PENARTH TOWN 3 BLAENRHONDDA AFC 2

CELEBRATIONS came early for Penarth Town FC last Saturday when they triumphed 3-2 over the visitors, Blaenrhondda AFC at Cwrt-y-Vil Fields in the South Wales Amateur League.

This victory was a surprise for the visitors who were placed first in the second division before the start of the game, whilst the home team were languishing second bottom of the table. In wet and soggy conditions the visitors were quicker out of the starting blocks making their early pressure pay dividends.

When a speculative 25 metre shot slipped through the arms of Penarth's replacement goalkeeper giving them an early lead in the 5th minute, the visitors were confident of a comfortable victory. But they were shocked by the midfield and forward pressure they were subjected to as a result of avid encouragement from the home coaching staff.

The formation of the home team was changed in the 20th minute by Brian Sullivan, Penarth's team manager, which gave much more space for the wingers to cross the ball into the 6 yard box.

The rain and wet conditions meant that the defence for both teams were not confident with any clearances. After a period of persistent pressure from the home team the ball went into the visitors 6 yard box in the 30th minute which was scuffed at by Penarth's Scott Muir towards the goal. Spinning at the point of contact, Scott hit the ball at a defender who unwittingly encouraged the ball into his own net. This raised the spirit of the entire home squad who finished the first half much the better team.

The second half started at great pace with the first 15 minutes evenly contested in an end to end contest. Both the home team and visitors cleared what seemed to be certain goals from their respective lines. Penarth took command when in the 75th minute a superb cross goal shot by Dean 'Deano' Morgan whistled past a sprawling keeper. This was a shock to the visitors, who were in new territory going behind to their opposition and they pushed for a face-saving equaliser.

Both teams made tactical substitutions in the remaining minutes of the game. Injuries, due mainly to the conditions more than any foul play, meant that the 90th minute approached and passed. The home team, pleased with their advantage, started to absorb pressure to see out the remaining time. However, the visitors pushed too many players forward and a counter attack by Ronnie Rahman in the 92nd minute, pretty much on his own, resulted in a near side shot passing the lonely goalkeeper making the score 3-1.

The visitors were not ready to give in and were awarded a free-kick just outside the home team's 18 yard box after a careless challenge by one of the Penarth substitutes in the 96th minute. A Drogba style free kick from the Blaenrhondda forward raised his team's hopes when the home goalkeeper had little or no chance to save, despite a valiant effort to redeem himself for his first half error. At 3-2 the closing minutes were tense but absent of any real chances.

The players from both teams had spent all their reserves by this time with the difficult conditions a major factor.

This was truly a well fought game and Brian Sullivan was keen to report after the game that he was pleased with the efforts of the entire squad who earned a well deserved 3 points.

The next home game is on Saturday, December 19 against Pencoed Athletic, kick-off 2pm at Cwrt-y-Vil Fields. If you are out walking the dog in the vicinity of the game you are invited to journey past to spectate or indeed to support the team!