Goals from Hywel Patterson and Lewis Taylor secured an historic first win for Pontypridd FC, edging a tense match away to Nelson Cavaliers Reserves at Wern Field.
Patterson gave Ponty a first half lead, reacting quickest after Liam Griffiths’ header hit the bar. Taylor bundled home the second after brilliant work from debutant Calvin Mugadza. Nelson struck back to set up an awkward final ten minutes, but tremendous determination ensured the players got over the line to get that first ever win.
There were two changes to the starting line-up from Saturday’s draw with Hopkinstown. Kieron Cook came into midfield to make his Pontypridd FC debut in place of Ceri Williams, Liam Griffiths replaced Dan Outing. There was also a first squad appearance for Calvin Mugadza; the Zimbabwe-born forward was named among the substitutes after joining up with the squad over the past week.
Ponty started well, Kieron Cook showing some good touches in midfield and early pressure saw efforts for Lewis Taylor, Cook and Joe Vellam – the latter the first to force a save out of the Nelson keeper. Despite enjoying the better spells for most of the first half, Nelson carried a threat through the pace of their right winger and the booming kicks of their goalkeeper caused a few uncertain moments.
Nelson weathered the early storm though and as Ponty failed to make the most of their chances, the hosts increasingly found a way into the game. As the game approached the half hour they had a glorious chance to take the lead, an attacker beating Ryan James but Piotr Tolak pulled off a superb one on one save.
The breakthrough came for Ponty in the 33rd minute. A free kick from the right found Liam Griffiths, his powerful header rebounded off the crossbar but Hywel Patterson was on hand to squeeze the ball inside the post. Patterson had a chance to add to his tally a few minutes later, but his header from a Gareth Kear corner went over the bar.
Lewis Taylor’s pace and movement created several chances for the young forward and twice he forced good saves from Nelson’s number one, but without any further goals Ponty took a slender lead into the break.
HALF-TIME | Nelson Cavs Reserves 0-1 Pontypridd
The opening minutes on the second half saw Ponty in control, but sloppiness crept into the play and Nelson had several moments to level the match. Tolak was forced into action and when he was beaten after rushing off his line, Dan Perry swept up the loose ball to keep out what seemed like a goalbound effort.
A change for Ponty just before the hour saw Huw Morgan introduced for Huw Ward and the industrious midfielder was quickly into the fray. Some neat interplay allowed him to burst into the Nelson box but at the vital moment Morgan and Geraint Lewis seem to get in each other’s way and Morgan couldn’t get proper purchase on his effort.
Liam Griffiths was forced off with a knock, bringing Calvin Mugadza onto the field, his pace and work rate proved vital for Ponty in the final quarter. His determination to chase down a short backpass caused a fortunate deflection towards the Nelson goal. After retrieving the loose ball and composing himself, Mugadza squared for Lewis Taylor to score from six yards. This came just a minute after Nelson had hit the post at the other end.
Taylor should have added to his tally, having a one on one saved at close quarters and then hitting the side netting with his second effort from a tight angle. There was also a first shooting chance for Mugadza after combining with Morgan, but his effort from 20 yards was wild and wide.
Ponty’s failure to wrap up the points didn’t go unpunished and after a couple of changes at the back there was a bit of disorder that led to Nelson scrambling home a goal. With ten minutes left on the clock it meant an awkward and tense finale for the visitors.
With Nelson pressing, there were counter attacking chances for Ponty. Dan Perry produced a lung-bursting length of the field run with the ball and a corner was scant reward for the centre-half’s effort. Then in the dying embers Lewis Taylor had a chance to seal it but, having gone up for an attacking corner, the Nelson keeper recovered to clear the ball.
The last word though would come from Piotr Tolak. In added time Nelson had a chance to snatch an equaliser, but the Ponty stopper was on hand to make a vital save with more or less the final action of the match.
FULL-TIME | Nelson Cavs Reserves 1-2 Pontypridd
A mixture of relief and joy for the players and coaches at full-time to have the winning feeling after a couple of months of difficult results. It means Pontypridd have taken 4 points from their first two leagues matches and have a welcome confidence boost ahead of Saturday’s South Wales FA Intermediate Cup tie against Carn Rovers.
Pontypridd FC: Piotr Tolak, Ryan James (c), Daniel Perry, Hywel Patterson, Gareth Kear (Dan Outing 79), Joe Vellam (Artur Cegielka 79), Kieron Cook, Huw Ward (Huw Morgan 59), Liam Griffiths (Calvin Mugadza 65), Lewis Taylor, Geraint Lewis (Ceri Williams 71)
Goals: Hywel Patterson (33), Lewis Taylor (70)
Man of the Match: Daniel Perry
Referee: Lewys Thomas
