Cadoxton Barry FC 4 - Cardiff Draconians 3

(Scorers: Oaten, Morgan, Sansome, Thompson)

CADOXTON Barry FC enacted their own special version of a 'sting', coming back from the dead to regain a little of the bragging rites in an eight goal turnaround from the 9 - 2 defeat of two weeks prior at the hands of the Cardiff Draconians.

Early exchanges were fairly even, but the Dracs did see one shot bounce off the top of the Cadoxton Barry bar after just 10 minutes. Then Walsh set Weekley up with a long ball down the left, the visiting 'keeper just managing to smother the resultant shot.

From this point the Dracs began a gradual build-up of pressure. But that was all disrupted in the 13th minute when a misplaced Dracs clearance was trapped and returned with devastating interest by Oaten to leave the 'keeper no chance from more than 20 yards out.

The Dracs went forward from the restart and a slow-to-react CB defence saw a low shot coming at them, Donnelly doing well to clear it off the line.

Then Morgan won a ball high on the right. He tracked a diagonal path forward towards the left, fending off three tackles en route before a quick exchange of passes with Konten saw Morgan finish with an exquisite shot from a wide angle on the left.

For a short spell CB were having the better of the exchanges, a Harris pass setting up Konten, though the shot was straight at the 'keeper. But by half-time the Dracs were once again doing the greater amount of pressing.

The second half started in the same vein as Walsh was forced into a goal line clearance. The return shot looked goal bound but Harker managed a superb punch to see the ball over the bar whilst clattering Walsh to the floor in the process.

By the 55th minute the relentless pressure forced CB into conceding a penalty which was confidently converted high to Harker's left. There was more bad news for CB five minutes later as an Oaten ankle injury saw him leave the field to be replaced by Thompson.

A Drac long ball out from the back cut out all of the CB defence to find it's man for a simple tap in finish with Harker on the far side of goal. CB looked totally spent as a strike from the edge of the box struck the CB cross bar.

However, CB did show that they could still be dangerous as, in a breakaway, they had three blasts at goal, the final one an angled shot from Konten which forced the 'keeper into a great save down low to his left.

But back came the Dracs to win three successive corners, the final one of which was gathered by Harker and bowled out to Sansome who was immediately challenged. He lost possession to see the forward weave beyond a couple of challenges before slipping the ball into the net to give the visitors a 3 - 2 lead with just five minutes of normal time left on the clock.

A more experienced side might have settled for the single goal victory, totally exhausted though CB looked. So not realising that there were now two super subs, Thompson and Berry, on field, the mighty and severe Draconians were greedy and wanted more.

In going for the extras Cardiff Dracs opted for a very high line, allowing CB to cut out all but the last of their defences on the break. Taking advantage, Konten set out on a run down the right before crossing to Morgan who used his skill to fend off a couple of challenges before passing into the centre as Sansome came on a charge to drive home an unstoppable shot from just beyond the box with added time approaching.

It was added time that allowed those aforementioned super subs, Berry and Thompson to combine for the coup de grace. Thompson won the ball before targeting Morgan to the left. His chipped cross found Berry who spotted Thompson further to his left with an open goal ahead. Thompson took one touch and CB were back in the lead.

There was still time for a little fracas during the final seconds. Although the referee soon resolved the situation a few people ran on to the pitch - all seeming to try to calm things down.

But after things had calmed there were just a few more seconds before the final whistle blew with Cadoxton Barry FC running out the winners.

This win draws CB level on points with the Dracs at the top of the table. Though the Dracs have the better goal difference, Cadoxton Barry have played one game less.

Next Saturday Cadoxton Barry travel to play Aber Valley in a first time meeting between these two sides. Until 2015 the Abertridwr based team were part of the Aber Valley YMCA structure, but they went their separate ways in that year. Kick-off time is 2.30pm