Pontypridd suffered a fourth league defeat of the season with a horror-show performance against Treforest 2nds at the White Tips. Joe Vellam’s excellent finish was a mere consolation as Ponty were outfought against a side with more desire and better defensive organisation on the day. This defeat means Ponty’s simmering hopes of a promotion push this season have probably being taken completely off the heat.
First team managers Paul Dennis and Ryan Wheeler named an unchanged XI following a generally impressive attacking performance in the last game before Christmas, a 5-4 home win over Nelson Cavaliers 2nds. However, this was another underwhelming performance away from home on a fudgey grass pitch. In surroundings fit for the Welsh League, Ponty barely turned up until the final half hour when the game was long gone.
The first ten minutes were typical of this level, somewhat chaotic with both sides jostling for position. While there was little evidence of the exhilarating combination play seen in the first 20 minutes against Nelson, Josh Husband made a characteristic burst through midfield and sent a cross towards Ceri Williams. The frontman’s control was good but his shot at goal wayward and off target.
With practically their first advancement into the final third Treforest opened the scoring and it came in a manner that has been too frequent against Pontypridd this season. A punt from midfield bisected the defence and with the offside trap exposed a Treforest forward was able to run through, round Piotr Tolak and slot the ball into the unguarded net.
Pontypridd were almost level within a few minutes. Williams sent through Lewis Roberts, whose pace got him in on goal. The Treforest keeper won the race to the ball but fumbled his catch, allowing an opportunity for Josh Husband, but the Treforest custodian reacted quickly to block the goalbound effort with a smothering save. Ceri Williams and Joe Vellam both tried their luck from distance, but the final 15 minutes of the first half saw Treforest take firm control.
There were three opportunities for Treforest to double their lead before Tolak was forced to make a good save after a right wing cross found a Treforest attacker unmarked at the back post. A minute later, the second home goal came. Again a cross from the right, a free header this time six yards out. Tolak got contact on the ball, but not enough to keep it out of the goal. It might even have been three at the break but for a last-ditch interception from Daniel Perry inside the six yard box on the stroke of half-time.
Pontypridd were arguably lucky to get to half-time without a player deficit alongside the goals. Kieron Cook caught a Treforest player late in a tackle; an ugly looking challenge the midfielder was fortunate to escape with just a yellow card as punishment.
HALF-TIME | Treforest 2nds 2-0 Pontypridd
Unsurprisingly, Pontypridd started the second half with a bit more purpose about them. However, within six minutes the points were effectively sealed for Treforest. Another ball in behind presenting a one-on-one and the Treforest forward showed composure to prod the ball past the advancing Tolak.
That moved the Ponty bench to make several changes, but still the better attacking moments came from the home side. One of their substitutes almost scored a sensational goal from almost halfway; this time Tolak was equal to it and tipped over for a corner.
Ponty did strike back just after the hour, Joe Vellam played in and finishing superbly from the edge of the area. With just over 25 minutes left on the clock there was certainly enough time to mount a comeback.
There was plenty of effort and much more fight following Vellam’s goal but it was all too late and no further in-roads were made. There two big moments involved Geraint Lewis. First a confrontation with a Treforest player that saw some handbags but referee Ashley Thomas was happy to issue verbal warnings to those involved. Then in the closing stages, Lewis was played in on goal. His contact with the ball was good but such is the forward’s luck in front of goal this season, the keeper parried it to safety.
Had that chance gone in it would have set-up a grandstand finish but in truth had Pontypridd got anything from the game it would have been barely deserved.
FULL-TIME | Treforest 2nds 3-1 Pontypridd
Pontypridd FC: Piotr Tolak, Adam Davies, Daniel Perry (c), Dan Outing (Ryan James 56), Gareth Kear (Liam Griffiths 69), Hywel Patterson, Kieron Cook, Josh Husband, Joe Vellam (Ben Daniel 85), Lewis Roberts (Geraint Lewis 52), Ceri Williams (Huw Ward 54)
Goal: Joe Vellam (63)
Man of the Match: Joe Vellam
Referee: Ashley Thomas
