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Dinas Powys (News)
Unless otherwise stated all match reports relate to Division One
SEASON 200 7-08
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
Wednesday 4 April 2007 Ton Pentre 4 - 1 Dinas Powys
Ton Pentre got into their stride quickly and new signing Andy Mainwaring made his presence felt with a couple of shots which were off target. Not to be outdone, Dinas striker Shelton Payne hit the cross bar when he lobbed Marty Ellacott in the Ton goal.
The hosts opened their account in the 12th minute when, after a flowing move, Ryan Jenkins hit a superb shot from the corner of the 18 yard box, giving Joe Cushieri no chance. On the 20 minute mark, Lloyd Davies, standing in for the injured Danny Kinsey, headed just over the bar from a throw in. The 'Bulldogs' always looked the better side on the night and they doubled their tally when Stacey Kodani failed to clear a lofted ball into the box and Alyn Jones drove the ball home.
The visitors always looked dangerous on the break however, and Shelton Payne broke through the defence again but his low shot hit the upright. This seemed to spur Dinas on and they had their best spell of the match with skipper and man-of-the-match Ricky Morgan leading by example, riding four tackles to cross low for the onrushing Kodani to side-foot home just a minute before the interval.
Ton were not to be denied however and started the second half in determined mood, their passing and movement was excellent and they soon made it 3-1, Jenkins again the scorer.
Dinas manager Nicky Tucker then rang the changes replacing Sam Hartrell and Kevin Davies with Jason Cowan and Kelvin McClaggon. Ton added a fourth goal late in the game after Joe Cushieri had parried the first attempt only to see Ton substitute Dwayne Mardenborough drive the ball home from close range.
Peter King
Saturday 31 March 2007 Dinas Powys 3 - 1 Caerleon Manager Nick Tucker must have been wondering where his first win was going to come from but thanks to two goals from Mark Dunford and one from Shelton Payne Dinas moved above Caerleon in the league deserving the win with an improved performance. The game started with the home side showing Caerleon a little of what was to come with Shelton Payne racing into the penalty area but his shot was deflected for a corner, a minute later a Rikki Morgan free-kick was headed towards goal by Mark Dunford only for keeper Richard Lancaster to push the ball away for another corner. Caerleon came back into the game and Dinas had to be grateful to keeper Joe Cusheri for pulling off three good stops within a few seconds as the visitors looked for the opening goal. They didn’t have to wait too long and when a corner, taken by Simon Truman, was allowed to run across the six-yard box Chris Pearce was on had to shoot home from 12 yards. The visitors boosted by the goal started to look dangerous but just ten minutes later Dinas equalised when a Caerleon free-kick was intercepted by Jon Carpentier whose pass to Shelton Payne enabled him to advance into the area, a defender slipped and fell at Shelton’s feet and appeared to push the ball away with his hand, the referee blew for a penalty converted by Mark Dunford. A couple of minutes later Caerleon were again caught out when they lost the ball deep inside the Dinas half, the ball was immediately switched to Shelton Payne whose pace took him past a defender and crossed invitingly for the onrushing Mark Dunford to place the ball past the keeper giving Dinas a half-time lead. The second-half started with neither side forging any worthwhile goal attempts until the sixty-second minute when a low cross into the Caerleon area was only cleared to Shelton Payne 15 yards from goal, he wrong-footed a defender before shooting low into the corner of the net giving the keeper no chance to save. Dinas sat back and allowed Caerleon to come at them but restricted their chances mainly to corners. Even the elements were with Dinas when the wind increased bringing heavy rain, not forecast by Derek, making it very difficult to put together any meaningful attacks for the last ten minutes, Dinas eventually running comfortable winners. MORLEY WILLIAMS
Saturday 24 March 2007 Dinas Powys 0 - 0 Grange Harlequins
With local rivals Grange Quins in the relegation zone, and Dinas just above, this was a game with plenty of effort but not too much skill on show, the home side being more pleased with the point than the away side who really needed to pick up all three.
Both sides started quickly and the Quins showed their intent in the first minute with a Julian Dos Santos shot comfortably saved by home keeper Joe Cusheri. Dinas replied a minute later with Mark Dunford preferring to shoot than pass to Paul Carro unmarked in front of goal which would have been the better option.
The home side's best weapon seemed to be the long throw of Neil Passmore and from one of these Kevin Davies hit the bar twice in the space of a few seconds.
