Welsh League Division Two
Saturday 21st Jan 2012 - Dinas Powys 0, Garden Village 0
from Peter King, Dinas Powys FC
Despite the scoreline and a very heavy pitch, this was an entertaining game with Dinas having the best of the chances to score throughout.
 
The visitors settled into their game quicker and had the best of the first 10 minutes and had a half chance when Ashley Richards headed over the bar from a corner just 3 minutes into the game.
 
Dinas found their rhythm and began to create chances. A good move was started by Gareth Tedstone, he found Matt Trottman, he was tackled but the ball fell to Joe Hinds who shot just wide. Tedstone was then played in and his pace took him through for a one on one with the visitors' keeper Mark Snell, who parried  the first attempt and dived on the ball to cut out Tedstone's second chance.
 
From a Steve Provis long throw-in,  Trottman, with his back to goal, attempted a bicycle kick which was just wide of the upright.
 
The game was end to end and Garden Village had a chance when Rhys Whitelock took a free-kick into the six-yard box where a scramble ensued before Dinas keeper Damien Lack managed to smother the ball to cut out the danger.
 
Dinas then had probably their best chance of the game when Liam Jeremy shook off several challenges down the left flank and put in a perfect cross to Joe Hinds whose header cannoned off the cross-bar with the keeper beaten and was cleared.
 
Further excellent link-up play involving Jeremy, Trottman, Tedstone and Hinds ended with a goalmouth scramble in the visitors' six yard box but their defence  eventually managed to clear the danger.
 
As the interval approached Garden Village had a good spell of pressure, a cross from the right found its way to Whitelock in space but he got underneath his shot which sailed over the bar. Dinas keeper Lack was then called into action having to punch clear a dangerous looking corner.
 
The hosts had the last word of the half however with another excellent run and shot from Jeremy but his attempt was wide and he probably should have squared the ball to Hinds or Tedstone.
 
The pitch was a real glue-pot by the time the second half started but both teams must be congratulated for some excellent passing in the conditions. Dinas began to press again with Trottman, having an excellent game, crossing for midfielder Adam Raymond to head home but the muddy ball skidded off his head and went well wide. It was Dinas calling the shots now and Tedstone played a pass out to Jeremy on the left, he cut inside the full back to shoot with his weaker right foot and the ball sailed over the bar.
 
Both sides began to introduce their substitutes in the tiring conditions, Robbie Fowler replacing Tedstone, Jordan Phillips on for Hinds and player/manager Mark Dunford having a run-out, replacing Trottman.
 
The visitors had a couple of half chances when Lack parried a shot from substitute Liam Samuel, he followed it up with another effort which was off target and as time ran out the home side should really have taken the points with the chances they created.
 
Dinas: 1 Damian Lack, 2 Chris Lewis, 3 Chris Hinam, 4 Steve Provis, 5 Dave Penikett, 6 Adam Raymond, 7 Matt Trottman, 8 Richard Yarr, 9 Joe Hinds, 10 Gareth Tedstone, 11 Liam Jeremy, 12 Jordan Phillips, 14 Robbie Fowler, 15 Mark Dunford, 16 Dave Burnett.

Welsh League Division Two
Sat 14th Jan 2012 - Caldicot Town 0, Dinas Powys 1
by Peter King, Dinas Powys FC
After the previous week's lack-lustre performance, Dinas got back to winning ways with a much improved showing and, if it wasn't for some superb saves by the Caldicot keeper Gareth Williams, particularly in the second half, the scoreline could have been a lot wider.
Dinas started well and in the first minute had a good chance when Liam Jeremy crossed from the left to Matt Trottman who clipped a volley towards goal which went just the wrong side of the upright. Then from the other wing Trottman found Gareth Tedstone and his header hit an upright and was cleared.
 
Jeremy was giving the home side's right back Simon Crook a torrid time turning inside and then out and providing a succession of crosses.  He then took a free kick which Joe Hinds headed just wide of the far post on 25 minutes. Five minutes later Tedstone, back in the starting line-up after a long injury lay-off, used his pace well to beat his marker but his shot was also just wide.
 
The hosts did have some half chances but the Dinas rearguard were on good form and keeper Damiam Lack was never really tested and at the other end from a corner, Dave Penikett headed  towards goal but Williams dived to push the ball away for a corner.
 
After a Caldicot corner was cleared, Penikett was again on hand to fire a powerful shot just over the bar from 30 yards. At this stage the visitors were beginning to get on top and the final chance of the half fell to Trottman who, after a jinking run, shot just wide and Dinas were wondering if they would pay for not taking their numerous chances.
 
Dinas started the second half in the ascendancy again with Jeremy forcing Williams into another fine save after just two minutes. At the other end Luke Harris, who had been one of Caldicot's best players in the first half, latched onto a corner to shoot just wide of the Dinas upright.
This seemed to spur Dinas on and they exerted more and more pressure on the hosts' goal with Tedstone putting in a dangerous low cross which the overworked Williams managed to cut out. Soon after this Dinas were awarded a free kick from 25 yards which Adam Raymond powered low at the keeper, he could only parry it and Joe Hinds following uo looked to have scored but again Williams parried his shot and the danger was cleared.
 
With 20 minutes remaining Dinas finally got the breakthrough, Liam Jeremy squared the ball to Joe Hinds in space and he side-footed into the corner of the net from 15 yards for 1-0.
 
Manager Mark Dunford then rang the changes, bringing on Robbie Fowler and Steffan Davies for Tedstone and Trottman. Dinas were well on top by this stage and a cross from Fowler was volleyed by Davies with the Caldicot shop stopper again called into action, taking the shot just under his cross-bar.
 
The hosts had a couple of chances late on when Simon Crook had a speculative shot from 30 yards which was wide but then the Caldicot skipper James Munday had a good effort well saved by Damian Lack. In the dying moment Robbie Fowler brought another fine save from the over-worked Williams.
 
Dinas: 1 Damian Lack, 2 Chris Lewis, 3 Steve Provis, 4 Mike Lewis, 5 Dave Penikett(c), 6 Adam Raymond, 7 Matt Trottman, 8 Richard Yarr, 9 Joe Hinds(1), 10 Gareth Tedstone, 11 Liam Jeremy, 12 Jordan Phillips, 14 Robbie Fowler, 15 Steffan Davies, 16 Mark Dunford, 17 Dave Burnett.

Welsh League Division Two
Sat 7th Jan 2012  Dinas Powys 1 Aberbargoed Buds 4
The day did not start well for Dinas when centre-half and captain Chris Hinam had to step down to the bench through illness, and it got a lot worse against the leagues’ bottom side. The Buds have strengthened their side recently and deserved this win with the home side not firing on all cylinders.

Dinas started well enough and could have scored a couple of goals in the opening minutes. The first chance created by an excellent ball from Richard Yarr picking out Liam Jeremy on the left touchline who crossed low and hard for Joe Hinds but keeper Asa Kirkwood got down well to save. Yarr was again prominent this time finding Joe Hinds but his cross was just out of Jeremy’s reach. Adam Raymond stung the keepers hands with a twenty yard drive whilst at the other end Wayne Antoniazzi’s mazy run ended when he was brought down just inside the penalty area, the referee awarding a penalty taken by Antoniazzi but well saved by Damien Lack in the home goal. Antoniazzi was to prove a thorn in the side of Dinas and on twenty-five minutes he gave the visitors the lead when he finished off an attack with a low twenty-five yard shot into the corner of the net. Just before half-time Dinas got back into the game when Adam Raymond picked out Liam Jeremy with a through ball, he held off a defender before beating the keeper with a low shot from the edge of the area.

Thirteen minutes into the second-half Buds took a two one lead and again it was Antoniazzi, he finished off a flowing attack with a fifteen yard shot into the roof of the net. Two minutes later it was that man again this time successfully scoring from the penalty spot to complete his hat-trick when a defender was guilty of pushing in the area. Dinas’s woes increased when Will Penikett was shown a red card for retaliation and although they pushed men forward and brought on Tedstone and Trottman they did not threaten the visitor’s goal. Their misery was completed just before the end of the match when Ross Mazurczak scored the  fourth with Dinas pushing forward but leaving gaps in their defence.

