DINAS Powys FC faced Aberbargoed Buds on Saturday, April 18, losing 2-0. This defeat was not as damaging as it might have been for Dinas with all five of the bottom clubs in Division 2 either losing or not having a fixture but it does bring added significance to their next fixture in midweek.

Despite the score line it was only a first half penalty that separated the two sides until the last minute of the game when the hosts added a second goal from a corner.

In windy conditions it was Dinas who started on the front foot, a Nicky Bruce free kick finding King Junior Mwedzo but he was crowded out before he could get a sight of goal.

The visitors then won two successive corners, the first was cleared by a defender at the near post but the second, forced by some good work by Luke Swaffield produced a goalmouth scramble but the ball eventually went out for a goal kick.

Dinas were more than holding their own but on the 15 minute mark the Buds prolific striker Tom McCarthy had a half chance but his effort sailed over James Curtin's cross-bar and it was McCarthy again who broke through the Dinas defence, this time his effort was just the wrong side of Curtin's left post.

However, the Buds were now into their rhythm and when Leon Young broke through on goal he was pulled back by Steve Provis, the referee pointing to the penalty spot where McCarthy sent Curtin the wrong way to open the scoring on 22 minutes.

Dinas began to utilise Provis' long throw in, finding Nathan Donnelly on several occasions. Donnelly then won a corner, taken by Bruce who found Ben Ah-Mun who spun and got a shot away which was just wide. Dinas kept up the pressure with Swaffield and Donnelly linking well but the ball ran out for a goal kick.

Mwedzo then made a mazy run down the left wing, leaving several players in his wake before he was chopped down just outside the box but there was no end product from the resulting free kick. As the first half drew to a close it was Dinas in the ascendancy but the Buds defence stood firm and the half ended with just one goal in it.

The second period started well for the visitors, Sam Johnson winning a corner but after a scramble the ball cleared the cross bar and the chance was gone.

A deep cross from left to right by the Buds reached Liam Vaughan at the far post but his header was off target.

Dinas' hardworking midfielder Keiron James was making several surging runs into the Buds half but on one occasion he was dispossessed by Jordan McKay who got a shot away but it was off target.

Johnson then found himself one on with ex-Dinas ‘keeper Dave Burnett who charged out and appeared to handle the ball outside the area but the referee didn't give it and again the chance was gone.

Curtin had to be alert when McCarthy got a snap-shot on target but he gathered it comfortably enough.

Lee Saunders then rang the changes for Dinas, replacing Charlie Baister and Johnson with James Alloway and Ricky Newman with 25 minutes remaining.

The game was end to end with no real dominance shown by the Buds who were using the long ball tactic most of the time. However a 22 yard free kick by Gavin Meagham forced Curtin to dive and push the ball out for a corner.

Dinas then went for broke, going three at the back and began to push the Buds back with good link up play involving Ah-Mun, Bruce and Mwedzo finding Donnelly in space, he got into the 18 yard box and appeared to have been tripped but again the referee saw it differently and nothing was given.

In the final minute of the game Buds forced a corner which reached Tyla Preece at the far post to head home powerfully to make it 2-0 which somewhat flattered the home side and they certainly had to work hard for the win.

Dinas: 1 James Curtin, 2 Charlie Baister, 3 Nicky Bruce, 4 James Bloxham (c), 5 Steve Provis, 6 Keiron James, 7 Luke Swaffield, 8 Ben Ah-Mun, 9 Nathan Donnelly, 10 King Junior Mwedzo, 11 Sam Johnson, 12 James Alloway and 14 Ricky Newman.

Dinas are next in action on Tuesday, April 21 when they travel to Cold Bath Road to face Caerleon which should be an interesting encounter with both teams battling for Division 2 survival, KO 6.30pm.