South Wales Senior League Division Two

Cadoxton Barry 2 (Adams) – 1 (Hughes) Garw

THIS game saw two of the heavy weights of Division Two of the South Wales Senior League clash head to head.

Cadoxton Barry would have been well aware of the danger posed by Garw who, earlier in the season, had annihilated them by an 8 -1 score line on their own patch in one of CB's only two defeats of the season to date.

So it was important that they didn't concede early on, as they had in that first game.

But that looked like being a real possibility when, following a promising opening spell for CB, Garw countered with a move down the right. The cross came over to the far post with keeper Harker seeming to be nowhere and an open goal begging. The shot came in. Then, as if out of thin air, the outstretched hand of the keeper appeared to save what had looked like being a certain goal.

CB was now soaking up a good bit of punishment but did manage a counter move down the right which should have given them the lead.

Good play by Morgan saw him square a cross to Weekley to 'score' from the middle of the box. But it was ruled off side.

But Garw continued to press with Harker saving the day for CB on a number of occasions until another great reaction save set up a goalmouth melee out of which Hughes managed to dig the ball and force it over the line from close in.

Cadoxton Barry's forward ventures were now few and far between as Garw tried to close the game out. And it was not until five minutes before half time that Cadoxton Barry mounted any further serious sojourn.

But what a sojourn it was! Morgan pumped a ball forward along the left flank to Weekley who cleverly trapped it with the outside of his foot as a Garw player came bearing down. He won the chase only to see another defender coming into the fray and looking favourite to take the ball from him.

Again Weekley won the chase. He got his body across and ahead of his tormentor to create the space to send in a cross that Adams gratefully accepted before powerfully driving home from the edge of the six yard box. To describe the goal does little justice. The only way to have appreciated its quality was to have seen it.

This lifted Cadoxton Barry, but Garw continued to see more of the ball. However the sides went into the half time break all square.

The second half started with the CB goal under constant siege, Garw earning corner after corner.

In boxing terms CB appeared to be on the ropes. But they were always looking for that one opening, that one lapse of concentration from Garw that would allow them to turn the opposition onto the ropes and break away to deploy the silky skills of the likes of Dawson, Thompson, Morgan and Adams.

But that opportunity was a long time in coming. However, when it did, it was worth waiting every second for. In fact CB had repelled more than 20 minutes worth of constant bombardment before it came.

Dawson won the ball in midfield before executing a diagonal cross to find Thompson. With challenges coming at him from all directions, he danced through the lot to find the narrowest of channels through which to pass to Adams, out square to the right.

The keeper made a brave attempt to get to the shot but Adams' placement was spot on in rounding off a movement which, arguably, matched the quality of the first goal.

With the game now turned on its head Cadoxton Barry embarked on their first prolonged period of pressure.

Determined not to let their visitors off the hook now, CB manager, Adam Harvey, brought Royle on to bolster the defence.

CB were now creating the better opportunities - a Dawson cross finding Thompson whose shot from point blank range was matched by a quality parrying save from the visitor's keeper.

At this stage Cadoxton Barry might have extended their lead, but the Garw defence was resolute in keeping their defeat down to just the one goal.

Although the results of some of the other title contenders went their way, Cadoxton Barry still have to be content with sharing the highest points collection, 39, with St Albans.

However CB has the advantage when it comes to games in hand and goal difference. But other contenders such as Cogan, Penrhiwceiber Cons and Garw have matches in hand on CB.

Keeping Garw out during those 20 minutes of pressure at the start of the second half was crucial to this vital win so great credit must go the CB back line and especially keeper Harker.

Next Saturday Cadoxton Barry faces yet another contender in the shape of Whitchurch. Always a difficult place to get a result, Whichurch forced a 0-0 draw at Bryn-Y-Don earlier in the season, just a week after the 8 - 1 CB defeat at Garw.

Kickoff is at 2 pm in the Whitchurch Hospital grounds.

Vale of Glamorgan League Division One

The Knap 0 - 7 Cadoxton Barry 2nds

Coles 3, Taylor, Larson, Hopkins (Rid), Sheppard

Newly signed 2nds keeper Slowman, had a fine debut, keeping a clean sheet in this comprehensive win over the division's bottom club.

Vale of Glamorgan League Division Two

Airport 2nds 1 - 3 Cadoxton Barry 3rds

Amos 2, Smart (pen)

Amos opened the scoring for the 3rds with a goal direct from a corner before a defensive mix up saw Airport 2nds level things up once more.

CB's second goal also came courtesy of another Amos set piece - this time by way of a well taken free kick.

The wall split to see the surprised keeper's dive coming too late, the ball going beneath and beyond him before he hit the turf.

And the goal that wrapped things up came via a well executed penalty from Smart after Wells had been tripped in the box.

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