PENARTH Town Firsts were in action away last week against a strong Cowbridge Town side in the Vale Premiership.

Cowbridge got into their stride quicker and were soon putting early pressure on the Penarth goal, calling for some solid goalkeeping from Idris Angove.

Once they had absorbed this early pressure Tristan Davies at the heart of the Penarth defence was soon encouraging the team to settle down and start playing. This they duly did with Ryan Williams and Jonny Williams very strong in the midfield taking control and making full use of the pace of Scott Willetts and Neil Rendall on the flanks.

Before long this resulted in Penarth winning a corner. Willetts whipped the ball in from the right hand side and after a bit of a goalmouth scramble Grant Beedell popped up to knock it in, an early lead for the visitors.

This seemed to really boost Penarth's confidence and they started to move the ball well and control possession.

Before long this resulted in another corner, again whipped in beautifully to the back post and found Grant's brother Paul, this time who nodded in to double the visitors lead.

As the half wore on Penarth continued to dominate and a nice passing movement through midfield saw Paul Beedell in a little space, using his pace he beat the last defender and smashed the ball high into the top of the net giving the Cowbridge ‘keeper no chance.

Penarth were completely on top and had Grant Bedell put away his two or three other good chances, the game could have been over by half-time. Even so into the break and Penarth 3-0 to the good.

In the second period Cowbridge finally started to get into their stride and really began to test the Town back four of Davies, Luke Horwood, Jack Stansfield and Mikey Winton.

Despite their best efforts Cowbridge did get a goal back from a corner and that really lifted their spirits. They brought on wave after wave of attacks hitting the post once and the crossbar with fine strikes.

Finally the pressure told and they managed to get a second, setting the nerves jangling of all the Penarth players.

Penarth brought on Tony Youd to add a little bite to the Town defence and Davies at the back called for calm, Penarth started to play again, setting up Grant Beedell again with a one-on-one only for the final shot to go wide.

With only about five minutes to play Cowbridge threw everything into getting an equaliser, this left the inevitable space at the back.

Williams played the ball forward to Grant Beedell who could have gone for goal himself but unselfishly played in his brother who cut across the goalkeeper and fired into the far corner for his hat-trick and what had to be the winner for Penarth.

A great team performance for Penarth and three points which they really needed should lift them clear of the relegation contenders. Their final game of the season is home to SP Construction on Saturday.