Pontypridd suffered their second home league defeat of the season as high flying Aber Valley 2nds hit two goals in the final quarter to secure a win that takes them back to the top of the TERV Alliance division one.
After Lewis Taylor had spectacularly equalised a first-half Bradley Harris own goal, the home side were looking the stronger outfit but Aber hit back well with a double sucker-punch and ensured they left the Maritime with all three points.
After the festive break, there were a few changes to the starting line-up. Bradley Harris replaced the injured Tom Slater, Artur Cegielka and Gareth Davies’ unavailability saw Ryan Jones and Aled Evans return to the first XI; captain Kieron Cook partnered top-scorer Liam Griffiths up front. Dan Outing and John Radnor continued in defence with Daniel Perry serving the last of his three-match suspension.
In a cagey start to the game there were very few attacking opportunities, although Pontypridd enjoyed the majority of possession with Aled Evans and Lewis Taylor the brightest sparks as they ventured forward, particularly on the right where Taylor enjoyed plenty of space for his trademark dribbles. However, as they grew into the game Aber conjured the first few attempts on goal. Tolak had to make one smart stop from an 18-yard shot, while a long free kick pumped into the box created some uncertainty at the back and Pontypridd were lucky to see a close-range header drift wide of the post with Tolak stranded.
The pressure of this spell eventually tolled when Bradley Harris unfortunately (and inadvertently) deflected a cross-shot past Tolak to give the visitors the lead in the 24th minute. Aled Evans came closest to levelling the scores, eliciting a good low save with a drive from the edge of the box but that was Pontypridd’s only effort on target in the first-half and they were lucky not to be two-down at half-time because Aber squandered a glorious opportunity from six yards with the final kick of the first half.
HALF-TIME | Pontypridd 0-1 Aber Valley 2nds
Despite gifting Aber a shooting chance inside the first minute, Pontypridd started the second-half the better side. Kieron Cook snatched at a half-chance from outside the penalty area after collecting a poor clearance and with the Aber keeper having left his goal unguarded. Ryan Jones was inches from connecting with a loose ball from a corner and Cook fired wide from six yards on the hour.
Lewis Taylor finally got Ponty on level terms, glided inside from the left the space opened up to shoot with his right foot and he fired low past the despairing dive of the Aber custodian from 25 yards. Another long-range strike for the season’s reel of honour.
The goal gave Pontypridd a shot of confidence and they now looked like the side with the momentum to go and win the game, but Aber found their second goal to shift things their way with 20 minutes left on the clock. Three minutes later a free header at a corner was converted at the back post and the visitors established what proved to be an unassailable lead.
There was a fair bit of huffing and puffing in the Ponty ranks, but Aber’s experienced and well-drilled defensive unit saw out the final stages with relative ease.
FULL-TIME | Pontypridd 1-3 Aber Valley 2nds
Pontypridd FC: Piotr Tolak [gk], Bradley Harris (Adam Davies 66), John Radnor, Dan Outing, Ryan Jones (Lewis Roberts 66), Owain Lewis, Huw Morgan (Daniel May 81), Aled Evans (Tom Sheppeard 62), Lewis Taylor, Kieron Cook [c], Liam Griffiths (Callum Roper 81)
Goal: L. Taylor (63)
Man of the Match: Lewis Taylor
Referee: Simon White
