COGAN'S season began last Saturday with an FAW Trophy match at home against higher-league opposition Caerphilly Athletic.

After a pre season in which they pitted their wits against the likes of Ely Rangers and Llanelli Town, Cogan's new manager Sharief Nassoro and assistant Dean Raven picked their first competitive lineup with some familiar faces, combined with some returning to the club, and a few gems from the club's youth system.

Lewis May started in goals behind of a back four of Matthew Russell, Stewart Owadally, the returning Leigh Bennett, and Alex Bramhill. Ahead of them, last season's regulars Jon Matthews and John Sadler joined with Raven in a midfield three. On the left wing, Martyn Boulton returned after a spell in the Welsh League, while on the right Cogan turned to youth, with Eithan Singh breaking into the first team after a fine pre season. Up front, veteran striker Danny Humphries looked to provide the goals.

The game started evenly, with Caerphilly taking control of possession without really threatening. The visitors had won promotion last season, and had put a combined total of 11 goals past Cogan last season – so will have fancied their chances.

They did craft a couple of openings as the half progressed, and all the danger was coming from their potent front three of Toms, Butterworth and, most of all, striker Tedstone.

Cogan's defence held strong for the most part, but they were cut open as Tedstone was played in behind Bennett and Owadally, but his shot was saved smartly by May. Another chance came to Tedstone, who squared it for a team mate to finish easily, but Owadally blocked on the line. Not long after, a corner led to a small scramble, where Boulton, Singh, and May all combined to keep the ball out of the net.

After withstanding that spell of pressure, Cogan grew in confidence. Matthews and Sadler were holding much stronger in the middle, allowing Raven, Singh and Boulton to kickstart attacks.

Boulton looked like the threat, with his pace getting him in behind a few times – but chances were few and far between. Russell and Singh looked to combine a few times down the right. The young winger had the beating of his man a few times, but again the final ball eluded Cogan. Meaning Humphries wasn't given many opportunities

As half time approached, the game – as well as the score - remained even. But in the end Humphries didn't need service to make an impact.

Sadler volleyed a ball towards Humphries who – isolated 25 yards out, marked, and with his back to goal - didn’t look in the most promising position. But in one motion, he stretched his foot out to control the ball, and without it touching the floor swung his left boot at it. Humphries had wheeled away to celebrate long before the ball flew into the top left-hand corner. It was a stunning goal – one that many pitch-side said was the best they had seen.

But Cogan only had themselves to blame for what came next. Straight from the restart after half time, they allowed the visitors too much time, and a marauding run by Jordan Caster sent him passed four Cogan players with too much ease. He played it wide, and the ball found its way in to Tedstone who had an easy tap-in.

The game then began heating up, and chances came and went for both teams. Humphries had header cleared off the line. Raven had a shot saved. At the other end, May was called into action twice to deny Caerphilly the lead. Bramhill and Russell put in good performances at full back to stop the threats down the flanks from materialising. While Owadally and Bennett remained firm.

Cogan rang the changes. Liam Jones came on for Sadler. Adam Rees for Singh. Luke Warlow – another graduate from the youth team – for Matthews.

The match looked poised for extra time as no team created the clear chance that was needed. But with 10 minutes on the clock, Russell made what looked like a clean covering tackle. To everyone's surprise, the referee pointed to the spot. Tedstone scored, and Caerphilly locked up until the end.

Luke Warlow almost took the game to extra time with an excellent shot from distance, but the visitors held out to progress.

Cogan Coronation would like to thank all of the sponsors who have signed up for the season ahead including LCB Construction, The Bottle Shop, GC Insulation, Leisuretime, Smiths, Massey Cladding Solutions, Watkin Davies, RCD and The Vape Chase.

Cogan Coronation – 1

Caerphilly Athletic – 2