Pre-season preparations continued last night with the club’s annual showpiece friendly against Welsh League side AFC Porth for the Kinsman-Hacker Cup. For the second year running, the Black Dragons from the Rhondda retained the trophy that commemorates two historical figures of football in Pontypridd and Porth, running out 7-0 winners at the Maritime Recreation Ground.
Although the scoreline matched last year’s result and reflected the difference in position between the clubs in the Welsh football pyramid, it was generally felt the Pontypridd performance had a bit more about it than 12 months ago. The search for a first Pontypridd goal in these contests never really looked on the cards but there was some hints of good combination play and the fitness of the Ponty players was certainly an improvement on a year ago.
Ultimately, this game will not make or break either side’s 2019/20 campaign; it is more about celebrating friendship between the clubs as anything else. We wish to extend our thanks to the committee, management and players of AFC Porth for the fixture against us and wish them a very successful Welsh League campaign.
The next test for our players will be next Tuesday, again versus Welsh League opposition, when Treharris Athletic Western visit the Maritime.
Pontypridd FC Squad (v AFC Porth): Lewis Watkins, Daniel Perry (c), Dan Outing, Owain Lewis, Gareth Kear, Aled Evans, Kieron Cook, Huw Morgan, Lewis Roberts, Hywel Patterson, Lewis Taylor, Gus Wyatt, Fifolu Akinyemi, Connor Bickford, Piotr Tolak, Liam Griffiths, Matthew Bennett-Jones
