DIVISION TWO
AFC BARGOED ............. 0 VALE UNITED ............... 6
VALE United wrapped up another commanding victory over struggling AFC Bargoed to make it eight league wins on the trot, writes Tony Poole.
The boys from leafy Corntown doubled the Rhymney Valley side on a 13-0 aggregate to keep yet another promotion-chasing campaign on an even keel.
It was the 7-0 home win over Bargoed on September 23 that triggered this purple patch, and during this notable run they’ve scored a staggering 47 goals while conceding just seven.
And this latest landslide victory was achieved despite record signing Luke Cox catching rugby fever in the Welsh capital.
But Vale proved they can do very nicely without the ex-Penybont and Llantwit Major star – especially when you’ve got a player of the calibre of goal poacher Jack Dummett.
This time around top scorer Dummett weighed in with a hat-trick and the assists to the three other goals on the day that came from Joseph Williams, Ryan Jenkins and Mark Williams.
Canny Scot Jay Tominey, who resisted the temptation of the rugby, proved the perfect foil for Dummett.
And while super stopper Gerwyn Teague was as pleased as punch with yet another clean sheet, the men front played a part.
At the back Jimbo Davies, Mark Williams and Joseph Williams were all was as safe as houses.
And ex-Llantwit Major man Mark Williams even had time to make it two goals in as many games. Cornelly were at the races from the word go.
Though the precision was lacking, they still stretched Porthcawl who were at sixes and sevens until final knockings.
The home goal experienced three uncomfortable moments before Joe Jones and master craftsman Carl Owen combined.
But when the cross came in, there was no presence on the back post for a simple tap in.
The lead goal unfolded in the 22nd minute, as Carl Owen stood up a delicious back-post ball for hungry ex-Garw star Ryan Penny-Hughes to gobble up a heading chance with ease.
It became 2-0 – and to all intents and purposes game over - on the halfhour mark when Callum Jones and Dann Jones again unlocked the home defence.
The ball was slid through to Penny, who still had work to do, and he turned on sixpence to make it seven goals for the Wasps since exiting Blandy back in the autumn.
Just before the break, Porthcawl captain Mattie Ellis did drive a shot wide of the goal patrolled by Cornelly skipper Luke Jones.
And in Kenneth Wolstenholme 1966 World Cup final parlance “They think it’s all over – it is now” when in the 50th minute Cornelly made it 3-0.
Andrew Emery clattered Penny in the box,
Overseas import Giovanni Bertorelli ruled the waves in a central midfield role aided by reliable workhorse Philip Caseley.
“In the end it was horses for courses at Bargoed with the boys getting back up into the saddle and galloping to a comfortable victory,” explained Vale United chief Lloyd Williams.
“It also proved that the club now possesses genuine strength in depth, and hopefully this will serve us well during the business end of the season.
“But Cwmbach Royal Stars at home on Saturday will be a different kettle of fish.’’
Last month on a first game back from Christmas, Vale thanked their lucky stars for a 2-1 win at Cwmbach Royal Stars.
A late goal from record signing Cox was eventually worth its weight in gold to the Cabo Roche-based club. and Cardiff referee Kevin Russell had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Callum Jones drove the ball low to the left of goalkeeper Andy Fisher to make it two successful penalties for the season.
Two minutes later Penny was played through on goal but with only Fisher to beat, his shot ended up on a Merlin Close roof.
With it went the chance of a hat-trick and the match ball, and the next quarter of an hour proved uneventful.
Though the destination of the points were no longer an issue, in the 67th minute Porthcawl defender Joe Downes did well to scramble a Dann Jones shot off the goalline.
It was only during the last 10 minutes that the Seasiders really turned up – and at long last they stretched the Cornelly defence.
A cross from substitute Callum Chilcott picked out Hayden Lau, but his header ended up in the Lock’s Lane hedge.
But in the 83rd minute, it seemed odds on top scorer Crofts at least providing Porthcawl with a consolation goal.
However, just like the Porthcawl performance on the day his shot lacked genuine conviction.
That was the last noteworthy incident of an ordinary and at times feisty derby clash.
It resulted in Cornelly improving on a 1-1 draw against Porthcawl during the reverse meeting back in August.