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Risca United extended their unbeaten streak in the Ardal South East to 13 games after an impressive 5-0 win over Treharris Athletic Western on Friday January 12.

It was a bitterly-cold evening at Ystrad Mynach’s Centre for Sporting Excellence, but the Cuckoos looked unphased when they took an early lead through Arthur Furness.

Further goals from Oliver Berry and Leon Thomas put Risca 3-0 up at the break, before substitute Daniel Battle came on to grab a late brace.

Kick-off

Despite the freezing cold weather, Risca United started the game with the hottest possible start.

From kick-off, the intensity was there from the hosts. A ball wide to Oliver Berry, son of Risca manager Simon Berry, was taken superbly in stride, one touch out of his feet before firing a cross into the box.

Arthur Furness burst into the box to get a decent enough head on the ball. It managed to bounce past the outstretched arm of keeper Elisangelo Queni, and sneak in at the back post. 1-0 and the perfect start for the Cuckoos.

The theme of quick, accurate passing, continued for the hosts. They had all sorts of time, and in the brief moments Treharris did see the ball – usually at the back – Furness was like a man possessed chasing every player down until it was won back.

On the ball, captain Lewis Ellis was picking it up in between the Treharris midfield and backline, allowing him the freedom to either pass it wide or drive on himself.

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before the relentless Risca pressure led to their second of the night.

It was defender Connor Hanford who got the move going. A lovely threaded ball down the left channel split the right-back and centre-back into the space where the speedy Owen Cuddihy was waiting.

Cuddihy, who has the most assists in the league with nine, drove into the box before crossing to Berry at the back post. He fired into the roof of the net from close range to double the Risca lead inside 20 minutes.

The Cuckoos continued to dominate the ball down the right through Berry, who was instrumental for the third goal.

Another great ball out from the back, this time from Connor Evans, was played between centre-back and left-back to Berry, who timed his run to perfection.

Berry cut the ball back to top scorer Leon Thomas, who couldn’t miss with the keeper out of position. 3-0.

Left-back Benny Smart had a tough evening up against Berry. He had little support from his teammates and often found himself outnumbered as Risca looked to create an overload.

On the rare occasion Treharris did manage to get forward, they were unable to string more than a few passes together; frozen out of the game for large parts.

A few injuries before the half-time whistle meant a fairly tame end to the first 45.

Second-half

Treharris opened the half marginally on top in terms of possession. The ball was usually being knocked around the back, but a chance nonetheless to gain some confidence.

Kallum Thomas looked the greatest threat. The midfielder had some nice touches and wanted to play the ball forward.

Neither him or his teammates had much chance to do that, however. The Risca press was superb. Well coordinated and fast. The visitors had no more than a second or two to get rid of the ball.

The minutes ticked by and after an hour, with the game feeling won, manager Simon Berry made a couple of subs for the hosts.

What a decision that turned out to be, when forward Daniel Battle scored with his first touch of the night.

A looping ball over the Treharris defence was played perfectly by Jak Lewis, who found Battle having made an equally great run to avoid offside.

Battle’s header left the keeper glued to the spot. It nestled into the far corner to make it 4-0 after an hour played.

Thomas was quietly having a good game down the left, his physicality always impresses for someone on the smaller side.

He should have had his second of the game however when Risca broke via a counter attack.

Battle carried the ball well before drawing the only defender in and squaring the ball to Thomas. The forward was a bit too casual however, and fired it straight at the keeper.

There was one last chance for Risca to wrap-up a good days work. Cuddihy again using his pace to his advantage, bursting into the box before the outstretched leg of Morgan Cole brought him down.

Battle stepped-up and sent the keeper the wrong way, firing hard and low into the bottom left.

Full-time, 5-0 to Risca United. With Newport City and Trethomas Bluebirds both winning their games over the weekend, the Cuckoos remain second, four points behind Trethomas having played three more games.