Saturday 11 August 2007

Dinas Powys 2, Croesyceiliog 1

Following two wins and two defeats in pre-season games it was time to get down to the real thing with a tough league opener against Croesyceiliog. An influx of new players brought in by Manager Nick Tucker gives real hope of improvements on the field and a high league position by the time the season ends, writes Morley Williams of Dinas Powys FC.

Dinas started the game with plenty of possession and Nathan Hosgood was marginally offside following an astute pass from Geza Hajgato but it was Croesyceiliog who took the lead against the run of play when Mike Pattimore spotted the home keeper off his line and placed his 35 yard free-kick just under the crossbar with the keeper desperately trying to recover.

Within a couple of minutes Dinas almost scored when a corner was played to Dale Gardner and his shot from out on the left hit the angle of crossbar and upright and rebounded to safety. With Dwayne Strong winning the ball in the air Dinas looked dangerous with some good approach play and when Dwayne and Nathan Hosgood linked well it was Dwayne’s shot that was defected for a corner, this was cleared back to him but he shot wide when he should have at least forced the keeper to make a save.

Croesyceiliog had to be content with the odd break, Mike Pattimore’s free-kick was comfortably taken by home keeper Kieron Blackburn and Chris Mills shot wide following a good cross-field pass to him. Dinas went in at half-time still a goal down but having shown plenty of promise for the second half.

Dinas started where they left off in the first-half with Dwayne Strong figuring prominently, he beat a defender and played the ball to the much improved Jason Cowan but he shot narrowly wide, then, Geza Hajgato turned and played a great ball to Dwayne but again the shot went wide. With Kurt Bettles, Chris Ashley, and Phil James looking secure at the back the visitors didn’t look likely to trouble the Dinas keeper but at the other end John Bailey had to save with his feet as a Dale Gardner cross found Nathan Hosgood at the near post.

With an hour gone Manager Nick Tucker decided it was time to introduce the fresh legs of Shelton Payne and Calvin McLaggon. Croesyceiliog were relying more and more on free-kicks for their goal efforts and Kirk Hicks did manage to force a save from the home keeper.

Dinas hit the crossbar for the second time when Nathan Hosgood tried a long range effort but again the ball rebounded to safety. With a Croesy player down with what looked like cramp Dwayne Strong made a good run down the right before finding Shelton Payne free in the area but his attempt was blocked by a defender, further chances went begging with Dwayne Stong and Kurt Bettles heading narrowly over from corners.

Finally with six minutes left Dinas got the equaliser their play deserved, Geza Hajgato again found time and space to play a good pass to Shelton Payne, he beat a couple of defenders on a typical mazy run before placing the ball wide of the keeper.

The home side were not content to sit back and take the draw, they pressed forward searching for the winner and in the last minute, following a throw, Shelton Payne again weaved his way into the penalty area and was brought down by the keeper the penalty duly converted by Geza Hajgato for a deserved win against a well organised side.

SEASON 2006-07

Saturday 5 May 2007

Dinas Powys 0 - 5 Taffs Well

Another poor performance from a Dinas’ side sapped of confidence over the last few matches, with nothing going right for the home side. Taffs Well took their chances well scoring at the right time against a side depleted by injury.

The home side could not cope with Taffs Well’s three man forward line and conceded two goals in the first eight minutes, the first coming from a swift break down the left side with the low cross converted by the unmarked Barry Gunstone. The second came following a free-kick initially cleared but played back in to Steve Edwards to score.

Dinas managed to get more possession during the first-half but in contrast their forward line looked punchless and it was Taffs Well who increased their lead on the stroke of half-time when a free-kick was played into the six yard box and Gavin Bennett scored from close range to send them in with a comfortable three goal lead.

In the second half Dinas were able to gain a little more possession and began to pass the ball well without threatening the visitors goal. But once again it was Taffs Well who showed how it should be done with a further two goals in as many minutes, the first came from a corner played to the near post, the ball ricocheted off a defender before a Taffs Well boot got the final touch the second came when a bad back pass put the Dinas' keeper in all sorts of trouble, he could only clear the ball to Barry Gunstone who was able to round the keeper and walk the ball into the net.

Thankfully that was the end of the scoring with the only Dinas player coming out of this game, and many others this season, with any credibility being defender Jon Carpentier.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Wednesday 2 May 2007

Ely Rangers 3 - 1 Dinas Powys

Although this was an improvement on the last game it was still not good enough to get a result and Dinas are still looking for the couple of points they need to make sure of safety.

Dinas had the first real opportunity from an eleventh minute corner when the ball cleared everybody and seemed to be on its way into the net until a Rangers defender headed off the line.

On the small pitch with the game moving quickly from one end to the other Rangers were grateful to keeper Ashley Hart for a smart double save first from a Rikki Morgan shot and within seconds he did well to beat out Kevin Davies’s low drive.

It was Rangers who broke the deadlock when players from both sides challenged for a high ball in the Dinas area, the referee blowing for a penalty for pushing and Sean Nash converted.

Within five minutes Dinas had levelled the score when the Rangers keeper pushed a Nana Baah shot around the post, Mark Dunford headed the resulting corner in from close range. The visitors almost took the lead following a good run and cross from the right touch-line, Nana Baah could not connect at the near post with the ball running out for a goal-kick. Dinas had had the better opportunities in the first half but went in all square.

Rangers were applying more pressure on Dinas with Alex Skinner in goal cutting out a good cross and taking a corner underneath his crossbar. Dinas had Kevin Davies sent off for a second booking in what was an increasingly niggly game, the referee evening up the sending off count when Ranger’s Dave Penniket also got his marching orders for a wild challenge on the edge of the area.

Dinas went close to scoring when Lloyd Davies headed just over and a Jason Cowan free-kick was pushed over the cross-bar by the Rangers keeper. Disaster struck with five minutes to go when Dinas keeper Alex Skinner beat away a shot that fell kindly to Gareth West to score from 18 yards. It got worse just a minute later when, following a throw on the left, a low cross found the same player in front of goal and he made no mistake giving Rangers an unassailable lead and a lifeline to safety.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 28 April 2007

Dinas Powys 1 - 3 UWIC

This was quite simply the worst performance of the season and puts Dinas back in the relegation dogfight, with nothing good to report in this performance I will just stick to the main events in the game. In the sixth minute an og gave Uwic an early lead, just on half-time they scored there second from a penalty taken by Duncan Culley. Nine minutes into the second-half Chris Rogers scored the third following a free-kick on the corner of the penalty area. Rikki Morgan scored the Dinas consolation goal ten minutes from the end. UWIC fully deserved this win and looked the fitter and more committed side.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Monday 23 April 2007

Croesyceiliog 1 - 1 Dinas Powys

The first rain for a few weeks made the hard ground slippery and, for the second game in a row Dinas took the lead, they were the better side but allowed the home side a share of the spoils when they scored five minutes from the end of the game.

Croesyceiliog were first into their stride forcing a couple of corners comfortably dealt with by the Dinas defence, Rhodri Foote had the first opportunity for an attempt on goal but Pat O’Hagan in the home goal just beat him to the ball to clear. A header out of the Dinas defence found Rikki Morgan who beat a couple of defenders but as he was shaping up to shoot a third nicked the ball away from him.

Gafin Griffiths, making his first start up front, got his head to a Stacy Kodani cross but was just wide of the goal. A Dinas corner was headed clear by a Croesy defender but only fell to Rhodri Foote whose first-time 20 yard shot rattled the crossbar.

In the thirty-sixth minute the home side put together a good move with a ball inside the fullback for Andrew Pritchard his cross was met by Mark Jones but his low shot was well saved by keeper Joe Cushieri. The first-half finished in the gathering gloom with Dinas having had the better chances.

Six minutes into the second-half Dinas took the lead following a short corner taken by Chris Round to Rikki Morgan, he advanced to the corner of the area before hitting a low ball towards goal which evaded everybody but was eventually hacked clear with Dinas claiming the ball had crossed the line, fortunately the linesman and referee agreed.

Croesy came back into the game with Dinas conceding a number of corners and free-kicks, one effort clearing the crossbar from just five yards.

In the sixty-fifth minute Rikki Morgan played a free-kick into the home area where Nana Baah headed just over from only six yards, his first touch since coming on just a minute earlier.

The home side were playing a dangerous game pushing players forward and leaving themselves exposed at the back but despite having a number of chances Dinas could not put the game beyond them.

A few minutes before the end Croesy were awarded a free-kick when Dinas were caught offside, the ball was hit deep into the Dinas area where the ball fell to Lloyd Bristow who shot high into the net.

Before the game Dinas would have taken a draw but came away disappointed to have conceded a late equalizer having had the better of the chances in both halves.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 21 April 2007

Maesteg Park 1- 1 Dinas Powys

In the first half of this game the visitors were well in control restricting Maesteg and especially the dangerous Robert Walters to very few chances but in the second half Dinas gave the ball away too cheaply and let the home side back into the game and in the end a draw was probably about the right result.

Dinas started well winning a number of free-kicks with Jason Cowan just clearing the bar with one 25 yard effort. Little was seen of Maesteg’s twenty-three goal top scorer Robert Walters until the twentieth minute when he cut into the area and looked to be favourite to score but a timely intervention by Sam Hartrey enabled keeper Joe Cushieri to gather the ball. Within a minute Dinas had taken the lead when they won the ball in midfield and following some neat passing the ball went out to Chris Round on the left side of the area, he put in an excellent cross to the far post where Rikki Morgan rose majestically to head home from two yards.

The away side continued to dominate the first-half and when a Maesteg throw-in deep in Dinas’s half fell to Rhodri Foote he ran the length of the pitch before a defender cleared for a corner taken short to Rikki Morgan whose far post cross was met by Sam Hartrey but his effort was wide of the post. Dinas went in at half-time with a one goal lead but it should have been more following a half they had dominated.

