PENARTH Town's firsts played Cogan Coronation in the semi-final of the Barry Cup at Bryn y Don in Dinas Powys.

A local derby, this game had been eagerly awaited by the players coaches and spectators alike. In fact a large crowd did turn out to support both sides.

They were not disappointed with the opening exchanges. The first Cogan attack let to a clumsy tackle from the Penarth centre back and a penalty being awarded. It was duly dispatched and gave Cogan a very early lead.

So Penarth kicked off for the restart, threw the ball long to their striker David Shallis who was immediately scythed down and a penalty was awarded to Penarth. James Nellany stepped up and banged it in hard and low. So 5 minutes played and 1-1.

Both teams started to settle down then with the Town playing the better football and starting to take control of the game. Nellany and Patrick Jones started to run the midfield providing good wide ball for Ryan Williams and Mark Lane.

Penarth were trying to use the pace of Shallis to get in behind the Cogan defence but they held a high line well and Shallis kept getting caught offside.

Cogan had one or two chances themselves but nothing that really troubled Ross Miller in the Town goal. As the half wore on Penarth really took control and a fine through ball from Jones found Sam Wooster in space who cut inside, beat the last man, rounded the Cogan keeper and slid the ball home.

So at the break Town looking comfortable at 2-1. The second period continued in much the same way as the first with Penarth controlling the midfield and their back four of Scott Willitts, Liam Wingren, Ben Luck and Tom Bellingham showing no weaknesses and remaining solid throughout.

That pressure and continued possession took its toll and a lovely flighted ball from Luck at the back, this time beat the offside trap and with Shallis one on one with the Cogan keeper there was only going to be one outcome.

He volleyed home from short range to consolidate the Town's lead. Both sides now made changes with Town introducing fresh legs in the form of Alex Gilfin, but his was to be a very short game with his first tackle deemed to be reckless by the referee, and earning himself a straight red card.

With the man advantage Cogan sniffed the possibility of a come back but as they pushed hard a mistake in the centre of the park gifted the ball to Shallis high up the field and with just the keeper to beat he was in again and finished emphatically.

A clumsy tackle late on to the Penarth keeper meant a short spell for Nathan Harris but with Town now completely on top and Cogan tiring badly he had very little to do for the remainder of the game.

So Penarth Town clear and deserved winners 4-1 who played superbly to a man, which made the manager Stuart Chapman a very happy and proud coach.

They all look forward now to the final at Jenner Park but before that another semi-final in the divisional cup next week.

With the seconds and the under 13s also booked into cup finals it is developing into a great season for the whole club.