FAW Trophy First Round

Penrhiwfer 2

Cogan Coronation 3

AFTER a strong pre-season, with wins over opposition from Welsh League Division 2, new recruits, and some youth promotion, Cogan kicked off their 2015-2016 campaign with an FAW Trophy match away to Penrhiwfer.

The two sides had developed a rivalry over the last season, so the game was a good way to fire Cogan up for the start of their season.

Mark Hussey continued in goals, but there was new blood at the back with Callum Pearce, promoted from the youth team, at right back. Ed Jones, recruited over the summer from Sully Sports, started at centre back with Joel Lapton – who was in fine form in the second half of last season. While Leigh Bennett continued at left back.

In the early stages, Cogan tried to take the game to the home side. Liam Beddard was anchoring the midfield well, while Carl Fitzgerald – another new recruit – and Gareth Clarke did their best to open up doors and create chances. The front three of Josh Bell, Gavin Beddard and the returning Martyn Boulton, were lively, but Penrhiwfer’s defence held up well.

Boulton in particular was causing problems. He beat his defender a number of times and got some good deliveries into the danger zone, but the visitors couldn’t find the finish.

The best opening came within 10 minutes, as Josh Bell made a superb run cutting in from the flank. After breaking through the back line he nudged the ball passed the oncoming goalkeeper and appeared to have his legs taken out. But the referee waved the appeals away and play continued.

In the end it was the home side who made the breakthrough. An attack down the left flank dragged Cogan’s defence out of position, and the home side scored with a shot from the edge of the box that beat Hussey at his near post.

The momentum changed from there and Cogan had some defending to do. A tactical change was made by Dibble and Dean Morgan was introduced at centre back to replace Pearce, with Lapton going out to right back.

Fitzgerald began to take control of the midfield more and more and his simple but effective passing started putting Cogan into better positions.

They finally got their chance after Gavin Beddard was pushed in the area and the referee pointed to the spot. The striker converted the spot kick with ease, and Cogan were level at half-time.

The second half started in much the same manner. Boulton and Bell were giving the full backs nightmares as they kept running at them, and the pressure eventually told.

From a corner, a superb delivery from Boulton found Morgan at the back post unmarked. It wasn’t an easy finish, but the centre back made it look simple, nodding into the top corner to give Cogan the lead.

It was a lead that didn’t last long though. A fortunate deflection from a Penrhiwfer pass saw the ball loop over the heads of the back four and into the path of the oncoming striker who finished well passed Hussey.

Cogan then made changes. Boulton and Bell gave way to Jamie Harris and Gaz Blyth and the fresh legs of the two new wingers immediately began to cause problems.

Despite the equaliser, Cogan’s grip on the game hadn’t weakened and they finally got the goal that turned out to be the winner.

Another corner saw the ball go loose and, after a few rebounds, Liam Beddard was on hand to guide the ball into the bottom corner.

The away side held on for their deserved win, but they will know they need to improve for future challenges.

Their next match is away to Merthyr Saints in the Welsh Cup, followed by an away league match at Clwb Cymric.

Cogan Coronation would like to thank this season’s first team sponsors RCD, Peter Rees and Son Transport and The Seashore Grill for their support this season.