Winning run comes to an end as Dinas Powys FC exit League Cup (From Penarth Times)

Winning run comes to an end as Dinas Powys FC exit League Cup

8:30am Thursday 20th September 2012 in Sport

MONMOUTH TOWN 2 DINAS POWYS 0

by Peter King, Dinas Powys FC

THE good run of form came to an end for Dinas at Monmouth on Saturday (September 15), as they exited the League Cup in the first round.

With first choice keeper Damien Lack unavailable, Steve Johnson was drafted in and was soon tested, taking a high ball at full stretch and gathering a shot from Liam Head in the first 10 minutes.

Dinas were awarded a free kick just outside the area and Liam Jeremy stepped up but instead of his usual trademark curling shot he elected to hit it hard and low, and it went just the wrong side of the far post.

With Dinas electing to use the long ball tactic a lot of the time, the Monmouth back four were finding it easy to gain possession and they began to get well on top, passing the ball along the back four until an opening arose and they had several good chances which were off target; Liam Head latching onto a through ball to hit the side netting, Elliott Ford blazing over the bar when well placed, and MacDonald finding Sam Palmer in space but his effort was also over the bar.

At the other end Dinas had a good chance to open the scoring when Joe Hinds found Richard Yarr but although his shot beat Keiron Blackburn, it was just wide; and midfielder Adam Raymond spun and hit a ball on target but it didn't have enough pace to trouble Blackburn.

The half ended goalless, Monmouth having had the lion's share of possession.

The second half continued in similar fashion and Monmouth finally got the opener after nine minutes when Ford saw Johnson off his line and lobbed a neat ball over the Dinas keeper for 1-0. Johnson made amends soon after with a fantastic double save, parrying 2 shots from close range, the first by Rob Laurie and the second by Ford and the danger was finally cleared.

Macdonald then cut in from the right wing and hit a rasping shot that cannoned off the post and was cleared. But he was not to be denied and 20 minutes into the half he took a cross from the right in his stride to hit an unstoppable shot just inside the left post for 2-0.

Dinas were finding it difficult to get any attacks going and manager Mark Dunford rang the changes, taking himself off along with Raymond and Mike Lewis to be replaced by Ben Ah-Mun, Craig Dale and James Williams - but they couldn't make any inroads and time ran out with Monmouth deserving the win and Dinas knowing they can play a lot better.

This Saturday (September 22) it's back to League action when Dinas host Penrhiwceiber Rangers with a 2.30pm kick off. Manager Dunford will be looking for an improved performance.