Maesteg made there intentions clear within five minutes of the restart when Robert Walters headed against the crossbar and just three minutes later his challenge on the Dinas keeper was judged by the referee to have been a foul. The home side were creating more chances this half with Dinas giving the ball away too frequently but they still managed to create chances and again it was Chris Round the provider when his cross was met at the far post by Nana Baah, he should have done better than to head tamely wide.

Maesteg’s goal came when Dinas gave away a free-kick just outside the area, Robert Walters stepped up to place the ball into the top right corner.

Dinas could have retaken the lead with Mark Dunford heading over the bar and, near the end home keeper Gareth Scantlebury grabbed the ball at the second attempt from a fiercely hit shot.

Near the end Maesteg had Keiron Howells sent off for violent conduct, their third sending off in as many games, but Dinas could not take full advantage and the game finished  all square.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 14 April 2007

Dinas Powys 2 - 1 Bryntirion Athletic

Dinas started this game in determined fashion and after just five minutes, a Jason Cowan corner fell to Danny Kinsey to fire home from five yards.

They continued to press and on the 10 minute mark, after good work from Stacey Kodani and Ricky Morgan, Kevin Davies forced the visitors' keeper Rob Cronick to make a good save.

The hosts had further chances to increase their tally but couldn't take them.

With 15 minutes of the half remaining, Kevin Davies sustained an injury and was replaced by Paul Carro.

Bryntirion's only real chance came just before half-time and their striker fired just over the bar.

Whatever Francis Ford said to his players at the interval certainly worked and they soon began to take charge of proceedings. Just seven minutes had gone when a deep cross was pushed over the bar by Alex Skinner, deputising for the unwell Joe Cushieri. Three minutes later Skinner made a superb diving save to keep the visitors out but their pressure eventually told after a mix up in the Dinas defence allowed Jonathan Cass in to lob Skinner to level the scores.

Jon Carpentier was having a brilliant game for Dinas, winning many headers along with Danny Kinsey in the heart of the Dinas defence.

Just when a draw looked the likely outcome, recent Dinas signing Nana Baah, who had worked hard all game for no reward, produced a real contender for goal of the season in the 88th minute. He beat his marker and cut inside to hit a superb shot from 22 yards into the top corner to bag all three points for the hosts.

Peter King

Wednesday 11 April 2007

Dinas Powys 0 - 3 Goytre United

The Villagers knew this would be a difficult fixture, Goytre being one of the best sides in the league but, although the score was 3-0 to the visitors, the game was end to end for the most part.

Dinas started well and Shelton Payne fired a shot straight at Chris Curtis, the visitors' keeper.

Goytre thought they had opened their account when a deep cross was dropped by Cusheiri into the net but he was fouled and the effort was disallowed.

After 10 minutes, Goytre were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box which Richard Ryan bent round the Dinas wall with a low shot giving Cushieri no chance, for the opener. Ryan doubled his tally soon after with a superb looping shot from the corner of the 18 yard box.

Dinas upped their work rate and on the half hour mark Shelton Payne broke free to beat the last defender to score but was adjudged to have hand balled in the process. Paul Carro also had a fierce shot at goal which cleared the bar.

Dinas opened the second period in determined mood with Baah and Payne having efforts saved by the keeper.

Cusheiri then brought off a superb one handed save from a header, again by Ryan.

Skipper Darren Lyons made it 3-0 for the visitors with a looping header after Dinas had lost possession.

Despite bringing on fresh legs with Rhys Yates replacing Payne, Lloyd Davies for Kinsey and Jason Cowan for Rhodri Foote, Dinas could not get the breakthrough in the gathering gloom although Nana Baah did hit the woodwork late in the half.

Peter King

Saturday 7 April 2007

Taffs Well 1 - 2 Dinas Powys

This match was played in lovely sunshine on a hard ground with both sides fighting for mid-table obscurity but two goals from Shelton Payne just edged the game for the away side.

His first goal came after just four minutes when a loose ball in midfield was headed on to Kevin Davies, he passed to Shelton Payne who shot over the keeper from 20 yards to give Dinas the lead. They say that teams are at their most vulnerable just after scoring and so it turned out as within a minute the home side had equalised when Gavin Bennet beat the Dinas keeper to a free-kick to head home from close range.

Taffs Well went close with a couple more free-kicks the first from Barry Gunstone clearing the crossbar and then Stacey Kodani had to head the second to safety.

On the half-hour a Dinas free-kick was quickly taken by Rikki Morgan to Shelton Payne, he moved into the area easily beating his marker and crossed low only for a defender to clear at the near post.

A good move from the home side gave Lee Denner the opportunity to shoot from the edge of the area his effort just scraping the left upright. Just before half-time Paul Carro nearly put Dinas back ahead when he met a near post corner only to clear the crossbar with a first-time effort.

Dinas were forced to make a couple of half-time substitutions through injury with Chris Round and Nana Baah, making his debut, coming on and straight from the kick-off Shelton Payne weaved his way to the edge of the Taffs Well area only to shoot well over.

Ten minutes into the half the home side had Rhys Jones sent-off following a bad tackle on Rikki Morgan and just a few minutes later Dinas were temporarily a man short when Stacey Kodani had to go off for attention with a cut eye after being caught with a stray elbow.

On seventy-six minutes Dinas took the lead their improved second-half performance deserved, a throw midway in the Taffs Well half found Paul Carro whose pace took him to the bye-line, there he crossed low to find Shelton Payne racing onto the ball to score low past John Howe in the home goal.

Dinas almost scored a third following a Taffs Well corner, the ball was cleared to Nana Baah who in turn found Shelton Payne, his shot was just inches wide of giving him his hat-trick. With just three minutes to go it was keeper Joe Cusheri’s turn to save the day with a couple of point blank saves as the ball bounced around inside Dinas’s six yard box.

It was hard to pick out individual performances in this game but praise must go to Stacey Kodani who played well despite a cut eye and also carrying an injury for the whole of the second-half.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 18 November 2006

Caerleon 4 - 2 Dinas Powys

The heavy pitch and Dinas missing a number of first team regulars all proved too a bit to much for the side, who, despite having at least sixty percent of the game failed to make it count in front of goal.

It was the away side that exerted the early pressure with Rhodri Foote prominent on the left combining well with Dwayne Strong and it was Rhodri who first tested Andrew Delve in the Caerleon goal with a low shot, a minute later the same combination saw Rhodri cross from the left side of the area but it was knocked behind for a corner that came to nothing.

The home sides reply came from a free-kick headed on by Ben Davies and rebounding off busy Caerleon winger Luke Cueto into the arms of the Dinas keeper.

Despite good approach play, Dinas had not created any real chances, but the opening goal came against the run of play when Martin Phillips was given too much room 25 yards from goal. His shot should have been dealt with by the Dinas keeper but he allowed it to slip through his hands to give Caerleon the opening goal. Just on half-time the home side increased their lead with Martin Houston heading home a free-kick at the far post.  

Dinas came out for the second half in determined fashion with Rhodri Foote urging them on with a gritty display on the left. They were now forcing Caerleon back and chances fell to Paul Carro, Rikki Morgan, and Dwayne Strong without finding the back of the net. Rhodri Foote almost capped his best game of the season with a goal, following another strong run his shot hit the foot of the post before rebounding to safety.

Despite all their possession it was the opposition who scored a third goal when one of their few attacks ended with Lloyd Davies tripping a Caerleon player in the area and Andy Gay scoring from the spot. This would have finished off most sides but it is to their credit that Dinas replied immediately from the kick-off with substitute Shelton Payne scoring with a low shot from 20 yards.

The spate of goals continued when just a minute later Dinas conceded another penalty with Ben Davies converting. Five minutes from time Dinas gained a penalty of their own when Shelton Payne took on three defenders in the penalty area only to be tripped, Dwanye Strong stepping up to score.

They should have had a further penalty when Dwayne was blatantly brought down in the area but the referee didn’t see it that way, perhaps he thought he had used up his quota for the day.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 28 October 2006

ENTO Aberaman Ath 2 - 1 Dinas Powys

Aberaman were flying high in second position in the league and it showed with their whirlwind opening, racing into a two-goal lead in the first fifteen minutes of the game.

The first came in the eight minute following hesitancy in the Dinas defence allowing the diminutive Kerry Harding to score with a low shot from just eight yards. The home side continued to attack with pace at every opportunity and it was no surprise when a swift break from inside their own half ended with a deep cross and again it was Kerry Harding on the end of it this time to score with a header from close range.

The Dinas defence had to come to terms with the movement and pace of the Aberaman forwards and it is to their credit that they restricted their threat to dangerous in-swinging corners that somehow keeper Joe Cusheri kept out. As the first half came to a close Dinas were slowly dragging themselves back into the game without really threatening to score.

The second half started with Dinas gaining more possession, Shelton Payne created an opening after just three minutes but his 20 yard shot was straight at the keeper. Five minutes later the same player received the ball 30 yards from goal, he skipped past a couple of would be tacklers before shooting low but the keeper produced a good save to push the ball out for an unproductive corner.

The home-side were still dangerous and one snapshot hit the crossbar before bouncing down into the grateful arms of Joe Cusheri.

In the seventy-seventh minute Dinas forced a string of corners, the last taken by Phil James, David Mwasigallah headed on to give Shelton Payne a shooting opportunity he took well, stinging the keepers hands, before the home defence completed the clearance.

Further chances fell to Dinas with Dwayne Strong heading over when well placed. Rhodri Foote forcing Neil Collins in the home goal to push the ball over for a corner taken by Phil James for Danny Kinsey to head towards goal only to see his effort cleared off the line.

