PREMIER DIVISION
BETWS ............................ 2 CANTON LIBERAL ....... 1
THINGS fell into place at the 19th attempt, as Betws gained a deserved victory over Canton Liberal at North Site, writes Tony Poole.
The long wait for a topflight victory was duly celebrated in the Oddfellows afterwards, and club chairman David Simons was more pleased than most.
“It was a great day for the club alright, and I’m just glad that I didn’t stand down as chairman,” he said.
“Though we again relinquished a goal lead, the boys stuck together late on to pull off a win that has recharged batteries.’’
Betws had previously carded 2-2 draws at home to AFC Butetown and against Baglan Dragons at the Evans Bevan.
Since then the return of Rhys Dyke from Welsh League Division Three club Caerau gave the North Site boys a timely Transfer Deadline Day boost.
Dyke was in the thick of things against Canton while fine defensive work from player-manager Dean Simons, Dan Hale and Rhys Short also held Betws in good stead.
They had the lead on the half-hour mark when Leighton Williams was cut down in the box, and Craig Phillips converted the ensuing penalty.
The goal separated the sides at the break but with many fans still filtering back from refreshments, Canton duly levelled on 48 minutes from the penalty spot.
It remained 1-1 until the 67th minute when Dyke stepped on the gas to leave the Canton defence for dead.
Once the time came to cross that too was on the money and ex-Pencoed star Gavin Richardson burst on to the scene to knock in what turned out to be the winner.
With confidence given a timely midwinter boost, Betws will be looking to build on this fine result on Saturday away to Pontlottyn. Jones and captain Will Owen.
Alex Treharne and Joe McCarthy went close for Porthcawl and on the resumption, Geraint Davies and his brother Gareth worked goalie Anthony Smith.
Porthcawl also felt goalie Smith handled outside the box, leaving an unguarded net for Treharne, but play was waved on.
And midway through the half, it was Cwmavon who delighted their fans with a goal down to Porthcawl failing to clear danger.
A bullet Nathan Harris header fizzed past goalie Brad Robinson, and that basically was game, set and match Cwmavon.
Changes were made in a last throw of the dice – Ben Bryant, James Harris and Andrew Bowden departing the bench - as Porthcawl mounted a frenetic finish.
But, ultimately, it was a case on the day of too little too late.
However, rumours coming out of Rest Bay earlier in the week suggested the Green Machine will make another exciting signing ahead of Saturday’s clash with winless bottom club Kenfig Hill at Croft Goch. WALES Schools U18 suffered late heartbreak last week in a 2-1 defeat to the Republic of Ireland at Home Farm in Dublin during a Centenary Shield opener, writes Tony Poole.
The Bridgend College duo of Cameron Keetch and Carn Thomas along with Keane Watts (Maes-