Goals from Kieron Cook and Lewis Roberts earned Pontypridd their first point of the season after coming from 2-0 down to draw with Rhydyfelin 2nds at the Dog Track. It was a much improved performance though and with better finishing the three points would have been taken from a game in which Ponty were on the front foot for most of it.
Following the opening day defeat at Llantwit Fardre 2nds last Wednesday there were several changes to the starting line-up; some tactical, some rotational and others because of player availability. Josh Husband, Owain Lewis and Artur Cegielka were three changes to the starting XI and there were first appearances of the season in the matchday squad for Aron Barnes and Tom Slater.
In a new system with Kieron Cook deployed up front, Ponty arguably had the edge in scrappy opening exchanges without creating many opportunities. It was a bit of a sucker punch when Rhydyfelin took the lead in the 10th minute, although the manner another worrying lapse at a dead ball play. A corner from the left was nodded home from six yards by an attacker who had too easily lost his marker.
There was a chance for Ponty to equalise quickly when Cegielka charged upfield from left back, battling his way into the box but the home keeper to did well to smother the ball before Cegielka could get it under control to shoot. The energy of Owain Lewis and Bradley Harris served the team well in the first half and excellent combination play between them saw Harris play in Huw Morgan. The midfielder couldn’t get a shot away but found Lewis Taylor whose shot was deflected over. Not long after Taylor’s flicked header from a right wing delivery almost crept inside the far post but for an unconvincing save from the home custodian. Again on the half hour Taylor had a headed opportunity – after more enterprising play by Harris and Lewis – but it was a tough chance and he did well to direct it near the goal.
Having done most of the pressing in the first half-hour, Ponty then gifted their hosts a second-goal. Dan Perry played a poor pass and although the Rhyd attacker finished well from outside the box, it was an opportunity he should never have had.
Just over half an hour in and 2-0 down, it was now a big ask for Pontypridd and a real test of their character. Josh Husband was booked for an off the ball incident as one or two heads started to wobble but then before half-time Ponty roared back to life. Taylor and Outing had both had opportunities before Taylor broke the back line and was felled inside the box five minutes before the break. Kieron Cook finished with aplomb to continue his perfect penalty record for the club in competitive matches.
Having halved the deficit Ponty went into the interval knowing they had a real opportunity to turn the game around in the second half.
HALF-TIME | Rhydyfelin 2nds 2-1 Pontypridd
The second started as much as the first half was played, with Ponty pressing. Taylor had already breached the Rhyd defence before Artur Cegielka was played in by Huw Morgan but the left back squandered a good opportunity to level the game by lifting the ball over the bar.
Lewis Roberts was introduced just before the hour mark with more and more spacing forming behind the Rhyd backline. However, the hosts might have re-established their two-goal lead but for the alertness of Aled Evans, who got back to head a goalbound effort off the line. A lucky escape and Ponty pushed forward to equalise two minutes later. A long ball from the back was flicked on by Cook. Lewis Roberts raced on to the ball and after steadying himself fired low past the home number one.
Now there looked like only one team would go on and win it. Lewis Taylor had a couple of opportunities: one tough half-chance off an awkward bounce he couldn’t keep down, the second a one-on-one he fired straight at the keeper. Artur Cegielka too was involved, overhitting a cross towards Roberts when a low pass would surely have presented a tap-in.
Chasing the win, Piotr Tolak was introduced as Ponty went direct. The former goalkeeper injected a new lease of life after replacing Taylor, who picked up a knock. First Tolak chased a lost cause and dug out the perfect cross for Cegielka, but the latter air kicked a tap-in from three yards. Then Tolak had an opportunity of his own but his low drive was tame and right down the goalkeeper’s throat.
Despite a flurry of activity until the final whistle, the bounce of the ball and the quality to find a last-gasp winner wasn’t there and at the final whistle both teams had to settle for a draw and a point apiece.
FULL-TIME | Rhydyfelin 2nds 2-2 Pontypridd
Pontypridd FC: Lewis Watkins [gk], Bradley Harris, Artur Cegielka, Dan Perry [c], Dan Outing (Gareth Kear 78), Aled Evans, Huw Morgan (Lewis Roberts 59), Josh Husband (Aron Barnes 69), Owain Lewis, Kieron Cook, Lewis Taylor (Piotr Tolak 84)
Sub not used: Tom Slater
Goals: K. Cook (40 pen), L. Roberts (69)
Yellow card: Josh Husband
Man of the Match: Kieron Cook
Referee: Tom Bell