Twenty-five minutes into the game Dinas thought they had taken the lead when another long throw was flicked on by Danny Kinsey and eluded the keeper to find the net only for the referee to give offside. Joe Cusheri had to pull off a good save from the elusive Nathan White and the Quins claimed a penalty when a player went down in the area but the linesman flagged for a foul for the home side. Dinas centre-half Danny Kinsey almost gave them the lead with a powerful header from a corner but a defender somehow managed to deflect the ball over the crossbar when he looked certain to score.
With Dinas having created the clearer opportunities in the first-half the Quins needed to step up their efforts and forced the home side back but were unable to create much in front of goal and with Dinas missing the influence of Phil James it was hard to see where a goal was going to come from. Mark Dunford and Rhodri Foote both had headers for goal off-target but in the end a goalless draw looked the most likely outcome well before the end of the game.
MORLEY WILLIAMS
Saturday 17 March 2007
UWIC 2 - 0 Dinas Powys
From the outset the one outstanding factor in this game was the wind blowing down the pitch making it extremely difficult for both sides.
In the first half UWIC had the advantage of the wind and pinned Dinas back in their own half scoring the opener on the half hour from a well taken 20 yard free kick curled round the wall and just inside the post giving keeper Joe Cusheri little chance. The visitors only really came close when Paul Carro broke from inside his own half beating a defender before feeding Jason Cowans, his cross appeared to hit a defenders hand but the referee turned down a strong appeal for a penalty.
Dinas had the strong wind at their backs in the second half but UWIC were able to build more attacks than Dinas had in the first half. On seventy-five minutes they doubled the lead following a mix-up in the Dinas defence out on the touchline, the ball was quickly crossed to their centre-forward who fired home from 15 yards. The visitor’s chances were restricted to long-range shots and corners but were unable to break down the UWIC defence.
The home side have strengthened their side with a number of Cameroon players hoping they will avoid the drop down to Division Two, Dinas will also have to work hard between now and the end of the season to make sure they are not sucked into the relegation dogfight.
MORLEY WILLIAMS
Saturday 10 March 2007
Dinas Powys 2 - 2 ENTO Aberaman Ath
Fifth-placed Aberaman must have gone home thinking that some decisions had not gone their way in this game but, despite having put Dinas under a lot of pressure they did not carve out that many goal scoring opportunities and in the end the home side just about deserved the point with Danny Kinsey outstanding in defence.
On ten minutes Joe Cusheri in the home goal had to be alert when a defensive header looked to be going in but he managed to push the ball round the post and Joe again was on hand a few minutes later to take a deep cross at his far post under pressure from the busy Nathan King.
Dinas opened the scoring just a minute later when in form Mark Dunford chased a return pass from Rikki Morgan into the area just getting there ahead of Neil Collins in the visitors goal to toe-poke in from 12 yards. They could have doubled the lead five minutes later when Paul Carro found room on the right to put in a good cross, Mark Dunford was again on the end of it but his first time effort was just outside the upright.
The home defence had restricted Aberaman to a couple of corners and a long range shot from Neil Davies until Jon Phillips won a tackle on the edge of the area and was on the end of the return ball to head just inside the post for the equalizer a few minutes before half-time.
Aberaman started the second half much as they had in the first, Joe Cusheri had to push the ball round the post from a fierce shot from Neil Davies and following a corner the ball fell for Paul Dawes but his shot was off target.
Dinas' reply came with a sweeping move from deep in their own half, Phil James astute pass found Paul Carro who made progress before delivering an excellent cross but Rhodri Foote’s shot was too close to the keeper.
With just ten minutes to go Dinas had brought on their substitutes and were forcing their way back into the game with Stacey Kodani prominent, but even he was unable to do anything when a minute from full time a long ball into the Dinas area was given a helping hand by former Cardiff City player Kurt Nogan, he was then able to lay the ball back for Paul Dawes to shoot low into the net from 12 yards.
It looked as though the visitors were going to take all three points but Dinas were not going to give in that easily and almost immediately they forced Aberaman back and from a long throw into the area Stacey Kodani made room but his shot hit a defender on the hand and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty duly converted by Rikki Morgan, the referee blowing for full-time immediately after the restart.
MORLEY WILLIAMS
Saturday 24 February 2007 Dinas Powys 1 - 2 Afan Lido
Despite the result Dinas were glad to get this game played as it had been nearly three weeks since the previous game, work on the pitch during the morning enabled the referee to give the go-ahead an hour before kick-off.
The game started at a frenetic pace especially in midfield and it wasn’t long before Lido carved open their first chance when Steve Parry’s cross was met by John Felton only for his shot to clear the crossbar.
