Joe Vellam scored a hat-trick to help Pontypridd to a much-needed league win. Although, in characteristic fashion the victory was more hard-earned than it should have been following a late fightback from Nelson Cavaliers reserves.
The last Ponty game was at home a fortnight ago, a late collapse seeing the side go down 4-1 to FC Trecenydd after playing well for much of the game. With the pre-season ambition of promotion fading, this was arguably a must-win fixture to remain within close contact of the sides above. Nelson came into the game with just one win to their name in the league this season and Ponty won the first meeting at The Wern in September, so there were hopes of a positive result.
With 14 players unavailable there was a re-jig in the starting XI, including Ceri Williams playing as a central striker and a full debut for Josh Husband. Both players added something to the side in their roles: Williams a perfect foil for Joe Vellam and Lewis Roberts either side of him with his strength, touch and vision. In midfield, Husband brought a fresh impetus with his mobility, work-rate and positive energy. A young player – formerly of Pontypridd Town’s youth team – who joined the club recently and looks a very exciting prospect.
Husband, along with Williams and Vellam, was particularly prominent in the first half-hour when Pontypridd threatened to blow their opponents away with a succession of chances. A Joe Vellam double had given Ponty what seemed like a commanding lead, but it proved to be a typically topsy-turvy affair.
Vellam broke the deadlock in the 16th minute, running onto a sublime reverse pass by Williams, showing good pace to get away from the retreating defenders and composure to slot past the onrushing Nelson keeper. He came close with a header from a Gareth Kear cross a minute before he did score his second, finishing off a lovely pass from Kieron Cook.
In an impressive first half-hour, there were plenty of other chances. Williams hit the post, Vellam jinked through several tackles and only a fine sprawling save denied him a first half hat-trick; Lewis Roberts might have bagged an early hat-trick on another day. However, Ponty have struggled to keep the goals out this season and have developed an unfortunate habit of conceding goals in clusters. This achilles heel once again hit Ponty when two soft goals were conceded within the space of a few minutes during Nelson’s first spell of pressure in the match.
There was a warning when a free header from six yards was put wide, but a couple of minutes later Nelson halved the deficit with a header from a corner. Shortly after an innocuous cross from the right looked like a routine catch for Piotr Tolak, but the Ponty number one misjudged the flight of the ball and as he watched it sail over his head the ball bounced off the post and rolled across the line.
Having thrown away a strong position, Ponty nudged ahead before half-time with a fortuitous third goal. Joe Vellam’s pressing won the ball back high up field and after Ceri Williams’ effort from Vellam’s cross was tipped onto the crossbar, Nelson’s left back inexplicably headed the ball into his own goal. A slice of fortune, certainly, but a half-time lead that was no more than Ponty deserved on the balance of play.
HALF-TIME | Pontypridd 3-2 Nelson Cavs 2nds
The second-half began brilliantly for the home side, Lewis Roberts re-establishing the two-goal lead inside the first two minutes. Dan Outing’s headed clearance looked to be running through to the Nelson goalkeeper, but Roberts chased it down and his pace enabled him to get to the ball first, nudging it past the keeper and presenting a tap-in from inside the box.
Joe Vellam produced another dazzling run soon after, his drive across goal would have been a fine way to complete a hat-trick, but it flashed just wide of the far post. Ceri Williams, whose performance merited a goal, went close with a trademark left strike from distance and substitute Lewis Taylor was inches away with a curled effort.
Vellam eventually completed his hat-trick and added a fifth Pontypridd goal, rounding off a move started by Husbands and assisted by Taylor. It looked like the seal of a good win, but in the end proved more crucial than anticipated with 12 minutes to go because once again Ponty hit the self-destruct button.
Two goals in three minutes dragged Nelson back into the game with seven minutes left to play and having reduced the deficit to one goal, Nelson had a great opportunity to level the match but their forward sliced wide from a good position.
Fortunately, Pontypridd did enough to see out the game and Vellam might have scored his fourth goal of the game with the final move, but he elected to try and set-up substitute George Archer instead of going for goal himself from close range.
FULL-TIME | Pontypridd 5-4 Nelson Cavs 2nds
With postponements elsewhere and a draw between Caerphilly Athletic 2nds and Cilfynydd, the result moves Pontypridd up to 3rd in the table at Christmas and just four points adrift of leaders Cilfynydd with a game in hand. There is a long way to go and Ponty will need to find greater consistency if they are to remain in the hunt for a top two finish, but after an indifferent first half of the season to be still be in the picture means there remains plenty to play for.
Pontypridd FC: Piotr Tolak, Adam Davies, Daniel Perry (c), Dan Outing, Gareth Kear (Artur Cegielka 78), Hywel Patterson, Kieron Cook, Josh Husband (George Archer 78), Joe Vellam, Lewis Roberts (Lewis Taylor 60), Ceri Williams (Ben Daniel 72)
Goals: J. Vellam (16, 21, 77), Own Goal (45), L. Roberts (47)
Man of the match: Joe Vellam
Referee: Simon White
