Cadoxton Barry 2 - Sansome (2)

Aber Valley 1 - Thornton

FOR the second match in a row Ricky Sansome scored in the final seconds of added time for Cadoxton Barry FC.

Two weeks ago against Whitchurch, Sansome had reduced a 2 - 0 deficit to 2 - 1 directly from a free kick in the second minute of added time before getting on to the end of a Sam Adamson free kick to save a point with just seconds of the fifth and final minute of added time left.

Yet, last Saturday, against Aber Valley, he went one better by scoring a stunning winner from a free kick awarded when, yet again, the seconds of the final minute were counting down.

The starting whistle saw Aber go immediately onto the offensive whilst Cadoxton Barry struggled to find any rhythm. So it was a bit of a surprise and very much against the run of play when Cadoxton Barry scored from their first attack in the third minute.

Dawson and Oaten combined to win the ball in midfield to allow the latter to place an excellent cross to the right and into the path of Sansome. Spotting the 'keeper coming well forward in an attempt to narrow the angle, Sansome lifted the ball accurately over the top of the 'keeper to see it nestle nicely in the far left hand corner of the visitors' net.

But the goal failed to quell Aber's forward surge, pegging Cadoxton Barry back in their own half for lengthy periods. Thus, it was no surprise when they equalised just five minutes later, a high ball into the inner box being headed home by Thornton after scramble in the sandy zone.

Aber continued to do more of the pressing, but Cadoxton Barry were now going forward more often.

Harris-Raffel did well in bringing down a high ball, but it just went out of play from a challenge on him. Receiving the throw in, he fired just wide of the far post.

But Aber continued to get the better of the exchanges until shortly before half-time when Cadoxton Barry began to show, for the first time, that they were truly capable of coming out of their shells. Indeed they looked the stronger outfit as the half-time whistle blew.

Cadoxton Barry continued from where they had left off as they went into the second half.

But Aber still looked dangerous on the break as 'keeper Warner twice saved Cadoxton Barry in the space of a minute - firstly with a great block on the front edge of the box as a forward bore down in a one-on-one situation and then, coming out to narrow the angle, he executed another leg block close to the left edge of his box.

But Cadoxton Barry were stringing together some neat little passing moves - Thompson at the centre of many of them.

Then, following an excellent shift, he made way for Berry in the 60th minute. He continued the good work, blocking a clearance which fell to Jackhontaw who, in turn, found Oaten. But his dangerous looking cross had just drifted out of play.

Although Cadoxton Barry were doing most of the attacking it was interspersed by a couple of dangerous looking Aber Valley breaks - one looking destined to end in a goal, but the final shot was sliced high, wide and handsome.

Back at the other end Sansome turned and fired in one motion to see a shot go just wide of the left post.

However, with the referee indicating four minutes of added time Cadoxton Barry just couldn't convert their superiority into a goal. As the last of those four minutes ticked over all supporters and, probably most players, appeared resigned to dropping two home points. But not 10-second man, Sansome.

In the final seconds of that last minute Cadoxton Barry were awarded a free kick just a yard outside the box towards its left side.

Stepping up to the task, and taking virtually the last kick of the match, he struck with such tremendous top spin that, having flown over the heads of the men in the wall, the ball dipped as though the earth had trebled its gravitational pull to end up in the left side of the net while the 'keeper remained rooted to the centre of his line.

It was a free kick of the highest quality, and coming just in the nick of time.

Next Saturday Cadoxton Barry take to the road when bottom club Cwmbach Royal Stars will be their hosts in a 2.30pm kick-off.