First half goal flurry decisive (From Free Press Series)

First half goal flurry decisive

TWO goals in two minutes at the end of the first half sent Goytre on the way to this win on Saturday, consolidating their mid-table position in the Welsh League Third Division.

Goytre welcomed back Graham Mason and Darren Haines into their starting 11 for the visit of Treowen, with the pairing linking up well and providing valuable support to Kevin Wallace and Mark Langford up front. And club chairman Paul Greenhalgh was in no doubt that the midfield duo's return was the difference on Saturday.

He said: "Both Mason and Haines are pacey players and made a real difference to the side. They enabled us to open up Treowen's defence time and time again."

But for all Goytre's first half dominance, it appeared they would go unrewarded with half time approaching and the scores still level.

But a moment of magic from Mason wide on the left wing finally broke the deadlock. Picking up the ball and cutting inside, he drilled his low shot with into the near post corner.

And Goytre doubled their lead moments later when striker Kevin Wallace was brought down, and fired the resulting free kick against the bar. Midfielder Haines was the first to react, hitting the rebound in off Treowen's Ryan Bennett for a 2-0 half time lead.

The visitors rallied at the start of the second half; putting Goytre under pressure and almost pulling one back, but Dean Taylor was on hand to clear off the line.

At the other end Mason almost added a third, but his shot was deflected harmlessly to the keeper.

But Langford soon wrapped up the win from the spot - Wallace having been brought down from behind and the referee having sent off Dean Randall for the challenge.

Greenhalgh added: "It was an excellent win and the boys played really well. I'd say we were in control for 90 percent of the game and it could have been five or six."

Goytre are at home again this Saturday, looking for another win against struggling local rivals Chepstow Town, kick off 2pm.