South Wales FA Senior League Division Two

Cogan Coronation 2 Penrhiwfer 1

THIS match had turned into something of a rivalry after the reverse fixture had been abandoned earlier in the season after a fight broke out between the two teams.

Penrhiwfer put a massive dent in Cogan’s title hopes when the match was replayed, beating them 2-0. But Cogan turned up for this home fixture knowing that a win would put them one step closer to promotion.

It was a difficult start to the match. Windy conditions meant Cogan’s defence were often tested with long balls, but they dealt with the threat well. Stewart Owadally and Joel Lapton had the centre of defence organised well, while Leigh Bennett and Curtis Boddy marshalled the flanks. When the ball did go beyond them, Mark Hussey swept it up.

The home side didn’t create too many chances, but still looked as though they could be dangerous on the break. Gavin Beddard was a constant threat while Josh Bell worked hard to open up some chances.

Jamie Harris was tireless down the right hand side, and did cause the Penrhiwfer defence problems. But in all, Cogan struggled to impose themselves.

In the second half, their midfield really took hold of the game. Liam Beddard, Gareth Clarke and Haidn Dibble have formed a formidable trio in the middle of the park as the season has progressed and as soon as they got hold of the game here, things changes.

Clarke was spraying passes onto the flanks which Penrhiwfer struggled to deal with them, Liam Beddard was stopping the visitors’ counter attacks from progressing very far, and Dibble was his usual self, orchestrating the game from unusual spaces on the pitch.

The breakthrough came after some sustained pressure from Cogan led to a penalty kick. Gavin Beddard picked the ball up on the edge of the box and drove towards the by-line. As he took on one defender, he was brought down, giving the referee no choice. The striker put the penalty away ruthlessly, for his 31st goal of the season.

Despite their continued dominance though, Cogan couldn’t push further ahead and they paid the price midway through the second half.

After a very solid defensive performance, Cogan again conceded from an error. As a long ball came over the top, a mix-up between Lapton and Mark Hussey in goal let Penrhiwfer in for a tap-in and the game was back on level terms.

Cogan didn’t let it deflate them though. Clarke and Dibble continued to find their attackers in good spaces. One free kick from Dibble found Gavin Beddard’s head but the resulting shot went just wide. Gaz Blyth, who had replaced the injured Harris, was putting in a characteristically good shift and pressing Penrhiwfer further and further back.

As Cogan continued to press, the second goal came. Yet again, Dibble was the instigator. As a corner kick was cleared, he found space on the right hand side. He took his time and picked out a perfect cross to the back post where Blyth was waiting. The header was superb, controlled over the goalkeeper and back across goal. It landed in the opposite bottom corner, and Cogan had the lead that they held on to until the end.

It was another important goal from Blyth, whose contribution in the second half of the season has been a big positive for Cogan.

There was more defensive work to do as the game came to a close, but Cogan dealt with it well. Other than the error that lead to the Penrhiwfer goal, the backline put in a strong performance with Boddy – the new entry into the back four – solid against some tricky and quick wingers.

Cogan now go into another home game at Cogan Leisure Centre this Saturday at 2pm against Stanleytown where they know one more win secures them promotion.