PENRHIWCEIBER RANGERS 1

DINAS POWYS 0

DINAS POWYS can count themselves very unlucky not to have taken something from Saturday's Macwhirter Welsh League Soccer clash after dominating the second half but failing to break through the home defence.

In the early stages, the visitors had the first half chance, with Dimitri Fallas' shot straight at home goalkeeper Kurt Rogers who gathered comfortably.

However, the Dinas defence was caught off guard for what proved to be the only goal when Jason Hatch headed into the top corner following a cross.

Dinas goalkeeper James Curtain was injured in a collision with an onrushing forward but was okay to resume after treatment, and, following a further spell of visiting pressure, another corner was only half cleared, but Tony Herrin's shot was well saved.

Although the Ceiber passing was crisper at this stage, they didn't really create many opportunities and, when Dinas were awarded a free kick on the edge of the home area after Paul Penikett was fouled, Nicky Bruce's shot again proved an easy take for Rogers. A further chance came Dinas' way when, following a through ball, Rogers was well positioned to save after a good shot from the skilful Marc Bonet.

Shortly before half time, in a goalmouth scramble in the Ceiber six-yard box, Barry King, Fallas and Penikett all had half chances, but somehow the defence managed to stop the ball crossing the line.

King, with a slight hamstring pull, was replaced by Carlos Indjai at the start of the second period and Dinas really began to take the game to their opponents but, despite numerous corners and free kicks, they could not find the elusive equaliser.

Although Ceiber remained dangerous on the break, Dinas looked more likely to score and further good link up play between Fallas and Indjai led to a couple of crosses by the latter, the first one being too near the 'keeper, and the second reaching Fallas, who took a touch before slicing his shot off target.

Indeed, the closest Dinas came to an equaliser was when Bonet evaded four tackles with brilliant close control and looked to have scored with a shot into the corner. But, somehow, Rogers, who was going the wrong way, got a toe to the ball and deflected it around the post.

As the wind picked up and the rain swept in, Dinas rang the changes for the last few minutes, with Ryan Garland and Connor Parsons replacing Herrin and Fallas, but, despite laying siege to the home goal, time ran out and their excellent battling second half display fell short.

On December 21 Cardiff Met University visit the Murch with a 2pm kick-off.

Dinas squad: James Curtain, James Marr, Nicky Bruce, Dave Penikett, James Bloxham, Tony Herrin, Paul Dawes (c), Marc Bonet, Paul Penikett, Dimitri Fallas, Barry King, Connor Parsons, Carlos Indjai, Ryan Garland and Danny Street.

P K