St Athan 3-5 Island Marine

Doubles from Rhys Hopkins, Brad Enticott and one from Jake Rogers, saw Island Marine return to winning ways and condemned St Athan to their fourth defeat in five games.

After a midweek loss to Barry Athletic, Island Marine maintained third spot with a win to get their good start to the season back on track, while St Athan, despite a midweek victory over Cowbridge Town, remain bottom of the table.

Island Marine took the lead mid way through the half when a Hopkins header squirmed in but Saints were level when Jac Wisenden took advantage of a defensive error to fire in the equaliser to send the game in all square at half time.

It was the first ten minutes of the second half where Island Marine took full control, Rogers and an Enticott brace sending the away team into a 4-1 lead with some deadly finishing and Saints lacklustre defending.

St Athan found a way back into the game as the impressive Jake Sutch and then Phil Morgan, from distance, pulled two back and Saints made it a nervy finish as they pushed for the leveller. But Island Marine broke well and in the final minute won a penalty that Hopkins converted with the last kick of the game.

Island Marine look like making their 25th anniversary year a title challenging season as they sit three points off top at this early stage of the season. While last season’s runners up and Barry Cup winners St Athan find themselves in trouble after a very poor start and need to start digging their way out and quick.

St Athan: Andrews, Austin, Young, Sutch, J.Ashton, Laing, R.Lewis, Wisenden, Steel, P.Morgan, K.Ashton. Subs – L.Lewis, Talbot, Pugh.

St Athan B couldn’t follow up on last week’s win as they went down 4-2 to Cadoxton Athletic. Craig Howells and Jake Johnston with the Saints goals.

Next week St Athan host Sully Sports while the second team travel to Vale Madrid.

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