SOUTH Wales Senior League Division Two

Penrhiwcieber Cons 1 - 4 Cadoxton Barry FC

Stokes Weekley, Oaten, Thompson and Steel

Penrhiwcieber had lost just one league match to this point in the season, so, apart from the previous week's cup match at Brecon, this was expected to be CB's biggest test of the season to date.

The sun disappeared behind the towering hill that overlooks Penrhiwcieber's ground a good 10 minutes before kickoff time to encompass the pitch in a gloom that was made even worse by the bitter cold. And things looked even more gloomy for CB before the kick off when Beatty, who had rested his knee since picking up an injury in the Bruty Cup match the previous week, had to withdraw from the named starting line up when the warm-up revealed that his knee was not yet up to it. Hence, Dawson, named as a sub, actually started.

The first five minutes saw CB off to a flyer as Oaten found himself in a one on one with the advancing keeper. He might have fired, but elected to cross to the incoming Weekley. Unfortunately, the pass was way off target.

Eventually Penrhiwcieber began to play their way into the game and for a while CB were forced to depend on an expertly deployed off side trap to keep the home side at bay. A clever little back heel from Thomas then set up an opportunity for Pen which went just wide of the left upright.

Meanwhile CB continued to create chances and it was one that was initiated by Adams with a run down the wing that saw him find Oaten just inside. He then crossed to the incoming Weekley who made no mistake from the left side of the box.

This 35th minute CB goal triggered a spell of Penrhiwcieber pressure with Adams doing very well to cut out a cross that had danger written all over it. Then a Pen free kick from the left found a wing man who crossed and found a target man. But the shot was just wide. Pen continued to press up to the half time whistle, but the score remained 1 - 0 in CB's favour.

The second half started as had the first, with Oaten finding himself in a one on one with the home keeper. But this time he took a touch too many, to allow the keeper to claim the ball at his feet. But it wasn't long before Oaten did get his name on the score sheet. A misplaced pass across the back was intercepted by Thompson before crossing for Oaten to finish with a well placed shot.

Barnet had been struggling following a knock early in the match and by the hour mark he was really tightening up. This left manager Adam Harvey with no other option than to replace him with goalie substitute, Matthew Warner, who took a place in the middle of the back line.

For a spell CB were under intense pressure as they played on with 10 men - Williams having to leave the field following treatment for a badly bruised and grazed knee. And then it was keeper Harker who was on the ground receiving treatment following an unavoidable clash of bodies.

Eventually, however, CB did manage to break forward from their deeply held defensive position to see Weekley gather following a Warner clearance. And his cross from the right found Thompson to make no mistake from the far side of the six yard box. Penrhiwcieber had hardly begun to digest the fact that they had conceded a third following a period of such intensive pressure before they found themselves four down.

A quality team passing move found Thompson whose shot rebounded back into play some three yards out from the far post where Steel was well positioned to add the finishing touch - though it took a couple of stabs to make sure.

But that wasn't totally game over as far as the home side were concerned for the bruise that Williams had received earlier had all but immobilised him and he needed to come off, even though CB had no replacement. So for a further 10 minutes Cadoxton Barry was forced to battle on with just 10 men. Once again the pressure built but it was all hands to deck as all but keeper Harker stepped up to the task of preserving the winning scoreline - Dawson in particular being found in the right place at the right time to make crucial clearances.

With seconds left Penrhiwcieber did eventually manage to gain some solace. And it was, indeed, a very good goal from the head of Stokes from a well taken Evans corner that was whipped in towards the near upright. But it didn't matter as the referee's whistle blew soon after to herald an unlikely CB away victory over one of the, hitherto and ongoing, title favourites.

A special vote of thanks goes to Mr Martin Williams for one of the best refereeing performances that has been seen in a long while.

Next Saturday Cadoxton Barry return to Bryn-Y-Don where they will entertain another side that is involved in the chase for a top finish in order maximise their status in the new South Wales Football Alliance which starts next season. Ynyshir and Cadoxton Barry fought out a 5 - 5 draw at the Ynyshir Oval earlier in the year, so, for those who like to see the goals going in, a trip to Bryn-Y-Don could be a good option. Kick off at 2pm.