Pontypridd FC made their bow on the football pitch this evening, but were beaten by AFC Porth in the inaugural Kinsman-Hacker Cup match played at Tonyrefail Leisure Centre.
The special annual challenge match was initiated to mark the fraternity between two Rhondda Cynon Taf football clubs. Before the match AFC Porth chairman Neil Dowler presented Pontypridd FC chairman Nigel Wheeler with a commemorative pennant. AFC Porth also presented the match ball (sponsored by Classic Sportswear) – signed by the squads of both clubs – to Pontypridd FC as a keepsake. Among the presentations, Nigel Wheeler also presented a framed home shirt to the sponsors of our senior home kit – Western Security Systems Limited.
As for the match, despite a bright start the young and developing Pontypridd side soon found themselves on the back foot as the vastly more experienced Welsh League side took control of the match. Despite being 3-0 down at half-time, Ponty did create a few openings and were unlucky not to register a score of their own.
Porth added four further goals in the second-half; despite tiring in the final stages the Pontypridd players kept battling until the final whistle. Goalkeeper Piotr Tolak was the standout player for Pontypridd, making some fantastic saves and displaying real authority in commanding his penalty area.
A full match report will follow, but some photos from the evening are below. More photos here.
