Keepers acrobatics see Cogan safely home (From Penarth Times)

Keepers acrobatics see Cogan safely home

COGAN travelled to Bryntirion and with both teams having won their opening South Wales FA Youth League fixture, a hard-fought game was expected.

The visitors began strongly and an early effort saw Jonny Sadler place his shot straight at the keeper. The home team were finding it difficult to keep up with the pace of the game and when Dean Morgan won a header in midfield, it put striker Sadler clear and he composed himself to give Cogan the lead.

Cogan began to lose momentum as a result of some strong Bryntirion challenges, but after the ball was fed to Anthony Johnston, the striker battled hard and managed to beat the keeper with a shot from a tight angle, putting Cogan 2-0 ahead at half time.

Bryntirion came into the second half looking eager to get back into the game and it was left to Cogan keeper James Curtin to produce several acrobatic saves and maintain the visitors' advantage. Cogan did threaten with efforts from Gareth Davies but had to work hard for the victory.

There were impressive displays from Kevin Spear and Nathan Bousie, who got in behind the home defence and were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.

Goalkeeper James Curtin produced a Man of the Match performance as he denied Bryntirion a goal with some fantastic saves.

LLANTWIT FARDRE 1

COGAN CORONATION 2

Cogan looked to maintain their unbeaten start to the season as they travelled for their third successive away trip of the South Wales FA Youth League. It turned out to be a battle of the fittest, as the teams were evenly matched.

Cogan failed to take their chances, with a couple of close attempts from Gareth Davies and were lucky not to go behind when the home team struck the cross-bar after a long-range effort.

With both teams having plenty of opportunities to take the lead it was not long before a scramble on the Llantwit Fardre goal line saw Jonny Sadler and Andrew Richards put pressure on the home goalie. This resulted in a deflected own goal and put Cogan 1-0 ahead at half time.

The second half began in the same style and a powerful shot produced a fine save from Cogan keeper James Curtin. Llantwit Fardre finally equalised after the Cogan defence attempted to call an offside, only to see the referee fail to blow his whistle, allowing the home striker to level the score.

Brett Morse and Emlyn Thomas were introduced to the game for Cogan.

Gareth Davies found Andrew Richards in the box for the pacy winger to fire Cogan into a 2-1 lead.

Midfielder Kevin Spear was instrumental in Co-gan's victory, leading by example as he covered every blade of grass, producing a Man of the Match display.