DIVISION TWO
GARW ............................. 3 ST JOSEPH’S ................. 0
IT’S looking a lot like Christmas, and Garw got in the mood in maintaining an unbeaten start to the season at the cost of mid-table St Joseph’s at a murky Blandy, writes Tony Poole.
This latest success for the Blandy boys made it anything but a lucky 13 wins for the season – and a threepoint advantage over Aberfan during the festive season.
The Garw position also received a Christmas shot in the arm when nearest challengers Aberfan only drew 2-2 at Penrhiwfer.
And third-placed Cefn Cribwr could only manage a 1-1 outcome against St Albans at Cae Gof.
For many at fortress Blandy, it was a case of the morning after the night before that was Black Friday.
It led to the Blandy boys failing to find the rhythm that has made them standout performers on the circuit this winter
Without ever getting out of first gear, they led 2-0 at the changeover with budding star Nathan Rose pruning the men from the capital with an early lead goal.
Lewis James doubled the lead and during the second period, the Blandy boys went down the road to victory via easy street.
They added just one chances were carved out during an evenly contested opening half, Llan nevertheless went in with a 2-0 advantage.
After home goalkeeper Rhys Fisher pulled off a grand early save, it was the Llan Siro boys who enjoyed a bigger slice of possession.
Phil Poole gave them the lead with a sharp effort from an acute angle, and they built confidence around his third goal this term.
And many around the ground felt that Sully might have had their chips once Ben Thomas fished a goal from outside the box.
Sully started the second half at a high tempo, and it wasn’t long before Joey Briscombe pulled a goal back. Evans Bevan with 18-yearold right back Mason Roach deputising for one degree under Sammy Brown.
Once more Dylan Powell showed not only his teeth in midfield but also the Bulldog spirit to get Pencoed tails up.
Powell provided an immense presence and there was also a right royal midfield display to admire from Ryan King.
The opening half was evenly contested, but birthday boy Delve failed to pipe any icing on his cake with a goal.
Mark Powell pointed out some home truths during an emotional halftime address – and he opted to go with speed merchant Adam Brimble on the resumption.
It raised the tempo and a gut-busting run from Brimble soon set up an- more goal – Blandy supremo Ryan Blanche providing the golden moment of the half.
And during final knockings, Garw were content to simply wind down the clock on the way to another comfortable win.
Though league action is now mothballed until a big Garw shootout at nearest challengers Aberfan on January 7, there’s a match well worth supporting a week today (December 27).
Garw Present take on stars from the club’s glorious past at Blandy (1pm).
Though local sports personality Deri Lloyd is out with gout, hitting ticket sales for six, enough other stars will be on view.
Refreshments will be served afterwards at Kevin Day Towers in the Vetz Club.
But surprisingly they failed to gain any momentum out of the goal, and the game was all up for them once Sam Effey headed home to restore the two-goal buffer.
It remained that way until the closing stages when Scott South chased down a lost cause to get a second goal of the campaign.
A fifth league win of the season lifted Llan into 11th spot over the Christmas period.
And they are now four points clear of a relegation zone occupied by Betws, Ton & Gelli along with Cardiff Corries.
They will resume league fixtures on January 7 at home to Penydarren Boys Club. other goal for former missionary worker Marc Turner.
Just like buses another turned up with jack in the box Delve popping up on the edge of the penalty area at the perfect time.
His searing pace did the rest and he bid goodnight to a pair of defenders before putting the points to bed with a tip-top strike.
But late on, the Dragons did breathe fire, and Pencoed had to place all hands on deck to escape sinking without trace.
Though Baglan did pull a goal back and had a penalty shout refused, the Felindre Road boys returned home with the points.
“Another fantastic three points, and we’re delighted to take possession of ninth spot,” said Pencoed chief Mark Powell.