DINAS Powys FC played on Saturday, August 15, against Tata Steel. Dinas lost the match 1-0 with the match ball kindly sponsored by T H Jones (chemists).

This was always going to be a close game with the Dinas squad depleted by some six players for one reason or another but the selected starting 11 dug in and the game was pretty even with Dinas perhaps shading the second half despite a number of new signings having to get used to playing together.

Dinas forced an early corner when a good ball from Joe Briscombe found Mamadu Banguraso whose determination gained the corner which was cleared by the Tata defence.

The Tata 'keeper Matthew Stanton was then booked for a foul on Dinas striker Adam Johns. It was then the visitors turn to attack winning a corner which had to be delayed before it could be taken as Dinas midfielder Keiron James needed treatment. The corner reached Michael Davies who brought a good save from Dinas 'keeper James Curtin.

After Banguraso was fouled the ensuing free kick brought a lovely flowing move involving several players but the attack was eventually broken up.

Tata are a big physical side and they mounted a good attack down the left with Thomas Edwards pass finding striker Nathan Close who was well placed but was adjudged offside.

At the other end a good turn and cross by Johns looked good but the Tata defence cleared their lines again.

Tata were then awarded a free kick on the edge of the box which Rhys Williams took but his effort was well wide and went out for a goal kick. The visitors looked dangerous at times but the Dinas defence of Ben Luck, Joe Briscombe and Nicky Bruce were dealing with the danger.

On the half hour mark Dinas came close to scoring when Briscombe played a fine ball down the line for Banguraso who shook of his marker, cut inside and fired in a shot across goal which hit the post and was cleared.

Luck then played a fine ball out to Rhys Palmer whose pace was causing the Tata defence some concern but his effort was off target.

After two further Tata corners were dealt with comfortably Dinas had another half chance when Palmer spun and shot but his effort was straight at Stanton who gathered comfortably. This was the last action of the first half with the front pairing of Palmer and Johns working hard without any reward and the midfield battling away with James Marr, Bangurasso, James and McClaggon holding their own against bigger opposition and Luke Swaffield plugging away down the right wing.

The crowd were entertained during the interval by Dinas Powys Minis with a five-a-side game.

The second half started with a fine flowing move by Dinas involving McClaggon, Palmer and Johns but he fluffed his attempt on goal.

Then a cross shot from wide on the right by Johns forced Stanton to tip the ball over his cross-bar. Tata's Matthew Lewis was then booked for a late tackle on McClaggon.

Dinas then had a scare when Michael Mealmon got past Luck but his cross was too strong and went out for a throw-in on the other touch-line.

Dinas manager Lee Saunders was then forced into making a change after Bangurasso sustained an ankle injury, James Perrett taking the field.

With 20 minutes of the half gone they also introduced 17-year-old King Junior Mwedzo, replacing Johns and he soon began working his magic, twisting and turning to keep the Tata defence on their toes.

Another chance came for Dinas when a McClaggon free kick into the box was half cleared to Briscombe who fired in a powerful low shot from 30 yards which Stanton just managed to hang on to.

Disaster then struck for the home side with just 10 minutes remaining when Sam Thomas evaded a tackle to find substitute Carl Clement with a good pass and he tucked the ball home from six yards for what proved to be the only goal of the game.

Dinas then made their final substitution, Palmer being replaced by James Alloway with five minutes remaining. The Villagers kept up the pressure to try and get the equaliser, some good build-up play involving Swaffield and Marr again came to nothing and a snap shot by Alloway was an easy take for the Tata 'keeper and Dinas ran out of time feeling that they deserved something from the game.

Dinas squad: 1 James Curtin, 2 Joe Briscombe, 3 Nicky Bruce, 4 Ben Luck (c), 5 Keiron James, 6 James Marr, 7 Mamadu Bangurasso, 8 Jamie McClaggon, 9 Adam Johns, 10 Rhys Palmer, 11 Luke Swaffield, 12 King Junior Mwedzo, 14 James Alloway, 15 James Perrett and 16 Connor Caton.

Dinas had a midweek fixture on Wednesday, August 19, when they were away to AFC Porth with a 6.30pm KO, and on Saturday, August 22, they are on their travels again when they visit Chepstow Town, KO 2.30pm.

Peter King