DIVISION ONE

PORTHCAWL TOWN ATHLETIC ...................... 1 CORNELLY UNITED ..... 3

IF it wasn’t for goalkeeper Tom Booth then Cornelly United would have carded an even more emphatic win during this tasty preChristmas derby over Porthcawl Town, writes Tony Poole.

Five standout saves from Booth – son of Pyle & Kenfig golf star Ian – allowed the Seasiders to keep their heads above water.

But ultimately the classy midfield trio of Dann Jones, Callum Jones and Rhys Alden were the driving forces in the Meadow Street boys completing a seasonal double.

And the introduction in the 52nd of a true Kenfig Hill legend, Stuart Davies, pepped Cornelly up when they were in need of experience to complement vim.

Some delightful touches from Davies warmed up a decent Lock’s Lane gathering during murky conditions close to the Bristol Channel.

On similar lines to the reverse fixture back in August, it was the Seasiders who struck first only to get overhauled by a well-motivated Cornelly team.

This time they took a 16th minute lead when Thomas Warren was unmarked in the box, and the oldest and heaviest player on the field drilled the ball past goalkeeper Ross Williams.

Booth then launched a one-man act of defiance when he kept out shots from both Dale Smith and Sammy Jones that looked destined to bulge the net.

However, Cornelly levelled things up in the 27th minute with many feeling there was off side in the build up.

But Penybont starlet Callum Jones lost a marker, and played in Dann Jones who went around Booth to fire into an empty net.

And during first-half stoppage time both teams missed gilt-edged scoring chances.

Initially, unmarked Andrew Fisher hit the sidenetting for Porthcawl, and then Cornelly front man Sammy Jones – the Lakeside Golf star – had a poor touch one-on-one with Booth.

The sides changed ends on 1-1 and in the 51st minute, the Meadow Street boys made a significant move.

A fine touchline dart from substitute Jake Roche led to him planting the ball on the back post for Callum Jones to sweep the ball past a helpless Booth.

But Jordan Marks should have made it 2-2 on the hour, but the pop idol shot wide from just outside the six-yard box.

It was Marks again on 72 minutes – this time he got top marks for an effort that clipped the far post with Williams beaten.

But with substitute Stuart Davies beginning to make a big statement, the Seasiders conceded a 75th-minute free kick.

Porthcawl midfielder Jack Germain took exception to the award, and was sent off for allegedly aiming foul and abusive language at Barry referee Danny Williams.

Dann Jones clipped the cross bar and soon after Booth pulled off arguably his best save low down to deny Sammy Jones.

An 82nd-minute Dann Jones free kick again worked Booth, who responded with another marvellous save much to the delight of proud dad Ian.

And with Stuart Davies pulling the strings for Cornelly during dying embers, they sealed victory from final play.

In another teasing Davies run, Rhys Alden got a shot on goal that needless to say was well saved by Booth.

But the ball ran into the path of Callum Jones, who duly collected a fourth goal of the campaign.

So, it was a case of festive season bragging rights and the double to the Meadow Street boys, who turned in one of their better showings of the season.

But what Porthcawl would give for a sprinkling of experience – in fact someone just like Stuart Davies who is destined to turnaround a pretty ordinary Cornelly season.