PREMIER DIVISION
GRANGE ALBION ......... 2 PENCOED ATHLETIC ... 4
JACK Delve revisited past glories with four goals against shell-shocked Grange Albion at Sloper Road, writes Tony Poole.
Of late the former Penybont darling has been scrimping, but in the capital last weekend it was Grange who felt the pinch.
“My agent Deri Lloyd persuaded me to play – and what wonderful advice it proved to be,” explained Delve afterwards.
Felindre Road chief Mark Powell welcomed him back with open arms, as the free-scoring trio of Kyle Owen, Marc Turner and Keegan were all absent while captain Evan Price was injured.
Delve partnered young Jack Hopkins up top while also back in the fold were nippy winger Griff Williams and Adam Brimble.
Though Grange went a goal in front, jack in the box Delve soon popped up to pull off a delightful finish that squared matters.
The second Delve goal was down to detailed precision from mentor Lloyd, and Lewis Butler almost served a third.
His effort clipped the cross bar – Pencoed changed ends 2-1 up – and on the restart the third Delve goal was reminiscent of John Toshack at his best just down the road with Cardiff City.
Hot-shot Hopkins set up the Delve dazzler, and soon after the fourth goal had the ex-Bont boy travelling ahead of his dreams.
But some unsavoury Grange behaviour led to them going down to 10 men – and a player then opted to disappear into the sunset.
Following a seven-minute delay, play resumed and shooting star George Dawes and Jordan Burrows vacated the Pencoed bench.
Though Grange pulled a goal back, manager Powell had already depos- ited the three points in the night safe at a local bank.
“This has to go down as one of our best displays of the season with dynamite Delve simply explosive,” explained boss Powell.
“Not many teams get anything out of games at Grange Albion, and it was especially pleasing to achieve it with a young team.’’
Pencoed host Betws this evening (Wednesday); Merthyr Saints (Saturday) and then visit Cardiff Corries a week tonight.