COGAN Coronation were on the receiving end of a 6-0 drubbing at home to AFC Whitchurch in their Groundhop 2017 match this week.

A crowd of over 200 came to watch the early kick off on Bank Holiday Monday and the sun shone down on the Cogan pitch as the players kicked off.

Cogan started the match with an unfamiliar 3-5-2 formation with regular centre-backs Stewart Owadally and Nathan Self unavailable.

The tactical risk saw Cogan exposed repeatedly in the opening 10 minutes and AFC Whitchurch looked menacing when Spencer and Woodman linked up together.

It was a set-piece which ultimately undid the Cogan defence, Jack Shields’ ball into the box from a free-kick was left free to sail over to the back post where Alex Bould headed in for the visitors.

A goal down, Cogan manager Sahrief Nassoro switched to a more recognisable 4-4-2 and Cogan responded well, coming close through Dean Ravens’ shot inside the box.

But Whitchurch continued to press for another goal and with Cogan continuing to not clear their lines it came sooner than expected.

Joshua Spencer found himself in possession 25 yards from goal and ran clean through, his delicate chip found the back of the net as onrushing keeper Lewis May was left in no-man’s land.

With 20 minutes left of the half Cogan looked to their top scorer Martyn Boulton for inspiration, twice he found space in the Whitchurch box but he was twice denied by some resolute defending and fortunate keeping.

Cogan slumped into half-time 2-0 down and they most likely should have ended the game there.

Within four minutes of the restart Whitchurch had found the net again, this time Gazz Woodman found space with the ball and buried his shot into the bottom right corner of the net with ease.

Jamie Harris then put some hope into the hordes of Cogan fans as he found the net with a half-volley – but the flag was already up for offside.

Cogan’s central partnership of Jones and Crook looked completely outrun in midfield with no one looking to receive the ball around them and pretty soon Cogan looked to be fighting a losing battle.

Whitchurch continued to press for more and after 55 minutes they had a fourth, Thomas Fry picked up a loose ball and with nobody closing him down unleashed a brilliantly timed chip that left May helpless and Whitchurch 4-0 up.

As Cogan grew in frustration they continued to be penalised, Raven and Boulton both found their way into the referee’s book for dangerous tackles.

Joshua Spencer should have doubled his goal tally moments later as he rounded May, but his shot from a tight angle went wide before pandemonium began across the pitch.

Alex Bould and Martyn Boulton clashed in the centre of the pitch violently but the referee was none the wiser as Joseph Brazier ran through on goal for Whitchurch.

May’s tackle on Brazier was deemed to be dangerous and Whitchurch were awarded a penalty but before they could take it Martyn Boulton was shown a second yellow card for violent conduct.

Referee Daniel Barday had spoken with his assistant who informed him of the off-the-ball clash but crowds were left

perplexed as to why Bould hadn’t received a card as well.

Nonetheless Brazier found the net with his penalty and Whitchurch had a 5-0 lead against 10-man Cogan with 20 minutes still to play.

Liam Jones stepped up to battle in midfield well and Louis Crook struck the bar late on but it just wasn’t Cogan’s day.

As the referee looked at his watch, Whitchurch broke through one last time.

Anthony Kewn’s cross from the left found Thomas Fry whose first-time finish completed the rout for Whitchurch and condemned Cogan to an embarrassing defeat.

It leaves Cogan on four points this season whilst Whitchurch moved up to third in the table with their fourth win of the campaign.

Cogan will be without Boulton in their next clash at home to Penrhiwceiber Con Athletic FC on September 9 but should welcome back Stewart Owadally from suspension after his red-card on the opening day against Cadoxton Barry.

Cogan Coronation 0

AFC Whitchurch 6 (Bould 6, Spencer 27, Woodman 49, Fry 55, 90, Brazier 70)