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Subdued Dinas good enough

From the Penarth Times, first published Thursday 21st Feb 2002.

Dinas Powys 3, Pontlottyn 1

AFTER A TWO week lay-off due to water-logged pitches, Dinas Powys were back to business with a 3-1 victory over Pontlottyn in the Third Division of the Welsh League at The Murch last Saturday.

Dinas, currently second in the league, four points behind Newport but with two games in hand, were favourites against a 'Pont' team who are in the lower regions of the division.

But Dinas were strangely subdued and it was the visitors who were having the better of the opening exchanges, and they were unfortunate on 15 minutes when only an excellent double save from keeper Duncan Smith denied them. Firstly he tipped a ferocious shot onto the crossbar and turned the resultant attempt from the rebound around the post for a corner.

The Villagers then had to make an enforced change when centre back Mike Mayer tweaked a hamstring. Manager Paul Giles brought on Lee Street into midfield and pushed captain Lee O'Brien into the centre of defence. It was good to see Street back 'in the colours' after a long layoff due to an ankle injury.

These setbacks seemed to galvanise Dinas into action and on the half hour they took the lead. Geoff Poole made progress down the left and his perfectly flighted cross found Nathan Hosgood unmarked at the far post. Hosgood had the simple task of nodding into an empty net.

The Villagers were firing on all cylinders and it was Hosgood's striking partner Jamie Dix who next threatened when his shot just grazed the wrong side of the woodwork.

Not to be denied, Dix then scored an almost replica of the first with this time Hosgood the supplier.

The Villagers, without being at their best, had overcome their stuttering start and were worth their 2-0 lead at the interval.

After the break they immediately made it three when, after a defensive mix-up, Dix side-footed home for his brace.

Spectators now thought the floodgates would open but 'Pont' were resolute in defence and hit the bar on the hour with keeper Smith beaten. They got their just rewards after 80 minutes with a scrambled effort.

As far as Pontlottyn were concerned it was too little too late and Dinas were guilty of almost allowing them back into the game. It's tight at the top of the division and goal difference may come into play at the end of the season.

On Saturday the team is home again to Pentwyn who are currently making a surge up the table and the following Wednesday they are away to Newport based Albion Rovers under floodlights.

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