IN good spirits having taken league leaders Pontyclun’s unbeaten home record the week before Cwm knew they were in for another tough game with the visit of third placed Mumbles Rangers.
The fact that Mumbles had a number of ex Cwm players in their ranks just added to the mix.
An excellent crowd of close to 200 were entertained to a full blooded derby that saw the momentum of the game swing from one side to the other as the match progressed.
The first half was a tight affair with an early booking for a player from each side reflecting the physicality of the game. Overall Cwm had the better of the half having created the better of the chances with the best opportunity being when a great run onto a Charlie Davies through ball saw Harrison Thomas lob oncoming keeper Sam Goodwin but it was well over.
The second half start immediately saw Mumbles have their best period of the game as they bombarded the Cwm goal for the first five minutes. A shot was cleared off the line, another hit the bar from close in and after an excellent defensive block Kai Rees produced a world class save to prevent a certain goal.
Cwm then settled back to their first half form and Ross Morgan, Kyle Ashford and Davies were back to keeping Cwm going forward.
Mumbles attacks were being frustrated with new signings Rhys Griffiths and Ethan Taylor having excellent games in wide defensive roles while Ronan Templeton and Leon Croucher were impressive at the heart of the defence.
It was Templeton who broke the deadlock in the 69th min when a Cwm corner created a panic and he was on hand to tap it home.
You could sense the increase in urgency from Mumbles but with Calem Rees continuslly putting pressure on their back four and a number of Ryan Thomas attempts testing the keeper they were being kept in check. Cwm then brought on Jesse Howell and Gwion Howell as they sought to maintain their high level of energy.
It was Thomas and Rees though that created the killer blow in the 89th min when a brilliant surging run from Rees saw the ball come out to Thomas who calmly slotted it home for one of his trademark critical goals.
Mumbles threw everything forward for the few final minutes and were rewarded with a headed goal from Lee Bevan in the 93rd min but the final whistle blew immediately afterwards.
Another superb win for Cwm and a sign that this new team is starting to gel. Paul Lewis will be hoping to continue this good form in what is a critical match against another side in the bottom six of the Ardal South West next Saturday, February 11, when they visit Dinas Powys FC, KO 2pm.
