With the annual AGM and club dinner already in the rear view mirror, it was left to the Veterans XI to wrap up the 2013-14 season with a match against a touring Stratford side led by former Penarth player Ian ‘Pug’ Powell.

The visitors arrived in Barry on the back of a heavy defeat the day before, and still appeared to be suffering the effects of a night out in Cardiff as Penarth dominated the early possession. However, an inability to convert pressure into anything resembling a chance on goal allowed Stratford to remain in the game, and ultimately make the Vale side pay.

Miscommunication in the Penarth defence allowed the tourists two soft goals midway through the half and, when a penalty corner found its way in at the near post, Stratford had been spotted a three-goal headstart before the Bears realised that the game was slipping away. Fortunately, a goal from Marc Sawyer minutes before the break allowed the home side to remain in touch, but there was a lot of stern talking once the very untraditional half-time refreshments had been imbibed.

The words appeared to have the desired effect as Penarth again took control of the opening exchanges after the break, but it was Stratford who again scored first, this time as the result of a double deflection that steered the ball past the hapless Matt Birch.

Fired by the misfortune, the home side went straight back down the other end, where Sawyer was able to add his second of the game, but Stratford soon returned the deficit to three goals by overwhelming the home defence and allowing their centre forward to deflect a delicate chip over Birch and into the roof of the net.

With less than ten minutes remaining, the game looked over, but Penarth refused to give in and, when a deflection at the other end produced an own goal and made the score 5-3, hopes were raised further. With Stratford trying to play out time, Penarth were afforded more space and a quick hit out from the back produced a flowing move that was rounded out by Derek Wooding’s measured finish.

Just three minutes were left on the clock at this point, and Stratford again tried to keep the ball, but Penarth’s tenacity allowed one final attack, which Sawyer coolly completed with a shot into the far corner.

On reflection, a draw was probably a fitting result for a well-contested game, and neither side complained as they retired to the bar.