Next week Dinas travel east to play Caldicot Town and will looking for a vastly improved performance.

Squad: 1. Damien Lack, 2. Chris Lewis, 3. Steffan Davies, 4. Mike Lewis, 5. Dave Penikett, 6. Will Penikett, 7. Robbie Fowler, 8. Richard Yarr, 9. Joe Hinds, 10. Adam Raymond, 11. Liam Jeremy(1).  Subs: 12. Chris Hinam, 14.Matt Trottman, 15. Gareth Tedstone ,  16. Steve Provis, 17. Dave Burnett.


Welsh League Division Two
Sat 17th Dec 2011  TaTa Steel 0 Dinas Powys 2
The first double of the season against third place TaTa Steel, and a well deserved victory built on a really strong team performance. Damien Lack stepped in for the suspended Dave Burnett in goal and pulled off a couple of saves when the visitors did get any shots on goal but in the main a strong performance from the defence kept the home side at bay, with Richard Yarr, Adam Raymond, and Will Penikett resting the midfield initiative from the home side to form the basis of this win.

Playing with the cold wind behind them the home side had the major share of early territory and Dinas were grateful to Lack in the seventh minute when he acrobatically got a fist to a shot to put the ball over the crossbar. A minute later the home side thought they had taken a lead when Liam Saroka got his head to a cross, the ball ending in the net but he had clearly fouled the keeper in doing so. But it was Dinas who got the all important opener following a throw, Joe Hinds got his head to a cross and when the ball was laid on for Will Penikett he made no mistake from close range at the far post. The home side pushed forward in search of an equaliser but their attempts foundered on a strong Dinas defence and when the visitors did get forward Liam Jeremy shaved an upright when put through. Minutes before half-time Dinas were awarded a free-kick on half-way, Adam Raymonds’ well struck ball into the area glanced off Chris Hinam’s head and just inches from the far post. There was still time for Tatas’ David Brown to get his head to a free-kick but he could not direct it on goal and Dinas went in deservedly a goal to the good.

Keeper Lack had to deal with an early effort before Dinas started to push the home side back and when Adam Raymond’s shot was deflected wide the resulting corner fell to Will Penikett and his twenty yard shot was inches wide. Most of the home sides crosses and free-kick’s were clearing their attack but twenty-five minutes into the half an excellent cross was left by Craig Baker for Liam Saroka in space at the far post but his rushed volley cleared the crossbar. Substitute Gareth Tedstone, on for injured Liam Jeremy, headed a corner wide and Adam Raymond forced keeper Mathew Stanton into a low save before Liam Saroka replied for the home side with a shot across goal but just wide. Dinas manager Mark Dunford introduced sub Steffan Davies with five minutes to go and within a minute he had put Dinas two up, a Tata free-kick was cleared by the Dinas defence to Richard Yarr and his astute pass found Davies running at the home defence, he beat a defender before placing the ball past the advancing keeper and into the net from twenty yards. The home side pushed forward for the remaining minutes but Dinas dealt with everything thrown at them before the referee blew for full time.

With a three week break to their next game at The Murch against Aberbargoed Buds all at Dinas Powys Football Club would like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and peaceful New Year.

Squad: 1. Damien Lack, 2. Chris Lewis, 3. Chris Hinam, 4. Mike Lewis, 5. Dave Penikett, 6. Will Penikett(1), 7. Robbie Fowler, 8. Richard Yarr, 9. Joe Hinds, 10.Adam Raymond, 11. Liam Jeremy. Subs: 12. Gareth Tedstone, 14. Steffan Davies(1), 15. Joe Briscombe.


Welsh League Division Two
Sat 10th Dec 2011  Dinas Powys 0 Newport YMCA 2
A missed penalty and twice hitting an upright cost Dinas dear against the high flying visitors who showed that bit of quality in front of goal by scoring from two of their three chances in the game.

Dinas started well enough with Robbie Fowler firing over from a Joe Hinds knock-down followed by Liam Jeremy shooting wide when given another opportunity by Hinds. Eight minutes into the game and YMCA had their first attack through Oliver Beckett who broke clear on the right before delivering a low cross for Ben Lawrence to side foot into the net from eight yards. Despite going a goal down Dinas continued to have the majority of possession with the pace of Robbie Fowler in evidence on the right and it was Fowler who had an opportunity for the equaliser on twenty minutes when his turn and shot forced Gareth Wesson in the YMCA goal to save at the second attempt. For the visitors Beckett was again the provider giving Declan Flannagan a shooting chance he put over the bar. Dinas’s shooting continued to be off-target with Adam Raymond and Richard Yarr both shooting over the bar before on the stroke of half-time they were denied a penalty when Chris Hinam appeared to be pushed deep in the penalty area with the referee waving away the appeals.

The home side continued to press the visitors who always looked dangerous when they pushed forward and when they did get their second goal it was almost a carbon copy of the first, again Beckett did well on the right before crossing low but this time it was Aaron Stewart on the end whose shot trickled over the line with a defender desperately trying to get back. To their credit Dinas didn’t let their heads drop and had another penalty appeal turned down before they finally convinced the referee when Fowler was brought down following a mazy run into the area but Wesson guessed right to push Joe Hinds penalty past the post. This proved very costly because a goal then would have given them a half-hour to get on terms, even so two minutes later Adam Raymond’s shot hit an upright before substitute Gareth Tedstone’s eighteen yard shot again hit the post. It was good to see Tedstone back from an injury that kept him out for nearly three months and his pace up front has been missed but he could have had a bigger influence on the game with a header and a shot off-target before the end of the game but it was the visitors who ran out winners.

No lack of effort or heart from Dinas in this game but they just needed that bit of quality shown by the visitors in front of goal and they will need to show all of these qualities again next week when they visit Tata Steel who lie third, and one place behind YMCA.

Squad: 1. Dave Burnett, 2. Steve Provis, 3. Chris Hinam, 4. Mike Lewis, 5. Dave Penikett, 6. Will Penikett, 7. Robbie Fowler, 8. Richard Yarr, 9. Joe Hinds, 10.Adam Raymond, 11. Liam Jeremy.  Subs: 12. Mark Dunford, 14. Mathew Trottman, 15. Gareth Tedstone, 16. Steffan Davies, 17.


Welsh League Division Two
Sat 3rd Dec 2011  Treharris Ath Western 2 Dinas Powys 5
New signing Steffan Davies had to be content with a place on the bench as manager Mark Dunford kept faith with the players who had performed well in winning their previous two games.

Steve Provis’s long throw was always going to be a potent weapon on the small pitch at Treharris and as early as the second minute he launched one deep into the home side’s six yard box that cleared one defender but glanced off another and over the line to give Dinas the sort of start they would have wished for. On a sticky pitch good football was at a premium and Dinas were more effective by getting the ball forward quickly and when keeper Dave Burnett cleared long Liam Jeremy did well to get his shot in only to see home keeper Mathew Evans parry the ball and clear the danger. When Treharris were awarded a free-kick twenty-five yards from goal Dinas keeper dealt comfortably with a Jason Morris effort. On forty minutes Dinas doubled their lead, Mike Lewis found Robbie Fowler on the left having switched wings and he beat the retreating defence to coolly lob keeper Evans and score from eighteen yards. There was still time for another Dinas goal before half-time when a Liam Jeremy corner was allowed to run to Chris Hinam who made no mistake from close range.

