Artur Cegielka’s first-half brace helped Pontypridd to record back-to-back wins for the first time since September, seeing off a resolute and hard-working Rhydyfelin 2nds at a misty Maritime 3G.
After nearly half an hour of stubborn resistance by the visitors, Cegielka scored twice in nine minutes – including a sensational half-volley – to give Pontypridd a commanding lead. Huw Morgan came off the bench to score his first ever goal for the club to cap a resounding win.
Due to player availability there were some changes from the side that won at Fochriw a fortnight ago. Piotr Tolak was restored in goal, allowing Artur Cegielka to fill the boots of the absent Gareth Davies in attack. Lucas Hickman replaced the unavailable Bradley Harris at right back.
Pontypridd had an opportunity to take the lead inside the first minute; an attack from kick-off presenting a chance for top scorer Liam Griffiths but his shot was blocked. However, Rhydyfelin came closest to taking the lead inside the first minutes when a long-range strike deceived Tolak in the air and fortunately for the home side the ball ricocheted off the post and away from goal (despite Rhydyfelin’s player wheeling away to celebrate).
Nevertheless, Pontypridd were the side doing most of the pressing. Dan Perry was denied by a brilliant diving save and Dan Outing was only denied a tap-in by a last-gasp tackle. A Rhydyfelin defender almost put through his own net as Ryan Jones’ corners caused havoc in the penalty area. The visitors settled in though and did a good job frustrating Ponty in the first 25 minutes or so, with much of the play congested in the central areas. It was when Pontypridd built some play down the flank that the goal opening goal came.
Lucas Hickman advanced from right back and combined superbly with Lewis Taylor. A swift one-two released Taylor into space on the right and his low cross was converted at the back post by Cegielka. Ryan Jones came close to doubling the lead with a well-executed half volley on the swivel but Cegielka did even better a few minutes later. Running onto Dan Outing’s ball forward, Cegielka unleashed a powerful half-volley from the left inside forward’s channel that rocketed into the top corner for his 6th goal of the season.
Cegielka had a chance to complete a first-half hat-trick but he ballooned his close range effort after his pace again got him behind the away defence. A two-goal Pontypridd had to settle for at the break.
HALF-TIME | Pontypridd 2-0 Rhydyfelin 2nds
The early stages of the second-half carried the narrative of whether Cegielka could complete his hat-trick and he was engaged in a personal duel with the young Rhydyfelin custodian to achieve that feat. Unfortunately, the Rhyd stopper three times denied Cegielka “the match ball” and after Ryan Jones was forced off with a wrist injury, Cegielka dropped back into defence and that opportunity was gone.
Daniel Perry did bulge the net though, heading Jones’ corner into the goal in the 56th minute but referee Simon White ruled out the goal for an apparent nudge. Owain Lewis was denied by a superb tackle as he was about to pull the trigger before Liam Griffiths had an effort cleared off the line. Substitute Aron Barnes should have done better with a free header and Perry skied a close range effort over the bar from a Barnes corner.
Fortunately, this profligacy in front of goal was not punished at the other end; the Ponty defence having the measure of the Rhydyfelin attack apart from the occasional uncomfortable moment. That Piotr Tolak only had one comfortable save to make in the second-half is a measure of Pontypridd’s meanness at the back.
The win was sealed and topped in the final minute when good work by substitute Tom Sheppeard allowed Huw Morgan’s appearance off the bench to be marked with his first ever goal for the club (in his 29th appearance).
FULL-TIME | Pontypridd 3-0 Rhydyfelin 2nds
Pontypridd FC: Piotr Tolak [gk], Lucas Hickman, Daniel Perry, Dan Outing, Ryan Jones (Tom Sheppeard 74), Aled Evans, Kieron Cook [c], Owain Lewis (Huw Morgan 70), Lewis Taylor, Artur Cegielka, Liam Griffiths (Aron Barnes 70)
Subs not used: Thomas Slater, Callum Roper
Goals: A. Cegielka (27, 36), H. Morgan (90)
Man of the Match: Aled Evans
Referee: Simon White
