Risca United impress with victory over Treowen Stars

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Risca United claimed a 1-0 victory over fellow Islywn rivals Treowen Stars when the pair met under the Friday night lights of the Centre for Sporting Excellence.

The win put the Cuckoos one point behind Ardal South East league leaders and rivals, Trethomas Bluebirds, who do however have five games in hand over Risca.

Stars manager Dean Randall shared his frustration with Caerphilly Observer before the game, with injuries and a lack of goals a problem for the team in 12th.

Goals were lacking again for the visitors, with Risca’s Shane Parry’s header in the first-half being the difference in the end.

Kick-off:

Unlike much of the first-half, it was Treowen who posed the initial threat with a ball out wide to Morgan Evans.

It could have been 1-0 within the opening seconds after his cross found the feet of Carter Campbell. Campbell didn’t connect with the ball as he liked however, and his effort trickled wide.

The Cuckoos reacted well to their credit, and quickly found their rhythm. Something that was missing in their last league game against Aberbargoed Buds according to manager Simon Berry, despite winning 2-1.

Arthur Furness, who has become something of a utility player with all of Risca’s injuries, had the first chance for the hosts.

A ball crossed in from the right allowed Furness a shot from close range, but it was smothered down by goalkeeper Cael Jones.

On a night where the midfield was light for Risca, who were missing Mitchell Palmer, Jak Lewis, and captain Lewis Ellis, the ball was played into the channel even more than usual.

Treowen on the other hand were looking to build off their big number nine; Jack Bainton. He had a few nice touches early on and held the ball up well.

The next half-chance fell to Furness once again though. A ball in from the left by Leon Thomas met Furness at the back post, but it was blocked before the keeper was needed.

Left back for the Stars, Frayne Brooklyn, looked like a potential point of vulnerability. The speedy Harvey Selway was intent on attacking the 19-year-old whenever he had the chance.

This led to an error from Brooklyn, which ultimately gave Risca the breakthrough goal.

What should have been a comfortable clearance header from the number three was instead flicked behind for a corner, which was curled in perfectly by early substitute Finlay Wood.

Wood, who has been out injured since September, found the head of defender Shane Parry at the near post. The contact was perfect, leaving Jones with no chance.

Another Brooklyn mistake shortly after the goal saw top scorer Leon Thomas bursting through on goal, before he was hacked-down by Stars dangerman; Christian Davies.

Davies already had seven yellow cards coming into the game, but he was fortunate it wasn’t red this time. The tackle was bad enough, but Davies appeared to be the last man too.

Wood continued to impress on the ball in midfield, as well as keeping it and allowing play to develop around him, he knew how to find a great forward pass.

Half-time approached, and despite 1-0 sometimes being a precarious score line, Risca looked in complete control.

There was a lot of stretching and hands on hips from the Stars, who seemed to be feeling it on such a big pitch after a fairly solid defensive performance.

Referee Michal Baniak was kept busy, he’d go on to show ten yellow cards across the match, one to Selway before the whistle after a mistimed lunge.

Second-half:

Similar to the start of first-half, it was Treowen who had the first meaningful shot, as they looked to open with intent.

Substitute Elliot Williams this time – who looked good since swapping for the injured Morgan Evans – caught one sweet from the edge of the box, but it was always rising over.

The Stars were still looking very solid at the back. The game had more of a flow to it after 50 minutes, but Risca had offered little in the way of clear chances to the credit of the visitors.

There were a few reminders that this was a derby however.

Wood nutmegged Corey Jenkins in midfield and let him know about it. Jenkins answered back with a hefty tackle that had him in the book and Wood on the ground.

Right back for the Stars, Aaron Thomas, was also walking the line. He appeared to kick-out at Daniel Battle, but the ref calmed things down before it went any further.

The clock continued to tick, and neither side were getting into the final third. When Treowen did have the ball, they’d try to find a man out wide or up front with a long ball, but that player would often look-up and find no support.

Two substitutes were made by the visitors with 20 minutes to go, with the hope that it would spark some life into the team.

It was actually a Risca substitute who caught the eye however. At the age of 17, Alfie Hutton had an almost perfect game down the right hand side, taking his man on but also playing the right pass when needed.

Hutton’s first time cross to Lloyd Oliver allowed the forward to get a shot away which was saved smartly by Jones down low.

There was a rare corner for Treowen with about five minutes to go, and it felt like something needed to happen.

The ball curled straight out however, and that summed-up the evening for the visitors, who couldn’t find any fluidity or creativity when attacking.

The whistle went in what was a very comfortable victory for the Cuckoos, even if it was only 1-0. Berry will be pleased with the way his side played having gone into the tie with a fair few injuries.

For Randall, more frustration when it comes to his side finding the net. Overall however, it was a solid performance from a team also battling with absentees.