South Wales Alliance League Division 1

Cogan Coronation 3 v Porthcawl Town 2

COGAN Coronation chalked up a crucial three points last Saturday, with a dramatic victory over Porthcawl Town.

Cogan, rocked by injuries, were forced into a number of changes. Dean Ford made his second successive start in goals, with Bradley Munn, Wes Drew, Curt Boddy, and Nathan Self in front of him.

The home side have barely been able to settle on a back four all season, and the new combination was up against it from the off.

Whilst Cogan had more ball, it was the visitors creating chances. Ford was forced into a sharp save early on, while another shot fizzed marginally wide.

The midfield battle was being won by Cogan though. Gareth Clarke and Liam Jones marshalled the middle, while John Clarke ahead of them was a constant threat.

In front of them, Adam Rees had a lively opening on the left, and veteran striker Danny Humphries was doing a diligent job holding up the ball and bringing others into play.

Rees saw one shot saved. Self had a superb shot tipped over.

But against the run of play, and with Cogan's defence out of position, Porthcawl took the lead.

They then pressed on. The chances came, and so did the second goal. Another break down the right to the byline, a composed pull back, and the striker was there to slot home with ease.

Then 2 - 0 down, an injury seemed to cement Cogan's woes, but the introduction of Haidn Dibble as a replacement was to pay off.

As the second half began, Cogan knew they had to raise their game. John Clarke, moved to the right flank and began causing problems to Porthcawl’s defence, beating his man and delivering good crosses.

Jones was also taking the game by the scruff of the neck, driving Cogan on while Dibble tried to pull some strings.

Finally they got their breakthrough. In the 61st minute, Rees received the ball after a deep cross from John Clarke went all the way across the box. His first touch was good, his second touch brought him inside, and from the corner of the box he curled the ball around and over the keeper into the top corner.

It started an amazing 13 minutes.

Cogan knew they had the momentum and they pushed forward. John Sadler had come on to replace Gareth Clarke and there was now energy with the fresh legs.

Eight minutes after his stunning goal, Rees, again able to cut in, fired the ball towards Humphries who put his body on the line to beat the 'keeper to the ball.

His challenge kept the ball live, and as it rolled away towards the byline, Clarke arrived in the nick of time to smash the ball in, over the sliding defenders and off the underside of the bar.

Cogan pressed for the winner but Porthcawl had tightened up to hold onto a point.

There wasn't much space for Jones and Dibble to manoeuvre. But in the end that didn't matter.

Clarke, five minutes after his equaliser, found Dibble on the inside of the right channel and on his strong left side, it seemed obvious he would shoot. Instead, with the ball seemingly glued to his feet, he danced inside one defender, outside another, back inside another, and slotted the ball into the corner.

It was a fitting goal to win the game, and could prove pivotal for Cogan’s season.

There was still one heart-in-mouth moment. A free kick from 20 yards was hit perfectly and was dipping into the bottom corner. But with the Porthcawl bench already celebrating, Ford got down and made a superb save, ensuring Cogan walked away with the points.

Cogan Coronation AFC would like to thank their principal sponsors Penarth Motor Cars.