Dinas bettered their first-half start by scoring in the first minute of the second, again it was Liam Jeremy’s corner this time finding Will Penikett at the far post who had the simplest of tap-ins from a couple of yards. A minute later the home side had a sniff of a goal when Dinas keeper Burnett failed to gather a cross but his defence were on hand to clear the danger. Fifteen minutes into the half Treharris had their best chance so far in the game when neat passing freed Rhys Tandy but his shot rolled wide of the far post. Ten minutes later they did get a goal back and it was substitute Mathew Sellick who finished a goalmouth scramble with a close range shot into the net. Dinas substitute Steffan Davies came on in place of the hard working Joe Hinds and it wasn’t long before he made his presence felt, Dinas attacked on the left and Robbie Fowler gave Davies the opportunity, and he coolly guided the ball past the keeper from fifteen yards for their fifth. The home side had the last say in the game when they got their second goal just before full-time, David Mitchell shot high into the net with a twenty-five yard free-kick.

This was Dinas’s third win in as many games and although they face a tougher test next week when they entertain Newport YMCA they will go into the game with plenty of confidence.

Squad: 1. Dave Burnett, 2. Steve Provis, 3. Chris Hinam(1), 4. Mike Lewis, 5. Dave Penikett, 6. Will Penikett(1), 7. Robbie Fowler(1), 8. Richard Yarr, 9. Joe Hinds, 10.Adam Raymond, 11. Liam Jeremy. Subs: 12. Chris Lewis, 14. Mathew Trottman, 15. Gareth Tedstone, 16. Steffan Davies(1), 17.


Welsh League Division Two
Sat 26th Nov 2011  Dinas Powys 2  Bettws 0
Playing into the wind in the first-half Dinas struggled to get going in what was a poor start to the game but they took advantage of the wind at their backs after the break to get a deserved three points.

Robbie Fowler had an early chance to open the scoring in the first minute but Mark Elliott got down well to save at his near post, a few minutes later the same player had a shout for a penalty when he went down inside the area but the referee waved play on. The visitors enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening half-hour but Dinas keeper Dave Burnett comfortably dealt with a couple of through balls. The home side had been guilty of wasting a number of set piece balls most of which were over-hit before Liam Jeremy made amends with an inch-perfect cross headed against an upright by Joe Hinds. Chris Hinds volleyed a corner high over the crossbar before the referee blew the half-time whistle with neither side really getting to grips with the wind.

The second-half was much improved as far as the home side were concerned and they were able to exert more pressure on the Bettws defence but it was Morgan Thomas for the visitors who brought an excellent save from keeper Burnett who managed to push his header over the crossbar. From the resulting corner Joe Hinds, back defending, headed clear and Liam Jeremy picked the ball up and ran at the retreating Bettws defence but his final shot was weak and keeper Elliott gathered the ball comfortably. Despite plenty of possession Dinas’s shooting was off-target until twenty-five minutes into the half when Mike Lewis won the ball on half-way and played in Liam Jeremy on the edge of the area, he rounded a defender before his low shot was deflected wide of the keeper and into the net. Four minutes later they increased their lead, Steve Provis’s excellent pass found Robbie Fowler in space on the right and his pinpoint cross found Joe Hinds who made no mistake with a well directed header past the keeper. Dinas brought on their three substitutes and played out the remainder of the game and now look forward to a trip to Treharris with a increasing confidence next Saturday

Squad: 1. Dave Burnett, 2. Chris Lewis, 3.Chris Hinam, 4. Mike Lewis, 5. Dave Penikett, 6. Will Penikett, 7. Robbie Fowler, 8. Richard Yarr, 9. Joe Hinds(1), 10. Steve Provis, 11. Liam Jeremy(1). Subs: 12. Rhys Davies, 14. Dimitri Fallas, 15. Joe Briscombe, 16. Mark Dunford, 17. Damien Lack.  


Welsh League Division Two
Sat 19th Nov 2011 Caerau 1 Dinas Powys 2
from Peter King, Dinas Powys FC
After some deliberation by the referee as to whether the Caerau pitch was playable, the game finally got underway when he was assured by the Caerau committee that it was as good as it ever is at this time of year!
 
Dinas went on the attack from the first whistle and a rasping shot in the first minute from Adam Raymond must have stung Chris Barlow's hands.
 
A lot of the goalmouth action was coming from set pieces and a shot from the experienced Dale Price was just wide of the Dinas upright.
 
New Dinas signing Robbie Fowler was using his pace well down the right flank and the Caerau rearguard had to be alert to clear a number of good crosses. Dinas finally got the breakthrough when a superb free kick out wide on the right by Raymond found Chris Hinam to head home from eight yards after 10 minutes.
 
Two minutes later at the other end another free kick by Price found Steve Conaty but he shot high over the bar.
The heavy ground was making good football difficult but after an even spell of play Joe Hinds had a chance when played in by Fowler but under pressure, he shot wide.
 
Towards the end of the half Caerau had a couple of chances and Dinas keeper Dave Burnett was called into action to make a good save from Lee O'Brien and he had to punch another free kick from Price clear when under some pressure but the Dinas defence were on top form and cleared the danger. Dinas just about deserving their lead at the interval.
 
The second half was again end to end stuff with the hosts beginning to keep possession better and, after a spell of pressure they were awarded a penalty for pushing  with 12 minutes gone, which Price despatched giving Burnett no chance.
 
Caerau introduced their substitutes to try and go on and win the game with one substitute Corey Davies managing to break through the Dinas rearguard but he shot wide. The game got a bit niggly at times with some of the referees decisions being questioned. Dinas weathered the storm and a tremendous free-kick from Raymond was tipped over the bar by the Caerau shot-stopper. The visitors seemed to get a second wind and forced a couple of unproductive corners. Joe Hinds sustained a cut eye whilst Dinas were on the attack but was able to continue after treatment. Hinds was then pushed out wide on the right with Fowler taking the striker's role and this had the desired effect when, from another great Raymond free kick, Fowler got to the ball first to volley in from six yards at the far post with just 5 minutes remaining for 2-1. The only blemish on a great Dinas performance was Raymond getting his marching orders for a second bookable offence in the last 2 minutes of the game.
 
Dinas entertain basement club Bettws on November 26th with a 2pm kick off but will take nothing for granted.
 
Dinas squad: 1 Dave Burnett, 2 Steve Provis, 3 Chris Hinam(1), 4 Mike Lewis, 5 Dave Penikett, 6 Will Penikett, 7 Robbie Fowler(1), 8 Richard Yarr, 9 Joe Hinds, 10 Adam Raymond, 11 Liam Jeremy, 12 Chris Lewis, 14 Dimitri Fallas, 15 Paul McCarthy.


Welsh League Division Two
Sat 12th Nov 2011  Newcastle Emlyn 3, Dinas Powys 2
from Peter King, Dinas Powys FC
After totally dominating the first half and going in at the break with a two goal lead it looked a formality for Dinas to go on and win the game but somehow they managed to squander all three points in a lack-lustre second half performance and their hosts must be praised for their never-say-die attitude.
 
Dinas were straight on the attack from the first whistle with Liam Jeremy adjudged just offside when in a good position and Ricki Morgan was just wide with a shot received from Jeremy. The visitors forced a succession of corners without any end product but were caught on the break when Jordan  Morris beat the offside trap bursting through the middle but experienced Dinas keeper Dave Burnett came off his line to narrow the angle and Morris shot wide.
 
The visitors finally got the breakthrough on 20 minutes when a long Steve Provis throw-in fell to Will Penikett and he side-footed home from 15 yards, with Spencer Cutlan getting a hand to it but could not prevent it going in.
 
Dinas doubled their tally with five minutes of the half remaining when Liam Jeremy delivered a pin-point cross from the right wing to find Jo Hinds and he headed home powerfully from six yards. As the half-time whistle blew there looked to be only one winner after a very one-sided half.
 
For the first 15 minutes of the second half it was still Dinas calling the shots with efforts just going wide from Jeremy, Hinds, who brought a good save from the keeper and from another long Provis throw-in Ricki Morgan volleyed over the bar.
 
Newcastle Emlyn gradually exerted some pressure of their own so manager Mark Dunford brought on Paul McCarthy for the hard-working Hinds. However, with 15 minutes remaining a defensive error let Jordan Morris in and he made no mistake for 2-1 from close range. Just a minute later the hosts were level after another defensive error let Emlyn substitute Robbie Jenkins in to lob Burnett and with a few minutes remaining the hosts snatched the lead from a free kick and a well placed header by Jake Harries.  
 
