AFC Llwydcoed 2 Dinas Powys FC 1

THE display Dinas Powys FC put in against a strong Llwydcoed is credit to themselves, their desire and belief in their ability was outstanding on Saturday.

Having over seven first teamers missing through injury, sickness, holidays and work the squad was stretched with a number of second team players and youth players stepping up to the mark.

The home-side started brighter putting the Dinas makeshift defence under pressure but the impressive James Curtin in goals was more than a match pulling off a number of great point-blank saves.

Provis and Bashir showed their experience and with Miller and Mama Banguraso getting through a lot of work coped very well.

As the half wore on the visitors settled into their passing game and managed to get the young wide players Kings Mwedzo and Sam Johnson on the ball.

Dinas stuck to their game plan of trying to pass through midfield as much as they could and following one of these moves Nathan Donnelly was adjudged to be fouled on the edge of the box.

James Alloway had the confidence to curl the ball over the wall but saw his effort cannon off the upright and away to safety.

Debutant Nathan Donnelly was a thorn in the home-side's defence with his aerial strength and linked play up very well throughout the match as Dinas broke in numbers on the counter.

Steve Miller and Mama Banguraso playing as full backs pushed the visitors on giving simple balls to midfield, and looked to play the right way.

At the break it was 0-0 and certain issues were addressed as the home-side had the better of the first 45 minutes and Dinas had to rely on the saves of Curtin too much.

The second half saw Dinas come out with a real intent to play and attack. Kieron James was getting more on the ball and with Newman and Alloway, the visitors’ started to play.

The first 10 minutes it was all Dinas, as the pace of Kings and Johnson allowed them to get in behind the home-side's defence.

Donnelly was winning countless headers and the visiting players were first to react to his flick-ons.

Dinas took the lead early in the second half after a late tackle on Banguraso allowed skipper Steve Provis to fire a free kick at Donnelly, his knock down to James Alloway was met on the half volley and was fired into the stanchion of the goal.

This was fully deserved from the break and a fantastic strike from the little man.

The following 10 minutes saw the home-side throwing a lot at the Dinas lads and it was end to end stuff.

The lack of experience then came to light as the visitors did not press fast enough on the edge of the box, some neat play from the Llwydcoed forwards created a simple chance.

All the hard work put in was undone 10 minutes later as Dinas pushed for the winner and they were carved open at the back.

Tom Edwards and Matthew Bennett, two very young lads only recently playing Under-16's football for Dinas, entered the game with 15 minutes to go and showed no fear and lots of potential.

Edwards freed Johnson with a delightful pass and Johnson playing with a lot more belief, drove passed his fullback and was unlucky not to find a target in the box.

As the game was coming to a close good work from Edwards and Johnson on the left allowed a cross into the box but the talented young Kings uncharacteristically fired wide from 15 yards which would have given Dinas a point.

This was always going to be a very hard game due to the lack of players available but the visitors showed that by playing the right way their rewards will come in time.

Thank you goes to all the supporters and players for the minutes silence before the match for Rhodri, Corey, Alesha and Margaret.