PENARTH ‘A’ 1-0 Gwent ‘A’

The Bears started quickly and saw several efforts either saved or sneak just wide before influential midfielder Rich Baker opened the scoring, giving the Gwent ‘keeper no chance as he added a deft touch to a fantastic ball into the ‘D’ by Mark Thomas.

Conscious of the threat Gwent posed on the break, Penarth looked to build on the early goal and almost got an immediate second, with Steve Davies deflecting the ball inches wide with his first touch of the ball. Baker offered a constant target and, seeing another shot saved on the line by a Gwent foot, thought he had earned his side a penalty stroke, only for play to be brought back for an earlier infringement.

There was no addition to the scoreline by the break and, despite Penarth evidently being the dominant side, they remained aware that a single-goal lead would always be vulnerable, so the team talk focused on staying tight in defence and looking to kill the game off with a quick strike.

The final period saw more of the same from Penarth, with the Bears dominating possession and working the ball up field, but not finding the quality finish to beat the Gwent ‘keeper. It was a pattern which continued for the rest of the game, with the home side threatening the the Gwent goal numerous times but with no end product, giving the visitors the chance to remain in the game. They could have grabbed a late equaliser from the only real attack to threaten the Penarth goal but, fortunately for the Vale side, Gwent’s finishing matched their own and, when a few late counter attacks also went begging, Penarth were able to leave with a hard-fought 1-0 win.

Much credit must go to the Penarth defence, not only for snuffing out all Gwent attacks, but also for getting forward and helping create the numerous chances spurned by the strikers, a problem that the side will hope is quickly overcome in their search for back-to-back promotions.

Goalscorer: Richard Baker