Jeremy was then replaced by Joe Briscombe and Dinas had one further chance to salvage something when a scuffed Paul McCarthy shot was cleared off the line as time ran out.
 
Dinas are away again next Saturday (19th), when they travel to Caerau with a 2pm kick off
 
Dinas squad: 1 Dave Burnett, 2 Steve Provis, 3 Chris Hynam(c), 4 Mike Lewis, 5 Dave Penikett, 6 Will Penikett(1), 7 Ricki Morgan, 8 Richard Yarr, 9 Jo Hinds(1), 10 Adam Raymond, 11 Liam Jeremy, 12 Rhys Davies, 14 Joe Briscombe, 15 Paul McCarthy.

Welsh League Division Two
Sat 5th Nov 2011  Dinas Powys 0  Ely Rangers 0
This local derby never really caught fire with chances few and far between but both sides had spells when they were on top.

The home side started well and there were shouts for a penalty in the very first minute when Ricki Morgan played in a good ball to the near post for Paul McCarthy who went down when challenged from behind but the referee waved play on. Adam Raymond had a shot deflected for a corner and when McCarthy robbed a defender his twenty yard shot was kept out by Ashley Hart in the Rangers goal. Rangers came into the game after twenty minutes forcing a corner that home keeper Dave Burnett had to punch clear and when they broke quickly Luke Trezise saw his long range shot touched over the bar by Burnett for a corner. A couple of minutes before half-time Liam Jeremy collected a throw on the left and set out on an excellent run that took him past two defenders before delivering a cross met by Steve Provis, making a surging run from defence, striking a first time effort over the bar.

The second-half started slowly with neither side taking control and Dinas were struck a blow when Matt Trottman was forced off through injury, his place taken by Joe Briscombe. For the visitors towering centre-half made one surging run from defence but Dinas managed to clear the ball before he was able to get his shot on goal. Thirty minutes into the half Dimitri Falls made his first team debut coming on for Paul McCarthy and he almost made an impact when Liam Jeremy found him with a cross near the penalty spot but he took too long to get his shot away and the visiting defence was able to clear. Near the end Adam Raymond was close to connecting with a Joe Briscombe cross but Rangers had the chance to collect all three points when they stretched the home defence but Dinas were grateful to see an offside flag raised to give them a share of the points.

Next Saturday Dinas make their longest journey of the season when they go to Newcastle Emlyn hoping that West isn’t Best.

Welsh League Division Two
Sat 29th Oct 2011  Croesyceiliog 4 Dinas Powys 2
Five minutes into the second-half when Dinas went two goals to one up new manager Mark Dunford must have been satisfied but poor defending and a bit of a cavalier attitude gave the home side opportunities and they made no mistake scoring from two set pieces and from two of the three outfield opportunities they had.

Despite five players missing through injuries and suspensions Dinas matched the home side and could have taken a lead when Paul McCarthy’s twenty yard shot brought a good save from keeper Jonathan Chorley. Ricki Morgan was buzzing around the pitch and should have done better than fire over following a period of Dinas pressure, a minute later Liam Jeremy had a shot deflected wide. On the half-hour Croes took the lead slightly against the run of play from a corner, the Dinas defence allowing Jack Wellington to connect with a firm downward header that beat a defender on the line. The visitors equalised five minutes before half-time and whilst the goal may have been a bit fortuitous it was no more that they deserved, a long ball found Ricki Morgan on the right of the area and he hooked it over his shoulder, and the keeper, and into the far corner of net. Croes could have regained the lead almost immediately but Jake Haywood headed the chance wide before the referee blew for half-time.

Early in the second-half on a pitch getting more and more difficult Dinas could have taken the lead when McCarthy got his head to a free-kick to give Mathew Trottman the chance but his effort was wide, however they were not to be denied and again it was McCarthy who got his head to a Mike Lewis cross, the ball looping over the keeper and in off the underside of the crossbar. It was at this point that Dinas pushed forward too much instead of sitting on the lead they had worked so hard to achieve. They paid the price ten minutes later when they conceded a corner and allowed prolific scorer Jody Jenkins time and room to head in from close range to make it two apiece. New signing Adam Raymond came off the subs bench and almost had an immediate impact with a snap shot from the angle of the penalty area forcing the keeper to push the ball round the post. Dinas were caught out when a long ball stretched the defence leaving Calum Miles in space on the right of the area and he made no mistake with a low shot. A couple of minutes later Croes scored their final goal when substitute Zac Osbourne’s strong run deep into the area ended when he was brought down by keeper Dave Burnett, Jenkins scoring from the penalty spot.

Next Saturday Dinas welcome near neighbours Ely Ranger to The Murch for what will be another had fought local derby.

Squad: 1. Dave Burnett, 2. Rhys Davies, 3.Chris Hinam, 4. Mike Lewis, 5. Mike Brooks, 6. Will Penikett, 7. Ricki Morgan(1), 8. Richard Yarr, 9. Paul McCarthy(1), 10. Mathew Trottman, 11. Liam Jeremy. Subs: 12. Chris Lewis, 14. Joe Briscombe, 15. Adam Raymond, 16. Damien Lack.

Welsh League Division Two
Sat 22nd Oct 2011  Dinas Powys 2 Ammanford 1
This win should give Dinas a little more confidence in what was a hard fought game with the visitors probably deserving a point but leaving their fight-back a bit late.

The home side started the game with plenty of pace, Mathew Trottman latching on to a through ball only to be thwarted as he was about to get his shot on goal. Ammanford replied immediately with captain Luke Fayres heading wide of an upright. Play continued to move from end to end, Dinas’s Richard Yarr saw his effort pushed wide by keeper Jamie Rano before the visitors replied with a Nathan Jones shot off-target. The best move of the game so far started with an excellent cross-field ball for Liam Jeremy on the left, he beat a defender before crossing low into the six yard box, the ball deflecting to Jo Hinds who reacted quickly but could only put the ball over the bar. Half an hour into the game Dinas broke the deadlock when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area, Mathew Trottman took it and when the ball fell for Liam Jeremy his accurate cross found Jo Hinds in plenty of space ad he made no mistake heading in from close range. The visitors almost equalised within a couple of minutes and Dinas were grateful to keeper Dave Burnett who pulled of an excellent save to keep out a close range header. Five minutes before half-time the home side doubled their lead when Will Penikett side-footed in at the near post and once again it was Liam Jeremy supplying the cross from a corner. At this point the visitors heads dropped and it seemed a long way back if they were going to get anything out of this game.

Dinas could have got a third early in the second-half when Will Penikett headed over from a corner but to their credit Ammanford came back strongly, Dinas’s Mike Lewis heading one effort off the line and when Luke Fayres thirty yard shot on the turn seemed to be going just inside the right hand upright it took a diving save from Burnett to push the ball round the post. Liam Jeremy had the beating of the Ammanford defence and when his mazy run, past three players, took him to the edge of the area his shot deserved more than to be deflected clear. The visitors continued to have the better of the second-half and got the goal their efforts deserved when substitute Oliver Ardelino lifted the ball over the advancing keeper, as the ball dropped into the goal Steve Provis made a valiant effort to clear but could only help the ball into the roof of the net. Ammanford continued to press for the equaliser in the few minutes remaining but had left it a bit late and Dinas took the points that lifted them four places in the table.

Next week Dinas play third place Croesyceiliog in what will be another tough test.

Squad: 1. Dave Burnett, 2. Steve Provis, 3. Mike Lewis, 4. Rhys Davies, 5. Mike Brooks, 6.Richard Yarr, 7. Ricki Morgan, 8. Will Penikett(1), 9. Jo Hinds(1), 10. Mathew Trottman, 11. Liam Jeremy. Subs: 12. Joe Briscombe, 14.Nicky Bruce, 15.Chris Lewis, 19. Damien Lack.


