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 4^th February.