Fahiya felled twice in box, as hosts struggle to defend (From Penarth Times)

Fahiya felled twice in box, as hosts struggle to defend

THE PITCH at Nelson passed a late inspection for this South Wales Senior League Division One match and although very heavy, it was quite playable.

Sully took the game to their hosts and created several good chances, before a slick move saw Spencer Lamb go down the touchline. His accurate cross was finished well by Drew Fahiya to put Sports ahead.

The Sully forwards were creating space and giving the Nelson defence a torrid time.

With the midfield linking well with the front two, Fahiya broke into the area, only to be felled as he was about to shoot.

The resultant penalty saw Spencer Lamb give Sully a two-goal lead, with a solid strike into the corner.

The heavy pitch made tackling rather chancy and the Sports defence were doing well coping with the pacey Nelson forwards. From a snap chance, Nelson pulled a goal back as the ball skidded through the mud.

A spectacular penalty save from Barrie Niblett enabled Sports to go in at the break with the lead.

The second period saw Ferguson, Govier, Hinds and Brown continue to fight for every ball and the pressure paid off when Fahiya was brought down again in the box for another penalty, from which Spencer Lamb drove the ball low into the net.

Nelson reacted with some crude tackles as they struggled with the speed of the Sully attack. Then Elliot Palmer threaded a superb pass through for Fahiya to elude his marker and fire past the keeper.

Nelson hit back, but Sports defence remained firm, with Lewis, Ed and Peter Jones outstanding, until a last-ditch tackle was penalised in the box and the home side were awarded a penalty, which keeper Niblett almost saved low to his right.

The final whistle blew with Sports worthy winners.

It is hoped that Richard Yarr, who limped off early, will recover quickly as the squad will need to be at their strongest for the coming games.

Sports face Cwm Welfare, an accomplished team who play good football, this Saturday at Swanbridge and players should report at 12.45pm at the ground.

The Premier team face Elec Tec at Swanbridge, and the Vets are away to Pitstop at the Sports Centre, both kick off at 2pm.