Welsh League Division Two
Sat 15th October 2011 - Penrhiwceiber Rangers 2, Dinas Powys 1
by Peter King, Dinas Powys FC
This defeat dropped Dinas into second from bottom place in the table, the main reason for the slump in form being the fact that both first choice strikers are on the injured list, however there is enough quality in the side that alarm bells do not need to be ringing yet plus the fact that they have two or three games in hand over a lot of other sides in the division.
 
Dinas had an early half chance when Liam Jeremy beat his marker on the left wing but the hosts' keeper Johnathon Jones got to the ball first. In the early stages Dinas were guilty of giving the ball away too easily and almost conceded when hesitancy in the defence allowed a strike on goal which was just wide.
 
At the other end good work by Richard Yarr again found Jeremy and he put in a good cross finding Matt Trottman but his shot was just over the bar. The home keeper was then forced into a good save down low to his left when Paul McCarthy made room for a snap-shot which looked destined for the bottom corner.
 
Dinas opened the scoring on the 30 minute mark when Ricki Morgan found Trottman whose shot was deflected into Jeremy's path and he made no mistake to side-foot home from nine yards. Dinas had another chance just five minutes later, Ricki Morgan crossing well but the ball just evaded the onrushing Richard Yarr.
 
Penrhiwceiber grabbed the equaliser with 5 minutes of the half remaining when a throw-in was flicked on for Jason Hatch to volley home giving Dave Burnett no chance to save. Hatch then turned from hero to villain when, right on the half-time whistle, he was shown a straight red card for kicking a Dinas player. The visitors were somewhat relieved as he had been one of 'Ceiber's best players.
 
Dinas made the most of the man advantage throughout the second half and dominated possession for long periods. Trottman beat three men to get a shot in but it was straight at the keeper and he had to be alert again when Morgan found Jeremy who hit a powerful shot but Jones was equal to it. Time and time again Dinas attacked but the final ball was not good enough. Half-way through the half Dinas forced four corners in succession without any end product and Jones again saved the day for 'Ceiber, palming a McCarthy shot over the bar.
 
Manager Phil Clay then brought on Joe Briscombe for Jeremy, who had taken a knock. Dinas kept up the pressure, a good run and cross from McCarthy found Morgan but his header was off-target. The inevitable then happened as Dinas pressed, the home team broke fast and as Burnett came out to narrow the angle the ball was played out to Luke Garthwaite on the left and he slotted  it home from a narrow angle for 2-1 with just two minutes remaining.
 
Dinas must pick themselves up when they entertain Ammanford on Saturday October 22 with a 2.30pm kick off.
 
Dinas squad: 1 Dave Burnett, 2 Steve Provis, 3 Mike Lewis, 4 Chris Hinam, 5 Paul Penikett, 6 Jo Hinds, 7 Ricki Morgan, 8 Richard Yarr, 9 Paul McCarthy, 10 Matt Trottman, 11 Liam Jeremy(1), 12 Damien Lack, 14 Joe Briscombe, 15 Dan Jose, 16 Nicky Bruce.

Nathaniel League Cup Round Two
Sat 8th Oct 2011  Dinas Powys 1 West End 2
Ninety minutes wasn’t long enough to separate these two sides and it took an extra thirty minutes, a sending off, and a penalty, before the side riding high in Division One finally overcame a Dinas side who showed the fighting spirit that was missing the previous week.

The visitors started this game showing why they are second in the First Division forcing Dinas to defend in numbers and in the third minute the home side had to clear the ball off the line when the dangerous Neil Phillips got his head to a Rory Smitham corner. More pressure followed and five minutes later another corner cleared everybody in front of the Dinas goal and Kieran Cullen had the simplest of tasks to tap the ball in at the far post. The home side slowly fought their way back into the game with Mathew Trottman, returning after suspension, working hard in midfield but they were restricted to long range efforts until their best move so far in the game, started by Richard Yarr, gave Ricki Morgan a chance to get past a defender and put in a pin-point cross for Mark Dunford to rise unmarked in front of goal and head past Richard Evans in the visitors goal for the equaliser. Dinas had fought back well in the first-half and could have had a second just before half-time when Mark Dunford again found himself in space in front of goal but the cross from Richard Yarr was just too high.

The visitors emulated their first-half start and Dinas again had to defend well to clear a long range shot off the line. Dinas were struck a major blow fifteen minutes into the half when Mark Dunford was put through on goal but collapsed clutching his hamstring and had to be carried off with Paul McCarthy replacing him. Dinas continued to give as good as they got and five minutes from time had a golden opportunity to score, Mathew Trottman’s forty yard run from inside his own half gave Ricki Morgan the chance to cross the ball for substitute Joe Briscombe to stretch and send the ball towards goal forcing West End keeper Richard Evans into a excellent save. There was still time for the visitors to force a corner when keeper Damien Lack pushed a close range shot round the post, the corner headed over the bar by Mathew Dowling. Dinas’s Paul McCarthy hooked a cross over the bar before the referee blew for full-time.

The first-half of extra time was only really notable for the sending off of the Dinas’s Dave Penikett and a shot into the side netting from West End’s Kieran Cullen. The visitors got what proved the winner six minutes into the second-half of extra time when Cullen broke into the penalty area at pace and went down when challenged by two defenders and although keeper Lack got fingertips to Phillips penalty he could not prevent the ball ending in the back of the net. Despite being down to ten men Dinas pushed players forward in search of the equaliser and it was Ricki Morgan who had the best chance when a Mathew Trottman pass found him at the far post but his shot ran wide.

A gutsy performance against a strong side but Dinas will be counting the cost with Mark Dunford’s injury forcing him out for few weeks adding to their lengthy injury list and Dave Penikett likely to receive a three match ban for his sending off.

Squad: 1. Damien Lack, 2. Steve Provis, 3. Mike Lewis, 4. Chris Hinam, 5. Dave Penikett, 6. Jo Hinds, 7. Ricki Morgan, 8. Richard Yarr, 9. Mark Dunford, 10. Mathew Trottman, 11. Liam Jeremy. Subs: 12. Paul McCarthy, 14. Joe Briscombe, 15.Dave Burnett.

Welsh Cup Round One
Sat 1st Oct 2011  Dinas Powys 0 Builth Wells 2
This was a costly result with Dinas unable to make the most of their chances in the game while the visitors scored from two of their three strikes on goal.

The visitors caught the home defence cold, despite the heat, as early as the first minute, a Shane Claridge free-kick found Lee James unmarked at the far post and he made no mistake heading in from eight yards. Dinas responded with Joe Briscombe and Ricki Morgan shooting wide of goal and when a poor defensive clearance fell for Liam Jeremy on the left his driven ball across the six yard box was cleared for an unproductive corner. On thirty-two minutes a Builth free-kick, from a similar position to the one they scored from, was cleared for a corner taken by Jonny Samuel, keeper Damien Lack had to be alert to punch clear at his near post. A few minutes later Will Green shot narrowly over the Dinas bar when a defensive clearance fell to his feet. The home side had the final opportunity of the first-half when Ricki Morgan’s free-kick hit the side netting but they weren’t showing any cutting edge in the final third of the pitch and couldn’t really complain going in a goal down.

Dinas started more brightly after the break and again it was the industrious Morgan who got to a Joe Hinds cross but he mis-kicked on the penalty spot and the chance was gone. Fifteen minutes into the half manager Phil Clay used his substitutes to try to pep up the attack in what had become a very warm autumn afternoon. Dave Penikett saved the Dinas keeper’s blushes when a long clearance by the Builth defence was allowed to bounce over him heading towards the goal but he had time to clear the ball. Dinas sub Mark Dunford had an opportunity for the equalizer when he hooked a corner towards goal but it was straight at Stuart Turpin in the Builth goal. This proved costly when a couple of minutes later Builth doubled their lead, a poor clearance by the home defence fell to Lee James who immediately drilled the ball low and into the corner of the net from the edge of the area. A couple of efforts by Liam Jeremy were all Dinas could muster until a couple of minutes from the full-time when Dinas produced the best move of the game, a good ball found Dunford on the right of the area, his inch-perfect ball found Joe Briscombe rushing in at the far post but his diving header went inches wide if the post.

