DINAS Powys faced Chepstow Town on Saturday, October 11 with the match ending in a one all draw.

Dinas finally got something from a game that their improved form of late deserved and they more than matched Chepstow in all departments and but for a good save from their keeper Wesson, might have taken all three points.

The game commenced in pouring rain and a strong wind which continued throughout the first half.

The visitors soon got into their passing game well and a strong run by striker Ben Ah-Mun looked promising but he was dispossessed before he could get a shot away.

At the other end a deep cross by McCarthy found the head of Dunn but Dinas keeper James Curtin saved his effort at the expense of a corner which was taken short, Prangley feeding Lama but his shot sailed over the bar.

Dinas came close to opening the scoring, Ah-Mun crossing for Atif Bashir to send a header crashing off the post. However they kept the pressure on and, from a Nicky Bruce corner, Ah-Mun headed high into the net to give Dinas the lead on 10 minutes.

Chepstow began to press for the equaliser, Peel squared the ball to Wigsome but his effort was well wide and after a further spell of possession Ross got a shot away, but again it was off target.

After a good run by Ah-Mun ended when he was fouled on the edge of the box, Nicky Bruce put in a good delivery but no-one managed to get a touch and it ran out for a goal kick. Rhodri Foote was having a great game for Dinas, probing and playing good balls to feet for the front pairing of Ah-Mun and the skilful young striker King Junior Mwedzo.

Late in the half Dinas keeper Curtin needed some treatment after he made a brave save from a corner. This resulted in three further corners in the last two minutes before the last one went out for a goal kick and Dinas retained their lead into the interval.

Clear blue sky greeted the players as they came out for the second half. Chepstow had the first half chance when Ross headed wide from a free kick wide on the left.

Dinas were playing some lovely build-up play at times with Bruce, Keiron James, Bashir, Ryan Garland, Joe Briscombe, Mwedzo and Ah-Mun all prominent and from one of these, Mwedzo twisted and turned his marker to get a good cross in for Ah-Mun to chest down but he was tackled before he could turn and shoot. Mwedzo's skills then earned Dinas a corner but again the final touch was missing.

The hosts then began to press again but the Dinas central pairing of James Bloxham and James Marr doesn’t miss much in the air and looked in control most of the time. However Chepstow did level the scores when a looping header by Prangley was just too high for Curtin who got finger-tips to it but couldn't prevent it going in with 25 minutes remaining.

This only made Dinas more determined and excellent work down the left ended when Mwedzo appeared to be chopped down in possession but the referee waved play on.

Most of Chepstow's attacks were down the left wing with the occasional switch to the right and from one of these Dunn hit a hard low shot but it was well wide.

With 10 minutes remaining, Dinas introduced fresh legs, Foote being replaced by Jasper Morgan for his first game at this level. Dinas upped the work rate and further pressure ended when the ball broke to Mwedzo who beat his marker to hit a fine shot just inside the post but Wesson made an excellent diving save to deny the youngster.

The visitors certainly had the better of the last 10 minutes with another mazy run from Mwedzo ended when he ran the ball out for a goal kick and a fine shot from Ah-Mun just fizzed the wrong side of the upright. The final chance came when Ah-Mun was fouled on the edge of the box, free kick expert Ryan Garland stepping up to take it but this time it was too near Wesson who gathered comfortably and time ran out so the points were shared. If Dinas show this kind of commitment and team spirit every week there is no reason why they cannot climb the league table.

Dinas: 1 James Curtin, 2 Rhodri Foote, 3 Nicky Bruce, 4 Joe Briscombe, 5 James Bloxham (c), 6 James Marr, 7 Ryan Garland, 8 Keiron James, 9 Ben Ah-Mun (1), 10 King Junior Mwedzo, 11 Atif Bashir, 12 Mike Lazarou, 14 Jasper Morgan, 15 Luke Garland, 16 Marc Bloxham, 17 Jack Perks.

On Saturday, October 18 Tata Steel visit the Murch for a first round tie of the Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup with a 2pm kick off.

Peter King