Dinas' reply came from a Jason Cowan corner comfortably taken by Brian Thomas in the visitor’s goal. It wasn’t long before Jason Cowan was in the thick of the action again winning a couple of important tackles in midfield before feeding Paul Carro on the edge of the Lido area, his low shot was parried by the keeper only to find Mark Dunford 20 yards from goal who coolly steered the ball into the net to give the home side the lead.
In an even first half Lido’s reply came mainly from corners dealt with by the home defence until five minutes from half-time, when, a corner was not cleared properly allowing a long cross back into the area to find Carl Evans who headed home for the equalizer.
Lido started the second half brightly with Ian Jones shooting over the crossbar but Dinas were always a threat and when Paul Carro carried the ball from well inside his own half he was unable to find well placed Mark Dunford. The same players combined well to give Mark Dunford a shooting opportunity but his well struck shot was somehow pushed away by keeper Brian Thomas for an unproductive corner.
Ten minutes from time a mix-up in the home defence gave Ian Jones the chance to put Lido ahead in the game which he gratefully took. It was Paul Carro who looked most likely to get Dinas back in the game and when he beat a defender wide on the right his excellent cross was just cut-out by a defender on the near post before Mark Dunford could make the most of the opportunity. Their final chance came in the final minute with a 25yd shot narrowly wide of post from new signing Neil Passmore.
MORLEY WILLIAMS
Tuesday 6 February 2007
Grange Harlequins 1- 1 Dinas Powys
Those supporters who braved a bitterly cold night were treated to a game of few chances played on a bumpy Leckwith Stadium pitch, Dinas played the better football but created few clear chances and had to settle for a point.
Following a Dinas free-kick Phil James gave the ball to Kevin Davies who beat a defender before unleashing a powerful 22 yard shot tipped over the crossbar by Alain Fouanguim in the home goal. Paul Carro forced the home keeper into a sharp save following a good through ball from Phil James before Omar Abdillahi’s 20 yard shot forced a save from Joe Cushieri in the Dinas goal.
With Dave Penikett and Jon Carpentier bottling up the home forwards the first goal came as something of a surprise when the Quins were awarded a free-kick wide on the left, the ball into the penalty area was headed on by Mathew Hopkins and looped into the far corner of the net.
Further chances fell to Paul Carro following good work on the right by Rhodri Foote but his effort was to high and then Calvin McLaggon’s shot was cut out by home defender Eston Chiverton. The Quins ended the half with a long range free-kick comfortably saved by Joe Cushieri.
Dinas continued to take the game to the Quins at the start of the second half with Rikki Morgan’s long-range shot testing the home keeper. The front two of Paul Carro and Calvin McLaggon were looking to put more pressure on the home defence and when Paul’s low cross to the near post was met by Jason Cowan, his effort went narrowly wide. Dinas were not to be denied and, nine minutes into the second half, an excellent ball out of defence was headed on by Calvin McLaggon for Paul Carro to chase, his persistence paid of when he rounded the keeper to walk the ball into the net for a deserved equalizer.
Three minutes later Dinas could have taken the lead when a 25 yard shot from Phil James hit the underside of the crossbar only to bounce down and out for a goal kick.
Eston Chiverton’s unruffled approach at the back for the Quins was almost his undoing when he dwelt on the ball for too long and Paul Carro’s challenge was enough to send the ball arcing towards goal but the keeper just managed to reach the high ball. The home side’s answer was a good break down the left and cross into the area met by Omar Abdillahi but his header was straight at the Dinas keeper.
The remainder of the game was played out with little opportunity to make an impression on the scoreline.
With new manager Nick Tucker already making his mark with one new signing you can be sure more new players will be brought in to strengthen the side and hopefully improve their league position.
MORLEY WILLIAMS
Saturday 27 January 2007
Dinas Powys 2 - 1 Newport YMCA
This was a poor game with the uneven pitch making life difficult for the players on both sides, Dinas were happy to come away with the spoils and Newport must have felt a little aggrieved at getting nothing.
The away side had the better of the opening exchanges and should have scored when Lewis Sommers headed the ball on for Faris Yafai but he could only put his effort high and wide when well placed.
