Dinas Powys 0, Garden Village 1

FOR the third game in a row, Dinas produced an excellent performance but failed to really threaten the league leaders goal. However you would never have known there were 13 league places between the sides with Dinas enjoying the lion's share of possession for long spells of the game.

Garden Village started fast and their captain Sam Brown got an early shot on target which James Curtin took comfortably.

Dinas settled into their passing rhythm with midfield men Marc Bonet and Luke Swaffield linking up well, as were full back Nicky Bruce and Ryan Garland down the flank with Bruce putting in a deep cross which the wind took over the cross-bar.

The visitors were then awarded a free-kick wide on the left taken by Ricki Hayden but his effort was straight at Curtin for an easy take.

Swaffield was then played in by Carlos Indjai, he put in an excellent cross which Garden Village keeper Ben Hopkins fumbled initially but gathered it at the second attempt. It was Dinas calling the shots at this stage forcing a corner taken by Bruce, it found the head of James Bloxham but his effort was just over the bar.

Then disaster struck, after Dinas failed to clear their lines the ball fell to Village full back Luke Thomas who smashed a superb shot home from 15 yards for the visitors to take the lead with 25 minutes gone, much against the run of play.

Dinas kept up the pressure to try and get on terms with Indjai making many fine runs down the right, from one of these his cross found Joe Briscombe under pressure and he screwed his shot wide of the upright. Another cross from Bruce was met with a looping header by Swaffield which was just over the bar and as the half-time whistle went Dinas were very unlucky to be a goal in arrears.

Garden Village came out with a bit more purpose in the second half and a free kick from Brown just whistled over the cross-bar.

The visitors frustration began to show as Dinas were again keeping the ball well and Josh Doyle was booked for a late tackle on Bruce followed by another free kick after Indjai was upended. However, Dinas were not really threatening the visitors' goal so fresh legs were introduced, Matthew Leyshorn replacing Garland and Jon Dakin coming on for Indjai. The equaliser would not come however and in fact, Dinas had their keeper Curtin to thank for a superb save from what looked a certain goal by Mark Tancock, tipping the ball over the bar. Time ran out for Dinas but this was a superb display from their young team, all that was missing was a goal.

Dinas entertain Ammanford for their last home game of the season on Wednesday, April 30, with a 6.30pm kick off.

Dinas squad: 1 James Curtin, 2 Ronan Scott, 3 Nicky Bruce, 4 James Marr, 5 James Bloxham (c), 6 Marc Bonet, 7 Ryan Garland, 8 Luke Swaffield, 9 Joe Briscombe, 10 Zac Cleary, 11 Carlos Indjai, 12 Jon Dakin, 14 Matthew Leyshorn, 15 Peter Urquhart.