Dinas finally saw their efforts rewarded when a run across goal by Dwayne Strong ended with a shot the keeper could only push around the post, the resulting corner was fumbled by the keeper giving Danny Kinsey the opportunity to head home to give Dinas the goal their second half play deserved.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 21 October 2006

Dinas Powys 3 - 1 Pontardawe

This game was played in vastly contrasting conditions, bright sunshine one minute and then heavy rain making it difficult for both sides.

Pontardawe started in aggressive style, not giving the home side any time on the ball and making the early running but not creating any clear goal scoring opportunities. Dinas began to exert their authority on the game with Paul Carro causing the Pontardawe defence problems with his strong running, from one of them Dinas opened the scoring when his cross was deflected into the net for an own goal. The visitors reply came when the Dinas defence gifted them the ball but the resulting shot went narrowly wide. Half-time came with Dinas just about deserving their narrow lead.

The visitors started the second-half much the same as the first and an early chance was again narrowly wide of the home goal. Neat passing in midfield created a shooting opportunity for Rikki Morgan, his dipping shot bouncing awkwardly in front of the keeper who eventually gathered the ball.

In the sixty-third minute substitute Shelton Payne came on and almost immediately made an impact, the ball came to him just outside the penalty area, with both central defenders in front of him he just waltzed past them before rounding the keeper to score a spectacular individual goal.

This spurred Pontardawe into action and seven minutes later a good cross from the right was headed home from the edge of the six-yard box. The visitors pressed forward searching for the equalizer and it was Joe Cusheri in the Dinas goal who kept them at bay with a string of good saves.

The final goal was scored in the ninetieth minute to put the game beyond Pontardawe, and again it was Shelton Payne, a long ball out of defence found him on the edge of the area and he made no mistake shooting low into the corner of the net.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 14 October 2006

Afan Lido 2 - 0 Dinas Powys

The Villagers knew this would be a difficult game with Lido having won eight games on the trot and so it proved as the hosts netted a goal in each half, both from defensive mistakes with keeper Joe Cusheri left stranded in no-mans-land twice.

The Villagers started the game well and played the best football in the first 15 minutes until Lido got into their stride and began to dominate proceedings. Having said that Dinas had two good chances to score, one in particular in the first half when, after good work down the right wing and a pin-point cross by Dwayne Strong, Rhodri Foote headed over the bar when, from the stand, it looked easier to hit the back of the net.

This game may have had a different result if the Villagers had had the services of midfield maestro Phil James who was unavailable and sorely missed. The hosts edged proceedings in the second half and were the best team on the day but another chance for Dinas to get on the score sheet went missing when the Lido keeper spilled a cross and Dwayne Strong's shot was blocked on the line.

You don't get many chances to score at this level and Dinas must try and sharpen things up in front of goal and create more openings if they are to remain in the top half of the table. 

Saturday 30 September 2006

Dinas Powys 3 - 0 Morriston Town

FAW Welsh Cup, Round Two

Morriston came to The Murch having won just one of their first six league fixtures in Division Two this season but fought gamely especially during the first half before Dinas turned up the pressure and ran out comfortable winners in the end.

It was the home side who had the first real attack when a long ball from Danny Kinsey found Dwayne Strong, back after a lengthy suspension, he used his pace to get deep in the area and pulled back a great ball but there was no Dinas player on hand to finish the move.

Morriston, prompted by ex-Swansea player Jonathan Coates, forced a corner in the eight minute but Joe Cusheri punched the ball clear. Two minutes later Rhodri Foote was put through the visitors defence but was unable to get a final touch and keeper Adrian Barnsley gathered the ball, play was immediately switched to the other end and an inviting left wing cross was spooned over the bar by Andrew Shaw from only eight yards.

The game developed into a midfield battle with neither side creating further chances until just on half time when some intricate passing gave Rikki Morgan the chance to break clear but the referee blew up for half time stopping him in his tracks.

Dinas came out with more commitment in the second half and in the fifty-fourth minute Chris Round showed his strength in holding off a couple of defenders and was still able to get in an excellent cross which eventually fell to Rhodri Foote to score the opening goal from eight yards.

With the home side's confidence growing Dwayne Strong had a goal disallowed for pulling back a defender. The midfield tenacity of Rikki Morgan and the more subtle skills of Phil James were beginning to tell on the visitors and when substitute Marcus Madder, making his first team debut, received the ball just outside the penalty area he moved forward before making no mistake firing across the keeper and into the far corner.

Morriston replied with a 20 yard shot that failed to trouble the keeper and when a Dinas defender did make a mistake the ball ran invitingly across the six yard box with no-one able to get the finishing touch.

Dinas put the game beyond reach when Marcus Madder got his second goal, ably assisted by an incisive pass from Phil James. Morriston almost had the last word from an 89^th minute corner but the excellent Chris Round headed clear off the line to make sure they were through to the next stage of the Welsh Cup.

Dinas’s reward is an away draw against Premier League Club Newtown, the tie to take place on 4^th November 2006, kick off: 2:00pm.

Saturday 2 September 2006

Dinas Powys 0 - 3 Ely Rangers

I suppose I could come up with excuses such as a strong wind, the same for both sides, or the fact that Dinas had two influential midfielders missing for this game but they would not account for a poor display against what was an ordinary Ely Rangers side who worked hard and fully deserved this win.

Rangers scored twice just a couple of minutes before half-time, the first an unopposed header from Sean Nash following a free-kick the home defence failed to clear, and an Alex McInch penalty after a Rangers forward had been brought down by keeper Richie Johnson who received a caution for the offence. Before this Dinas had looked disjointed and failed to make any clear-cut chances on goal.

The second half continued much the same as the first and it came as no surprise when Rangers increased their lead in the 75^th minute following neat interplay on the right, the ball eventually falling to substitute Gareth Griffiths who finished with a shot across the Dinas keeper and into the far corner of the net.

The only player who continued this season's form into the game was Rhodri Foote who worked hard throughout the game, the rest dipped well below previous games and will have to pick up for next week’s Shamrock Travel Cup game against Pontardawe Town if they are to progress further in the competition.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 26 August 2006

Newport YMCA 0 - 1 Dinas Powys

Dinas extended their winning sequence with this fourth successive victory to keep the pressure on Neath at the top of Welsh League Division One.

The early pressure came from Dinas with Lloyd Davies heading narrowly wide from a corner and a Jason Cowan shot also wide of the target. The Newport attacks that did breach the Dinas defence, were comfortably dealt with by keeper Richie Johnson.

On the half-hour the away side were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area, Rikki Morgan took it quickly but his shot hit the side netting, within three minutes Danny Kinsey opened the scoring with a headed goal from a Jason Cowan corner the keeper could not reach. Half-time came with Dinas only a goal up but not really in any danger of conceding an equaliser.

Ten minutes into the second half a Gareth Hemmens shot, following a good run into the penalty area, saw the goalkeeper clear the ball with his legs.

The home side's best chance came with a strong run and cross from the left of the area but it was inches in front of Lewis Sommers and Richie Johnson gathered the ball.

Substitute Shelton Payne almost made an impact with one of his mesmerising 40 yard runs, he left a defender in his wake before advancing into the area but his shot beat both the keeper and the far post.

Newport caused Dinas more problems in the second half but Jon Carpentier and Lloyd Davies were once again outstanding in defence giving Richie Johnson a comfortable time and helping Dinas to victory against a side who don’t loose many home matches.

Tuesday 2 May 2006

Dinas Powys 1 - 2 Bryntirion

This wasn’t the way Dinas would have wanted to finish their season with the Bryntirion defence in control and the home side not able to reach the levels of recent games.

It was the visitors who carved out the first meaningful chance following a Dinas free-kick that had broken down, the ball running to Mark McKee on the right of the area, his cross was headed narrowly wide by Jonathan Cuss.

On twenty-five minutes a Dinas free-kick taken by Chris Round was met by Danny Doyle, but his header was saved by the keeper. The referee then awarded Bryntirion a penalty, their players seemed as mystified as Dinas as to why it had been given, but when Jonathan Cuss struck it too close to Richie Johnson the keeper parried it away with his defence completing the clearance. But this was a short-lived reprieve, following a good cross from the right touchline Mark Mckee made no mistake heading in from just five yards to give Bryntirion a one goal advantage at half-time.

The second half continued much as the first with the Bryntirion defence getting the better of the Dinas forwards, their opportunities only coming from set pieces.

Bryntirion doubled their lead in the seventieth minute following a good passing move, Martin Dando had the simplest of jobs to stroke the ball home from eight yards.

Five minutes later Dinas gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Drew Fahiya, making his Welsh League debut, finished off what was the home side's best move of the game with some neat footwork and a burst of acceleration to get between a couple of defenders and put the ball wide of Rob Cronick in the Bryntirion goal from twenty yards.

For the remainder of the game Dinas pushed men forward in search of the equaliser, they had a penalty appeal turned down when Drew was brought down in the area and a Liam Jones header cleared off the line but it was not to be and in the end a disappointing result.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 22 April 2006

Dinas Powys 2 - 1 Maesteg Park

This was an entertaining game played in warm sunshine with Maesteg in third place in the league and until recently in the hunt for promotion to the Welsh Premier League.

The first chance of this game fell to Dinas in the first minute when Maesteg conceded a free-kick near the right corner flag, Rikki Morgan’s cross into the area was initially cleared to Jason Cowan but his ball back in was comfortably taken by Maesteg’s veteran keeper Gary Wager, their reply came from Kyle Morris whose shot was high over the crossbar.

In the tenth minute Dinas won another free-kick this time whipped in by Chris Round forcing Gary Wager to dive low to push the ball out only as far as Danny Doyle but his hurried shot was to high, a minute later the home side were fortunate not to go a goal down when a cross was dropped by the keeper when under pressure from Maesteg’s Robert Walters but Danny Doyle was on hand to head off the line.