Dinas survived a number of corners aimed at the heads of the big Newport players before taking the lead when Robbie Fowler’s pass went to a Newport defender but he dwelt on the ball just inside his own area and Chris Round robbed him and crossed low but just behind Mark Dunford who did very well to hook the ball in from eight yards when off-balance. This settled the home side and they started to pass the ball despite the pitch, it was no surprise when Dinas scored their second, Phil James throw was helped on by Robbie Fowler to Rikki Morgan, his cross-field ball found Chris Round 30 yards from goal and his left foot shot beat Gareth Yeoman in the Newport goal to double the lead. For the remainder of the half chances for either side were few and far between and they went in at half-time with Dinas seemingly in control.
Newport started the second half much as the first, taking the game to Dinas without creating any clear chances, shots came in from Faris Yafai and John Pardue comfortably dealt with by Joe Cusheri in the home goal. Fifteen minutes into the second half a high ball caused confusion in the Dinas penalty area and when the ball came to Lewis Sommers who put the ball into an empty net with keeper Joe Cusheri stranded.
With about twenty minutes left Newport should have equalised, substitute Lloyd Davies handled the ball deep in the area but the resulting penalty, taken by Craig James, was placed too close to Joe Cusheri and the keeper saved down low to his left.
Newport continued to press with Dinas playing on the break but neither side created any clear-cut chances and the home side were happy to finish with the three points lifting them nearer to mid-table.
MORLEY WILLIAMS
Saturday 13 January 2007
Dinas Powys 1 - 1 Pontypridd Town
This was an excellent game between two fully committed sides, Pontypridd are one of the best sides to visit The Murch this season and are well equipped to go on and win promotion to the League of Wales, so it was to the Dinas players credit that they were able to match them for most of this game.
The first real attack came from Pontypridd when Chris Summers made enough room to get in his cross to the near post where ex-Dinas player Nathan Hosgood was able to get a foot to the ball but only managed to steer his effort wide of the post.
The home side's reply came from some neat interplay between Rhodri Foote and Phil James whose cross was just beyond Mark Dunford. Paul Carro’s break from half-way gave Robert Fowler a chance but his low shot was comfortably saved. In the twenty-second minute Dinas created their best chance of the half when an excellent ball to Paul Carro was crossed first-time for the onrushing Phil James to head towards goal but somehow Mark Poole in the Pontypridd goal managed to tip it over the bar, from the resulting corner Dave Peniket’s header ran across goal and wide of the far post. Pontypridd’s reply came from a right wing cross, Nathan Hosgood stepping over the ball enabling Geza Hadjgato to get a shot at goal but well wide.
With Dinas edging the first half it was Pontypridd’s turn to come at the home side after the break with Joe Cusheri in the home goal denying prolific scorer Chris Summers and when they conceded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area he again did well to save Nathan Hosgood’s effort.
Dinas were still dangerous on the break and when the ball came to Mark Dunford 25 yards from goal his snapshot cannoned off an upright to run across goal to a Pontypridd defender to clear. The Dinas rearguard were coming under increasing pressure and were grateful to their keeper, again saving with his feet, from Chris Summers with the resulting corner cleared off the line, they were a little fortunate five minutes later when Andrew Hughes should have scored from just five yards but blazed over the bar.
Despite coming under pressure Dinas were dangerous on the break and when Pontypridd conceded a free-kick 25 yards from goal Rikki Morgan stepped up to place his low shot past the keeper and just inside the post to score the opening goal.
It was inevitable that Pontypridd would create further chances and five minutes later a high ball into the home side’s penalty area eventually fell to Chris Summers and with Dinas players appealing for a foul on the keeper he coolly scored from eight yards to give Pontypridd what we would have to admit was a deserved equalizer. Both sides had given there all in this game and the final minutes were played out with few scoring opportunities.
This result was all the more deserved as the home side were without a management team following their resignation earlier in the week. The Club would like to thank Mike Spray and Richie Garland for their past effort and commitment.
MORLEY WILLIAMS
Saturday 6 January 2007
Barry Town 1 - 3 Dinas Powys
So it was back to the early season form for Dinas in this game and apart for a ten minute spell towards the end of the first half they were in complete control, strong at the back with the return of Kurt Bettles, organized in midfield and dangerous going forward.
Dinas made the early running before Barry’s first attempt on goal, a Craig Reddy shot, ran wide of the upright. Good work by defender Jon Carpentier gave Robert Fowler a shooting opportunity but his effort was way to high, and when Rikki Morgan won a free-kick Dave Peniket’s shot was held by Dan Bradley in the Barry goal.
