Undy Athletic 5 v Dinas Powys 0

THIS was a top versus bottom of Division Two match and it showed. This was a below par performance from Dinas and they can certainly compete much better than this on their day and they know they must improve considerably if they are to escape the relegation zone in the 20 remaining league games.

Once again Dinas had their 'keeper James Curtin to thank for keeping the score down to five with a string of brave saves.

Dinas started ok with a ball down the line from Rhys Harlin to King Junior Mwezdo but he was dispossessed before he could get into the Undy box and for the first five minutes the visitors were closing Undy down well but the league leaders soon got their passing game going and Dinas were struggling to get any possession.

A free kick from Undy's Tom Hooper was headed wide by one of their strikers, this was followed by an effort from distance by Dan Jarman which was well wide. The hosts were pushing forward leaving themselves open to the quick break but Dinas just couldn't get possession of the ball long enough to mount many attacks.

Curtin was called into action early when he had to smother the ball with several Undy players closing in. Dinas skipper Ben Luck cleared a free kick by Jarman well and the visitors began to get into the game with a cross from Mason Ah-Mun winning a corner for Dinas, taken by Nicky Bruce but the Undy defence cleared the danger.

A cross from Undy's number 11 was driven just over Curtin's cross bar by Nathan Woods. Mwedzo was then fouled wide on the left with Bruce taking the kick which the Undy defence turned quickly into attack and after a goalmouth melee Psescernesk prodded the ball home for the opener on 30 minutes.

Curtin made another brave save when Gareth Williams was played in but the Dinas shot stopper dived on the ball as he was about to pull the trigger.

Just before half-time Dinas had a half chance when Adam Jones flicked the ball into Mwedzo's path and he got a shot on target which Undy 'keeper James Smallcombe gathered just under his crossbar.

The last couple of minutes saw Dinas doing better, a Bruce free kick fizzed just wide of the right upright and Adam Jones was played in on goal on the right but was off balance when he shot and his effort was wide. With only one goal in it as the half-time whistle went Dinas were still in the game.

The visitors changed their formation at the start of the second period to 3-5-2 to try and get more possession in midfield.

In the first minute, a cross from the left by Undy hit the far post and rolled along the goal-line before James Marr cleared the danger. The formation change did seem to work and Dinas began to get more possession winning two early free kicks, the first taken by Bruce was just over the bar and the second from around 30 yards, taken by Mwedzo was wide.

At the other end Curtin made two further reaction saves but, from an Undy corner 10 minutes into the half, Curtin could only parry a shot from Williams and the ball fell to the same player to stab it home for 2-0.

Dinas were then dealt a further blow with 20 minutes gone when Adam Jones had to leave the field with an ankle injury, Tomos Edwards replacing him and he soon got into the action when Rhys Palmer linked up well with Keiron James to set up Edwards and he hit a superb shot which just skimmed Smallcombes cross-bar from 18 yards.

However, the pressure was short lived and at the other end Psescernesk evaded two tackles to square the ball to Hooper for an easy tap-in at the far post for 3 - 0 with 20 minutes remaining and just two minutes later they made it 4 - 0 when Williams was played in through the middle to give Curtin no chance.

Dinas brought on their two remaining subs, with Luke Swaffield replacing Rhys Palmer and Mamadu Banguraso taking Scott Muir's place.

Keiron James then made one of his jinking runs into the Undy box but was driven out wide and the chance was gone.

With seven minutes left, the hosts added their fifth goal, Hooper busting through to net and at the final whistle Dinas could have no complaints after a somewhat lack-lustre performance.

Dinas squad: 1 James Curtin, 2 Rhys Harlin, 3 Mason Ah-Mun, 4 James Marr, 5 Ben Luck (C), 6 Keiron James, 7 Rhys Palmer, 8 Nicky Bruce, 9 Scott Muir, 10 King Junior Mwedzo, 11 Adam Jones, 12 Mamadu Banguraso, 14 Luke Swaffield, 15 Tomos Edwards.

Next Saturday, November 28, Dinas travel to play Tata Steel, 2pm kick-off, where manager Lee Saunders will be looking for a much improved performance.

Peter King