The opening goal came five minutes later when Maesteg were awarded a free-kick on the edge of Dinas’s area, the ball was cleared long by Phil James straight to Dwayne Strong who got the better of a defender and made his way into the penalty area only to be tripped, the referee immediately awarding a penalty and Dwayne picked himself up to score from the spot.

The home side just about deserved the lead but Maesteg came back at them when Robert Walters picked up a long clearance but Richie Johnson in the Dinas goal dived bravely at his feet to save. Maesteg’s pressure told in the thirty-third minute when Mathew Rea beat the Dinas keeper to a long ball and had the easiest of opportunities to put the ball in the net to level the score.

With both sets of forwards getting the better of their opposite number this had the makings of a good game and further chances fell to both sides with Phil James just failing in an attempt to chip the Maesteg keeper and at the other end Lee O’Brien hitting the post with the rebound put out for a corner.

On fifty-five minutes Maesteg had a chance to take the lead when Ian Shepperd headed over but from then on Dinas started to take a bit of control on the game and created the better chances.

A long clearance from the Dinas keeper again found Dwayne Strong who headed on to Paul Carro who shot narrowly over then a Chris Round free-kick was headed over by Phil James.

On seventy-six minutes Bryan Craven was brought down just outside the area, the resulting free-kick, taken by Jason Cowan, was deflected making the save easy for the keeper then following an excellent build-up Bryan Craven laid the ball off for Paul Carro but he miss-hit the shot from only ten yards.

Dinas were not to be denied and in the eight-sixth minute another excellent move saw them take the lead, goalkeeper Richie Johnson’s clearance was picked-up by Paul Carro who passed to Phil James, his crossfield ball found Dwayne Strong whose pace got him to the bye-line and his pin-point cross was headed in by Bryan Craven from eight yards.

With only a few minutes left the Dinas defence was able to deal comfortably with the Maesteg attack and they nearly increased their lead when a defensive clearance again found Dwayne Strong who put Paul Carro clear only to see the Maesteg keeper push his shot away for a corner with the referee blowing the final whistle seconds later to give Dinas a deserved victory.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Wednesday 12 April 2006

Dinas Powys 1 - 2 Goytre Utd

With Goytre chasing Neath at the top of Division One Dinas knew they were going to be given a stern test, but even though the result went against them they can take a lot from this game knowing that they matched Goytre for long periods and had a perfectly good goal ruled out.

The away side made the first chance with Ian Turner firing to high from just ten yards, Dinas’s reply came from Dwayne Strong on the end of a quick break but his shot was also to high.

After twenty minutes Goytre were awarded a free-kick 25 yards from goal but the wall did its job in clearing the ball. A couple of minutes later Dinas were denied the opening goal following a powerful run on the right touchline by Dwayne Strong, his low cross was perfectly met by Bryan Craven whose first-time shot hit the underside of the crossbar and rebounded down and somehow out of the goal with Dinas players appealing for the goal.

At half-time the Goytre keeper confirmed that the ball was well over the line and the goal should have stood. The away side stepped up the pressure on the Dinas goal forcing a number of corners and it came as no surprise, following a scramble in the six yard box, that the ball ended in the back of the net off a Dinas defender to give Goytre the lead at half-time.

The home side started the second half brightly and put the Goytre defence under pressure, Dwayne Strong’s deep cross found Bryan Craven but his first-time shot cleared the crossbar, then a Chris Round corner was eventually cleared by the Goytre defence.

Just as Dinas were looking as though the equaliser was coming they conceded another own-goal following a Goytre corner when once again the ball was ricocheting about in the six yard box only for it to go in off a defender.

Even though they were two goals down Dinas did not let their heads drop and fought back strongly, when they were awarded a corner, substitute Rikki Morgan’s well flighted delivery was powerfully headed in by Lloyd Davies to set up an exciting last fifteen minutes but the away side held out and gained all three points in their quest for promotion.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 8 April 2006

Dinas Powys 1 - 0 Bridgend Town

Since Dinas beat Bridgend three-nil at Coychurch Road the away side had lost just one match in their last twelve games, so Dinas new they were going to be given a stern test of their improved form.

Bridgend started the stronger with Martin Rose placing the ball wide of the near post. Dinas came back strongly and a move involving Dwayne Strong and Bryan Craven ended with a shot from Paul Carro that experienced keeper Marty Ellicott did well to push around the post. But the home side were not to be denied and in the sixth minute a Phil James corner was initially cleared, the ball came back to Phil and his excellent cross was powerfully headed in by Kurt Bettles from ten yards.

Bridgend came back at Dinas forcing a number of corners, their best chance again falling to Martin Rose whose header was just to high. In the 32^nd minute Dinas had claims for a penalty turned down when a long clearance from keeper Richie Johnson found Bryan Craven who went down in the penalty area when challenged by two defenders. Both sides had further half-chances before half-time but could not make the most of them.

Eight minutes into the second half Paul Carro won the ball in midfield and moved through the middle to the edge of the area only for a Bridgend defender to get a foot in to clear just as he was about to shoot. Andy Mainwaring then shot over following a lapse in the home defence before substitute Rikki Morgan spotted the Bridgend keeper off his line, his long range shot was off target.

On 66 minutes a good low cross from Carl Jenkins forced the home defence to concede a corner with Martin Rose again heading wide. The Bridgend defence were pushing up to the half-way line and they were nearly punished when Dwayne Strong beat the off-side trap and latched on to the through ball but his weak shot was comfortably saved by the keeper.

Bridgend continued to put the home defence under pressure in their search for the equaliser and the home sides cause was not helped when they were reduced to ten men with the sending off of Jason Cowans for a second bookable offence but they held out for the remaining minutes for another good win.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 1 April 2006

Bryntirion 2 - 2 Dinas Powys

On a windswept day where the weather dominated the game Dinas tried to continue their recent good run at Bryntirion. The home side had the wind advantage in the first half putting the Dinas defence under pressure. However the early chances fell to Dinas with Bryan Craven shooting wide, Bryntirion had a few chances but did not look like troubling Richie Johnson in the Dinas goal.

Both Paul Carro and Bryan Craven had one on ones with the goalkeeper but failed to take make the most of them and the longer that Dinas went without scoring the more confident the opposition became.

After 35 minutes a long ball was played out of defence by Bryntirion over the top of the Dinas defence, they failed to clear and the Bryntirion forward was left with an easy goal. Just before half time Dinas had another excellent chance to equalise but the final shot was poor.

Dinas made an enforced change at half time with new signing Dwayne Strong replacing the injured Tristan Tony, he was pushed up front with Paul Carro slotting into midfield. Dinas pressed early on and Jason Cowans was unlucky when his speculative 40 yard shot was tipped over the bar.

Against the run of play Bryntirion extended their lead, Richie Johnson parried the first effort but from the resulting melee the ball was scrambled in despite Dinas appeals for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Dinas did not deserve to be two goals down and continued pressing and were finally rewarded when a long clearance evaded everyone and Dwayne Strong clipped the ball over the keeper to score.

This goal gave Dinas confidence and they deservedly equalised when a shot from Brian Craven hit the post and Paul Carro steered in the rebound. 

The last five minutes were frantic and both sides had chances to claim the win, in the end Dinas had to settle for the 2-2 draw and were left to rue a number of missed chances earlier in the game.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 25 March 2006

UWIC 1 - 1 Dinas Powys

This was one of only two games completed in Division One as heavy rain decimated league fixtures with Dinas coming away with a point from a game in which they deserved more against third placed UWIC.

Dinas started well in this game, adapting to the wet conditions and playing good football. In the fifth minute Liam Jones won a corner taken by Chris Round, and when Lloyd Davies and UWIC’s Gavin Chesterfield challenged for the ball they both needed treatment for head injuries. From the restart Jason Cowans found Liam Jones wide on the right then moved into the area to meet his cross only to see his header go wide of the post.

UWIC came back at Dinas with Ryan Jenkins’s cross just too long and the same player shooting from 15 yards forcing Richie Johnson to save low. With Jason Cowans and Tristan Tony dominating the midfield and the pace of Paul Carro and Bryan Craven troubling the UWIC defence Dinas created a number of half-chances but failed to finish them off.

In the 40^th minute Jason Cowans and Liam Jones combined well on the right side of the area, Jason beating a defender before crossing only to see the ball cleared for a corner, this was taken by Chris Round for Lloyd Davies to head toward goal, the ball eventually falling to Liam Jones but his shot was cleared off the line. Just before half-time Paul Carro used his pace to get beyond the UWIC defence only to see goalkeeper Brendon Cropley dive low to save well.

UWIC created the first opportunity in the second half with Jason Cowans racing back to head a dangerous cross over his own bar. Their corner was cleared by the Dinas defence where Kurt Bettles was a dominant figure, the ball was immediately transferred to the other end where Bryan Craven was brought down. He picked himself up to take the free-kick and Kurt Bettles did the rest with a diving header putting the ball past the keeper for the opening goal.

Ten minutes later Phil James did well to head clear a dangerous UWIC free-kick and when Lloyd Davies played a great ball out of defence Paul Carro again outpaced the UWIC defence before shooting just wide. Following a Dinas throw on the right Phil James found Paul Carro who left a defender in his wake before crossing low from the bye-line to Bryan Craven on the near post but his shot from six yards went narrowly wide of the post.

The large away support were beginning to wonder if Dinas were going to rue these missed chances and so it turned out when UWIC were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area, Chris Collins stepped up to take it and his shot seemed to be well covered by the Dinas keeper when it took a wicked deflection and ended in the back of the net for the equalizer.

With UWIC’s confidence bolstered by the goal they attacked the Dinas goal at every opportunity but the defence held out well and they came away with a point that was the least they deserved.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 18 March 2006

Dinas Powys 4 - 0 Newport YMCA

This was a welcome return to League action after last week’s postponement and a convincing performance for their third straight win against a workmanlike Newport side.

