St Athan 3-1 Cowbridge Town
Leigh Lewis stared in a fine derby win for St Athan as they bounced back from last weeks defeat.
Lewis bagged a brace and won the penalty that skipper Jordan Mortimore dispatched. Cowbridge responded with a spot kick of their own.
The game stated brightly with both teams looking to take the game to the other. Only three minutes had gone when Reece Lewis switched the ball to Leigh Lewis majestically, his mesmerising foot work bamboozled the defender and the resulting shot was deflected in.
A great start for the home side but Cowbridge came back and asserted pressure on the Saints defence got sustained periods but to no avail.
St Athan were playing some sublime football and the midfield of Joe Laing, Reece Lewis and James Austin were excelling.
That midfield combined to play in Karl Steel, making his league debut, Steel collected the ball in the far right corner, his foot work left three defenders chasing shadows and the resulting cross was pin point for Leigh Lewis to connect with a diving header to double the league. A rare headed goal for Lewis would be an understatement.
Cowbridge again fired back and found a good period of pressure, a shove in the area saw a penalty awarded and dually slotted away by Town to reduce the deficit.
Cowbridge should have been level moments later as a great cross from the right was met at the far post but fired high wide and not so handsome when it looked easier to score. A real left off for Saints.
Then with 36 minutes played, Leigh Lewis picked up the ball on the left and drove at the defence only to be brought down in the area and a penalty was awarded to the home side. Captain Jordan Mortimore dispatched the kick with aplomb to restore the two goal cushion.
Cowbridge came into the game after an opening day defeat to Vale Utd but a moral boasting win against Masons Moving Group saw them come into the game confident.
The game continued at a good pace without a clear cut chance being created until the hour mark when Deon Garrison was called upon to clear the ball off the line, nearly a bum note but Deon made the save.
St Athan looked to extend their lead and saw two more penalty appeals turned down as, first, Steel was brought down and then Josh Morgan was wiped out but no spot kick was awarded.
The game ebbed and flowed and Saints almost notched a fourth as the ball fell kindly to Morgan but his fine effort was excellently saved by the Cowbridge keeper.
Gareth Richards, starting his first game in goal for St Athan this season was then called upon for a brilliant finger tip save to deny Town with ten minutes to go.
Moments later Reece Lewis was needed to clear the ball off the line.
St Athan saw out the game and an impressive win. Saints played extremely well in difficult conditions against a well drilled opposition.
A week off for St Athan next week but the first team return in two weeks for a home clash with Penarth Town.
St Athan: Richards, Robinson, Charles, Mortimore, Garrison, Laing, R.Lewis, Austin, L.Lewis, Morgan, Steel. Subs – Young on 45, Pugh on 60, Ball on 77, Williams unused.
After their big midweek win the seconds were unfortunately defeated 6-2, Shane Campbell and Aaron Rogers with the goals.
St Athan B: McDonald, Morgans, Wolfe, Cleave, Campbell, Pickering, Rogers, O’Brien, George, Harry, C.Howells. Subs – J.Howells, Watson, Stock, Colwill unused.
HD