| Cefn
Llogel Racing Stables 1 Cardiff Northern 5 Pontcanna, 2nd September Starting
XI And so it came to be, Northern had enjoyed pre-season with only 2 friendlies but had won them both comfortably. The real work started down on the fields of Pontcanna and a few late comers (Nicky & Jason) and a couple of injuries had put paid to the strongest 11 but nevertheless the starting XI was pretty strong. Cefn Llogel (CLRS) are a decent side and Northern were going to have to perform to win. Both teams had chances early on but new keeper Martyn was looking strong and confident at the back and the best chances fell to Northern players, closest being a half volley from Mustey which flew just over the top. During the opening stages Phil Parr aggravated a calf injury and Nicky Ball came off the bench. After about half an hour Pogo rose well to head a ball on to David on the right wing who passed a ball down the line for Carl Manley, Carl got to the by-line put the cross in and Nicky Ball nodded it in, unopposed at the back post. Then on the stroke of half-time, from a CLRS corner Fudgie hit a long clearance towards Mustey out on the left wing who crossed diagonally for Carl. The keeper came out but Carl chipped it over him and it found the top corner of the net. The second half started badly and got worse, Northern conceded a free kick on the edge of the box and while the wall was being lined up the CLRS player bent the ball into the bottom left corner for 2-1. Stephen Mustey then got into an argument with Pogo and this lead to Mustey being booked and then subbed by Steve Roche. Mustey's replacement was Jason Paterson. Northern were determined not to let this affect them and within minutes were 3-1 up thanks to a Carl Manley corner and another Nicky Ball header from close range. Soon after a Dave Manley back heel released Carl down the right and he was brought down for a free kick which was given as indirect by the referee. Carl took the kick and lobbed it over the keeper at the back post and Fudgie not seeing the referees arm raised watched it into the net. Shortly afterwards it was 4-1 when Nicky's shot across goal was spilled by the keeper and it was knocked in from a few inches by Jason Paterson, his first goal for the club The game was wrapped up when Nicky teed up Carl and his shot was spilled by the goal keeper following a mix up with a defender and it dribbled over the line. Apart from a couple of corners Northern were rarely troubled after the CLRS goal and new keeper Martyn was always in control. Subs: Barrie Willacott,
Nicky Ball, Jason Paterson * Match Reports represent the opinion of the author and in no way represent the opinions of CNFC. |