Despite early Dinas pressure it was Newport who had the first chance on goal with a 20 yard shot from Daniel Cueto forcing Richie Johnson to save low down on his left side.

Although Dinas were well on top it wasn’t until the thirteenth minute they had their first chance following good play on the right touchline Paul Carro crossed to Nathan Hosgood who shot first time only to see the ball hit the crossbar. The home side were not to be denied and five minutes later Paul Carro provided an excellent crossfield ball to Nathan Hosgood whose back-heal went straight to Liam Jones, he advanced into the area and shot past Gareth Wesson in the Newport goal.

Just four minutes later Bryan Craven won the ball on the left and pulled the ball back for Phil James to hit a screamer from 20 yards that beat the keeper but just clipped the outside of the post.

Newport fought their way back into the game and both Daniel Cueto and Mark Ingles had shots saved, just before half-time Marc Ingles had a penalty claim turned down by the referee.

Newport started the second half looking for the equaliser with chances falling to Robert Painter and Aaron Stewart both comfortably dealt with by the home defence before Dinas took more of a grip on the game.

They doubled the lead on the hour with a quick break on the right, Nathan Hosgood excellent pass found Paul Carro moving into the area at speed, beating a defender, and firing low past the keeper into the far corner.

Just after this goal Newport’s Marc Ingles fell awkwardly and had to be stretchered off and taken to hospital with ligament damage, we all wish him a speedy recovery.

Dinas’s third goal was a one-man affair with Tristan Tony winning the ball on the halfway line and outpacing a defender, he then had to battle his way past two more defenders before advancing into the area and putting the ball wide of the keeper and just inside the post.

Newport’s response was a to push forward but they left themselves exposed and this was fully exploited by an excellent long ball out of defence to Bryan Craven whose 30 yard shot over the Newport keeper completed the scoring.

Although it may be the goal scorers getting the plaudits for this win it was the work of Phil James in midfield, the determination of Lloyd Davies at the back, and a solid team performance that stood out.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 11 March 2006

Dinas Powys 3 - 1 Bryntirion

Reserve Division East

This re-arranged fixture enabled players returning from injury to get some much needed match fitness before returning to Division One action in the coming weeks.

One of those players, Jamie Dix, was soon in the thick of it only to be caught offside from an Andrew Salvidge through ball.

Bryntirion’s first chance fell to Andrew Nota, his header going wide of the post.

On fifteen minutes Steve Provis’s quick free-kick found Andrew Salvidge free in the area but his shot was well saved by Jonathan Davies in the Bryntirion goal.

It was the away side who broke the deadlock when they were awarded a penalty, Jeff Williams converting. They almost doubled their lead five minutes later when Darren Nota helped on a free-kick to give Jeff Williams a chance but Mathew Slugg in the home goal produced an excellent one-handed save with Gareth Shaw completing the clearance.

Jamie Dix had a couple of shots well saved by the Bryntirion keeper but it took until the forty-fifth minute for the home side to equalise following a mistake in the Bryntirion defence, Jamie Dix crossed to Andrew Salvidge who scored with a low shot just inside the post.

Dinas came out with more purpose in the second half and it took only three minutes for them to take the lead when they were awarded a free-kick some 20 yards from goal and up stepped Jamie Dix to hit a low shot beyond the diving keeper and into the net. Ten minutes later Andrew Salvidge won a free-kick in a similar position but this time the Bryntirion keeper produced a good save pushing the ball round a post for a corner.

On sixty-three minutes Dinas increased their lead when Dave O’Gorman’s deep cross was fumbled by the keeper, and Jamie Dix scored from eight yards.

A great through ball from Jamie Dix found Andrew Salvidge but good work by the Bryntirion defence prevented him from increasing the lead. Near the end Bryntirion had a chance to pull one back when a defensive clearance struck the back of Gareth Shaw rebounding to Darren Nota but he shot just wide from a good position.

Jamie Dix had a chance to complete his hatrick when the ball fell to him just eight yards out but he his shot went well over the bar when it was easier to score.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Sunday 5 March 2006

Haverfordwest County 5 Dinas Powys 1

MacWhirter (Youth Division) Cup Semi-Final

The Youth team made the long trek down West for this semi-final and while the home side deserved to win the scoreline certainly flattered them with Dinas contributing to an open and entertaining game.

Dinas’s first chance came from a Danny Doyle throw, the ball finding it’s way across the area to Marcus Madder but the home defence just managed to clear.

Haverfordwest’s first goal came just a couple of minutes later with a move they exploited throughout the game, a long ball through the middle which beat the Dinas defence for Jack Christopher to score.

Dinas’s reply came when Tom Dolton beat his defender and made his way deep into the area before producing an excellent cross which was cleared only as far as Drew Fayiha, in one movement he turned and put in an unstoppable shot to level the scores.

The home side were not to be denied and struck back quickly following a corner with a shot that was covered by the keeper but was deflected past him and into the net. The home side’s third goal came just on halftime when the Dinas keeper’s mistake gave Steve McNadney the opportunity to roll the ball into the empty net.

Ten minutes into the second half the usually reliable Drew Fahiya missed an opportunity to get Dinas back into the game following good work by Marcus Madder, the ball was immediately transferred to the other end and Steve McNadney shot over the Dinas keeper to score his second.

Dinas didn’t give up, Drew Fahiya went past a defender but his shot hit the crossbar, then Tom Dolton hit a dipping volley just wide of the post. But it wasn’t to be Dinas’s day and just after they made their final substitution Marcus Madder went down injured and they had to play the final twenty minutes with ten men.

With Dinas still pushing forward it was inevitable that they would be caught on the break and Steve McNadney completed his hatrick in the final minutes. Despite the defeat this side have acquitted themselves well in all competitions this season along with their bubbly manager Richard Brown.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 4 March 2006

Dinas Powys 1 - 0 AFC Llwydcoed

Once again we had a bright sunny day for this game and once again another new signing, Tristan Tony, making his debut in midfield.

Dinas quickly got into their stride with Paul Carro shooting over when well placed following a good move involving Bryan Craven and Nathan Hosgood. Tristan Tony then made his presence felt with a 20 yard low drive pushed around the post by Lee Idzi in the Llwydcoed goal. But he could not prevent the home side going ahead just two minutes later when an excellent deep cross from Chris Round found Nathan Hosgood who advanced into the area before firing across the keeper and into the net for a deserved lead.

Llwydcoed were finding it hard to get into the game with Dinas dominating and in the 23^rd minute Jon Carpentier ran the ball out of defence before passing to Tristan Tony, he beat a defender before laying the ball on for Nathan Hosgood but his shot was just to high.

Following a throw on the right Liam Jones made good progress down the touchline before crossing but Paul Carro’s shot was too close to the keeper. The keeper again had to be alert just a minute later, when following good work by Phil James, Nathan Hosgood’s low hard cross was well intercepted.

Dinas continued to apply the pressure creating numerous half-chances with a Chris Round shoot well saved and an excellent Nathan Hosgood free-kick presenting Bryan Craven and Kurt Bettles with opportunities but both missed out.

So much possession and many opportunities was the story of Dinas’s first half, we just hoped that we weren’t going to regret not punishing Llwydcoed further.

Last week’s goalscorer Bryan Craven started the second half with a series of chances, his first being a free-kick from 20 yards well saved by the keeper, then following a throw he beat a defender to a through ball before shooting just wide. His next effort was a 30 yard free-kick easily taken by the keeper, then after another great left footed cross from Chris Round found him in the area, the keeper challenged him and both fell but the referee waved away calls for a penalty. His final effort was to win the ball in a strong challenge with a defender before firing a shot from a difficult angle straight at the keeper.

His reward was to be substituted five minutes later being replaced by Peter Lewis who was straight into action but again his shooting was too close to the keeper. Dinas then followed this up with a couple of corners both taken by Phil James and both headed just over from the same position by Nathan Hosgood.

Dinas continued to exert pressure but Llwydcoed had improved in the second half without creating any clear-cut chances. Near the end busy keeper Lee Idzi had to get down smartly to stop a Nathan Hosgood shot following one of his typically mazy runs into the area and Paul Carro shot way to high when stretching to shoot from 15 yards.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 25 February 2006

Taffs Well 0 - 1 Dinas Powys

In bright sunshine but with a blustery wind blowing down the pitch making life very difficult for both sides, as well as freezing the supporters, this was a deserved win for Dinas from a committed performance, with Kurt Bettles making a welcome return after injury and new signing Chris Round making a promising debut.

After seven minutes Taffs Well gave away a free-kick in midfield, taken by Nathan Hosgood for Kurt Bettles to head towards goal but into the arms of keeper David Jones. At the other end Kurt was on hand to clear a Taffs Well free-kick before a good Dinas move involving four Dinas players ended with the home defence hurriedly clearing their lines.

Dinas were playing well but with the final ball going astray on a number of occasions. On twenty-five minutes Taffs Well were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area taken by ex-Cardiff City player Dai Thomas but cleared for an unproductive corner by the Dinas defence.

On the half-hour following a Dinas throw Nathan Hosgood produced an excellent through ball to split the home defence only for the wind to take the ball away from Steve Provis and into the arms of the home keeper.

Just before half-time a good Dinas break saw Nathan Hosgood beating his defender before shooting low but David Jones in the home goal got down well to save. The break came with Taffs Well having found it difficult playing into the wind in the first half, the away support were hoping Dinas would be able to do better.

Within a minute of the restart Dinas were awarded a free-kick on the left of the area, taken by Nathan Hosgood to find the head of Lloyd Davies but referee Geoff Martin awarded Taffs Well a free-kick for pushing.

The home side were finding it a little easier to push forward with the strong wind behind them and from a throw Steven Edwards produced a good ball across the area only to see the Dinas defence clear for a corner.

