ANOTHER weekend of football finals in the Vale of Glamorgan Association Football League after an Easter break.

Just prior to the Easter Break Island Marine FC Year 9 side won the Year 9 League with a 6-0 win over Cadoxton Barry FC on the Saturday prior to Easter. On the Easter weekend, the final Senior League was settled with AFC Rhoose beating Vale Madrid FC 6-1 to be crowned Division 2 Champions.

On to the final on Sunday 28th April; the overcast day saw recently crowned League Champions Island Marine FC taking on Cowbridge Town Reds for the Harry Gratton Cup in the Year 9 League.

An opening 6 minutes of entertaining football saw Cowbridge Town Reds take a two-goal lead. Just on the 11th minute Island Marine FC pulled one back.

The game was back and forth with Cowbridge Town Reds restoring their two goal lead on the half hour mark. Island Marine kept fighting tho and just before the half time whistle, they reduced the deficit to one goal leaving the game poised Cowbridge Town Reds 3-2 at half time.

The action in the second half continued to be an open and entertaining game with seemingly no more goals. But with ten minutes to spare, a free kick to Island Marine FC resulted in a penalty after a handball in the box by the defensive wall.

Penalty converted meant the score was tied at 3-3 giving the potential of extra time. However with just three minutes to spare, Island Marine attacked once again and netted their fourth – taking the lead for the first time in the game. This was enough to make the League and Cup Double Winners for 2018/19.

The afternoon saw brightening skies to welcome Penarth Town FC and Cowbridge Town FC for the prestigious Barry Cup. A very tight game saw Penarth set out an attacking line whilst Cowbridge looked to counter them at every opportunity.

Similar to the mornings game, the match was very tight but resulted in no goals leaving the game 0-0 at half time.

The action continued in the second half with Penarth pushing and pushing and Cowbridge looking to defend and counter.

As luck would have it, one such counter saw a Penarth error resulting in Cowbridge breaking and with only a one-on-one with the keeper to overcome, a deft chip gave Cowbridge the lead. Penarth were not bowed and kept on looking for the equaliser but it never came. Final score Cowbridge Town FC 1 -0 Penarth Town FC.

As is traditional, the Barry Cup sees a player selected to received the Brian Riseborough Memorial Golden Boot for being Man of the Match.

This year’s recipient for his defensive display was Cowbridge Town FC’s Ryan O’Halloran.

There are just two Cup finals left to take place in the Vale of Glamorgan Association Football League; they are the Year 7 and Year 8 Cups. Both will take place on Sunday 5th May with the Year 7 Final between Sully Sports Blacks and Cowbridge Town Reds for the Brian Riseborough Memorial Trophy – KO 10:00.

Then to round of the Final’s the Year 8 League Trophy is up for grabs with Penarth Town Raiders playing Cogan Coronation Juniors AFC vying for the Billy Butlin Trophy – KO 12:15.

However, before the final, two Vale of Glamorgan Association Football League Senior Sides will engage in the SWFA Intermediate Cup Final on Saturday 4th May 2019. The match will be between Holton Road FC and Tynewydd FC at the Kymco Stadium (Penybont FC - CF31 4JU) with a 17:30 kick off.