A GREAT season for the Cogan Coronation Football Club U13s continued when they represented the Vale League in an annual inter-league match with counterparts from Merthyr.

After defeating last season's champions 3-0 with a convincing all-round performance in a Vale league clash on the Saturday, the Cogan side were missing five key squad members, due to school rugby commitments, for their trip to Merthyr the following day. Two talented players were drafted in from local side Dinas Powys.

A bright and sunny day and the newly laid 3G pitch at Penydarren Park provided perfect conditions for Cogan's brand of free-flowing football and they were ahead as early as the second minute when Luke Warlow netted. In a frenetic opening 15 minutes, Merthyr were soon level, but Warlow restored the advantage. Not to be outdone, Merthyr equalised again.

Cogan were back in front as half-time approached when the impressive Cameron Gauci bent a free kick over the wall and inside the near post.

Merthyr hit back for a third time early in the second half, but Cogan then dominated to stretch away with goals from Tino Tabi, Eithan Singh and Logan Newcombe.

Manager Lee Williams expressed his pride at the whole squad, with each player contributing to the excellent victory on what was a super weekend for the team, who were picking up their first trophy of the season.