Dinas run Bangor close in cup clash (From Penarth Times)

Dinas run Bangor close in cup clash

DINAS POWYS 2, BANGOR CITY 3

THE WEATHER was good for Sunday's Welsh League Cup round three game against Bangor, and after a lot of hard work throughout the week the ground and pitch were in excellent condition.

All that was needed was a good performance by the home side against a team near the top of the Welsh Premier League, and the large crowd were not disappointed.

Bangor started strongly and in the first 20 minutes had a number of shots high and wide of the target with Billy Clarke in the Dinas goal only having to make one save.

The home side came back, and in the 24th minute a cross by Leigh Vick fell to the feet of Jamie Dix but the Bangor City keeper, Richard Acton, smothered his shot.

The Dinas pressure on the Bangor defence resulted in Jamie Dix knocking the ball into the Bangor net to give Dinas the lead, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Within two minutes Bangor had not only equalised but scored a second. The first resulted from a deep cross from wide on the right, Billy Clarke in goal jumped at the far post with Bangor's Paul Roberts and both the ball and keeper ended in the net. On another day the referee would have awarded a free kick, but this time he allowed the goal.

A minute later a Mark Connelly header from fully 15 metres was allowed to cross the face of the goal and sneak into the net at the far post.

Half time came with Dinas 2-1 down, but not looking out of place against higher-placed opposition.

Peter Lewis had several chances but failed to convert, and there were bookings for Bangor players Clayton Blackmore, Tony Gray and Peter Hoy.

Bangor increased their lead in the 60th minute with a header from Tony Gray, but if they thought their fitness level would tell in the last 20 minutes, they were wrong.

Dinas continued to play good football and in the 80th minute they were rewarded with the best move of the game when the ball was passed out of defence to Jamie Dix, who beat a couple of defenders and moved into the Bangor area to cross low and hard to the far post where Spencer Lamb was on hand to score. The remaining 10 minutes were played with Dinas looking for the equaliser, but in the end time ran out and they were left to rue those two soft goals but also to take pride in the rest of their performance.

Saturday, November 13 Shamrock League Cup Round 2 Gwynfi Utd v Dinas Powys 1sts, ko 1.45pm Ace Windows Cup Round 1 Dinas Powys 2nds v Pontypridd, ko 2.15pm. Vale League Alpha Airport v Dinas Powys, ko 2pm. Wednesday, November 17 Welsh League Division 1 Ton Pentre v Dinas Powys 1sts, ko 7.30pm Keep up to date through the club's web site: www.dinaspowysfc.co.uk