Barry Sport
Cadoxton Barry victorious over eight-man Garw
8:30am Thursday 2nd February 2012
CADOXTON BARRY FC 2 GARW 0
GARW ended this SW Senior League Division Two match with just eight players on the field.
Yet, apart from one little early skirmish, there was no way that this match could be described as dirty. In fact, it appeared to have been fought in pretty good spirits.
So, from the Jenner Park terraces to where on-pitch voices do not reach, one can only assume that the dismissals were a response to things that were said rather than things that were done.
Early exchanges were well contested and half chances came and went at both ends. CB's first half chance came from a Ben Stait free kick that was volleyed on by Dawson to go just over the bar. Then McInery received the ball in space, but with a number of options on, he decided to go for glory with an off-target effort.
At the other end Harker could only palm away a shot in the direction of Ryan Hughes, who, with an open goal ahead, struck high over the bar.
From a spectator's viewpoint up to the 20 minute mark the game was less than inspiring, so it was a pleasant surprise when CB took the lead out of the blue.
Clever play by Lewis resulted in a cross from deep on the right to find Weekley, who finished off with a crisply struck effort that went in low and to the right of diving ’keeper Jordan.
Then, within 2 minutes of the restart, Lewis grazed the crossbar with a shot from 10 yards outside the box while at the other end Lewis Stait did well to clear a Ryan Hughes effort off the line.
The second half started with Garw exerting a fair bit of pressure as a 10th minute cross from the left saw Lee Ogg head just over. However, within seconds he was off the field, receiving a second yellow. Was it something he said?
The man advantage wasn't immediately apparent as Garw continued to enjoy a fair share of the possession and a dip by Day from 20 yards out went only just wide of the CB right hand post.
Indeed, it wasn't until midway through the half that the extra man began to tell as both Dawson and Bradley went close before Alex Lee grazed the bar from a narrow angle.
Then, with the pressure building, Lewis was fouled in the box. But it was not the culprit, but Courts that got the marching orders. Was it something he said?
Finally it was Dawson who stepped up to convert the penalty with purpose.
The nine men defended resolutely for a couple of minutes, but business had hardly had a chance to resume properly before spectators saw that Lloyd Griffiths was receiving his second yellow card and the subsequent red. Was it something he said?
So for the final few minutes all Garw's eight men could do was defend for all their worth to keep their hosts at bay, and in this they succeeded.
Although this was not a game that will dwell long in the minds of CB supporters, credit must be given to the fact that you can only beat what is in front of you - even if it is a side that played with ever diminishing numbers during the course of the second half.
This Saturday Cadoxton Barry are away to Nelson. Players and followers to meet up at 11.45am at Cadoxton Conservative Club.