Dinas must bounce back after defeat (From Penarth Times)

Dinas must bounce back after defeat

LAST WEEK was a bitter sweet affair for Dinas Powys AFC.

On Wednesday they comprehensively defeated local rivals Grange Quins 3-0, but on Saturday in another home fixture they came unstuck and lost 2-1 against AFC Llwydcoed.

So in their first season in the Second Division of the Welsh League they have the full set in the opening three games with a draw, win and loss.

Back to Wednesday, in front of a large crowd basking in glorious sunshine, the Villagers took the game to the visitors and were rewarded after 20 minutes when Nathan Hosgood was brought down in the area and Player Manager Paul Giles calmly stroked home the penalty.

Within five minutes, Dinas put daylight between the two teams when a superb cross from home debutant Spencer Lamb was accurately finished by Giles again slotted into the bottom corner.

Just before the break Dinas wrapped the game up with a third. This time it was Giles the provider as his well delivered corner was headed into the top of the net by Hosgood.

The second half was somewhat an anti-climax as the Quins tightened up at the back and even troubled the Dinas defence with some well executed attacking raids.

But the Dinas back three of David Mann, Lloyd Davies and Danny Street held firm and were well supported by keeper Duncan Smith with some neat saves.

Overall an excellent team performance with squad players Robbie James and Matthew Higginson coming on midway through the second half and making valuable contributions.

It was also good to see Lee Street back to his imperious best after struggling for form last season due to a series of injuries.

So after such an impressive display it was with a degree of optimism that the team looked forward to the visit of AFC Llwydcoed last Saturday.

Changes were made. Mann was unavailable so Lee Street the hero of the win against Quins was switched from midfield to the back three. Giles rested himself and introduced new singing Robert King into midfield, whilst Neil Jeremy made a welcome return after injury.

The first half was a tight affair with the Villagers finding it difficult to break down a resolute defence and in boxing terms Llwydcoed were ahead on points.

Captain Marvel Lee O'Brien succumbed to an old "war wound" and was replaced for the second period by Higginson.

Early in the second half Dinas should have scored after a spell of penalty area pinball but the visitors survived.

On the hour they took the lead and consolidated their position ten minutes later with the second - a bad goal to give away defensively.

Dinas did not give up and were rewarded with a consolation in the last minute when Geoff Poole, who had replaced Lamb midway through the half, scored from a 60 yard free kick which evaded everyone and trickled into the net.

A disappointment but the sign of a good team is how they bounce back from a setback, so it will be interesting to see how the squad copes over the next couple of games. On Saturday, August 31, Dinas are away to Porth Twyn, ko 3pm.