Within a couple of minutes Dinas took the lead when centre half Kurt Bettles won the ball, he passed to Phil James who sent Paul Carro running into the area to shoot past the keeper and into the far corner of the net from 20 yards. It was then the home side's turn to put Dinas under some pressure with a Josh Bell shot pushed away for a corner and when a deep cross was volleyed towards goal at the far post Joe Cusheri pulled off a great save with his feet to deny an equalizer. Following a Barry corner, cleared by the Dinas defence, the away side forced a corner of their own, the Barry keeper managing to grab the ball following a mix-up in the defence.
Dinas began the second half as they had in the first, Rikki Morgan’s ball to Mark Dunford enabled him to get his shot away but it was too high. The dangerous Paul Carro, having his best game so far this season, won the ball on the touchline before giving Robert Fowler a shooting opportunity but again it cleared the crossbar.
Dinas were in some danger of not making their opportunities count until another dangerous run by Paul Carro at the heart of the Barry defence forced them to concede a penalty with Mark Dunford converting the spotkick. Further chances fell to Mark Dunford and Robert Fowler keeping Dan Bradley in the Barry goal busy.
The home side's reply came from Josh Bell with a 20 yard shot comfortably saved. With ten minutes the Dinas defence had their one lapse of the game when they allowed Gareth Hemmings room to turn on the edge of the area his shot ran inside the far post to give the home side some glimmer of hope.
This should have been the time for Barry to put the Dinas defence under pressure searching for the equalizer but it was the away side who had further opportunities to increase their lead, following another strong run from midfield, Paul Carro shot wide from just inside the area, and in similar fashion it was Rhodri Foote who forced a save from the Barry keeper.
Dinas were not to be denied and in the final minute when Barry were awarded a corner the home keeper moved into the opposite penalty area, the Dinas defence comfortably dealt with the corner and quickly transferred the ball to Mark Dunford lurking on the halfway line, he got the better of his marker and as the Barry keeper desperately made his way back he calmly chipped the ball from halfway into the net.
This third goal was fully deserved giving the scoreline a more realistic reflection on the game, Dinas can now look forward to a much tougher encounter with Pontypridd Town in their next game at The Murch.
MORLEY WILLIAMS
Saturday 23 December 2006
Dinas Powys 0 - 1 Maesteg Park
This was the first home game for two months and during that time Dinas have been sucked down towards the wrong end of the table, they are in desperate need of a win but it was not to come from this game despite matching Maesteg for most of the game.
In an even first half it was Dinas who came closest to opening the scoring when Robert Fowler chased a long ball out of defence and managed to reach it just before veteran keeper Gary Wager but his shot was wide of the goal. Once again Rikki Morgan and Phil James were working hard in midfield and Robert Fowler added a more physical presence up front but chances were few and far between for both sides.
The dangerous Robert Walters almost opened the scoring for Maesteg when he found room on the edge of the area but his shot was too high to trouble the Dinas keeper. Just on half-time David Mwasigallah beat a Maesteg defender on the left side of the area only to see his shot across goal run just wide of the far post. The visitors started the second half in determined fashion getting plenty of the ball and putting the defence under pressure, a Rhys Owen header just cleared the bar before a testing ball placed between the Dinas defence and goalkeeper created some hesitancy and Robert Walters got a foot in and the ball just managed to creep over the line without anybody able to get back and clear. A few minutes later Rikki Morgan tested the Maesteg keeper from 25 yards but he dealt with it comfortably. The visitors should have increased their lead when they were awarded a penalty in the 72nd minute but Robert Walters shot was beaten away by Joe Cusheri with his defence completing the clearance. Three minutes later Dinas should have been awarded a penalty when the ball hit the hand of a Maesteg defender but their appeals were turned down. Despite the penalty appeal the referee Paul Walters deserves a mention for allowing the game to be played as it should be between two committed but fair sides. MORLEY WILLIAMS
Saturday 9 December 2006
Bryntirion Ath 2 - 0 Dinas Powys
This game didn’t start to well, the match officials being held up on the motorway meant that the game was over an hour late kicking off, from there on things got worse with Dinas conceding a goal in each half and Bryntirion deserving the win.
The home side had much the better of the first-half and at times the Dinas defence was stretched but held out until the 38th minute when Gavin Thomas cut inside from the right wing and was allowed to shoot from 20 yards beating the dive of the Dinas keeper.
The best of Dinas’s chances fell to Shelton Payne, following a Bryntirion corner headed against the bar by Sean Cronin the ball was quickly transferred to the other end and Shelton beat his defender but shot over the bar with just the keeper to beat, on another day he would have tried to go round the keeper but confidence is low throughout the side and the chance was missed.
