St Athan 5-3 Penarth Town
St Athan finished their season with three points as they were victorious over Penarth Town, as Jordan Mortimore was the star of the show, the skipper notching four goals with Karl Steel adding the other.
Saints named a settled eleven for the third Saturday in a row, a luxury afforded to them very little this season.
Saints started well and were soon in front. Brad Young played out to Nick Cleave at the back, the left back in turn cutting inside to pick out Josh Morgan who’s pin point through ball put Mortimore in on goal to finish past the keeper.
St Athan looked crisp when they got the ball down and played, almost paying dividends moments later as Josh Harfoot fed Morgan and his tantalising cross was met by Mortimore but he fired over left footed.
Penarth fired back and began to create openings with the big forward with a long range drive narrowly wide, before their number 8 also saw and excellent effort from distance just off target. John Ball deputising between the sticks for Saints was then called on to save low from a quick break down the right.
Penarth finally got the equaliser as a ball over the top saw the forward get to the ball before Ball and lift it over him into the net despite Young’s last gasp efforts to clear on the line.
All to play for at half time.
Saints came out brightly from the interval and five minutes into the half they retook the lead. Harfoot’s corner was met by Mortimore’s head six yards out and Saints were in front.
Moments later and it was a corner from the other side, Reece Lewis’ delivery met once again by the St Athan captain and his header was deemed to have crossed the line by the perfectly positioned referee. Mortimore had his hat trick.
St Athan were in the ascendancy now and played some tremendous football and soon had their fourth.
The excellent Tony Pugh at right back won the ball and played it forward to Karl Steel, Steel’s quick feet saw him leave the defender for dust to play in Mortimore on the right of the area, the defender showed Mortimore away from goal but he only needs half a yard and unleashed an unstoppable drive past the keeper at the near post.
St Athan’s ten minute flurry was wrapped up by the flying winger Karl Steel, some neat build up play saw Steel played in from the right, he ghosted past one defender before finishing with his left foot.
At 5-1 the game seemed all but over but an absolute belter of a goal from the Penarth number 8 pulled one back as he hit a strike from distance right into the top corner.
Ball was then called upon to produce a double save as Penarth put on some pressure.
The pressure paid off as Penarth were awarded a spot kick which was dually dispatched narrowly past Ball.
With Penarth pushing on Saints looked to extend their lead with top scorer Morgan firing wide, Harfoot seeing a shot saved and Young shooting wildly over.
Saints saw out the game for all three points and finished off a somewhat frustrating season despite an excellent SWFA Intermediate Cup run, as a combination of injuries, suspensions and general availability ultimately caught up with the team. A summer of rejuvenation ahead, Saints will be looking to challenge next season with blending old and new faces in this young and competitive squad.
St Athan : Ball, Pugh, Cleave, Garrison, Young, Laing, R.Lewis, Steel, Harfoot, Morgan, Mortimore. Subs L.Lewis
The second team were unsuccessful as they played Penarth’s B side. Losing out 6-4, Saints goals coming from Colin George, Josh Howells, Alexi Skitinis and skipper Aaron Rogers.
We’d like to thank everyone who has come out and supported the club during the season and our sponsors Owens Motor Services, Llandow for their tremendous support of the club. Also many thanks to Diving & Marine Engineering, Llantwit Valet & Car Wash and Kinsale Stone Co (Wales) Ltd.
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