Pontypridd secured back to back league victories for the first time with victory over Llantwit Fardre 2nds, taking them to the top of the Taff Ely Rhymney Valley League Division One.
First-half goals from Ceri Williams and Huw Ward set up the victory and a disciplined second-half performance ensured a first ever clean sheet for the club; a fair reward for a composed, well-organised and most complete performance of the season so far. Victory by an even greater margin was only denied by a superb display from the opposition goalkeeper.
Inconsistency has plagued Ponty’s league campaign so far but with just a third of their fixtures left to play this was the time to try and start finding regular form. Last weekend’s 6-2 win over Caerphilly Argyle meant just one change to the starting line-up: Huw Ward in to replace Geraint Lewis, who unfortunately picked up a serious knee injury during the week and is set to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Ponty could have been in front inside the opening minute. Hywel Patterson’s long pass was nodded down to Huw Ward, he took an early snap shot but dragged his effort wide. Gareth Kear sent in two supreme corners that deserved an attacking player on the end and Llantwit escaped this early pressure without any damage.
Then followed the visitors best spell of the match as they knocked the ball around well for ten minutes. It was an uncomfortable period for Ponty, even though Llantwit didn’t create any clear cut chances, there was the odd moment of uncertainty in the rearguard here and there.
Having got through that Ponty began to take control and largely dominated the game thereafter. Joe Vellam became prominent on the right and he set up Ceri Williams to thunder home from just outside the penalty area in the 15th minute and give Ponty the lead. A flurry of chances followed: Dan Perry headed over another excellent Kear corner and Huw Ward had a chance he might have done better with.
Artur Cegielka made a trademark surge from right back and found himself in a shooting position, but his powerful effort was too high. Joe Vellam produced a couple of the jinking runs he is renowned for and twice enticed fine stops from the Fardre keeper. The best save of all came when Huw Ward’s 25 yard drive looked destined to hit the top corner until the young visiting keeper plucked the ball out of the air with one hand.
Despite creating all the chances it looked like Pontypridd would have to settle for just a single goal lead at half-time before striking more or less on referee Simon White’s whistle to end the half. Ceri Williams’ free kick from the right doing damage, Perry flicking on and Huw Ward finishing from close range at the back post.
HALF-TIME | Pontypridd 2-0 Llantwit Fardre 2nds
The big test in the second-half for Ponty would be to hold onto the lead. Before the game, Ponty had scored first in 12 of their 16 league and cup matches this season, but had won just six of those 12 games. In the league six points have been lost so far in the second-half of matches.
A third goal for Ponty would have put the game to bed but one back for Fardre would have created some anxiety given the record this season of not managing winning positions effectively.
Although it took a while to get going after the interval, the second-half produced the same pattern of Pontypridd applying pressure and the only thing between Fardre and a heavy defeat was their spirited goalkeeper. On the hour he denied Ponty twice in a minute. First, a world class save to tip around the post a Joe Vellam effort after an equally sublime crossfield pass by Ceri Williams. From the corner, Kear – whose delivery was back to its best – found Dan Perry but the matchday captain’s header was saved on the line.
In a personal duel between Vellam and the keeper, the Fardre number one again came out on top, saving another Vellam shot with his shoot before Josh Husband flashed a shot across goal.
The third Ponty goal didn’t come in the end, nor was it needed as the whole side remained well-organised and the back four were no-nonsense in their approach. It took until the 89th minute for Fardre to create any meaningful effort, a looping header hitting the bar but Perry scrambled the loose ball to safety and a much-needed – and deserved – clean sheet was earned when the final whistle was blown not long after.
FULL-TIME | Pontypridd 2-0 Llantwit Fardre 2nds
The victory takes Pontypridd above Cilfynydd and Trecenydd – both without a game this weekend – to the top of the league, one point ahead of Caerphilly Athletic 2nds (4-0 winners at Nelson Cavs 2nds). Every side below has games in hand and with no game next week it is likely Pontypridd’s stay at the top will be brief. There are six games left this season, including home and away against Caerphilly Athletic and mouth-watering local derby away to Cilfynydd, and plenty still to play for among the top five teams.
Pontypridd FC: Piotr Tolak, Artur Cegielka, Daniel Perry [c], Dan Outing, Gareth Kear, Hywel Patterson, Kieron Cook, Josh Husband, Joe Vellam (Lewis Roberts 82), Huw Ward, Ceri Williams (Liam Griffiths 73)
Goals: C. Williams (15), H. Ward (45)
Man of the match: Joe Vellam
Referee: Simon White
