PREMIER DIVISION HIGH ADMIT SOUTH WALES ALLIANCE

YNYSHIR ALBION ........ 4 PENCOED ATHLETIC ... 0

THE scoreline suggested a Pencoed pasting, but it only tells half the story, writes Tony Poole.

In some of the worst pitch conditions experienced in years, the Felin- dre Road boys dominated before high-flying Ynyshir Albion took a crucial 40thminute lead through Craig Wells.

That proved a key moment and on an Oval pitch that resembled treacle, Pencoed eventually got stuck in the mud.

Pencoed chief Mark Powell last week dipped into the transfer market, signing goalie Ricardo Burton from Cowbridge Town. He made a club debut at Ynyshir while brickwall defender Paul Martin came back into the side, playing alongside Evan Price and new centre of defence sensation Marc Turner. Pencoed could have easily been two goals up inside 10 minutes but Sam Brown clipped the woodwork and Richie Lewis just missed out on the follow up. Price headed over from a corner and on the day big Ben Treharne failed to chime, as did Jack Hopkins with a free kick.

That led to the Ynyshir lead goal coming against the run of play, and during the second period the Oval pitch got even heavier.

Substitute Griff Williams – a half-time replacement for Jordan Burrows – then missed two decent scoring opportunities.

Worse followed when the referee failed to confirm an off-side call and Hughie McGregor netted.

Another substitute, Keegan Alexander, then they failed to reduce arrears and in a lost throw of the dice, Turner was given his head up top.

It left gaps at the back and Pencoed were undone from a set piece with McGregor once more the marksman.

But on the day the Ynyshir finishing was much sharper and they rounded things off with a final goal late on from Cei Mason.

“After ringing in the New Year with a decent win over Canton Liberal in the cup, this was a bitterly disappointing result,” explained Pencoed chief Powell during his press conference.

“Missed chances encouraged Ynyshir, who got stronger as the game un- folded, while some of our defending was poor.

“Losing to Ynyshir is a setback but I’m confident the boys will continue to work hard, and place this result behind them.’’

Next up for Pencoed is a home league game on Saturday with Grange Albion.

When the sides met in the Welsh capital in the run up to Christmas, it ended 2-2 with Turner and Griff Williams the Pencoed goal scorers.