A poor display especially following on from the battling showing the previous week but they will have to pick themselves up for a tough League Cup tie next week at home to First Division West End.

Squad: 1. Damien Lack, 2. Steve Provis, 3. Mike Lewis, 4. Chris Hinam, 5. Dave Penikett, 6. Kyle Offer, 7. Ricki Morgan, 8. Jordan Phillips, 9. Jo Hinds, 10. Joe Briscombe, 11. Liam Jeremy. Subs: 12. Richard Yarr, 14. Paul McCarthy, 15.Mark Dunford.

Welsh League Division Two
Sat 24th Sept 2011  Garden Village 2 Dinas Powys 2
Dinas came back from a goal down twice in this game and had to play the last thirty-five minutes with ten men following Mathew Trottman’s dismissal for a second bookable offence.

Both sides had early opportunities with Joe Hinds having a header on goal cleared for the visitors and Village’s Rhys Whitelock twenty yard shot beaten away by keeper Damien Lack. Early on Dinas were guilty of giving the ball away too cheaply with the home side taking advantage when Lack again had to get fists to a powerful shot from Dayle Selvage. For the visitors Ricki Morgan was prominent with some excellent close control to ease his way through the defence before feeding Mathew Trottman, his cross forced a corner that almost brought a goal when a defender’s attempt at a clearance struck his own crossbar the ball falling for Trottman to shoot but saved by Mark Snell in the Villager’s goal. Immediately the ball was transferred to the other end with the referee awarding a penalty to the home side for a trip in the area. Ashley Richards struck the ball well but Lack got a hand to the ball but only succeeded in pushing the ball back to Richards who tapped the ball into the empty net. Dinas responded with some excellent passing and one crossfield ball found Morgan on the right side, his ball into the area giving Joe Hinds a chance to head for goal only to see a defender clear his effort. The two combined a couple of minutes later and again it was Hinds getting in his shot only to see it beaten away by the keeper. Dinas’s response had been excellent and boded well for a come back in the second-half.

The come back seemed to be scuppered after just ten minutes when Trottman was sent off leaving Dinas with what seemed an insurmountable task. The home side almost got a second when a Richard Cleverly corner was met by Luke Thomas but the defence did its’ job clearing the ball off the line. A moment of madness by the home keeper almost gifted Dinas an equaliser when he rushed out of his area to tackle Joe Hinds, who was chasing a long ball, Hinds managed to get round him and crossed for Liam Jeremy who headed towards an empty goal only to see defender Dai Rimmer head the ball clear. The Villager’s Richard Howell struck the visitors crossbar before Dinas got the equaliser they deserved, a deep cross into the area found Joe Hinds challenging the keeper with the ball falling for Chris Hinam and he made no mistake with a fifteen yard shot high into the net. Both sides had further chances before the Villager’s again took the lead with a good build-up ending with Dayle Selvage’s accurate cross for Craig Spring to get above the Dinas defence to head in. With a few minutes left Dinas manager Phil Clay sent on fresh legs in Joe Briscombe and Richard Yarr, this had the desired affect with Briscombe bursting through the home defence to meet a Ricki Morgan pass to blast the ball past the keeper to give Dinas a share of the points their attitude and hard work thoroughly deserved.

Next Saturday Dinas entertain Builth Wells of the Spar Mid Wales League in the first round proper of The Welsh Cup, Dinas having already negotiated two Qualifying Round matches.

Squad: 1. Damien Lack, 2. Steve Provis, 3. Mike Lewis, 4. Chris Hinam(1), 5. Dave Penikett, 6. Jordan Phillips, 7. Ricki Morgan, 8. Kyle Offer, 9. Jo Hinds, 10. Mathew Trottman, 11. Liam Jeremy. Subs: 12. Rhys Davies, 14. Joe Briscombe(1), 15. Richard Yarr.


Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup Round One
Sat 10th Sept 2011  Dinas Powys 3 Cwmbran Celtic 0
Last week saw Dinas make progress in the Welsh Cup and this week they repeated the process, this time in the Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup. It was against League One opponents Cwmbran Celtic who are some twenty places above them but you wouldn’t think so on this showing.

It was the visitors who started the sharper and Dinas were grateful to keeper Damien Lack who pushed away a Dale Howarth free-kick in the first minute and then got down well to save a Scott Lanyon effort after the Dinas defence had been opened up on the right. Dinas had their first chance in the tenth minute when Ricki Morgan played in Paul McCarthy who tried to go round keeper Giles Cutlan but he was able to get a hand to the ball and push it out for an unproductive corner. McCarthy then had another effort this time too high before player manager Geza Hajgato gave Liam Jeremy an opportunity to turn and shoot but the keeper turned the ball round the post for a corner. After a bright start the visitors were being forced to defend with Jo Hinds, and Gareth Tedstone twice, having efforts on goal. Indecision in the visitors defence gave Morgan an opportunity, the ball going out for a corner with Hinds getting in front of a defender to head just over. When Celtic did get a shot on goal they found keeper Lack in great form. The home side got the opening goal they deserved a couple of minutes before half-time when good inter-passing between Morgan and Tedstone opened up the defence giving Liam Jeremy the chance to chip the keeper from twelve yards. There was still time for more action in the half and when a slip in the Dinas defence gave Owen Llewellyn room to get into the box Lack was once again equal to the effort. It was the home side who had the last shout when Morgan forced a mistake from the keeper allowing Tedstone a chance to shoot but keeper Cutlan made up for his error pushing the effort out for a corner, the ref blowing for half-time shortly after.

Dinas continued the second-half where they left off in the first, and with ten minutes gone they doubled the lead. McCarthy picked up the ball midway in the opponents half before making his way into the left side of the area producing an excellent cross that evaded Tedstone but Morgan made no mistake drilling a low shot past the keeper from twelve yards. The home side continued to play with confidence with Tedstone forcing the keeper to push the ball behind for a corner and it was indecision in the visiting defence with the keeper and a defender leaving the ball to each other that enabled Kyle Offer the chance to get a toe to the ball to push the ball over the line for the home sides third goal. With fifteen minutes to go Dinas made changes wisely taking off a couple of players who had received bookings. It was the visitors who had the best opportunity near the end of the game with Llewellyn shooting powerfully from twenty-five yards only to see Lack produce a good save to keep the home side’s goal intact.

Dinas made their way through to the next round of the Cup with a good team performance but in particular keeper Lack stopped everything thrown at him, Hinam covered well at the back, Morgan, Hinds, and Offer won the midfield battle, and up front Tedstone and McCarthy were a handful for the visiting defence.

Squad: 1. Damien Lack, 2. Geza Hajgato, 3. Chris Hinam, 4. Mike Lewis, 5. Dave Penikett, 6. Jo Hinds, 7. Ricki Morgan(1), 8. Kyle Offer(1), 9. Gareth Tedstone, 10. Paul McCarthy, 11. Liam Jeremy(1). Subs: 12. Rhys Davies, 14. Steve Provis, 15. Richard Yarr, 16. Nicky Bruce, 17. Joe Briscombe.

Welsh Cup Qualifying Round Two
Sat 3rd Sept 2011 Ammanford 1 Dinas Powys 3
This game saw the first signs of autumn with driving rain making life difficult for both sides.

It was the home side who made the early running with Dinas giving the ball away far too often. Keeper Damien Lack came to the visitors rescue in the eleventh minute when he grasped the loose ball during a goalmouth scramble. They were relying on long balls to the front two of Gareth Tedstone and Mark Dunford, the latter latching on to a Mike Lewis pass and beating a defender before seeing his effort saved by keeper Dan Goodall at the second attempt.  Midway through the half the home side thought they had the opening goal only to see the ball headed off the line following a Ben Sole free-kick.  On the half-hour Gareth Tedstone should have scored but miskicked only five yards from goal. Three minutes before half-time Tedstone made up for his earlier miss by winning Dinas’s first corner, it was taken quickly allowing Ricki Morgan to play the ball into the area from wide on the left, the ball evading both defenders and attackers before running inside the far post to put the visitors one up. They could have doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time when a Ricki Morgan corner was cleared off the line.

