Match Review: Pencoed Athletic v Bettws

On a miserable night at Velindre Road, Pencoed defeated Bettws with a resounding 4-0 victory.

The hosts started the game on the front foot with their slick passing game in stark contrast to the defensive set up from bottom club Bettws.

Athletic created 2 early chances but it was third time lucky as they took the lead in the 8th minute, visiting goalkeeper Wayne Andrews spilling a through ball to allow Adam Brimble the easiest of finishes.

The game continued to follow the same pattern with Pencoed pressing forward at every opportunity and when a cross from the impressive Rhys Thomas evaded everyone, Brimble was on hand to shoot low into the corner of the net from 12 yards with 17 minutes played.

Pencoed’s passing game was opening up the visitors defence although despite this, the third goal arrived from a long free kick into the box which was turned home by Jack Hopkins at the far post.

3-0 up after 25 minutes and Pencoed were running riot but a combination of wholehearted defending and poor finishing prevented the home side adding to their lead before half time. For Bettws, chances were at a premium and it wasn’t until the half hour mark they had their first chance, Gavin Richardson volleying over the bar from 12 yards following a corner kick.

The second half began in a similar fashion to the first, Pencoed dominated possession and were encamped in the Bettws half for long periods but were unable to add to their lead, Andrews pulling off a wonderful reaction save from a near post Jack Delve effort.

Minutes later Pencoed had the ball in the Bettws net but despite a superb volleyed finish from Jordan Burrows, the goal was ruled out for offside.

It was only a matter of time before the visitors defence was breached again and it was Brimble who burst through the visitors defence and slotted the ball into the far corner to claim his hat-trick with just over an hour on the clock.

The game was rapidly turning into a damage limitation exercise for a tired looking Bettws side, however they showed a team spirit that belied the scoreline and their lowly league position, restricting the hosts to just one goal in the second period.

As the light faded over Velindre Road, Pencoed continued to create chances but were unable to add to their lead through a combination of wasteful finishing and good goalkeeping from Andrews.

As both sides look towards next season, Bettws will be keen to arrest their recent slide and rebuild, whilst for Pencoed the future looks a lot brighter and if they are able to retain key players over the summer, they certainly have the potential to mount a serious title challenge next term.