Pontypridd FC’s second pre-season friendly ended with a second defeat to a Welsh League club. Despite going down 3-0 to Ely Rangers in blistering conditions at Cardiff Uni Playing Fields in Llanrumney, this was an improved performance from the Ponty side.
While the Cardiff-outfit were deserved winners, there were moments from Pontypridd that hinted at the side’s potential. Geraint Lewis was denied the accolade of being Pontypridd FC’s first ever goalscorer by a fantastic save and there were other chances for Huw Ward and Dan Perry, which on another day may have found the back of the net.
The players were frustrated at the final whistle with some of the mistakes, but they will be well served by this latest test against much higher opposition and, for the most part, competed well against the Welsh League Division Three side.
Ponty started well, showing no fear of their opponents and in the opening minutes the willingness of frontmen Geraint Lewis and Liam Griffiths to press the Ely Rangers backline caused a few moments of panic; the bounce of the ball wasn’t with Pontypridd though. Despite that good start Ponty found themselves behind after 7 minutes. A break down the right and Ely were allowed to turn the Ponty defence too easily, the ball squared across goal resulted in a goal courtesy of a cute finish from the inside left channel.
Although the Welsh League outfit enjoyed the majority of possession, Ponty had their own share. In midfield Huw Morgan once again looked a composed and energetic figure. There is real potential in the midfield trio involving Morgan and youngsters Joe Vellam and Huw Ward; there is good mobility and energy among all three, but what is missing at the moment is a little bit of familiarity to form that chemistry and combination play through midfield.
Ward’s willingness to run box to box almost led to a Ponty equaliser, finding himself with a shooting chance after good pressure from Geraint Lewis forced an error. Unfortuately, Ward’s snatched effort was blazed well over the bar.
At the other end Piotr Tolak played his part again with some good saves, although there was little he could about the Ely Rangers second on the stroke of half-time. The Griffins found space down the left channel between wing back and centre back. The runner in the middle wasn’t tracked and had the simple task of tapping in the centre from close range.
After a half-time re-group Ponty started the second half fired up and willing to try and force themselves back into the game. Geraint Lewis continued to make a nuisance of himself up front and he was very unlucky not to be rewarded with a goal on the hour mark. Finding space on the edge of the box, Lewis unleashed a fizzing low drive destined for the bottom corner, until the intervention of the Ely keeper forced the ball around the outside of the post. From Gareth Kear’s corner, Dan Perry rose well six yards out but couldn’t keep his header down.
As the game entered the final quarter fatigue began to take hold of the Ponty players and Ely sealed the win with their third goal fifteen minutes from the end; a neat lob from the edge of the box after the Ponty offside trap was breached.
FULL TIME: ELY RANGERS 3-0 PONTYPRIDD FC
Pontypridd FC Squad (v Ely Rangers): Piotr Tolak (GK), Gareth Kear, Dan Outing, Dan Perry, Ryan James (c), Huw Morgan, Huw Ward, Joe Vellam, Hywel Patterson, Ryan Wheeler, Liam Griffiths, Geraint Lewis, A. Triallist.
