Back-to-back games teach Dinas how to defend the hard way (From Penarth Times)

Back-to-back games teach Dinas how to defend the hard way

Dinas Powys FC U14s v Barry West End

February 26 and March 12

DINAS went into consecutive fixtures against Barry West End, and, having made a surprise 8-5 Cup exit in the first match, and were determined to make amends.

Unfortunately, Dinas managed to turn an early 1-0 lead from Rob Jeffery into a 1-5 deficit with another shambolic display of defending.

A change of personnel then steadied the ship enough for Dan Jose to reduce the half time deficit to 5-2.

After a thoroughly deserved half time roasting, the game was transformed in the second half as the almost customary Jose hat-trick hauled Dinas back into the game, before a long range equalising free kick from Owain Poole registered a remarkable comeback.

With about 20 minutes left and Barry down to ten men following a dismissal, Dinas could sense a victory on the cards, but a number of missed chances meant the game finished a disappointing 5-5, damaging chances of a top two finish.

At the return match at Rhoose, the big difference this time was that the boys actually carried out the defensive instructions - in some style - exhibiting an impressive amount of effort, discipline and concentration.

With keeper Jake Stone and the back four of Jake Constant, Chris Hignett, Jack Palfrey, and Luke Oeppen showing no sign of the individual errors, the new look midfield four of Rob Jeffery, Warren Mason, Tom John and Max Smith were given a platform to work from.

With what seemed a gale force wind making conditions difficult for both sides, it became very clear as the game unfolded that the performance was unrecognisable from the previous two fixtures.

The half time whistle blew with Dinas 2-0 ahead with a superb through ball from Rob Jeffery allowing Jose to lash home a first time shot on the run, and the same player dispossessed a Barry defender outside the area before speeding through to bury his second for his 34th goal in 11 league games.

The second half continued in the same vein, with further goals from Alex Gilflin, running through to thump home a long range left foot shot into the bottom corner, and Tom John, deceiving the keeper with a shot from the edge.

An uncomfortable ten minute spell when the defence again showed signs of losing shape and composure allowed the ever dangerous Tayvian Ludvigsen to reduce the deficit from the edge of the area, although that was one of the few occasions he escaped the close attention of centre back Hignett, and Dinas were never in any real danger.

With the fresh legs of Alex Grigoriou, Charlie Ryley, and Sam Gardiner introduced, Dinas looked comfortable once again, and Tom John thumped home his second into the roof of the net for a 5-1 victory, which although well deserved and very welcome, posed the question'how did they manage to lose the first game and go 5-1 down in the second?'

Previous references to Jekyll and Hyde were all too relevant once again.