Penarth ‘A’ 9-2 Whitchurch ‘C’

The home team started well and scored with their first attack, as Chris McCarthy broke down the right before driving into the ‘D’ and finding Phil Lane. He, in turn, picked out David Joyce, who rounded the keeper and found the back of the net.

The lead was doubled soon after, with Lane spinning at the top of the ‘D’ before rifling a powerful shot past the motionless ‘keeper. At 2-0, however, the Bears became a little complacent and allowed Whitchurch more possession, which eventually resulted in the visitors working the ball well and scoring a deserved goal to reduce the deficit.

This spurred Penarth back into action and the two-goal lead was quickly restored, as Rich Baker set up David Kidby for another tap in. Then, on the stroke of half-time, the Bears were awarded a penalty corner when captain Sam Chick was wiped out by the Whitchurch ‘keeper, allowing the home defence to push forward with impunity. After Joyce’s initial effort was well saved, the extra men paid off, as the rebound was wonderfully controlled and smashed home by right back Dave Stevens, a finish any centre forward would have been proud of.

The second half saw more of the same and the fifth goal didn’t take long to come as Joyce grabbed his second of the game. Penarth were in full control by this stage and a sixth strike followed swiftly with Lane again finishing well from the top of the ‘D’ after a superb cut-back from McCarthy.

To their credit, Whitchurch continued to push forward and grabbed a second goal from a well-struck penalty corner, but any chance of a comeback was soon removed as Joyce netted twice more to rack up an impressive four-goal haul for the game. Determined not to be out-done, the scoring was rounded off with the final touch of the game as Lane completed a well-deserved hat-trick by finishing from an acute angle.

Although the comfortable scoreline will do much for Penarth’s confidence and goal difference, they now face a difficult trip to face Swansea City ‘A’ this weekend, looking to make it three wins in a row since the Christmas break.

Goalscorers: David Joyce (4), Phil Lane (3), Dave Kidby, Dave Stevens