CADOXTON FC 0 UWIC 1

WELSH League Division Three UWIC, a former Welsh Premier club and last season's Welsh Cup quarter-finalists are, arguably, one of the strongest sides Cadoxton Barry FC have faced since the merger of Cadoxton Cons and Barry FC just over two seasons ago.

That they came out of this hectic and high-paced Welsh Cup First Qualifying Round with their heads held high says much for the spirit at the club following last season's relegation.

Early UWIC pressure culminated with a mid-range shot that hit the bar, and CB's first real chance came on 15 minutes when Baker chased a long ball out of defence only to be pipped at the post by 'keeper Chris Williams. Shortly after, good work from Christopherato earned a free kick which Williams did well to punch clear.

For CB, Walsh had suffered an injury early in the proceedings and though he tried to limp on, eventually he had to be replaced by Ben Stait.

Though UWIC still had the edge possession wise, CB were beginning to create more chances as Christopherato sent over a teasing cross which was eventually cleared after some difficulty. Then, as the half time whistle was about to blow Williams did well to tip another Christopherato effort over his bar.

A promising start to the second half saw Weekley make a good run down the right. With Baker in a seemingly good position to score, he cut it back towards him, but Baker was just that half yard too far advanced to create a clear-cut shot.

Back came UWIC as a spell of pressure earned a penalty for shirt tugging. If the penalty kick was taken in text book manner - crisp, low and hard towards the inside of the left post - Lee Norris' reaction was text book plus, as a stretching dive to his right saw him execute a brilliant save.

CB were really well in the match now and began to believe in themselves and the possibility that they could be on the verge of creating a cup upset as a Chris Barnet free kick was headed marginally wide by Baker. And a possible upset remained on the cards until just 15 minutes from the end.

A lack of communication between defenders and 'keeper saw Norris palm an off-target cross-cum-shot out of play for a corner from which UWIC captain Tom Bowen was able to head home from close range.

One might have expected CB heads to drop at this stage of a game that was being played at a faster pace than they might have been used to, but they were having none of it as, more and more, CB began to play off the front foot - an overhead scissor kick bringing another good save out of Williams.

Time was beginning to run out when a real chance of forcing extra time came CB's way. Fiddler found himself clear towards the right of midfield and perhaps chose the wrong option when he passed out wide to his right while three attackers were bearing down on the UWIC goal to his left - a difficult decision to make in the twinkling of an eye.

However, to go out of the competition to a club of this calibre by the only goal of the match speaks volumes for the CB players and the league in which they play.

This Saturday Cadoxton Barry are once again in cup action at Jenner Park. This time it is the FAW Trophy and the visitors are the Llanelli suburb side Dafen, who play in the Carmarthenshire League. Kick off is at 2.30pm.