DIVISION 1

CORNELLY UNITED ..... 2 AFC WHITCHURCH ...... 2

CORNELLY United squandered a two-goal lead during this high octane draw with AFC Whitchurch, writes Tony Poole.

A neat and tidy pitch – that was a credit to Bridgend Council – greeted the players and unlike last month, there was no halftime intervention from do-gooders.

Considering the amount of rain that fell throughout the game, the playing surface held up superbly.

And the Meadow Street boys – who have acquired the knack of playing for each other – showed some neat touches on the ball.

Joey Jones, Dann Jones, Rhys Alden and Jake Roche are young players with their best years in front of them – and Whitchurch soon became aware of that.

But two of the more experienced Cornelly men – defender Matt Davies and striker Chris Mitchell – didn’t last long.

Both pulled up lame during the same move with Shay Jones and Lakeside golf star Sammy Jones replacing them.

And they had the lead in the 35th minute from a Dann Jones free kick destined for the Greenacre car park.

But it took a wicked deflection and wrong footed Philip Harrison in the Whitchurch goal.

Just four minutes later, a Roche flag kick ran loose to Alden and his 25-metre shot beat Harrison all ends up.

But the visitors turned the game upside down just before ex-Pencoed cricket star Keith Redford signalled half time.

Cornelly failed to defend a Josh Beddis corner, and centre-half Nathan Lewis stabbed the ball past Dean Barlow from close in.

And when Whitchurch levelled in the 54th minute, they seemed destined to head back to the capital with all three points.

Shay Jones failed to deal with a bread-andbutter ball close to the box allowing Jerome Actie to drive a low shot past Barlow.

But as the rain continued to fall, Cornelly lasted the pace better with Corey Spencer blocking a Dale Owen shot on the goalline.

Two efforts from on-fire substitute Callum Jones tested Harrison but miss of the match went to visiting Joe Brazier.

A Spencer cross on 85 minutes found an unmarked Brazier who from six metres out, failed to find an unprotected net.

But close to time, a Joey Jones free kick curled just outside a post while Dann Jones failed to connect with a Dale Owen ball that was whipped into the box.

But given the weather conditions, both sides deserve the highest praise for mint displays.

Next up for Cornelly is Saturday’s league trip to Penrhiwceiber Con Athletic.