South Wales Alliance Division One

Baglan Dragons - 2

Cogan Coronation - 2

OFF the back of a heavy defeat to Sporting Marvels, Cogan Coronation travelled to Baglan on Saturday, November 7, to take on the Dragons who have started the season strongly.

Lewis May started in goals for Cogan with a changed back four of Leigh Bennett, Ed Jones, Liam Beddard and Bradley Munn. They settled quickly, with Jones and Beddard coping comfortably with everything over the top. It was a sounder start than Cogan had provided for most of the season so far.

In front of them, the midfield three of captain Carl Fitzgerald, Dave Richards and Gareth Clarke started well too. The change from 4-4-2 giving them more protection and control in the middle.

Paolo Marenghi returned from absence on the right of the attack, with Martyn Boulton on the left and Gavin Beddard through the middle.

After an even start, it was the home side who threatened first. A breakaway attack ended up with a last-ditch clearance from Bennett.

Not long after, a good save by May was followed up by yet another goal-line block by Bennett. His early sharpness kept Cogan in this match that they then began to control.

Clarke and Fitzgerald’s ease on the ball began to give Cogan their foothold, and from the midfield a quick attack was set up for Marenghi to chase through. As he reached the ball, he squared it passed the goalkeeper for Beddard but the ball got caught up in the striker’s feet as he slid to slot it into an empty net.

Not long after, Marenghi again slid the ball through to Beddard who’s first touch unusually evaded him. But the big striker can’t be kept back for too long.

Moments later, he surged towards goal and his shot from 18 yards slid under the 'keeper giving Cogan a surprise, but not undeserved, lead.

From then until the break, Cogan were organised and calm. Jones orchestrated a superb back four performance, ensuring Bennett and Munn stayed sharp on the flanks. With that foundation, Cogan looked to launch quick attacks on the breaks via Marenghi and, increasingly, Boulton.

His first half performance was superb, mixing early balls to Beddard with direct runs at the Baglan full backs. With reliable cover behind him from Bennett and Richards, he had the freedom to operate high up the pitch.

As the second half got underway, it was clear the home side had been rejuvenated. They came straight out at Cogan and their own three-man attack began to cause problems.

Bennett and Munn found themselves more and more isolated on the flanks, and in the end the equaliser came. A looping cross from deep on the left dropped at the back post for an easy finish for the incoming winger.

Not long after, the home side had the lead. Again from the flanks, the left winger cut inside and was brought down by Bennett. The penalty was put away, and it was 2-1 Baglan.

Cogan reacted well though, and Beddard looked most likely to score. He had a few shots at goal that didn’t amount to much, but was constantly drawing in defenders to deal with him, leaving space out wide.

It was Boulton who exploited this the most. Switched to the right when Gaz Blyth replaced Marenghi and went onto the left wing, Boulton found a second wind and was finding spaces to either go outside or cut onto his favoured left foot.

In the end, Cogan’s equaliser came from one of those situations. It was a superb move.

Started at the back, Munn played a superb ball down the left towards Beddard. Again, the big man drew in defenders and won the flick on into exactly the area Blyth wanted it. Blyth’s superb cross was a nightmare to defend and it made its way all the way to Boulton charging in from the right. His first time half-volley fizzed into the bottom corner and Cogan were deservedly level.

The final 20 minutes were mainly about defending for Cogan.

Liam Beddard made one fine last-ditch tackle, while he and Jones repelled everything that came through in the air. May made a sharp save to his left late on too, and the late addition of Jon Matthews and Dean Morgan shored things up for Cogan who came away with a well-earned point.

Cogan’s next match is at Cogan Leisure Centre against Brynna AFC this Saturday at 2pm.