Pontypridd FC suffered a first ever competitive defeat on Saturday, losing 2-1 away to FC Trecenydd in the TERV League Division One.
Ponty travelled to Aneurin Park in Caerphilly on the back of two consecutive wins but in less than ideal circumstances; the absence of 11 squad members meant it was a bare bones selection for this match.
Trecenydd – relegated from the Premier Division last season – were 8-1 winners against Nelson Cavs 2nds in their last game so this was always going to be a tough assignment. Nevertheless, Ponty started positively and had the best of the early exchanges. Joe Vellam volleyed wide from the edge of the area before Geraint Lewis was denied twice in the same move by the Trecenydd keeper.
It was somewhat against the run of play when Trecenydd took the lead through their first meaningful attacking move. A 15th minute corner from the right was met with a header at the back post- with Ceri Williams too easily outjumped – and the ball eventually crept over the line.
The game’s big flashpoint came shortly after the restart when Geraint Lewis and the Trecenydd captain clashed. The latter seemed to direct an headbutt at Lewis, claiming the Ponty player had stamped on him. Referee Neil Roberts saw a quiet word with both players as sufficient to deal with the incident, but the Trecenydd captain was fortunate to not receive sanction for further aggression directed at Lewis minutes later.
With the game simmering at this point, another rugged Trecenydd challenge earned Ponty a free kick within shooting range in the 21st minute. Ceri Williams – fresh off his 50 yard strike a week ago – stepped up and fired into the top corner to level the score. The attacking midfielder is quickly collating his own portfolio of wonder strikes.
The equaliser inspired Ponty’s best period of the match, with build up play involving Ceri Williams and Joe Vellam on the right proving particularly fruitful. Williams could have doubled his tally after fine hold up play by Liam Griffiths, but his reliance on his left foot meant he fired at goal with an unfavourable angle. Geraint Lewis also had his chances, but the usually prolific striker was denied three times by good saves from the home keeper. On another day Ponty may have had the game sown up by the interval.
The final action of the first half saw Ponty escape a deficit. Not alert to a quick free kick, a good save from the Ponty no 1 kept the ball out of the net.
HALF-TIME | FC Trecenydd 1-1 Pontypridd FC
Having played fluidly and created plenty of chances in that 15-20 minute first half spell, the second half from surprisingly lacklustre from Pontypridd.
After being set-up by Geraint Lewis, Gareth Kear had the best shooting chance early in the second half but could not beat the keeper. Ceri Williams had another free kick shooting chance but this time he couldn’t beat the wall.
Gradually Trecenydd began to take a firmer foothold in the match, a brilliantly struck free kick forcing a good save in the Ponty goal. The warning was not heeded and just past the hour Trecenydd regained the lead. After failing to clear a ball into the box, despite several opportunities, the Trecenydd captain was allowed time to turn on the edge of the box and fired his shot low into the goal.
It was over to Ponty to chase the game again, but a naive and impatient approach meant the open play attack looked shapeless and too often speculative balls over the top were favoured over more considered and probing approach play. As a result set plays looked the best opportunity. Ceri Williams had a couple more cracks but couldn’t repeat his earlier trick and Geraint Lewis’ fruitless day continued; although the forward did well to force a save with a clever headed flick.
However, in general Trecenydd were more than up to the task of dealing with the set piece threat. On the counter, with Ponty committing more men upfield, they had their own chances to seal the points. Ryan James almost created an equaliser with a long throw at the death, but a flick towards goal was comfortably held by the Trecenydd number one.
Ultimately, it wasn’t to be for Pontypridd on this day, left rue a below par second-half performance and learn from it ahead of next weekend’s derby against Cilfynydd.
FULL-TIME | FC Trecenydd 2-1 Pontypridd FC
Pontypridd FC: Lewis Taylor, Ryan James (c), Daniel Perry, Hywel Patterson, Gareth Kear, Joe Vellam (George Archer 84), Huw Ward, Huw Morgan, Ceri Williams, Liam Griffiths (Tom Slater 63), Geraint Lewis.
Goal scorer: C. Williams (21)
Man of the Match: Huw Morgan
Referee: Neil Roberts