The heavy rain and swirling wind made life difficult for both sides and after five minutes of the second-half Ammanford got the equaliser when a Paul Jones corner was misjudged by the Dinas keeper the ball ending in the net at the near post.  This should have been the signal for the home side to go on and win the game but as seen in previous games this is a resilient Dinas side and when Geza Hajgato’s free-kick was met by substitute Paul McCarthy his firm header was going in the bottom corner only for keeper Goodall to somehow get a hand to the ball and push it round the post conceding a corner. Richard Yarr’s accurate corner found the head of Jo Hinds who made no mistake from six yards to put Dinas back in front. Luke Fayres forced Lack into a good save and at the other end Tedstone had a shot blocked before Paul McCarthy’s powerful volley fizzed past a post. On thirty-two minutes Dinas were awarded a free-kick some thirty-five yards from goal, player-manager Geza Hajgato stepped up to take it and when the keeper couldn’t hold the shot the ball rebounded to Hinds who immediately played it back into the six yard box where Tedstone had the simplest of tasks to side-foot in from close-range.

Dinas held onto their lead fairly comfortably giving the home side no real opportunity to get back into the game and go through to the next round of The Welsh Cup.

Squad: 1. Damien Lack, 2. Geza Hajgato, 3. Chris Hinam, 4. Mike Lewis, 5. Dave Penikett, 6. Kyle Offer, 7. Ricki Morgan(1), 8. Matt Trotman, 9. Gareth Tedstone(1), 10. Mark Dunford, 11.Richard Yarr. Subs: 12. Paul McCarthy, 14. Liam Jeremy, 15. Jordan Phillips, 16.Jo Hinds(1).


Welsh League Division 2
Sat 27th Aug 2011 - Dinas Powys 3 Tata Steel 2
by Peter King, Dinas Powys FC
Over 150 photos of Saturday’s game on Facebook - thanks to JMSPhotographic

As expected, the visitors started this game in determined fashion and bossed the first 10 minutes with quick one touch passing without really threatening the Dinas goal. However Dinas gradually got into their stride with a good run and cross from Rhys Davies somehow evading everyone in the 6 yard box and running through to be cleared. Matt Trottman then threaded a fine ball through to Gareth Tedstone but he was crowded out before he could get a shot away.
 
Tata looked dangerous on the break forcing a number of corners which were dealt with well by the Dinas rearguard. Ricki Morgan then jinked his way through from midfield and his cross was met by Richard Yarr at the far post but his header didn't have enough power to trouble Tata keeper Matthew Stanton.
 
Trottman was having a fine game in midfield winning the second ball on numerous occasions, shooting off target from 16 yards and just a couple of minutes later a cross from him found Yarr in space but he was adjudged just offside.
 
The breakthrough finally came in the 37th minute when a high ball through from Morgan was challenged for in the air by Tedstone, under pressure from the keeper but he managed to loop the ball over Stanton into the net to give Dinas the lead which they maintained until the interval despite some pressure from the visitors.
 
Dinas started the second half well with captain Chris Hinam up from the back to glance a Trottman free kick just over the bar but the away side began to get back into the game and with just 12 minutes gone, equalised when Liam Suroka volled a superb shot home from a left wing cross with the home defence claiming offside but the goal was allowed to stand.
 
The home team were showing great determination and composure and got their reward with 20 minutes remaining when a fine ball through the channel by Yarr found Tedstone and he finished superbly from just inside the area with a low shot right in the corner. The home supporters elation was soon thwarted just 3 minutes later when a Tata free kick found Chris Parfitt and he finished well to level the score again.
 
Dinas manager Geza Hajgato then rang the changes bringing on Paul McCarthy and Jordan Phillips for Dunford and Offer. The hosts sensed their visitors were tiring slightly and pressed  hard, forcing a number of corners, and from one of these, Tedstone, fancying bagging his hat-trick, volleyed powerfully, but the effort was high and wide.
 
Yarr was then replaced by Liam Jeremy and he was soon in the action forcing another corner which Stanton managed to catch. Dinas were not to be denied the win however and a great cross from left back Mike Lewis found Trottman in space and he drilled the ball into the net from 15 yards giving Stanton no chance.
 
Dinas saw out the remaining few minutes superbly with big Paul McCarthy taking the ball into the corner and earning Dinas several throw-ins to deny the visitors any chance to mount any further attacks.
 
A fine win against a strong side who will no doubt be up their challenging for promotion towards the end of the season.
 
Dinas: 1 Damien Lack, 2 Rhys Davies, 3 Chris Hinam(c), 4 Mike Lewis, 5 Dave Pennikett, 6 Kyle Offer, 7 Ricki Morgan, 8 Matt Trottman(1), 9 Mark Dunford, 10 Gareth Tedstone(2), 11 Richard Yarr, 12 Dave Blackwell, 14 Paul McCarthy, 15 Jordan Phillips, 16 Geza Hajgato, 17 Liam Jeremy.
 
Dinas are in cup action for the next two Saturdays commencing with the long trip west down the M4 to take on Ammanford in the second qualifying round of the Welsh Cup on September 3 with a 2.30pm kick off.


Welsh League Division 2
Wed 24th Aug 2011 - Dinas Powys 0  Caerleon 2
by Peter King, Dinas Powys FC
Dinas started this game hoping they had learned lessons from the previous defeat by Caerleon and for the first 10 minutes it looked as if they had, getting the ball down and passing well but after 15 minutes, as the visitors came more into the game, Dinas began to give away too many free kicks, especially close to their 18 yard box. The first effort from Caerleon's Bickerton was blocked and cleared but another one just 5 minutes later got through the wall and Damien Lack made an excellent diving save to push the ball round the post.
 
The hosts had their chances and a good pass from Chris Hinam found Matt Trottman whose cross just evaded Richard Yarr's boot. The Dinas midfield of Jeremy, Hinds, Offer, Trottman and Yarr were battling well against their bigger opponents, but Caerleon almost opened the scoring when Luke Palmer fired a shot through a crowded area which Lack saw late but saved well and he was kept busy making a double save when Mark Gunter beat the offside trap to forced Lack to save with his legs and Jamie Davies, following up, couldn't beat  the Dinas keeper with his effort.
However, on the stroke of half time, a Caerleon free kick out on the left touchline was whipped in by Bickerton and Gunter got to it first to fire home from 6 yards for the opener.
 
Dinas started the second half well and a fine run and cross from Liam Jeremy found Yarr but he couldn't control it and the chance was gone. Dinas then settled into what they do best, passing to feet but the visitors began to take control again so Phil Clay brought on Ricki Morgan for Owen Richmond and he soon made his presence felt forcing a corner which was scrambled away.
 
The Dinas cause was then dealt a huge blow when Jo Hinds was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence in the 10th minute of the half. The visitors just edged the rest of the half forcing several corners. Further substitutions were made to try and get something out of the game with Dunford and McCarthy replacing Jeremy and Tedstone but with 13 minutes remaining Caerleon got their second when Gunter latched onto a through ball to beat Lack down low from 8 yards..
 
The visitors made the most of the man advantage in the last 10 minutes but couldn't add to their tally as Davies, Pennikett and Hinam battled really well to keep them at bay.
 
Dinas entertain Tata Steel on Saturday, August 27th with a 2.30pm kick off and hope that their fortunes will change.
 
Dinas: 1 Damien Lack, 2 Rhys Davies, 3 Owen Richmond, 4 Chris Hinam(c), 5 Dave Pennikett, 6 Jo Hinds, 7 Matt Trottman, 8 Kyle Offer, 9 Gareth Tedstone, 10 Liam Jeremy, 11 Richard Yarr, 12 Chris Lewis, 14 Mark Dunford, 15 Paul McCarthy, 17 Ricki Morgan.


