South Wales Alliance League Division One

Penrhiwceiber Cons 3

Cadoxton Barry FC 3 - Adams 2, Jachontow

CADOXTON Barry arrived to find a Penrhiwceiber pitch sporting long bushy grass that couldn't be cut because of its anaerobic state. Grass growth usually slows right down in winter, but with this winter's ground temperatures often going above the critical five degrees centigrade, there was nothing that could be done.

But the heavy, steady rain that continued to fall didn't dampen CB spirits as they raced into the lead within 60 seconds of the start of the only South Wales Alliance League match to beat the weather.

A long Adams cross from the right looked to be aimed at Dawson, but he let it run through to Jachontow who ran in from the left to score a fine goal.

However, it was a short lived lead, with the home side levelling things up in the seventh minute. They earned a free kick high up on the left side. It landed in unguarded space in the centre of the park before being pushed out to the left where the winger turned his marker to create a one on one with CB 'keeper, Harker. His powerful angled shot won the day to find the far right of the visitors' net.

But this set back didn't immediately lessen CB's determination to go forward at every opportunity as they continued to have the better possession until the 20 minute mark. As time moved on, however, Penrhiwceiber began to show much more determination. Indeed, CB were slightly on the back foot by half-time.

That situation continued into the early stages of the second half. But the goal that gave Penrhiwceiber the lead was disappointing from CB's point of view. A long ball forward saw the receiver looking comfortably offside. Even so, Harker looked to be favourite to clear. But the same player appeared to foul in dispossessing the 'keeper before scoring a goal that was allowed to stand.

However, CB could have no gripes about the hosts' third - a penalty awarded after Dawson fouled in attempting to clear at the base of the right post. So, having struggled for the first 20 minutes of the half, with 25 minutes of the match remaining, CB found themselves with a mountain as high as the one at pitch-side to climb if they were to get anything out of the match.

They showed that they were prepared to give it a go as they gradually started to turn the possession stats back in their favour. Eventually it paid off when a cross into the Penrhiwceiber box was cleared forward only to find Adams ready with a powerful drive back in and on into the net from the edge of the box.

With at least a point in sight, CB continued to press against the side with only two defeats on its record for the season. A point was guaranteed when, with 15 minutes remaining, another cross into their opponent's box was cleared into the path of that man Adams once more. This time his return shot was a dipper which sailed wide towards the right post. Although the 'keeper appeared to get a hand to it, it wasn't enough to prevent it from squeezing home just inside the post.

If there was going to be a winner CB now looked the more likely. But Harker was forced into a top class save as he dived to his left to push a quality Penrhiwceiber drive wide of the right upright. After that CB continued to create a number of promising situations, but the hosts' back four dealt with them well.

CB have now pulled themselves back from the brink to earn 3 - 3 draws in their last two matches - both away. Let’s hope that this never-say-die attitude will soon start to reap three point harvests to ease themselves away from the threat of relegation.

However, next week's action isn't in the league. It is a W John Owen League Cup fixture away to Premier Division Cornelly United. Because of the possibility of extra time the match will kick off at 1.30pm.