posted 28 Feb 2012 16:45 by Chris Baker
One day after losing just their second game of the season, Penarth travelled to Bridgend with key injuries and suspensions (and work commitments) rife. With Haran nursing a broken/dislocated thumb, Lane suffering from chronic knee pain and Walliams being too valuable to miss a shift at ASDA, Penarth welcomed the familiar faces of Rich Clarkson, Dave Kidby and Mark Robinson back into the lineup.
Bridgend, buoyed by a string of very good results, started the game very well. They quickly took a well deserved 2-0 lead, and looked to have the confidence to progress. However, the day belonged to CB. Following numerous tackle-evading runs, he found himself on the score-sheet following a well worked penalty corner just before half time.
The second half brought about much of the same, with countless runs from midfield inducing stick tackles, short corners and an array of coloured cards. It was a short corner that saw him score the equalising goal, pouncing on a loose ball in the Bridgend D and firing it into the net. Just 5 minutes later, CB rounded off his hat-trick with a strong run into the D, culminating in a strong-strike into the bottom corner. A somewhat nervy last 10 minutes ensued, with a yellow card being shown to Mark Thomas. Penarth held out and recorded a fine 3-2 victory. This ensured the Bears remained in 2nd, setting up a huge encounter with 3rd placed Swansea University at The Pit next week. |
posted 27 Feb 2012 00:11 by Richard Bromiley
The long drive to Carew was a rewarded by a 2-goal win for Penarth. Captain Math Birch called for an early goal, a habit that had been missing in recent weeks, and it duly arrived with 10 minutes played. Despite some good possession Penarth were unable to capitalise on it and the game went into half time at 1-0.
In the second half, the game resumed in similar fashion with Penarth having much of the possession but Carew defending deep and limiting the scoring chances. It began to look as if the narrow margin would cause a nervy finish, until Math Birch dispatched a penalty corner past the Carew goalkeeper. Happy to retain the ball after this, there were few scoring chances for either side and the game finished 2-0.
Next week's game is a 12.30 start at Barry vs Llanishen and Caerphilly B. |
posted 12 Feb 2012 11:54 by Richard Bromiley
In one of the few games to avoid the cold weather this weekend, Penarth A travelled to Lampeter to face UW St Davids. The students held much of the possession, but Penarth were happy to create chances on the break and at half time the score was 2-2. A further goal each in the second half meant that the final score was 3-3, keeping Penarth at the top of the table but no longer holding a 100% record for the season. With other teams not playing, the lead in the division has stretched to 7 points, but Penarth have played 2 games more than their closest rivals Whitchurch F.
Scorers: James Davies, Sam Wooding, Dave Watkins. |
posted 5 Feb 2012 08:49 by Richard Bromiley
The snow meant that Penarth's league match vs Bridgend was cancelled this weekend. The match has been rearranged for Sunday 19th Feb, a 1.30 start at Pencoed.
Penarth A's friendly game at Gwent was similarly affected by the inclement weather. |
posted 22 Jan 2012 05:26 by Richard Bromiley
Penarth A returned to Barry sports centre for the first home
fixture of 2012. With some late withdrawals from the squad due to injury,
including an injury to goalkeeper Calum Grant’s ankle that has left him on
crutches, the team assembled a bare eleven to face third-placed Whitchurch G.
The goalkeeping crisis left Math Birch to step up into the
padded kit, leaving the attack to rely on Dave Watkins and Dave Kidby. Robert
Harrison moved into defensive midfield, and Graeme Jones filled the vacant position in the right
side of defence.
The first half was a cagey affair, with Penarth having
significant possession but not creating many clear-cut chances. Whitchurch
appeared content to defend deep, a tactic that served them well until
eventually Dave Watkins was able to finish a move and put the team 1-0 up.
Other creative opportunities included a well taken short corner from Dave
Kidby, which was goal-bound until being well saved by the Whitchurch
goalkeeper. At the other end Math Birch successfully kept Whitchurch at bay
with some good saves. Injury to Derek Wooding limiting his mobility restricted
Penarth’s attacking options, and it remained 1-0 at half time.
The second half brought goals for Penarth, from Dave
Watkins, Dave Kidby and Robert Harrison- his first for the club and his first
in senior hockey for 15 years. With Penarth 4-0 up a diverted shot brought a
goal back for Whitchurch, before a quick move from Penarth finished by Dave
Kidby restored the 4-goal lead just before the final whistle.