Playing into the wind did not seem to be affecting Dinas too much and there were further shooting opportunities for Nathan Hosgood and Paul Carro, both off-target.

Taffs Well's best chance fell in the seventieth minute from a free-kick taken by Mark Evans for the towering Steve Loverso, for once getting the better of Kurt, to head for goal only to see Richie Johnson pull off a fine one-handed save.

Just a few minutes later Dinas broke the deadlock when Bryan Craven chased a through ball into the area only for the home keeper to bring him down, the referee immediately awarding a penalty. The Dinas player picked himself up to convert and give Dinas a deserved lead.

Taffs Well came back at Dinas with their keeper having to make a brave save at the feet of Steve Loverso but when their player-manager was sent off for a reckless challenge on Bryan Craven Dinas were able to play out the remaining minutes in comfort.

Wednesday 28 December 2005

Maesteg Park 2 - 0 Dinas Powys

In bright sunshine but on a frozen pitch both sides worked hard to overcome the difficult conditions but it was the greater firepower of Maesteg that gave the home side all three points.

The first fiteen minutes were an even affair with Joe Cusheri in the Dinas goal making a couple of comfortable saves and the reply coming when Neil Jeremy won the ball wide on the right before hitting a cross-field ball to Steve Provis on the left of the penalty area, his cross was met by Ramos Karvouniaris but his header went just over the crossbar. A minute later Dinas were awarded a freekick quickly taken by Neil Jeremy. He fed Ramos but his shot was well taken by Gary Wager in the Maesteg goal, and his clearance gave the home side the chance to take the lead when the ball was crossed from wide on the right and Robert Walters headed home from ten yards.

Dinas’s reply came from a Neil Jeremy corner headed wide by Ramos and then a couple of minutes before half-time a through ball from Neil Jeremy was caught on the bye-line by Ramos, his cross was volleyed just over the crossbar by Lloyd Davies.

Five minutes into the second half Maesteg’s Paul Evans headed wide from a corner and then a clearance by the Dinas keeper was headed on by Phil James for Ramos to chase but he was beaten to the ball by the home keeper.

In the 64^th minute Maesteg doubled their lead when a throw on the right was initially cleared but as had been happening all too often the ball came straight back at the Dinas defence and Robert Walters was given time and space to turn on the edge of the area and place the ball over the keeper and into the net.

The last fifteen minutes saw Dinas throw caution to the wind and move forward in greater numbers. Their best move came when the ball was passed through the midfield to Paul Carro, he beat a defender and raced to the bye-line, his cross was met by Ramos whose first-time shot cleared the bar.

With three first-team regulars missing Dinas were again found wanting against one of the better sides in the division.

Wednesday 16 November 2005

Ton Pentre 2 - 0 Dinas Powys

According to their programme Ton Pentre reserve their best performances for Dinas Powys and so it was for the first half of this contest when they played well, passing accurately and working for each other, creating a string of chances.

It took just ten minutes for Ton to open the scoring from a corner, taken by Dale Price and converted at the near post by Gareth Wharton. Just 12 minutes later they doubled their lead when a long ball was played into the Dinas area and Raith Plant scored with a low shot from six yards. For the rest of the half the home side applied further pressure with the only reply from Dinas being a couple of Neil Jeremy free-kicks both off-target.

The second half started with the travelling support fearing the worst but Dinas gradually worked their way into the game with Rikki Morgan resting the initiative from Ryan Shugar in the Ton midfield and Kurt Bettles winning his battle with dangerous forward Raith Plant. The away side were now playing some good passing football and after Jason Cowans had forced a corner, taken by Neil Jeremy, he then interchanged passes with Steve Provis before shooting low only to see Jon Howe in the Ton goal make a smart save.

On 80 minutes a mix-up in the Ton defence gave Neil Jeremy a chance but the home keeper bravely saved at his feet, both players continuing after treatment. Five minutes from time Rikki Morgan’s long pass to Paul Carro gave him a chance to cross low and hard but just in front of the onrushing Ramos Karvouniaris with the home defence able to clear.

Ton Pentre deserved to win this game after their first half display but Dinas showed enough skill and determination in the second half to show that they can arrest their alarming slide down the table.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 12 November 2005

Afan Lido 3 - 1 Dinas Powys

This was a game Dinas should have returned with a point but you have to put away goalscoring chances when you are on top otherwise at this level you are made to pay dearly.

Afan Lido started as if they were going to overrun Dinas and could have scored from a couple of chances it the first ten minutes, but they started to claw they way back and in the 20^th minute Rikki Morgan squared the ball to Phil James but his shot was just too high, just a minute later Dinas were fortunate to go ahead when the referee awarded a penalty as Rikki Morgan went down in the area, much to the annoyance of the home side and their supporters, Rikki picked himself up and beat the keeper with a well taken spot-kick.

Afan Lido replied with Ian Jones shooting wide and a couple of quick corners but the away side were now dealing more comfortably with their attacks. In the 34^th minute Ramos Karvouniaris was on the end of a Dinas attack only to see his effort deflected for an unproductive corner, a couple of minutes later Phil James and Ramos gave Rikki Morgan a chance to shoot but the home keeper pushed his effort away for another corner.

On 41 minutes the referee redressed the balance by awarding Afan Lido another dubious penalty when it appeared that Lee O’Brien had beaten a home forward to the ball to clear for a corner but the referee saw it differently and Ian Jones converted.

After a first half when Dinas had come back well the travelling support were hoping they could go on to get something from this game and they almost took the lead when a mix-up in the home defence gave Ramos a shooting opportunity directly in front of goal but he put it narrowly wide of the upright. Dinas were now taking the game to the home side and from a couple of corners first Kurt Bettles headed just over and then Lloyd Davies headed narrowly wide.

In the 65^th minute Dinas were awarded a free-kick just outside the area when Rikki Morgan was upended but Jason Cowans left footed shot went inches over the crossbar.

Afan Lido scored their second goal from a corner in the 76^th minute when Ian Jones headed in from close range. Dinas’s reply came from substitute Neil Jeremy whose free-kick forced a good save from the home keeper Wyn Walters.

As happens when teams are made to chase the game Afan Lido were able to break quickly and Liam McCreesh beat a couple of defenders before firing home from 15yds to score their third goal.

Dinas didn’t give up and in the 97^th minute Rikki Morgan put Paul Carro clear only for him to see the keeper save with his feet, this seemed to sum-up Dinas’s day and so their poor run continues with further difficult away games to come.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 5 November 2005

AFC Llwydcoed 1 - 0 Dinas Powys

The first half of this game was an improvement for Dinas on recent games, some of this down to the return from injury of three players, but in persistent rain and with those returning lacking match fitness Llwydcoed came back strongly in the second half to pinch the three points.

As early as the second minute Rikki Morgan, playing in an unaccustomed forward role, saw his long range shot fly high and wide and a couple of minutes later Nathan Hosgoods quick free-kick was comfortably taken by the home keeper. Dinas were taking the game to the opposition and were caught narrowly offside on a number of occasions. Llwydcoed’s reply came in the 18^th minute when their centre-forward struck a powerful 20yd shot which Richie Johnson did well to tip over the bar with the resulting corner cleared. Five minutes later Jason Cowans bundled his way into the home penalty area but Liam Jones’s cross was well taken by the keeper, Nathan Hosgood then conjured up another crossing opportunity for Jason Cowans, his measured cross was headed just over the bar by Phil James. Nathan Hosgood had the ball in the net after good work by Lloyd Davies and Jason Cowans only for it to be ruled offside and just before halftime Jon Carpentier headed over the bar from a Dinas corner.

After the first half when Dinas created a number of good chances and dominated the game Llwydcoed came out with more purpose and with the wind and rain behind them put the Dinas defence under a lot more pressure. The away side’s best second half chance in the 68^th minute when a free-kick on the edge of the area was taken by Phil James, his cross was missed by Kurt Bettles but Lian Jones was on hand to shoot low and hard, the ball rebounding to Nathan Hosgood whose shot went narrowly wide.

The killer blow came just 4 minutes from time when Richie Johnson in the Dinas goal failed to gather the ball and then had to parry a second shot only to see the ball eventually fall to Ashley Trow on the right side of the area, he gained a few yards before unleashing a low shot across goal and into the far corner of the net.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 29 October 2005

Dinas Powys 1 - 2 Taffs Well

After last week's good performance at Caerleon we all hoped that similar efforts at home to Taffs Well would give the side and supporters the win needed to get back on track, but it wasn’t to be and a lack lustre performance enabled an ordinary Taffs Well side to take all three points.

In a scrappy opening with both sides guilty of giving the ball away it was the away side who took the lead in the fifteenth minute when Omar Abdabilli skipped through the home defence rather too easily, and when the ball was deflected high into the penalty area Steven Loverso was on hand to head into the net from eight yards.

Taffs Well were stifling the Dinas midfield by closing them down quickly, and with some heavy challenges, most going unpunished by a referee who appeared to be on first name terms with many of their side. The youthfulness and inexperience of the home side meant that they were unable to find their way through the opposition’s defence and as the first half finished all they could look forward to were a few choice words from the management.

The second half started much as the first had ended with neither side creating much and most of the play in midfield. In the sixty-fifth minute Taffs Well doubled their lead with their best move of the game, a quick break out of defence ended with a good cross from the right to find substitute Liam Williams at the far post and his firm header ended in the opposite corner of the net.

It wasn’t until the eighty-seventh minute that Dinas had a worthwhile attempt on goal when Steve Provis powered his way into the penalty area only to be brought down, the resulting penalty converted by Neil Jeremy. The last few minutes were played out with Taffs Well determined to keep the ball near the corner flag and Dinas unable to get an equaliser.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 22 October 2005

Caerleon 0 - 0 Dinas Powys

Dinas Powys badly needed to get something from this game played near the Roman Amphitheatre in Caerleon, and it was down to the hard work and commitment of the fourteen players and management, plus the vociferous support of those sidelined through injury, that they were able to come away with a point from this game following defeats in their last two league games.

