Dinas lay bogey to rest in emphatic win (From Penarth Times)

Dinas lay bogey to rest in emphatic win

IT WAS a top of the table clash last Saturday when Dinas Powys travelled to play Bridgend in the second division of the Welsh League.

The Coychurch Road ground held bad memories for the Villagers.

Twice they had been defeated at the venue in play-offs to gain entry into the Welsh League.

That all seemed a long time ago and Dinas were determined to gain a victory and lay the bogey tag once and for all.

Team news was that skipper Danny Street was unavailable and his place in the heart of the defence was taken by the experienced Mike Mayer whilst Ray John picked up the captain's armband.

The teams were level on points with both only experiencing one defeat apiece so it was all to play for.

The management team of Paul Giles and Peter Walker had carefully prepared the squad ensuring that they were all ready and able for the difficult task ahead.

As expected the opening few minutes were helter skelter and the hosts were fortunate when a Neil Jeremy corner caused havoc in their ranks and the keeper was relieved to see a scrambled effort being deflected for another corner.

The free flowing football played by Dinas paid dividends in the ninth minute. A series of passes came to an abrupt end when Jeremy, who was in the thick of things in midfield was tripped out on the right.

He took full revenge by arrowing a cross to the far post where Mayer rose superbly to head down to Nathan Hosgood who fired it home from close range.

Five minutes later the Villagers extended their lead. This time it was from the left with Geoff Poole being the supplier.

His long diagonal ball found Jamie Dix at the far post who showed impeccable control before slotting the ball home.

The hosts were stunned and their unbeaten record at home looked extremely vulnerable but they rolled up their sleeves and gradually got into the game.

The midfield became a war of attrition as both teams battled hard on a pitch that was becoming heavier by the minute.

The dynamic duo up front were still having their moments even though closely marked (it seemed a bit late!) when Dix set up Hosgood who slipped a couple of tackles before sending his shot just wide.

Bridgend weren't joint top for nothing.

Just before the interval a well worked move split the Dinas defence but keeper Duncan Smith stood big in a one on one and blocked the effort to send Dinas in for their half-time tea with a deserved two goal advantage.

The Villagers started off the second half in the same vein.

A ball was won in midfield after a thunderous tackle by Jeremy who then laid it off to Dix but his firm lowshot was well saved by the Bridgend keeper.

Sometimes things are almost going too well and on the hour Dinas had a major setback when Hosgood limped off with a pulled hamstring.

The only people glad to see him go were the two centre-backs who had been led a merry dance with his close control and skill.

It shows the strength of the squad when a player of Spencer Lamb's calibre comes on as substitute.

The hosts were desperate to get back into the match but if they breached the midfield, where Jeremy was still performing heroics, ably assisted by his two runners Matthew Higgenson and Lee Street, they floundered against the defensive trio of Mayer, John and Robert King.

With a quarter of an hour to go the hosts visibly wilted when Dinas scored their third, and what a goal it was.

Bridgend had applied some pressure for a period without looking particularly dangerous.

The Villagers hit them on the break with a swift attack and the ball came to Jeremy on the edge of the box.

With quick feet he fooled two defenders before chipping the keeper in off the crossbar for an exquisite goal.

Naturally everyone connected with the club were ebullient after such a comprehensive and significant victory.

Manager Paul Giles felt the whole squad deserved the 'Men of the Match' award for putting in a performance of the highest quality.

The Supporters' Club members who had travelled down West were full of admiration for the players and showed their appreciation with a donation behind the bar in the Bridgend clubhouse.

The pressure doesn't ease.

On Saturday the team is home to Blaenrhondda, who had a narrow win against Treharris last Saturday.

It was Treharris who took a point from the Villagers three weeks ago, so it won't be easy, ko 2.15pm.