Overall a good game, with some very good performances
including Tom Davies at the top of the Penarth midfield, and Math Birch in the
Penarth goal. Penarth now have a 6-point lead at the top of South Wales
division 3, having played one more game than their nearest rivals Whitchurch F.
With just one team expected to be promoted from the division due to next year’s
league reorganisation, Penarth need to maintain a good level of performance
over the next 8 weeks to be sure of going up.
Due to Abergavenny’s withdrawal from the division, there is
no game next week. The next game is a friendly mini-tournament vs Gwent C and
Whitchurch G at Whitchurch on the 4th February. |
posted 15 Jan 2012 00:36 by Richard Bromiley
On a cold day at Rougemont School, Penarth A restarted their successful 2011-12 league campaign. A slow start clearly demonstrated that Penarth were a little short of match sharpness, and some younger players in the Gwent attack were able to exploit some early shortcomings in the Penarth midfield and defence. A couple of commanding saves from goalkeeper Callum kept attacks at bay, and a well taken goal from Dave Watkins gave the team a 1-0 half time lead.
The second half began with Penarth scoring early, to provide the well-needed 2 goal cushion. Gwent continued to press, but it was Penarth who scored next from a well worked move with the finish provided by Gareth Herman. Gwent were then able to pull one goal back to make it 3-1, but a goal soon after the restart restored the 3 goal lead which remained until the final whistle. Penarth face a potentially tougher game next weekend vs Whitchurch G, a 12.30 start at Barry. Goals: Dave Watkins (3) and Gareth Herman
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posted 8 Jan 2012 02:48 by Richard Bromiley
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updated 8 Jan 2012 02:48
]
Youth training will recommence on Wednesday 11th January 2012, from 6.15-7.15pm.
Full senior training will also recommence on Wednesday 11th January, from 7.15-8.15pm.
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posted 3 Dec 2011 10:04 by Richard Bromiley
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updated 5 Dec 2011 00:11
]
Penarth A finished the first half of their 2011-12 league campaign with the long-awaited clash against the only other undefeated team in the division, Whitchurch F. Penarth held the best goalscoring record in the divsion with a goal difference of +33, but having conceded no league goals at all so far this season, Whitchurch were always going to be difficult to break down and so it proved.
After a very bright start from Whitchurch in which they created a couple of chances, Penarth managed to take control of the game. Richard Clarkson in particular was able to break down many of the Whitchurch attacks and provided the creative hub for the Penarth attack.
Penarth created some good opportunities, and scored two goals before half time from Dave Watkins and Derek Wooding. At the back, the defence held solid and became more organised as the half progressed, with Whitchurch having very few chances. Goalkeeper Callum was able to deal with any danger.
In the second half, Penarth resumed control but were unable to capitalise on any of the number of chances that were created. Whitchurch were again limited to few chances, including just one short corner.
The game finished 2-0 to Penarth, and leaves the team well clear at the top of the division (played 7, won 7) as they enter the mid-season break. The winning league run now includes a run of 4 games without conceding a goal.
Next weekend's match is a mini-tournament vs Gwent and Whitchurch, a 12.30 start at Barry. |
posted 29 Nov 2011 04:51 by Richard Bromiley
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updated 29 Nov 2011 07:01
]
Unfortunately youth and senior training has been cancelled on 30th November 2011. Colcot sports centre will be closed due to strike action.
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posted 21 Nov 2011 00:56 by Richard Bromiley
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updated 21 Nov 2011 00:57
]
Despite some slippery conditions that necessitated borrowed shoes, an effective and well-rounded performance from Penarth A saw the team retain 1st position in the league and keep another clean sheet. Penarth showed good determination were able to move the ball well across the pitch accurately and at pace, to create plenty of openings. At the other end, some good defensive work and some good marshalling from goalkeeper Callum limited opposition chances to a couple of penalty corners and some speculative shots.
At half time Penarth were sitting on a 6-0 cushion, which was stretched to 9-0 by full time.
Goals from Graeme Jones (2), Math Birch (1), Sam Wooding (2), Dave Watkins (1), Richard Clarkson (1) and Tom Davies (2) sealed an impressive victory, and the best performance by the team this season. Borrowed shoes contributed to at least 3 goals.
Next weekend's match is a development friendly match vs Whitchurch F, 12.30 start at Barry Sports Centre.
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