Villagers make semi-finals (From Penarth Times)

Villagers make semi-finals

IT WAS cup parade for Dinas Powys last Saturday when they travelled to play Aberaman in the quarter final of the Cynffig Motor Factors Cup.

With the Villagers top of Division Two, manager Paul Giles saw their cup-tie as a means of relieving some of the inevitable pressure at this stage of the season.

Priority is promotion and the championship but some silverware in the cup would not go amiss!

An added incentive if needed, was that the top four teams in Division One were still in the competition and victory at Aberaman could make the semi-final draw very interesting.

Giles, with the exception of centre back Mike Mayer, had a full squad available, with Robert King playing at the back and skipper Danny Street plying his considerable talents in midfield.

Dinas were favourites, having already done the double over the hosts in the league, but the home fixture less than a month ago had been a close run thing with victory being secured by a single goal.

Weather conditions were bright and sunny but a swirling wind could make it difficult for keepers in judging the high ball and crosses.

Action was limited in the opening exchanges, like two boxers sizing up the opposition.

Dinas made the first meaningful attack with striker Nathan Hosgood setting up Neil Jeremy, but his first time effort was well saved by the keeper.

After 15 minutes he wasn't so fortunate when wing-back Geoff Poole swung over a deep cross which kept going and finished up in the top far corner.

Poole was almost too embarrassed to accept his team mates congratulations and in his inimitable fashion he described the goal as having a certain amount of "Cool Hand Luke" about it.

Five minutes later it was almost an action replay, but this time at the Dinas end, but Duncan Smith was on his guard and turned the ball over the bar at full stretch for a corner.

Daylight

On the half-hour the Villagers put daylight between the teams with the all important second. The striking duo of Hosgood and Jamie Dix, combined with the former making that most dangerous area - the bye line, where he cannily turned the ball back into the path of the ever alert Jeremy.

This time he gave the keeper no chance with a well placed shot into the corner.

The game then went quiet with Dinas still having the better of the proceedings.

With 30 minutes to go Giles took off the impressive King, switched Street to the back and brought on striker Gavin Beddard.

With the game well under control Dinas went to sleep with only eight minutes to go.

A corner for the Villagers left them with too many players upfield and they paid the price when a swift attack gave the hosts a late chance of getting some thing out of the match.

It wasn't to be and Dinas deservedly went into the semi-final draw with a narrow 2-1 victory.

Assistant manager Peter Walker felt Dinas had been well worth their win and to some extent the scoreline flattered the hosts.

Dinas had been a bit flat but the team had worked hard to accomplish their place in the next round.

In other games in the cup Bettws, top of Division One, beat Pontardawe and third placed UWIC came a cropper against Division Three Pontyclun, the big surprise of the round.

Whilst the Neath (second) against Ton Pentre (fourth) clash will have to wait until "Ton" complete their Welsh Cup fixtures.

The Villagers await the semi-final draw with mouth watering anticipation.

Magnificent

Dinas's second team is also on a cup run.

Last week they played the reserve team from Carmarthen Town in the National League of Wales and achieved an impressive 2-1 win. Goals came from veteran Steve Matthews and youngster Spencer Lamb.

The Villagers led 2-0 and Carmarthen only scored a late consolation. Managers Mike Parkin and Malcolm Mouncher were pleased with a magnificent team performance and can't wait to see who they play in the final.

The big 60

The club sends its congratulations to long standing player and supporter Carl O'Brien who reached the magic 60 last Saturday.

It only seems like yesterday he was dancing down the wing for the Villagers!

This Saturday Dinas entertain fellow promotion contenders Bridgend Town at the Murch, kick off 3pm.