Ynyshir Albions 2

Cogan Coronation 1 (Humphries)

COGAN Coronation’s battle against relegation continued on Saturday where, despite a valiant effort, they couldn’t overcome promotion contenders Ynyshir Albions.

Cogan travelled to Ynyshir with a few key absentees. Haidn Dibble, Gareth Clarke and Liam Jones – all pivotal in the club’s recent upturn in form – were unavailable.

But a midfield of John Sadler, John Matthews and Nicky Coles still had enough to give the home side a game.

Behind them, Cogan had an unchanged back four after last week’s win against Treforest. Brad Munn, Stewart Owadally, Nathan Self and Curtis Boddy stood between Ynyshir’s prolific attack and ‘keeper Dean Ford – but it was Ford who Cogan came to rely on here.

Within the first 15 minutes, he was called into action a number of times, and pulled off two particularly fine saves when a goal looked certain for Ynyshir’s striker Leon Anstee.

Cogan did eventually settle and were able to withstand the pressure from the home side. And when they did get forward, their attacking three of Adam Rees, Danny Humphries, and John Clarke looked menacing. Humphries’ hold up play was clearly unsettling the centre backs, and a few half chances came and went from his link-up play with Clarke in particular.

But it felt inevitable when Ynyshir did eventually take the lead.

After a sharp attack down the right flank the ball was pulled back to the by-line and finished calmly to give Ynyshir the 1 - 0 lead.

But Cogan didn’t take it lying down. And whereas earlier in the season they may have capitulated, they now got their heads up and fought to get back into the game.

Coles was darting around and piercing the defence with good passing into Humphries and Rees. And Clarke on the right flank was beginning to torment his full back. Eventually, it was from that side where Cogan got back on terms.

After his goal-scoring exploits the previous weekend, Munn was involved again here, driving forward and playing a precise ball into Humphries. His first touch from just inside the penalty box, with his back to goal, was perfect to get himself around the defender and into space for a shot. And his finish was emphatic, driven high into the net.

Just before half-time, Cogan had stunned the home team.

But the second half could not have started any worse for the visitors.

Straight from kick off, a diagonal ball towards the left flank got behind Munn, and as the winger got passed him he brought him down in the box. It was the second penalty Cogan had conceded in two games, but this was to be more costly than the one which afforded Treforest some consolation in the last match.

The penalty was put away nicely, and Ynyshir had the lead again.

Again, though, Cogan fought back. It was a perfect display of how their form and belief has improved in the last couple of months, as they battled well at the back and tried to find an equaliser.

Unlike in the first half, Ford was barely called on, with Owadally and Self cutting out the space for Ynyshir’s attack one way or another. This was an attack that had put six goals passed third place Whitchurch the previous week and had scored 30 goals in their last six games.

Changes were made to try and nick another equaliser. Sadler made way for Kyle Hart, Coles was replaced by Lewis Humphries, and Owadally came off with a late injury and was replaced by Cee-Jay Morgan. But there was no way through.

Danny Humphries had one shot saved, a few more chances came and went, but nothing clear cut came Cogan’s way.

At full-time, Ynyshir deserved the three points, but Cogan will take a lot of heart from their performance, off the back of some good form.

They now have a weekend off before two fixtures that could make or break their season - away at both Cwmbach and Cornelly the following two Saturdays.