South Wales Alliance League Division One

Porthcawl Town Athletic 0 - Cadoxton Barry FC 4

(CB scorers: Samsome, Weekley, Thompson, Berry)

IT IS unusual for sides to have met twice in any league by September 3, so this game offered Cadoxton Barry the opportunity to chalk up what might be one of the earliest season doubles at any level ever.

With a south-westerly driving rain into the back of an ill-placed, though well populated stand, Cadoxton Barry started playing towards the right where they had a margin of help from the wind. It was a promising start with Morgan regularly switching play with long accurate balls from right to left where Konten was usually on hand to make runs into the Porthcawl box from the left.

But after a slow start, Porthcawl began to lift their game, seeing the right winger taking advantage of some casual defending to set-up a one-on-one with Carpenter in the CB goal. Alert to the situation however, Carpenter came forward to narrow the angle before leaping high into the air to pull off a fine save.

Another pin point cross field pass from Morgan to Konten ended with the latter's cross seeing Oaten stooping low to head just wide of the far post. Then, with the strong wind playing all sorts of tricks, Porthcawl almost took a lead as a corner dipped to curl out only just over the CB bar.

CB continued to enjoy the larger share of possession and earned a corner just beyond the half hour mark. Following a couple of challenges, the ball eventually found Sansome in centre field, some three yards outside the box.

With a crowded zone between him and the line, his chances looked low until his shot took a minuscule and barely noticeable nick from Dawson to see it home.

A comfortable win for CB soon looked on the cards when Oaten did well to intercept a goal clearance before crossing to Weekley to the left of the penalty area. It looked like chance might be squandered when he decided to take a second touch before firing, but he was just fast enough to stroke the ball home before the 'keeper was able to recover position.

The second half started quietly until Thompson - on in place of Walsh - almost scored with his first touch, but his shot was straight at the 'keeper. However, Porthcawl were almost back in the game when a wind-assisted long range shot was only just wide of the CB upright.

With the wind now marginally assisting them, the home side were seeing more of the ball than they had during the earlier stages, one shot grazing a CB post before going to safety. But Porthcawl's high line left them vulnerable to the counter attack, and CB took advantage in the 75th minute when substitute Berry received a well won ball from Morgan.

He was in a position which might have brought a goal but, unselfishly, aware of Thompson, in slightly better position to his right, he passed and Thompson did the rest. Soon after Donnelly made his debut when he came on in place of Konten.

A Harris shot was only just wide as CB broke following a short spell of Porthcawl pressure. But it was Berry who was back in the midst of the action when Morgan once again won valuable possession to feed him.

Berry's chances didn't look great as the 'keeper came forward to narrow the angle. But he waited until the 'keeper made a commitment before firing to see the ball fly home through the 'keeper's legs to round off a very polished Cadoxton Barry performance.

Next Saturday Cadoxton Barry are scheduled to meet yet another side for the second time during this early part of the season when Cwmaman are due to visit Bryn-Y-Don. However, their home FAW Trophy match was called off last Saturday and, as the cup games take precedence over the league, it might be that a fixture change could be on the cards. Visit the South Wales Alliance website for up to date details.