South Wales Alliance Division One

Ton and Gelli 2 - Sweet 2 (1 pen)

Cadoxton Barry 1 - Dawson

HIS disappointment with recent results had seen striker Jake Oatten transfer out of the club. Assistant manager Chris Barnet, in charge in the absence of the gaffer, had therefore called second team players, Gareth Fiddler and Ben Eastman up to fill the bench spots.

The early pressure came from the home side. Indeed it took CB a good five minutes to set up a decent attack, but then Dawson battled through numerous challenges before crossing from the left to see Thompson's header finding the arms of the 'keeper.

Dawson then intercepted a Ton pass to run forward before attempting to lob the 'keeper, but it dipped just too late and went over the bar. But back came Ton to get into a good shooting position, though the shot was screwed wide.

CB seemed a little slow in tracking back at this stage, a home forward missing out with only Harker to beat when it would have been easier to score. But with Cadoxton Barry seeming a little fortunate to continue on level terms, a through ball saw Dawson making contact with, while not controlling the ball.

But he won the race for the loose ball to drive home from 10 yards. Ton still looked capable of scoring each time they got near the CB box, one dangerous foray being well cleared by Curran.

Ton were now earning numerous throws and corners with CB only being saved from conceding an equaliser as a result of an off side call. So it was no surprise when Ton and Gelli did get the goal they deserved when Sweet lived up to his name to bend home a sweetly struck free kick from the edge of the penalty area.

Not content to settle for parity at half-time Ton and Gelli continued to go forward at every chance, Curran heading a dangerous ball in for a corner before Harker brought off a fine save from a looping shot at the angle of the cross bar and the left upright.

In contrast to the way they had ended the first half, CB started the second in a very positive mode, Beattie seeing a shot from the right cleared off the line. This was followed by a Curran punt over the top which landed perfectly for Weekley to run on to.

With only the 'keeper to beat he took a dip from three yards outside the box. It looked a certain goal, but the 'keeper had other ideas as he ran two yards forward of his area to charge the goal bound effort down and earn his marching orders in the process.

If ever there was a case of 'taking one for the team' this was it, because the wall made sure that the CB free kick was well smothered to deny the visitors what would otherwise have been a certain goal.

CB took no advantage of the extra man as Ton and Gelli's 10 men turned CB's early second half pressure back in their own favor. Substitutions which saw Steel, Fiddler and Eastman enter the fray did little to quell the home side's enthusiasm, though a shot from Steel was cleared off the line and Eastman's influence on his first team debut saw a little more steadiness at the back.

Indeed, Ton and Gelli's pressure looked like yielding very little as the attacks broke down before shooting opportunities could be made.

But one attack saw the home right wing man running in from that direction and Williams went in with a late challenge which saw the referee point to the spot with no hesitation. The kick was comfortably converted by Sweet to give the home side the lead for the first time.

Only then did CB start to make the numerical advantage tell as an Adamson shot went wide before good play between Eastman and Steel resulted in a cross which saw Dawson fire just over. But all in all, it was too little too late.

Next Saturday Cadoxton Barry are home to Penrhiwcieber Cons Athletic in a 2pm kick off at Bryn-Y-Don.