COGAN Coronation returned to action for the first time in two weeks on Saturday, with an away match at Tonyrefail in the South Wales Alliance Division One.

Cogan made a few changes to their team from their last outing. Stewart Owadally returned in goals, and there were three changes at the back with Curt Boddy in at left back with Liam Beddard and Ed Jones beside him as the centre back pairing. The consistent Leigh Bennett completed the back four.

They saw plenty of action in the opening stages. Tonyrefail were determined to try and attack the visitors, but the back line coped well enough with everything that came their way.

In the centre of the park, Carl Fitzgerald was marshalling the team as captain and anchoring the midfield well.

Jon Matthews and Liam Jones in front of him were trying to turn the screws to create some Cogan attacks, but the home defence held up firmly. There was very little space for the front three of Gaz Blyth, Josh Bell and Gavin Beddard to operate in, and chances were few and far between.

The first real chance came as Matthews worked some room and popped a shot off, but the 'keeper was up to the challenge and tipped it around the post. At the other end, Owadally was called into action as a shot on the turn was heading for the top corner before he palmed it up over the bar.

Cogan were trying to use their striker Beddard to instigate attacks but the space was being crowded out well. He was regularly winning headers or playing balls into decent positions, but Blyth and Bell were struggling against a well-organised back four.

At half-time, the score was deadlocked at 0-0, and the run of play was just as tight.

Cogan came out for the second half in a new 4-4-2 formation and immediately the game changed.

The home side were able to take a bit more control in the middle of the park, but Cogan looked more dangerous on the attack.

The newly-open game brought more chances. Another decent save from Owadally was followed by a decent effort at the other end from Bell. But it was the home side who struck first.

After a soft turnover of possession, Tonyrefail took a smart quick throw-in and three passes later had the ball in the bottom corner.

Cogan needed to respond and they were straight on the front foot. Fitzgerald took control of the central midfield once the visitors had settled into their new formation and he and Liam Jones began to really take the game to the home side. At the back, Ed Jones and Liam Beddard were still in control, meaning the wingers and midfielders could afford more risks.

Gavin Beddard was doing his usual damage, dragging defenders around, winning the aerial battles and holding the ball up well. But it was Bell who really started to turn things on.

His superb dribbling was causing chaos for the home defence who needed to decide whether to step out to meet him and risk being left for dead, or sit off and let him attack them.

Midway through the second half, they decided to sit off him and were punished. Some good work between Beddard and Blyth resulted in the ball at Bell’s feet and he left the defence for dead before putting the ball home clinically.

Cogan then brought on more fresh legs. Jon Matthews had done a good job in the midfield, but Sam Wooster was brought on to replace him to exploit the tiring home defence.

He began well, with one effort coming close and his running of the flanks opened up spaces for the visiting attackers. Gavin Beddard had a superb header cleared off the line by a Tonyrefail defender. Ed Jones found himself in a good position from a corner but was stretching to meet it and put his header over.

It was clear that the game was turning in Cogan’s favour.

In the end, it fell to man of the match Bell to make the pressure count. His close control enabled him to get into a good position on the left of the area and his neatly placed shot rolled into the bottom right of the net.

A hard-fought victory for Cogan who travel to Aberfan in the W John Owen Cup this weekend.

Cogan Coronation would like to thank P M Rees and Sons for sponsoring their matchday teamwear.

Cogan Coronation's youth team have a match on Sunday, October 11. They are playing in the FAW Youth Cup against local rivals from the Welsh League, Barry Town United. Kick off is at 2pm at Cogan Leisure Centre.