C W Bruty Cup Quarter Final

Cogan Coronation 1 Pontlottyn AFC 3

COGAN’S run in the C W Bruty Cup came to an end on Saturday, as they were beaten – but not shamed – by Pontlottyn.

The visitors are fifth in Division One, but with games in hand that could see them take top spot and a shot at Welsh League football next season.

However Cogan were keen to show that they have the quality to take on teams from the league above, with their own promotion fight hotting-up as the season goes into its final stages.

The home-side had made a few changes, with Liam and Gavin Beddard absent, as well as defenders Bradley Munn and Dean Morgan unavailable after starting the victory over Ynyshir in the last match.

Youngsters Dan Bell and Joel Lapton filled the gaps at the back but showed no signs of inexperience.

Pontlottyn started the game brightly, trying to get in behind Cogan, but the new back four coped well with the combination of guile and pace that made up the attack. It wasn’t long before they had taken a foothold themselves.

Haidn Dibble was getting on the ball in the centre of midfield, with Rhys Buckley and Jon Matthews providing the support that the captain needed to start creating.

Outside them, Sam Wooster and Gaz Blyth were sitting high up the pitch to keep the pressure on the full backs.

And from this positive play, Cogan created the early chances.

Matthews hit a shot off target, and Josh Bell had openings for half chances that he couldn’t put away.

But, marginally against the run of play, the Division One side took the lead.

At the top of a quick break, a deep cross looped towards Mark Hussey’s back post and he was unable to claim the ball as the Pontlottyn striker challenged and nodded the ball in.

At half-time, the game was still in the balance as the visitors led 1-0.

Cogan came out for the second half just as positively as they started the first.

Their high line was giving the visitors something to think about, and the legs across the back four of Bell, Lapton, Stewart Owadally and Leigh Bennett meant that most of the attempted through balls were dealt with relatively comfortably. On the odd occasion that Pontlottyn broke through, Hussey was on hand to block.

Going forward, there were still chances too.

A couple of corners gave Pontlottyn some problems, while, after some neat interplay with Dibble, Wooster swung in one perfect cross with Cogan players queuing up to finish but unable to get enough of a touch.

As the second half went on, Cogan slowly began to tire. Possession began to go to the visitors more and more, and their ability on the ball was beginning to wear Cogan down. That, combined with a heavy pitch, was leading to other problems for Cogan.

Dan Bell was injured by a heavy tackle, but lasted until the final whistle. Owadally went off with a muscle problem, replaced by John Sadler who lasted only a few minutes before his hamstring gave way.

Amidst all the changes, the game opened up and more goals came.

Pontlottyn increased their lead to 2-0 as they pinned Cogan in their half and bundled the ball in, but Cogan hit back.

Josh Bell gathered the ball up front after putting in a tireless shift leading the line on his own. He took on two men and found his way into the box, but the chance looked gone as he was forced to turn out.

A clumsy challenge from behind changed that, as he went down and the referee pointed to the spot.

His penalty was saved brilliantly, but the ‘keeper couldn’t get the ball away from goal and Bell followed up to make it 2-1.

Jamie Harris, who had replaced Sadler, was moved up front as Cogan pressed for an equaliser.

But the Pontlottyn defence was able to withstand the pressure and their goalkeeper was on fine form, dealing with every long ball and cross that Cogan sent his way.

And as the home-side pressed, Pontlottyn broke and made it 3-1.

Some clever passing and movement dragged Cogan’s defence around and a great final ball played the striker in to slot home.

Cogan were the last remaining Division Two side in the Cup, and their effort here showed why they had got this far. They tested a top quality side and showed they were no pushovers.

They now face a massive few weeks of league fixtures as they find themselves with five games in hand on fellow title and promotion-chasers Cadoxton Barry, Whitchurch and St Albans.

Pontlottyn join Grange Albions, Penydarren and Tonyrefail in a semi-final round containing three of the top five of Division One.