Welsh League Division 2
Sat 20th August 2011 - Newport YMCA 0 Dinas Powys 0
by Peter King, Dinas Powys FC
With both managers on holiday, Danny Street stepped up to the plate to manage the Dinas side for one game.
 
Dinas started well and a fine run and cross by Gareth Tedstone just evaded Liam Jeremy's outstretched leg in the 2nd minute. An aerial battled then ensued for a while with neither side able to get the ball down and play. However, Tedstone, up front on his own, was causing the YM defence some problems with his pace.
 
The hosts had an early corner which found John Pardue and his bullet header hit an upright and was cleared. At the other end Matt Trottman played a through ball to Richard Yarr but his effort was pushed away for an unproductive corner by YM keeper Gareth Wesson.
 
Dinas began to exert some pressure and after a corner was only half cleared, Mike Lewis headed the ball back into the area where Trottman managed to get a shot away which was just wide and on the half hour mark Tedstone shook off his marker to force Wesson.into a good save. This was the visitors best spell of the game and another cross from Tedstone to Jeremy forced Wesson to block the shot with his legs and with 10 minutes of the half remaining, Trottman jinked his way through the defence but again, his shot was off target and as the half-time whistle went Dinas should really have converted at least one of these chances.
 
The visitors kept up the momentum in the early stages of the second half with another fine run from Trottman who then layed the ball off to Tedstone out wide on the left but again, Wesson was able to smother his shot. The home side began to create more pressure at this stage and a free kick from the edge of the box by Lee O'Connor brought a fine diving save from Damien Lack.
 
The game began to get a bit scrappy and the hard-working Tedstone was replaced by Paul McCarthy with Alex North replacing Liam Jeremy. However, YM through everything into the last 10 minutes and the Dinas goal led a charmed life, one shot hitting the cross-bar and another being cleared off the line but Dinas hung on. Jo Hinds was replaced for the last couple of minutes by Chris Lewis and as the final whistle blew, taking the game as a whole, a draw was a fair result.
 
The Villagers get the chance to avenge the previous defeat when they host Caerleon for the second time in a week this Wednesday, 24th, with a 6.30pm kick off.
 
Dinas: 1 Damien Lack, 2 Dave Pennikett, 3 Mike Lewis, 4 Rhys Davies, 5 Chris Hinam(c), 6 Jo Hinds, 7 Matt Trottman, 8 Kyle Offer, 9 Liam Jeremy, 10 Gareth Tedstone, 11 Richard Yarr, 12 Paul McCarthy, 14 Alex North, 15 Owen Richmond, 16 Chris Lewis.
 

Welsh League Division 2
Wed 17th August 2011 - Caerleon 4 Dinas Powys 0
by Peter King, Dinas Powys FC
After a successful pre-season and fine Welsh Cup win Dinas were confident going into their first league game of the season but, perhaps the ease with which they won the cup game just 4 days prior to this, didn't do them any favours and, against a big, powerful Caerleon side with a number of players well over six feet, Dinas were out-muscled at times, although the scoreline doesn't really reflect how close the game was and the hosts had Chris Bickerton, who must have one of the sweetest left foots in the league, to thank as he scored 2 and had a hand in the other 2 goals.
 
Dinas started the game well, forcing a number of unproductive corners, and Ricki Morgan, Jo Hinds and MattTrottman were battling well in midfield, but, on the 15 minute mark, an initial shot from Bickerton was parried by Dinas keeper Damien Lack with the rebound falling kindly for Mikey Williams to drive the ball home to open the scoring. Just 2 minutes later they almost added to their tally when an in-swinging corner bounced off the cross-bar.
 
The visitors did have their chances and after a good jinking run from Gareth Tedstone, he cut the ball back to Trottman in space but his shot was just over the bar. And another surging run down the other flank by Liam Jeremy forced a corner but ex-Dinas shot-stopper Kieran Blackburn gathered the ball well. With 10 minutes of the half left a good cross from Tedstone found Morgan but Blackburn got down well to smother his effort. As the half-time whistle went the visitors felt confident they could pull back the one goal deficit after the break.
 
However, just 2 minutes into the second half Dinas found themselves 2-0 down after giving away a free-kick on the edge of the box, Bickerton stepped up and curled a superb shot round the wall into the net. Just 5 minutes later, Dinas conceded another free-kick from 20 yards with Bickerton again beating Lack inside the left upright for 3-0. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of the visitors and after more Caerleon pressure, manager Geza Hajgato brought on his subs, Alex North and Paul McCarthy replacing  Trottman and Dunford but with 25 minutes still to play Caerleon netted again when that man Bickerton twisted and turned his way into the box to lay the ball off to Jamie Davies who made no mistake from 10 yards.
 
Right back Rhodri Foote was replaced by Chris Lewis for the last few minutes but in truth, Dinas didn't look like getting back into the game and can have no arguments about the final scoreline.
 
The Villagers must pick themselves up and focus on the next challenge when they travel to Mendalgief Road on Saturday 20th to take on Newport YMCA with a 2.30pm kick off.
 
Dinas squad: 1 Damien Lack, 2 Rhodri Foote, 3 Chris Hinam(c), 4 Jo Hinds, 5 Dave Penikett, 6 Mike Lewis, 7 Ricki Morgan, 8 Matt Trottman, 9 Gareth Tedstone, 10 Mark Dunford, 11 Liam Jeremy, 12 Paul McCarthy, 14 Alex North, 15 Chris Lewis, 16 Geza Hajgato.


Welsh Cup Qualifying Round 1
Sat 13th August 2011 Dinas Powys 6  Blaenrhondda 1
by Peter King, Dinas Powys FC
As the scoreline suggests this was a one-sided affair with the visitors well beaten on the day.
 
Liam Jeremy tried his luck early on with a powerful drive which was just wide of the upright. The visitors replied with an early warning as Kavan Thomas played a one two with Liam Thomas with the former firing just over the bar.
 
Dinas began to settle and in the 10th minute the Blaenrhondda keeper Gavin Jenkins could only parry an initial  fierce shot  and Ricki Morgan was on hand to head home the rebound from 5 yards to open the scoring.
 
On the 18 minute mark the visitors levelled when Kavan Thomas jinked his way through the home defence to beat Damien Lack from 10 yards. Their celebrations were short-lived however when, just a minute later, Rhys Davies latched onto a Ricki Morgan free kick to beat Jenkins from 6 yards for 2-1.
 
The hosts took control of the game then and their passing and movement was a joy to watch at times, adding a further 2 goals to their tally before the interval, the first a simple tap-in  from a pin-point Liam Jeremy cross on 32 minutes and the second a bullet header by Joe Hinds from a Morgan corner, virtually finishing the tie before half-time at 4-1.
 
To Blaenrhondda's credit they never dropped their heads and for the first couple of minutes after the break applied some pressure without really threatening the Dinas goal and the hosts soon re-established their dominance just 5 minutes into the half  when an accurate cross from Alex North was bundled in for 5-1.
 
Manager Geza Hajgato then rang the changes bringing on Paul McCarthy, Richard Yarr and Gareth Tedstone  but the changes didn't upset the balance and McCarthy forced a fine diving save from Jenkins with a good turn and shot and Tedstone was unlucky not to get on the score-sheet when he drove into the box to hit an upright with a tremendous shot from 17 yards with 15 minutes left on the clock..
 
The visitors had one more chance to close the gap when Stephen Oliver hit the cross-bar with a well-taken free-kick which was cleared and, with 7 minutes remaining Dinas got their sixth when Alex North turned his marker to fire home.
 
A very pleasing all-round performance but sterner tests lie ahead, commencing on Wednesday 17th when they visit Cold Bath Road to take on Caerleon in their opening Welsh League Division 2 game with a 6.45pm kick off.