Dinas started the second-half with more purpose, Rikki Morgan leading by example, urged his players on but they were restricted to long-range shots, one of those from Rikki Morgan, when his 20 yard dipping shot just cleared the bar and landed on the roof of the net. On the hour Shelton Payne had a chance for an equalizer but Rob Cronick in the home goal turned the ball round the post.
Bryntirion wrapped up all three points in the seventieth minute when Jonathan Cuss met a right wing cross with a powerful header, Joe Cusheri managed to get a hand on it but couldn’t prevent it from going in.
MORLEY WILLIAMS
Saturday 2 December 2006
Goytre Utd 4 - 1 Dinas Powys
A run of poor results have meant that Dinas have dropped into the lower half of the league and we knew it wasn’t going to be easy against the side who won the league last season only to refuse promotion to the Welsh Premier League.
It was Dinas who had the early chances in this game with a Dwayne Strong shot in the first minute well held by Chris Curtis in the home goal and then following a corner slack marking in the Goytre defence gave Mark Dunford the chance to open the scoring but he blazed over from just six yards out.
They were soon made to pay for missed chances when a Goytre break saw John Meacock advance into the area and place the ball past Joe Cusheri in the Dinas goal for the opener. Goytre’s passing and physical presence gave them the edge in the first half and they couldn’t have picked a better time to score their second just on half-time, their attack down the left ended with a low cross that the Dinas defence allowed to run across the six yard box and Paul Lenihan had the simplest task to tap in with the referee blowing for half-time just after the kick-off.
Within three minutes of the second half Dinas had made their intentions clear when Dwayne Strong’s run from halfway reached the byeline to put over an excellent low cross, Mark Dunford shrugged off a defender and clipped the ball into the net just inside the far post. Dinas searched for the equalizer with an improved second half display, following Paul Penikett’s downward header Mark Dunford shot was too weak to trouble the Goytre keeper. With Rikki Morgan and Dwayne Strong working hard to lift Dinas they were still in with a chance to get something out of this game, in the seventieth minute Dwayne’s shot was deflected for a corner, the same player then won a free-kick the Goytre keeper had to punch clear.
With the away side committing players forward it was inevitable Goytre would make chances of their own, but they were fortunate to be awarded a penalty five minutes from time and Richard Ryan stepped up to score. Within a couple of minutes Goytre wrapped up the game with a swift break from within their own half, they passed the ball through the Dinas defence and substitute Darren Lyons slotted the ball home from 12 yards.
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 4 November 2006
Newtown 2 - 0 Dinas Powys
FAW Welsh Cup, Round Three
The last time Dinas Powys played at Newtown was in 1998 when it was the neutral venue for their successful FAW Carlsberg Amateur Trophy Final. This time the result was not so good with the superior fitness of the of the Welsh Premier League side contributing to this defeat.
Dinas matched Newtown for much of the first half with Rikki Morgan working tirelessly in midfield. As early as the eight minute Dwayne Strong fed Rhodri Foote, his run into the area ended with a low shot deflected and the resulting corner was caught by David Jones in the Newtown goal.
As expected the home side began pressurising the Dinas defence but with Mathew Lewis and Gareth Hughes both clearing the crossbar with efforts the visitors goal remained intact. On the half-hour the combination of Dwayne Strong and Rhodri Foote again saw Rhodri advance well into the penalty area with his shot being deflected for an unproductive corner.
Joe Cusheri in the Dinas goal then had the crowd of almost two hundred on their feet pulling off a smart save to deny Newtown the opening goal. Just on half-time the Dinas cause wasn’t helped when Chris Round was forced to go off because of a shoulder injury he was replaced by Jason Cowan.
The home side came out strongly for the second half with Joe Cusheri saving a Danny Barton header, the same player then forced Danny Kinsey to clear for a corner just a minute later, and when the Dinas defence failed to clear, Mathew Lewis poked the ball home from five yards to give the home side the all important opening goal.
Despite the efforts of Rikki Morgan and Rhodri Foote the home side increased the pressure and Joe Cusheri in goal had a busy time keeping them at bay saving well from Gareth Hughes and Damien Daniels.
The second goal came from a Dinas throw deep in the Newtown half, a wayward pass giving the home side the chance to break swiftly finishing with Mathew Lewis’s unselfish square pass to Danny Barton who had the easiest of opportunities to score from ten yards.
In the end Newtown’s second half performance saw them through to the last sixteen of the Welsh Cup.
Our thanks go to the officials and players of Newtown for their hospitality before and after the game. 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 chan |