Straight from the kick-off Rikki Morgan beat two opponents before feeding Rhys Carr, his far post cross was aimed for Steve Provis but an offside flag intervened. Dinas were able to gain plenty of possession and apart from a couple of Caerleon corners the away side had the upper hand. What turned out to be Dinas’s best chance came in the 35^th minute when the effective Paul Carro beat his marker and crossed finding Rikki Morgan all alone eight yards from goal but his header hit the upright and bounced kindly to a defender to clear. Four minutes later a Dinas free-kick taken by Phil James to Rikki Morgan, he fed Paul Carro and his cross beat the defence and ran invitingly across goal with nobody able to get the final touch. Just before half-time from another Dinas free-kick Ramos Karvouniaris headed narrowly wide.

Caerleon started the second half with a little more purpose and after just two minutes Jon Seymour was given to much room but, his shot, was saved by Richie Johnson in the Dinas goal. The game now became a midfield battle with few chances for either side, one of those fell to Caerleon substitute Luke Cueto who beat a Dinas defender and keeper to a through ball but his shot went narrowly wide. Dinas came close to a goal in the 80^th minute when a long ball out of defence found Paul Carro who just managed to reach it on the bye-line, he crossed but the on-rushing Rikki Morgan was beaten to the ball by a Caerleon defender, deep into injury time from a similar position it was Ramos’s turn to cross from the bye-line but it was just in front of Paul Carro.

This was a point gained through hard work after a couple of poor results and it is a sign of the progress of the club that last season it was not until January that we reached the number of points we have already gained this season.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 15 October 2005

On a good pitch and in near perfect conditions Dinas Powys could not blame either for this defeat, undoubtedly the loss of five players through injury and suspension did not help but we were well beaten by a side who will give Neath a run for their money.

The opening exchanges were fairly even with chances falling to both sides for Dinas Jon Carpentier headed over from an early corner, and then Jamie Hosgood won a strong challenge to give Steve Herniman a shooting opportunity but his shot was too high. Then followed a period of pressure from Goytre with four corners in quick succession all cleared by the Dinas defence, but in the 18th minute another Goytre corner taken by Ian Turner fell to Ryan Penney to score the first goal from six yards.

On 30 minutes a Dinas attack ended with a Ramos Karvouniaris shot from 25 yards that Gareth Scantlebury in the Goytre goal did well to push over the bar for a corner.

Saturday 8 October 2005

Dinas Powys 0 - 2 Neath Ath

Neath came to the Murch having scored ten goals in their previous two games and just a point behind Dinas having played one game more, and in an entertaining game were to prove a very strong side.

The first fifteen minutes were evenly contested and Dinas had to wait until then for their first real chance when Ramos Karvouniaris headed wide from a well taken free-kick. Neath replied within a minute when Andrew Hill also headed wide from a corner, the same player was again on the end of  a right wing cross tipped over the bar by Richie Johnson just a few minutes later.

On forty minutes Dinas won two corners in quick succession without creating any clear scoring opportunities but it was Neath who struck two minutes into injury time at the end of the first half when they won a free-kick on the left of the penalty area and Andrew Fairbairn’s left footed delivery fell invitingly to Liam Hancock to score from eight yards.

Dinas started the second half in determined fashion with attempts on goal by Nathan Hosgood and Rikki Morgan but there cause wasn’t helped when they were reduced to ten men when Jamie Dix was sent off. This seemed to galvanise Dinas into action with Rikki Morgan and Paul Carro driving them forward without creating any real goal-scoring chances and with the home side pushing forward the inevitable happened when Andrew Hill beat the Dinas keeper to a loose ball and had the easy job of scoring Neath’s second goal.

Dinas didn’t give up and in the 87^th minute produced the best move of the game when Paul Carro and Peter Lewis put together great passing movement ending with a cross from the left which was met by Ramos Karvouniaris who volleyed first time from 20 yards only to see Huw Liddell in the Neath goal save with his feet, the ball rebounding to Ramos but his second effort was too high.

Neath deserved to win this game and are by far the best side Dinas have played this season but the home side also showed they can play and should not be too down-hearted after this setback.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

Saturday 10 September 2005

Dinas Powys 0 - 2 Port Talbot

FAW Welsh Cup, Round One

This was always going to be a difficult game for Dinas against the Welsh Premier League side, the home side battling against a physically strong team and the goal-scoring abilities of their centre forward being the difference between the sides.

Dinas started strongly in front of a crowd strengthened by youngsters from the Junior Section of the club who were to play a mini football game at half-time. A Rikki Morgan through ball was collected by the Marty Ellacott in the Port Talbot goal and when the same player took a free-kick to Liam Jones his shot was easily saved by the keeper. Port Talbot’s reply came with a cross from the right headed wide of goal by Andrew Pearson.

After eleven minutes Liam Jones should have done better with a 25yd shot wide of the goal after Rikki Morgan had won the ball in midfield. Port Talbot were beginning to exert more pressure on the Dinas defence and their first goal came in the 25^th minute when a Leigh De-Vulgt long throw was missed by a defender and Rhys Griffiths got a touch at the near post to score.

Within five minutes they had doubled their lead when the same player headed in from a corner from the left. Dinas reply came predictably from Nathan Hosgood who beat three defenders and crossed for Liam Beddard at the far post, his shot was pushed away by the keeper for an unproductive corner. Dinas went in at half-time two goals down, a position they have not been in before this season, so it was down to the Juniors to entertain the crowd for ten minutes.

Ten minutes into the second half a Dinas attack down the right involving Jason Cowan, Paul Carro, and Rikki Morgan was cleared by the defence. With Port Talbot seemingly happy to sit on their lead the game seemed to descend into a bit of a stalemate until two goal Rhys Morgan appeared to lead with his elbow in a challenge on Kurt Bettles and was sent off for a second bookable offence.

This was just the spur the home side needed with Kurt being pushed forward, they took the game to Port Talbot, Nathan Hosgood crossed to Neil Jeremy who volleyed wide and a Dinas corner taken by Neil forced the keeper to punch clear, then a long clearance by the Dinas keeper fell to Jamie Dix and his low shot was taken by the Port Talbot keeper at the second attempt as the surface became slippery with the rain becoming heavier.

The one-man advantage was short lived when Nathan Hosgood was dismissed with ten minutes left. Dinas continued to take the game to the Premier League side in the remaining minutes with Liam Jones heading wide from a corner and the same player forcing a save from the keeper after Kurt Bettles had headed across goal to give him the opportunity. So it is Port Talbot who progress to the next round and Dinas will learn that you have to make more of the fewer opportunities you get against opposition from a higher level.

In this penultimate game of the season it was vital that Dinas got something out of the game especially as we don’t yet know how many sides will be relegated, therefore this result may prove to be very important.
 
The first 30 minutes were even with neither side able to put together any worthwhile chances on goal, but for the remainder of the first half Dinas started to dominate and created a number of chances most falling to Peter Lewis. The first in the 37th minute came from a Leigh Vick pass to Peter Lewis whose shot was turned away for a corner then a minute later the same players combined but this time a defender was able to clear Peter’s goalbound shot.

A couple of minutes later, from a Dinas throw, Nathan Hosgood fed Peter Lewis whose shot was pushed around the post by the Skewen keeper who then had to punch clear from the resulting corner only to see the ball fall to Jason Cowan whose shot ran just wide of the post.

Jason was not to be denied and within a minute he won a tackle on the half way line and ran 40 mtrs before planting the ball wide of the keeper for the first goal.

Dinas continued to dominate and got their second on the stroke of half time when Nathan Hosgood jinked between two defenders in the penalty area and was brought down for a clear penalty scored by Leigh Vick.
 
The second half saw Skewen attacking with a lot more purpose and Richie Johnson in the Dinas goal had to be alert and the defenders in front of him playing well to keep them at bay.

Dinas were still able to create chances with Nathan Hosgood and Peter Lewis going close. In the closing minutes of the game Dinas introduced youth team player Marc Mills for his first team debut and he almost wrapped the game up with a fierce shot which flew just over the bar.

MORLEY WILLIAMS
 

MORLEY WILLIAMS

SATURDAY 9 APRIL 2005

Gwynfi 2 - 3 Dinas Powys

Gwynfi are bottom of the league without a win but recently they have strengthened their side and on this showing will probably get their first win before the end of the season.

Gwynfi started strongly and had the better of the first 25 minutes but Dinas had a player sent off for two bookable offences and this seemed to wake them up and they started to play with much more purpose, four minutes after the sending off a precise through ball to Jamie Dix gave him the opportunity he rarely misses and he placed the ball under the keeper to score his 11^th goal in just 13 matches. Within two minutes Liam Beddard’s persistence wide on the left produced a cross and Phil James headed the ball into his own net for the second goal. Dinas continued to dominate the rest of the half and further chances fell to Jamie Dix and Leigh Vick.

Early in the second half Dinas got the third goal when another through ball from Liam Beddard found Jamie Dix and he made no mistake from 12 yards. The game was now more even and in the 70^th minute Gwynfi’s Luke Williams scored with a shot from 20 yards, five minutes later Gwynfi grabbed their second goal but Dinas held out without to many problems for the last 15 minutes and deserved the three points.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

TUESDAY 5 APRIL 2005

Dinas Powys 5 - 0 Garw

The return of Nathan Hosgood and Jamie Dix was a much welcome boost to the side and it showed with a much improved performance against a side one place off the foot of the table.

