Dinas need one more win to clinch promotion (From Penarth Times)

Dinas need one more win to clinch promotion

WITH THE season reaching its climax it was important for league leaders Dinas Powys AFC to keep up the momentum when they played two fixtures last week in the Second Division of the Welsh League.

On Tuesday they secured a point with a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Murch against old rivals Newport YMCA. Then last Saturday they took the long trek up the Valleys and came away with three points, beating Blaenrhondda 4-1.

Injuries played a part in selection and Player Manager Paul Giles made a start for the first time in a few games.

The opening half did not live up to expectations and Giles brought on defender Robert King for himself at the start of the second half, pushing skipper Danny Street into a wing-back role.

The move paid dividends almost immediately and the breakthrough came when Leigh Vick, on the right, put over a low cross which evaded the defence and found Joe Finlayson making an excellent run into the box.

He took his time and beat the keeper from close range.

On the half hour, Finlayson was illegally barged off the ball in the penalty area and Mr Reliable, Neil Jeremy stepped up and coolly converted the spot kick to give the Villagers a 2-0 lead and a bit of breathing space.

Two minutes later the visitors were back in the game when a flowing move from box to box ended with keeper Duncan Smith beaten all ends up.

The visitors scented a point and surged forward, only a point blank save by Smith preventing a goal.

It was all to no avail when with only minutes left Newport equalised as a free kick from just outside the penalty area flew into the top corner.

The Dinas injury jinx was not over, and the Supporters Club and Allen and Maureen Giles man of the match Joe Finlayson limped off to be replaced by Joe Taylor.

So it was a point gained but two dropped and it was vital that the Villagers were in good heart for the trip to Blaenrhondda.

The injury list was growing so Assistant Manager Peter Walker was pressed into service at the back.

The Villagers started well and took the lead after only five minutes when an accurate Neil Jeremy corner was flicked in at the near post by Nathan Hosgood.

Things were looking even better when after a quarter of an hour Hosgood scored his second after good play by his strike partner Jamie Dix.

Jeremy and then Hosgood succumbed to injury to be replaced by Spencer Lamb and the half fit Matthew Higgenson.

It got worse when just before the break the Villagers conceded a penalty after Walker was adjudged to have fouled the Blaen striker.

The low strike into the corner gave keeper Duncan Smith no chance.

Midway through the half Dinas had their just reward. An indirect free kick in the home side's penalty area was taken by Danny Street to Lamb who curved his shot into the far corner of the net for an exquisite goal.

Next it was Lamb as goal provider when his cross was fired home from an oblique angle by Dix.

Man of the match was Ray John for a classy defensive display at the back.

A good week's work for the Villagers and the top of the table is as follows:

Dinas Powys P30, W22, D6, L2, Diff 63, Pts 72 Grange Quins P31, W21, D4, L6, Diff 47, Pts 67 Bridgend Town P31, W19, D8, L4, Diff 37, Pts 65 AFC Llwydcoed P29, W18, D7, L4, Diff 35, Pts 61

The Villagers remaining fixtures are: Saturday, April 19: Tredegar, away, ko 3pm; Wednesday, April 23, Treharris away, ko 6.15pm; Saturday, April 26: Newport YMCA, ko 3pm; Saturday, May 3: Ammanford, home, ko 3pm. One more win would guarantee promotion.

Latest news on the Welsh League Cup semi-final is that it will be against the winners of Neath and Ton Pentre, and will be played in the week commencing May 12.