PREMIER DIVISION

LLANTWIT FARDRE .... 1 PENCOED ATHLETIC ... 1

FOR a second time this season honours finished even between Pencoed Athletic and relegationthreatened Llantwit Fardre, writes Tony Poole.

Back in September, it ended 3-3 at Felindre Road but on this occasion, proceedings lacked a goal rush.

However, since then the former Welsh League side has gradually slid down the table and are now engulfed in a tooth and nail battle to avoid the drop.

“We could and should have won, but in many ways it simply highlights the madness of the divi- sion,” said Pencoed Athletic chief Mark Powell.

“Despite a poor run of form, Llantwit Fardre looked an organised side and they stuck to their task very well.’’

But during the first half the woodwork was the best friend of Llantwit Fardre, saving them from the marauding duo of young guns in the form of Evan Price and Jack Hopkins.

And as if to rub salt into the wounds the Tonteg Park side went ahead from their only true effort of the half.

A freak looped cross ghosted past a clutch of daydreaming Felindre Road boys at the back – and Llantwit Fardre had the lead in the most bizarre circumstances imaginable.

Into the second half and though Pencoed were the dominant force on the restart, things eventually changed.

By hook or by crook, Llantwit Fardre improved and it seemed as if the Felindre Road boys would return home empty handed.

But with just three minutes remaining, they got an equaliser to save the blushes of manager Powell.

It stemmed from the club answer to Peter Crouch with lanky striker Marc Turner getting as rare a headed goal as the sight of an ex-Aussie missionary worker in Pencoed.

His fifth goal of the campaign was worth a point to Pencoed, who on Saturday host promotionseeking Merthyr Saints.