually settled in the back of the net.

Inter weren't about to surrender and, from a well-taken corner, Pembro's header dipped over the outstretched hands of Taylor.

Following substitutions, CB began to dominate possession, with Curtis Searle going off on a couple of mazy runs which had Inter defenders at sixes and sevens. Unfortunately, the taking of the wrong final option meant there was no end product.

However, in the dying minutes, CB wrapped the game up when a delivery from Rhys Hopkins was headed down by Andrews for Watkins to finish.

Although fully deserving the 3-1win, CB were made to work hard and, on a number of occasions, were grateful for some excellent defensive work by Wayne Hopkins.

On Saturday week Cadoxton Barry Thirds were knocked out of the Vale League’s Division Two Cup in very unusual circumstances. With the score tied at the end of both 90 minutes and 120 minutes, it went to penalties. The crucial CB miss, which sent Barry Rovers through, came as an opposition fan performed a ‘mooney’ in the face of the taker as he was about to strike the ball. If there was a chance of him missing, then the fan’s action surely ensured that it was missed.

There were no such excuses for the Thirds on Saturday, however, as Cadoxton Imps deservedly took the Division Two league match spoils 5-3. Wells, Coles and Reilly bagged the CB trio.