Dinas started well and soon put Garw under pressure, early chances fell to Jamie Dix, Steve Herniman, and Liam Jones. Liam was not to be denied in the 22^nd minute when he met a Jamie Dix cross in the six yard box and shot past the keeper. The second goal came ten minutes later from a Neil Jeremy corner, this time it was Kurt Bettles on hand to volley in from twelve yards. The Garw goal lived a charmed life for the remainder of the first half and so Dinas went in at halftime 2-0 up and the supporters were for once looking forward to the second half.

It did not take long for Dinas to get the third, just two minutes into the second half a throw on the right to Leigh Vick produced a good cross and Jamie Dix was on hand to score at the far post. With an hour gone a Nathan Hosgood freekick found Neil Jeremy in the box and he was able to score with ease, after 70 minutes the best move of the game from one end of the pitch to the other ended with Nathan Hosgood scoring. Further chances fell to Dinas but they were unable to add to what was already a very respectable score.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

SATURDAY 2 APRIL 2005

Dinas Powys 0 – 2 Neath

This was another six pointer against a side just below Dinas in the table but at the moment we just don’t seem able to put the ball in the net although in this game we created a host of chances.

After just five minutes David Mwasigallah was caught just offside from a through ball played by Haydn Fleming, but within a few minutes Neath got their first goal when a free kick was allowed to go across the goalmouth and Ryan Penny headed in virtually unchallenged at the far post. From a corner Kurt Bettles shot just wide and then from a free kick 25mtrs from goal Leigh Vick fired over the crossbar. Five minutes later another freekick fell to Kurt Bettles on the edge of the area and his fierce shot was saved by the Neath keeper at the second attempt. The best chance of the half fell to Steve Herniman but his shot from 15mtrs hit the post and rebounded to safety.

The second half started quietly with neither side creating any clear chances until in the 75^th minute a swift Neath break on the left produced a good cross and Richard Howell was on hand to score their second goal. Dinas continued to create chances, the best falling to Lee Street who hooked the ball over the bar when well placed. Dinas have further games against teams at the foot of the table but they must start converting the chances into goals.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

SATURDAY 19 MARCH 2005

Caerleon 0 - 0 Dinas Powys

Against the side one place above them in the table it was important to keep in touch with Caerleon and the sides immediately above them, and so this battling performance wasn’t pretty but was effective.

In the sixth minute Dinas had claims for a penalty turned down  when James Harries appeared to be tripped in the penalty area, five minutes later Peter Lewis shot from the edge of the penalty area only to see the ball hit the foot of the post, bounce across the goalmouth and somehow run out for a goal kick. From a Dinas corner Kurt Bettles challenged for the ball which fell to Liam Jones but his shot went over the bar. Caerleon were gifted a couple of chances by the Dinas defence but Richie Johnson in the Dinas goal was equal to anything the Caerleon forwards could throw at him. Dinas went in at halftime having just about had the better of the first half.

Caerleon started the second half strongly and the Dinas keeper made a couple of good saves. Good work on the right side of the area ended with a Lloyd Davies cross but Peter Lewis could not connect and the ball went for a goal kick. In the sixty sixth minute Caerleon’s Chris Pearce wasted a good chance shooting over from a good position and at the other end a Dinas cross from the left side was returned back across goal by Neil Jeremy only for Liam Jones to miss out at the far post. Dinas almost had the last word when from a Haydn Fleming corner Neil Jeremy chested down and shot in one movement only to see the home keeper make an excellent save.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

SATURDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2005

Dinas Powys 0 - 3 Goytre

Although this was an improved performance over the previous game it was still not good enough against a side who were more determined and quicker to the ball throughout the game. The first clear chance fell to Goytre when a free kick on the left was headed towards goal but Alex Skinner in the Dinas goal saved well. Leigh Vick tried to get Dinas moving forward with a couple of shots the second from 30yds going just over the bar. Goytre scored a good goal in the 22^nd minute when a cross from the right was volleyed in at the far post by Michael Waters. They scored a second on the stroke of half time when a swift break ended with a cross from the left and Kevin Bartley headed powerfully home.

The second half started with the introduction of substitutes Liam Jones and Mike Emery to try to give Dinas a much needed boost. Haydn Fleming was working hard in midfield but the central defensive partnership of Wes Drew and Kurt Bettles were have a tough time with the abrasive play of the Goytre forwards. In the 57^th minute Dinas had a couple of clear chances to get back into the game, first a free kick on the right was chested down by Mike Emery but he could not convert, then from another free kick Kurt Bettles volleyed over when well placed. Goytre had the last word when Johnny Walkley broke into the area and crossed for Darren Lyons to score their third and final goal.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

SATURDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2005

Garw 2 - 0 Dinas Powys

There can’t be many sides who can go from the highs of a good away win at Briton Ferry to a dismal defeat at Garw, a side who had only managed two wins in the league up until this meeting.

Garw took the lead as early as the fifth minute when a free kick taken by Gareth Hughes from 22 mts left Billy Clarke in the Dinas goal rooted to the spot, this was all the encouragement the home side needed and despite Dinas having the greater share of possession and a number of good chances they could not make them count and they went in at half time a goal down.

The coffee and home made pasty were very welcome at half time on a very cold day, Dinas made one change at half time with Mike Emery making his debut up front at the expense of Rhodri Foote. From an early corner to Dinas, David Mann crossed for Kurt Bettles to head but the keeper saved under the bar. Further chances fell to Dinas but the robust style of the home forwards were keeping the Dinas defence busy. In the 85^th minute a Garw corner wasn’t cleared by the Dinas defence and Nathan Parrott was on hand to hammer the ball into the net to complete a day best forgotten.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

SATURDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2005

Briton Ferry 1 - 4 Dinas Powys

After a number of disappointing results changes were made to both the squad and the formation, new signing Haydn Fleming came in on the right side of midfield against a young side who have had a good run recently.

Dinas quickly got into their stride and in the fifth minute Peter Lewis received the ball 20 yds out and his fierce shot was tipped over the bar, eight minutes later Rhodri Foote cut in from the touchline and hit a shot from the corner of the area across the keeper and into the far corner to give Dinas a deserved lead.

Further efforts on goal were made by Rhodri Foote and Jason Cowan and it took until the 28^th minute for Briton Ferry to get their first shot on goal saved by Billy Clarke. I

n the 32^nd minute a free kick to Dinas was headed on by Peter Lewis for Kurt Bettles to force the ball home from the edge of the six yard box. The first half ended with the away side well on top and the Dinas defence dominating giving Briton Ferry few opportunities.

Briton Ferry came out in the second half and pressed Dinas back into their own half coming close to scoring when a header clipped the post. The home side were getting more possession leaving the Dinas supporters wondering if we were going to get a repeat of the previous two games when they were lost in the second half.

On 70 minutes Dinas had a third goal disallowed after a good run by Haydn Fleming who passed to Rhodri Foote but the linesman raised his flag for offside as he put the ball into the net. Just four minutes later Leigh Vick and Haydn Fleming combined well to send Rhodri Foote clear, he squared the ball to Liam Jones who beat the keeper from 15 yds.

Briton Ferry struck back when a high ball into the six yard box was forced over the line along with the Dinas keeper the referee giving the goal despite protests of a foul.

Dinas struck back within a minute when a corner was headed home by Kurt Bettles to cap a man of the match performance for his work in both penalty areas.

MORLEY WILLIAMS

SATURDAY 29 JANUARY 2005

Shamrock Travel Cup, Round Three

Dinas Powys 0 - 2 Bettws

Straight from the kick-off Dinas could have taken the lead when Liam Jones burst down the right and into the area, his shot narrowly missing the far post, a couple of  minutes later the same player received a free kick and crossed the ball but it was put over the bar for a goal kick.

The first 30 minutes was marked by Dinas playing some neat football, with Leigh Vick, Peter Lewis, and Richie Gunney combining well on the left side but failing to convert possession into goals.

Bettws were coming more into the game without threatening the Dinas goal.

On 40 minutes Leigh Vick and Jason Cowan combined well and crossed for Peter Lewis to shoot but it was blocked be a Bettws defender and the chance was gone.

Bettws emulated Dinas at the start of the second half and had a couple of chances on the Dinas goal.  In the 55^th minute Dean Vokes had the ball in the net for Bettws only to have it ruled offside but they were not to be denied and when Dinas keeper Billy Clarke missed a cross on the edge of the area a Bettws header ended in the net to give them the lead in the cup tie.

On 70 minutes Bettws substitute Owain Green made it two with a shot from 20 yds which went over the keeper and into the roof of the net.

Despite creating a number of half chances Dinas could not score the goal that would have put pressure on Bettws for the remainder of the game and now have no interest in any cup competitions.

Dinas Powys 1 - 0 Barry Town

Bridgend 3 - 1 Dinas Powys

The first chance in this game fell to the home side when a free kick from 35 metres was cleared and the resulting corner was headed wide.

Dinas' first attack produced a free kick which was headed wide by Kurt Bettles and then an exchange of passes between Jon Carpentier and Leigh Vick ended with a good cross to the far post which saw a Peter Lewis header pushed around the post by the keeper for an unproductive corner.

Further chances fell to both sides but it was Bridgend who took the lead on the stroke of half time when their No 8 moved into the penalty area and his well struck shot went into the opposite corner of the net.

Dinas started the second half with more purpose, and shots from Leigh Vick and James Harries went close but it was Bridgend who scored against the run of play when a good move on their left ended with a low cross into the area and their No 10  made no mistake from 8 metres.

Dinas used their substitutes in a desperate attempt to get something out of the game but in the 73rd minute Bridgend increased their lead when their No 7 scored from 25 metres.

In the 80^th minute Dinas scored when Leigh Vick and Peter Lewis combined to produce a cross which was converted by Jamie Dix to make the final score 3-1 to the home side.

MORLEY WILLIAMS