South Wales Alliance League Division One

Cadoxton Barry FC 3 (Oaten, Thompson, Konten)

Cornelly United 1

EARLY Premier Division pace makers last season, Cornelly United, are only in this division because a points deduction and a shake down of extra teams coming from the Welsh League saw four sides relegated.

So pre-season punditry would have seen them as hot favourites to make a quick return, and they certainly expected to beat Cadoxton Barry, a side that only secured their place in the league in the very last game of last season.

An early move initiated by Weekley found Jackhontaw via Morgan, Jackhontaw's curler going just wide of the far post. Cornelly retaliated immediately when a thrust down the left ended when a fine drive from that side of the field was met with an equally fine diving save to the right by newly signed CB 'keeper, Carpenter.

Barely a minute later Carpenter was again called upon, this time to tip a shot over the bar.

A pattern to the game was emerging with both sides enjoying extended spells of pressure in turn. With Cornelly taking their turn, Adamson did well to hook a goal bound shot from the line.

Then there was a three minute stoppage while Carpenter received treatment following a clash with a visiting forward as they both raced for the ball.

Then it was CB's turn as Weekley won the ball on the right and crossed to Oaten who was fouled in the box. Weekley's spot kick low to the right saw the 'keeper guessing correctly to dive low in that direction and bring off a fine save to keep the half-time score goalless.

Early in the second half, excellent interplay involving Oaten and Morgan saw the latter's shot bringing an excellent save from the 'keeper as he managed to tip the ball just over the bar. But soon after, the stalemate was broken when Harris Jnr managed to feed a ball through the middle to Morgan whose shot was cleared. It rebounded towards the right where Oaten was on hand to finish from close in.

Then it was Cornelly's turn for a spell of pressure, pressure which culminated with Weekley being adjudged to have fouled in the box. The spot kick came in low to Carpenter's left, but Carpenter was unable to get across and down in time to prevent an equaliser.

Cornelly continued to dominate while the CB defence, in which Harris Snr was a solid rock, repelled with confidence. Indeed Cornelly frustrations manifested themselves in the shape of three yellow cards.

A change of personnel for CB saw Sansom replacing Adams in the 70th minute. An immediate shot from 20 yards by the incoming player wasn't far wide. On this occasion it indicated the start of a period of Cadoxton Barry pressure that wasn't to ease before the final whistle, Cornelly being fortunate that the referee missed a handling of the ball in the box following an Oaten cross.

Thompson replaced Harris Snr with 10 minutes left and just after, Weekley was called upon to clear a shot from the line following a Cornelly breakaway. Then, with five minutes remaining, CB used their final substitute as Berry replaced Jackhontaw who had had an excellent game, probing away at every half opportunity.

A CB corner from the right was taken short and found Adamson whose shot rebounded out to Thompson who needed no second invitation to bury the ball from close to the penalty spot. Though a third CB goal added a fairer reflection of the way the game had gone, it did come in a most unexpected manner.

The Cornelly 'keeper, who had put in a very solid performance up to this point, came forward with ball in hand to the edge of his box in the hope of getting distance as Cornelly went in search of a second equaliser.

But, inexplicably, he sent it straight into the path of Konten who stroked it back in the direction of the unguarded net. The shot wasn't powerful and the ball gently rolled on its way while the 'keeper and defender, realising that they had no chance of reaching it despite the lack of power, could only stand and watch as the ball crept slowly over the line in the final seconds for Cadoxton Barry's third.

Next Saturday Cadoxton take to the road for the first time when their destination is Cwmaman. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Meanwhile, the Alliance League Ground Hopper weekend looms ever closer. This will see up to 200 members of Ground Hopper UK take in 11 South Wales Alliance League matches over the August Bank Holiday Weekend.

The last of these will see Cadoxton Barry take on Cogan in a 5pm kick-off at Bryn-Y-Don.

So if you're one of those people who likes to see a bit of football on a Bank Holiday Monday, why not make a note of it in you diary and help make it one of the biggest ground hop attendances in recent times.

Programmes, refreshments, club memorabilia, polo tops and programme collectors’ stall will all be available.