Garw  2
Unknown (19' & 35')

Garden Village  2
Own Goal (18') & Paul Dickie (86')

Welsh League Division 2
Tuesday April 25th, 2006

Paul Dickie made a goalscoring return for Garden Village to help gain a valuable point away at promotion-chasing Garw at Blandy Park on Tuesday.

The visitors took the lead when a Marc Lloyd corner was bundled into the net by one Garw's defenders but they levelled straight away with a drive past Mark Snell into the bottom corner. Garw took the lead 10 minutes before half-time with a glancing header from a right-sided cross but, with time running out, Paul Dickie struck his 13th goal of the campaign after a goalmouth scramble to ensure Village returned home with a point.

Four changes were made to the starting eleven that won at Pontyclun on Saturday; Nicky Romanello replaced the injured David Rimmer in defence, Chris Thomas returned to the side to fill in for the missing Paul Bromage in midfield, Marc Lloyd returned to wing-back in place of the young Marc Thomas and Paul Dickie replaced Owen Williams up-front.

Village started brightly with Paul Dickie heading just wide from a Marc Lloyd free-kick as early as the 3rd minute and Ashley Richards forced the home 'keeper into making a stop from six yards 10 minutes later.

The deadlock was broken in the 18th minute when a Marc Lloyd corner to the near post went in off one of the Garw defenders, but that lead lasted all of 60 seconds as the home side struck the leveller low into the bottom corner from the edge of the area, leaving Mark Snell with no chance.

With 10 minutes remaining of the second-half Garden Village were on the attack and Marc Lloyd had a free-kick saved by the goalkeeper, the ball was cleared long down field and headed by Nicky Romanello to a Garw player, the ball was curled into the box and with a glancing header into the corner Garw were 2-1 ahead.

Steven Evans' outstretched foot met with an excellent cross into the area from Dayle Selvage only to put it wide shortly before the break, while the impressive Jamie Mansell struck the ball at the 'keeper from 30-yards, but the score remained 2-1 as the first-half came to a close.

The second-half started quietly but within 20 minutes Village boss Bob Lloyd changed his formation and played three up-front, bringing Nigel Rogers on to partner Ashley Richards and Paul Dickie in attack; youngsters Owen Williams and Craig Smith were also brought on to replace Dayle Selvage and the experienced Nicky Romanello.

Garw had a few chances to extend their lead throughout the second period but their best chance came on 65 minutes when a fiercely struck half-volley bound for goal was tipped onto the top of the crossbar by Mark Snell.

The home side will be cursing their failed attempts to go further in front as Garden Village claimed a dramatic late equaliser courtesy of the returning Paul Dickie. The visitors broke into the Garw half and the ball was played out wide to Owen Williams, his ball into the box was met by Marc Lloyd who struck the crossbar, Steven Evans failed to convert from 6-yards as he hit a defender on the line, but Paul Dickie was at hand to hammer the ball into the net from a matter of yards.

Village had chances to sneak a victory in the closing minutes but a draw against a side who have strong chance of winning promotion is a good result. Garw, though, are now unable to catch league-leaders Pontypridd; if Ponty beat Troedyrhiw tonight at the Willows in Merthyr Tydfil, the Ynysangharad Park side will be crowned Second Division champions.

Village: Mark Snell; Jamie Mansell, Steve Bater, Nicholas Romanello (Craig Smith 57'); Dayle Selvage (Owen Williams 55'), Carl Alfei, Chris Thomas (Nigel Rogers 63'), Steven Evans, Marc Lloyd; Ashley Richards, Paul Dickie.