All square as both defences hold firm (From Penarth Times)

All square as both defences hold firm

WITH the snow and frost thawing just in time, this game was one of only a handful played in the Welsh League and started with a minute's silence in memory of the great George Best.

Because of a lengthy injury list, Dinas once again had to dip into the Youth team to bolster the first team squad.

Marc Mills, Josh Bell, and Tom Dolton have all made appearance as substitutes and Steve Provis has established himself in the first team in the last few weeks.

As early as the 5th minute, Dinas had the ball in the net, but Rikki Morgan was just caught offside.

UWIC's answer was an attack down the right wing ending with a good low cross, but Jamie Bradford shot wide from eight yards.

A couple of free-kicks in quick succession were awarded to the away side, but the Dinas defence stood firm, comfortably clearing the danger.

Ramos Karvouniaris and Paul Carro were looking dangerous in attack for Dinas and it came as no surprise when a long ball out of defence found Ramos.

His well-judged pass to Paul Carro gave him the chance to round a defender and fire low into the corner of the net to open the scoring.

UWIC's replies came mainly from set pieces, but just on half-time the dangerous Sam Small saw his 20-yard shot rebound off a post to Ryan Jenkins who put the ball into an empty net for the equaliser.

With the ball moving swiftly from end to end, both sides were contributing to an entertaining game.

Within a few minutes of the restart, a Dinas free-kick on the right, taken by Jon Carpentier, was headed on by Kurt Bettles, but Brendan Copley in the UWIC goal saved comfortably. Then Liam Jones made headway down the right and crossed, but the keeper was again on hand to take the ball.

Dinas were now applying plenty of pressure on the UWIC defence and from one of these attacks Ramos, Liam Jones and Paul Carro combined to force a corner taken by Rikki Morgan. Substitute Liam Beddard was on hand to shoot high into the net from eight yards to give Dinas a deserved lead.

UWIC's reply was almost immediate and after some pressure on the home defence it was the turn of their substitute Liam Walsh to finish off a move with a low shot into the corner of the net from 15 yards.

Neither side was prepared to sit back and defend and both continued to attack at every opportunity, but the defences just about held and the game ended 2-2, with supporters going home having seen a committed display from both teams.

The 2nd team lost 0-5 to UWIC in the Welsh League Reserve East Division.

FIXTURES

Saturday, December 3: 1st Team - Welsh League Division 1, Dinas Powys v Bryntirion, ko 2pm.

2nd Team -- Welsh League Reserve East, no fixture.

3rd Team - Vale Premier League, Cadoxton Imps v Dinas Powys, ko 2pm.

Sunday, December 4: Youth Team - Welsh League Youth League East.

Treowen v Dinas Powys ko 2pm.

Ladies' Team, South Wales Ladies' League, Dinas Powys v Haverfordwest, ko 2pm.

Keep up to date through the club's web site:

www.dinaspowysfc.co.uk