The Bluebirds’ win over the reigning champions was never a classic, but there were plenty of action and excitement before sub Nicky Woodrow clinched matters with a fine goal a minute from the end.

Leighton James had brought two new signings into the Bluebirds’ midfield, ex-Lido player Jonathan Kift and the much-travelled ex-Bluebird Andrew Mumford. The double change didn’t altogether make for midfield cohesion but Jehu (West) man of the match Gary Taylor was all over the park in his efforts to prompt Bluebirds movements. The back three of Gareth Elliott, Phil Cattlin and Dale Griffiths sustained very well the recent big improvement in defensive performances. 

For all that a Taylor through ball put Kift in on goal in the 12th minute for his shot to go just wide, and the midfielder’s cross from deep on the right eight minutes later set up a Jay Brockway header which went just wide. At the other end Bryntirion’s Ian Turner was well blocked by Craig Morris and Dave Evans did very well with another goal-line block. 

But as the first half progressed, the champions started to boss the midfield more and more, with the Blues now looking rather disjointed. Bryntirion deservedly went ahead on the half-hour mark when, just a minute after they had had one goal disallowed, Ricky Hodges found himself with the chance to drive past Morris.
The next quarter of an hour certainly belonged to the visitors, but their finishing all afternoon was rather profligate and the Blues were able to keep the first-half lead to the single goal.

The Blues mustered the perfect riposte in the first minute of the second half when Jamie Evans latched on to a ball from deep, steamed through and drove his shot against the post. He followed up, was brought down by the Bryntirion keeper, ex-Bluebird Peter Blain, and the penalty was awarded, for Taylor to blast into the roof of the net.

The Bluebirds clearly felt they could win this game now, and set about it by frequently by-passing the midfield and playing the ball through from deep. A few of these passes were quite badly over-hit, but there were still times when Woodrow and Brockway menaced. Bryntirion missed chances too, first when Hodges blasted over from close range and then when Phil Cattlin pulled off a superb edge-of-the-box tackle.

Bryntirion meanwhile had had Simon Prangley sent off in the 55th minute. The winner came in the 89th minute, when Woodrow found room to get his shot in, saw his effort blocked but retrieved the ball from wide on the left and curled one over Blain’s head.

Next Saturday the Blues travel to play Cardiff Corries before they entertain Barry Town on the 29th October.

County: Craig Morris; Phil Cattlin, Dave Evans, Andrew Mumford, Gareth Elliot, Dale Griffiths, Jonathan Kift, Gary Taylor, Jamie Evans (Nicky Woodrow, 64), Jay Brockway, Anton Owens (Owain Thomas, 67).
Sub not used: Bevan Humphreys.