South Wales Alliance League Division One

Fochriw 2 - Cadoxton Barry FC 3 (Travell, Oaten, Adams)

WHILST some parts of South Wales got away fairly lightly, it seemed that the latest storm had decided to focus all its wrath on the little former mining village of Fochriw. The wind and horizontal icy rain battered the players to the core while rendering the playing surface into something akin to an ice rink.

Playing the first half with the forces at their back, Cadoxton Barry FC might have made more of this advantage than they initially did. It is true that they did have the greater share of the possession, but a combination of the playing conditions and the taking of some wrong options saw them taking longer to stamp their authority on the game than they might have in less wild conditions.

Oaten did find the net in the first minute, though it was ruled to be offside. Following that escape, Fochriw did well to get the ball forward against the unrelenting elements, its sudden changes in strength and direction causing the CB defence a few problems.

After a short spell of action in their own half, the visitors broke forward down the left where, just inside the opposition half, an infringement earned CB a free kick. Travell stepped up and, using the elements to assist, struck home from fully 40 yards with a shot that rode the wind before dipping in at the far post beyond the reach of the 'keeper for an outstanding goal.

It was a lead that CB were to hold for just 15 minutes as, with 25 minutes on the clock, they conceded a free kick just beyond the box and slightly to the right. It was struck along the ground with only modest strength, but it's direction was wide enough from Harker for it to roll gently over the line and level things up.

With both sides taking time to adapt to the severe conditions play was scrappy, players being unable to turn quickly and often slipping from the slightest of physical contacts. And CB did have a scare when Fochriw attacked down the left.

With the challenge beaten, there was only Harker to circumnavigate. The cleverly bent shot came in, but, disappointingly for Fochriw, came in just wide of the far post.

A long CB goal kick, assisted by the elements could only be helped on by the defender’s header and Oaten was quick to take control of the loose ball. His shot was well saved by the 'keeper, though he was unable to hold on to the slippery ball and although it had been pushed wide, Oaten remained on hand to bury the rebound from the acute angle.

Shortly after, the injured Curran was forced to make way for Beattie - CB's second substitution. A Fochriw corner came to ground in the middle of the box and the quality drive that resulted was matched by an equally good diving save from Harker to preserve the CB lead at the half-way mark.

With the forces now in their faces one might have wondered whether the single goal lead was going to be enough for Cadoxton Barry. There had been talk of an abandonment at half-time and I don't think the players of either side would have objected because the elements were so cruel.

Indeed, two CB players were so numbed that they were unable to return to the field for the start of the second half. The use of CB's final substitute, Shackel, saw them start with 10 men, but the brave Travell eventually returned to see them with a full compliment once more.

Although it didn't seem possible, conditions had actually worsened during the break, making it hard to stand up, let alone play football. But the show had to go on and, amazingly CB were far from under the pressure that might have been expected given the gale that was in their face - indeed they had the edge in the possession stakes.

Even so they had to be vigilant when Fochriw came forward, the wind being capable of playing all sorts of tricks with incoming balls and this was demonstrated to CB's cost when Harker was unable to hold onto a ball whipped in from the left. It just crossed the line after he had parried it against the near post, levelling things up for the hosts for a second time.

Cadoxton Barry came back at Fochriw as a through ball found Dawson who beat off a challenge before curling in a shot from 20 yards that grazed the outside of the hosts' right post. Against all the odds CB were now well on top, but, with the elements behind the hosts, it would take only a fine error of judgment for them to concede a losing goal - so they had to be very careful.

However, justice was done when, with just three minutes of normal time remaining, a build up down the left saw Harris chip across to Dawson to execute an exquisite flick on with the outside of his boot into the path of Adams who made no mistake with his finish. Spectators might have wondered where the eight minutes of added time came from, though it was mostly spent in the Fochriw half, seeing CB home as worthy winners.

However, credit must go to both sets of players for seeing the game through to the "bitter" end in the most horrendous conditions imaginable.

Next Saturday Cadoxton Barry entertain Cwmbach Royal Stars at Bryn-Y-Don in a 2pm start. By then, however, they will have played Cogan Coronation on Wednesday, March 30 in a 6.15pm kick off at Bryn-Y-Don.

In Division One of the Vale of Glamorgan League Cadoxton Barry 2nds gained a good away 2 – 3 win over Airport 2nds.