COGAN Coronation Under-14s were matched against Barry Town in the final of this season’s cup final to be held at Jenner Park.

Having previously beaten their opponents twice this season Cogan were favourites going into the game, although they knew it was always going to be a close fought encounter against their strong Barry opponents.

With the sun shining and a lot of vocal support for both sides in the Jenner Park crowd, it was set up nicely for kick off. Cogan took to the field without regular goalkeeper Ellis Smith and centre half Matty Frost unavailable due to unfortunate prior commitments, leaving manager Lee Williams and assistant Jamie Harris with a selection dilemma.

The early exchanges were cagey as both sides cancelled each other out, then 10 minutes in Town were on the score sheet as a through ball found the Town striker McCabe who coolly placed his shot in the far corner leaving replacement ‘keeper Ryan Packer no chance.

Unfazed Cogan began to take control of the game, wingers Kellan Allison and Tino Tabi began getting around the fullbacks and striker Luke Warlow trying to create an opening for himself. It wasn’t long before Cogan were back on level terms as Logan Newcombe free kick was fumbled by the ‘keeper only to fall at Luke Birnage feet and duly slammed in the equaliser into the roof of the net.

Cogan now on top began to stroke the ball around on the sizeable pitch, Eithan Singh picked out the pass of the day as he carved open the heart of the Barry defence into the path of Aron Arthurs run from midfield, and lifted the ball past the oncoming ‘keeper into the net, to the delight of the Cogan followers.

Town regrouped and came again but found the Cogan back four of Ellis Dibble, Will Parsons, Luke Birnage and skipper Louis Crook in uncompromising fashion and dealt firmly with all Town had to offer as half-time approached.

The second half pattern of play began as the first had ended with Cogan in control sitting on their lead. The game took a dramatic twist with half an hour still to play when the referee dismissed the Barry town ‘keeper for a second yellow card for foul and abusive language.

From the resulting free kick the stand in ‘keeper made a smart save from Newcombe to keep any hopes alive. Cian McCarthy and Aiden Ellis were brought on to replace tiring legs with both giving telling contributions.

As time began to run out big Tom Cahalane rose to meet a corner only to see his looping header come back off the crossbar. Towns stand in ‘keeper also made telling saves from Warlow and Newcombe. Cogan closed the game out in a professional manner leaving proud captain Louis Crook to lift the trophy.