Cathays United 1-2 CSKA Sophia Gardens

CSKA Sophia Gardens picked up their first competitive win of the season on Thursday night with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Cathays United in a 6pm BST kick-off at Pontcanna Fields.

CSKA started the game on an even footing with their opponents as both teams tentatively looked to get a feel for each other. It was CSKA who came the closest to breaking the deadlock first when striker Owen Jones saw his long range effort clatter the post.

Cathays United then had a chance to go in front midway in the first half when a through ball almost caused chaos in the CSKA back-line as it got stuck in a muddy patch of the pitch just yards out from the CSKA goal preventing the ball from going out for a goal-kick and giving the Cathays United striker a chance to finish from close range. Fortunately, CSKA bundled the ball clear but it was a warning sign.

The deadlock was finally broken shortly after when CSKA failed to clear their lines and a calamitous moment saw full back Huw Williams' attempted clearance hit the Cathays United player Dylan Colley and ricochet into the CSKA net past a helpless Alex Skinner.

It was a goal that had started looking likely as CSKA had failed to get a foothold in the game with a lot of possession being wasted and pressure being put on the CSKA defence by Cathays United attacks.

That pattern of play continued until half-time with CSKA's chances being reduced to Cai Mckenzie having a bullet shot saved by the head of an unaware Cathays United keeper to keep the score at 1-0 to the hosts.

The second half saw CSKA start with more impetus and a number of early chances were spurned after some nice build up play by the visiting side. In an effort to get more possession and ball retention, the duo of Sam Byrne and Rich Hamlett were subbed on for CSKA and the difference was immediately noticeable.

Despite the equaliser still not coming, CSKA began to get on the ball more and start cranking up the pressure on Cathays United. The hosts were still posing a threat on the counter but CSKA were starting to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

This growing dominance soon paid off with just less than 20 minutes to go when Byrne played in Mckenzie down the right wing and he picked out an under-lapping Cory Mackay who finished well low past the Cathays United keeper from just inside the Cathays United area.

A suckerpunch almost came from Cathays United when they hit CSKA on a counter attack. A superb save down low to his left from Skinner in the CSKA goal kept out a Cathays United effort that seemed destined for the goal. It would prove to be a pivotal save.

Just moments later, with the clock ticking away deep into injury-time, CSKA had a corner. Hamlett delivered a cross that was half-cleared by Cathays United to Byrne on the edge of the area. His effort on goal was caught up in a melee of players in and around the edge of the Cathays United area where centre back Owen Lewis reacted quickest to turn and fire the ball into the Cathays United net to give the visiting team a 2-1 lead to complete the comeback.

Cue scenes of utter ecstasy as the CSKA players celebrated what proved to be the winning goal and give CSKA their first win of the 2021/22 season. It was one of those moments that will be re-lived by the players for years to come.

CSKA Manager Steve Day said "It's amazing to get our first win of the season and in such a manner was fantastic. It wasn't a classic CSKA performance and you can argue that our displays against Cardiff Central and Radyr Rangers were generally better but we showed brilliant mental strength to drag that win from being 1-0 down and struggling to get our game going.

"The lads have worked hard in very trying circumstances over pre-season and this early stage of the season so it feels like they deserve this. Everyone from the starting players to the substitutes to the lads who came to watch all played their part and can consider that win as belonging to them all.

Day added "There are still a lot of things we need to improve on and we all know that our performance levels have so much room for growth but a win is a win and we're glad to get off the mark. It was great to head back to the pub after and enjoy a drink with the lads to celebrate. I couldn't ask for a better group of lads to have involved in this squad."

CSKA Starting Line-Up

GK: Alex Skinner

DR: Dec O'Neill

DL: Huw Williams

DC: Ed Lewis (c)

DC: Owen Lewis

MR: Cory Mackay

ML: Mike Gaunt

MC: Tom Frowen

MC: Chris Lusted

ST: Owen Jones

ST: Cai Mckenzie

Subs: Sam Byrne and Rich Hamlett

Goals: Cory Mackay and Owen Lewis

Assists: Cai Mckenzie and Sam Byrne

Three Stars: Dec O'Neill, Owen Jones, and Owen Lewis