COGAN Coronation 1st team moved back to the top of the South Wales Senior league division two with a 5-3 defeat of strugglers Margam.

Cogan made the short trip down the M4 on a bright Saturday afternoon, perfect conditions for football.

Although the pitch left a lot to be desired as it resembled no more than a grazing patch for cattle. Due to the pitch condition it was almost impossible to control the ball.

Cogan started brightly with Liam Beddard and Rhys Buckley gaining the upper hand in the middle of the park. Haidn Dibble and Leigh Bennett combining well down the left were supplying plenty of ball for the new look strike partnership of Gavin Beddard and Lewis Dite.

Chances came and went for Cogan, but the deadlock was broke on 20 minutes as Dibble delivered an in swinging corner that Gavin Beddard rose to head home.

At this point it was expected Cogan would kick on and kill off the opposition. This was not the case as frustration began to creep in and force the ball forward.

As half time approached the unthinkable happened as a rare corner from Margam was stabbed home as the Cogan defence was caught ball watching.

The second half restarted and things soon got worse for Cogan as a hopeful long ball was launched over the top, Cogan keeper Smith raced out to clear any danger, only for the ball to bobble and left him red faced as his air shot left the surprised Margam striker an empty net to tap in.

Changes to personnel and formation were made with the introduction of Gareth Clarke. Clarkes calming influence and experience was evident straight away as was the switching of Matthews to midfield to provide more bite.

As Cogan began to exert more pressure it was the earlier combination of Beddard heading home another delightful Dibble corner to level the score. Within minutes Cogan took the lead as Clarke scrambled home from close range.

Cogan sensing Margam heads dropping added to the score line, with Dean Morgan powering in another header from a corner and a well deserved goal for Jamie Harris, with a well placed header after a good passage of play made it five.

As the game ebbed to a finish a needless challenge presented Margam with a free kick on the edge of the area. Well struck it rebounded off the post, the Margam striker reacted quickest for another soft goal.

The win sends Cogan back to the top of the table. However, further lapses in concentration may not see them stay there too long.

Manager Gavin Beddard learnt more about his players this week; he also learnt that if you take the handbrake off the team bus it travels quicker.

Cogan are home in the Bruty Cup next week against division one opposition Cwmamman Institute where a tougher test awaits.