Llanrumney Utd 1 - Cadoxton Barry FC 1 (Dawson)

A STAGGERING 15 members of the 1st team pool were unavailable for this game so Cadoxton Barry were grateful to the 2nd team players who stepped into the breach to help pull off a more than creditable draw against the side from Alliance League Division Two.

Llanrumney went straight into attack mode against a gallant Cadoxton Barry scratch side, a shot from the middle of the box being well held by 'keeper Harker. Only seconds later a vicious drive from the left went just over the CB bar.

CB's first serious foray forward started with a run down the flank from Thompson who managed to find Oaten beyond the far post. His dangerous looking cross in was only just intercepted by a Llanrumney defender.

Going forward again CB were awarded a penalty, though it was difficult to see why to the naked eye - one of many strange interventions by the referee. Oaten stepped up for the spot kick to see his well struck shot low to the left being very well saved by the home 'keeper.

But Llanrumney were still doing more of the pressing, though a long ball from the back did look slightly off side as the forward ran on to it before scoring with a quality shot in the 25th minute. CB were conceding a lot of free kicks around the edge of the box and there were sighs of relief when one of them grazed the top of the cross bar.

But even though Llanrumney were seeing more of the ball, Cadoxton Barry looked very capable of scoring when they did go forward, good approach work from Oaten seeing Llanrumney relieved to see the shot cleared for a corner.

However Thompson's ball in saw the 'keeper rising well to claim. But with Cadoxton Barry getting more and more into the game Sansom was brought down around four yards beyond the middle of the box in the 40th minute.

With no Konten to do the honours, it was Dawson who stepped up to take the kick. It had the bend and it had the dip to see it sailing into the net over the head of the 'keeper but under the bar. The equaliser seemed to lift the CB players who had the better of the remaining five minutes to half-time without being able to add to their tally.

The second half started with Llanrunmey looking to be in the process of doubling their lead as Harker found himself in a one-on-one with an opposition forward. He dummied to shoot to the left before checking and firing to the right.

Harker was already diving in the wrong direction when he realised he had taken the wrong option. But somehow, although he was going away from the ball, he managed a save with a trailing leg.

Fiddler replaced Sansom in the 55th minute whilst Llanrumney were still seeing the greater share of the ball and earning a series of corners in the process. But solid defending, particularly from Adams, saw that Llanrumney didn't turn them into goals - though they did have the ball in the net on one occasion.

However it was ruled out because the ball had run out of play during the build-up. A goal bound Llanrumney header was cleared off the line by Adams with a scissor kick.

Cadoxton Barry went on to create some late half chances, though the final outcome always looked like being the draw that it turned out to be. But applause has to go to the CB guys that managed to turn out on the day for a resolute performance that belied the lower levels at which many of them normally play.

Next Saturday the league season starts with an away fixture for Cadoxton Barry when they take the short trip to Cornelly United, a side that was relegated from the Premier Division at the end of last season. Kick-off 2pm.

Looking further ahead, Ground Hoppers UK have decided to descend on the South Wales Alliance League over the August Bank Holiday Weekend. Cadoxton Barry versus Cogan Coronation, kicking-off on the Monday at 5pm, will be the last of 11 games that the Hoppers will catch between Friday, August 27 and Monday, August 29.