Cadoxton Imps 5-3 Cadoxton Barry

THERE was a controversial end to this Vale of Glamorgan League Division One clash.

With ten minutes left, Cadoxton Barry were effectively playing with ten men against a high pressing Imps. Leading 3- 2, they were handling the pressure well, the hosts being restricted to comfortably cleared corners and long range efforts, when Parry bludgeoned his way through and beyond a wall of three tight knit CB defenders to score after it looked as though he might have fouled.

But Cadoxton Barry still had a point to battle for as Ackerman went to clear a ball from the by line. Whilst it clearly ricocheted out of play off the challenging winger's boot, the referee, instead of a goal kick, awarded a corner against the gallant but tiring visitors. Needless to say, Parry was there to stylishly convert the never-should-have-been corner.

If Cadoxton Barry are to be criticised for the engineering of their own defeat, it was the fact that they had more than 11 fit players available though only 11 turned up – maybe a lesson in communications?

Yet they had started so well as, just five minutes in, Yeoman sent a cross over from the left towards Jenkinson out to the right. His first shot was tipped away by Cadoxton Barry youth team coach and Imps' 'keeper, Warner, before Jenkinson again gathered the rebound to guide the ball around the 'keeper to stroke home from a wide angle to.

Perhaps the next incident also played a role in CB contributing to their own downfall as Harvey stretched to make a rash tackle during an Imps offensive. Not only did it result in a free kick to the Imps in a dangerous position just beyond the box, it also saw Harvey needing a lengthy spell of treatment for a twisted knee which he never recovered from. With Harvey forced to leave the field, CB had no substitutes on the bench.

And Imps took immediate advantage to attack down the left before crossing to see makeshift 'keeper and usual outfield player, Porch, pull off a classy diving interception. But the ten men were not deterred as the ball was cleared to Ingham who fed the ball forward to Scott who, in turn, sent over a long cross to Yeoman to strike home with Warner on the opposite side of his goal.

Following further treatment on the sideline and with no bench players available, Harvey hobbled back on the pitch.

Though he was of nuisance value, it effectively saw CB playing out three-quarters of the game with ten men and a bit. Not surprising then, that it was the hosts that enjoyed the majority of possession. However, CB did enjoy the occasional foray forward. And in one of these the ball was pushed across to Jenkinson well out to the right and just inside opposition territory.

He the sent over a perfectly measured cross of some 30 yards as Yeoman ran into the box from the left, to make the perfect headed contact that left Warner no chance.

So with a 3-0 half-time lead, the ten men and a bit men knew that a resolute defensive second half display was going to be needed to hang on to the points. And although two very worthy goals were scored by the home side, CB did look worthy of hanging on to the points.

The first goal of the fight back was headed home by Sansome following a fine cross from the right while the second came when Walsh tried to shield the ball over the bye line for a goal kick. But, unaware of a second player bearing down, he lost possession to see the cross set up a scramble from which the ball was stabbed home by O'Dare to see the Imps' deficit reduced to one.

Then came that spell of contentious refereeing after which Harvey was forced to take leave of the proceedings for the final time.

A fifth Imps' goal from Livingstone did arrive in the shape of a well converted cross.