Pontypridd FC threw away a two-goal and player advantage, conceding four times in the final 22 minutes as they fell to defeat away to Rhydyfelin Non-Pol in their Taff Ely Rhymney Valley Premier Division opener.
Huw Morgan and a Liam Griffiths own goal had given the visitors a strong lead after Non-Pol’s Anthony Temple’s red card for violent conduct in the 22nd minute. A terrible second-half performance and calamitous collapse in the final quarter gave the hosts all three points.
There were starting debuts for Michal Krawcow, Dan May and Ashley Moyle and all three played an important role in a commanding first half performance. May partnered Geraint Lewis (making his first competitive appearance for two years following a knee injury and the COVID-19 pandemic) in midfield and the first 45 minutes they gave the impression of a duo that had played together for years. Moyle was lively on the right wing, Krawcow was confident between the sticks.
After an even start with few clear chances, Huw Morgan was the first to break the defensive lines and was unfortunate to see his right foot strike bounce off the post and away from goal. Dan Outing’s long throws and Ryan Jones’ corners were proving problematic for the hosts on a very narrow pitch. May and Daniel Perry both might have scored on another day.
The first half really swung Ponty’s way following a scuffle midway through the half. The melee saw Hywel Patterson and Moyle booked for the visitors, Liam Griffiths cautioned for the hosts and the severest punishment handed to Temple for violent conduct.
Just past the half hour, Hywel Patterson’s flick on fed Morgan, the winger bursting in from the left and firing low past Pitman in goal. A few minutes later, Griffiths compounded a miserable individual half by turning an Outing long throw into his own goal.
HALF-TIME | Rhydyfelin Non-Pol 0-2 Pontypridd
There second-half began with warnings of what was to come for Pontypridd. After looking so defensively assured in the first half, suddenly players were missing challengers in clusters and the Non-Pol players were making penetrating runs through midfield with too much ease.
The pressure told on the hour mark when a long-ball was badly defended, Outing ended up giving away a penalty for handball on the floor. Krawcow pulled off a magnificent penalty save to retain Ponty’s two-goal advantage. It should have been the warning to force the visitors to double their defensive efforts but it only got worse.
Non-Pol were back in the game after 68 minutes with a scrappy goal scored off a counter attack. Four minutes later Brad Harris was sent off for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity after Aled Evans’ mistake. From that point on the momentum only went one way.
Non-Pol levelled the scores with ten minutes to play through a penalty. It was backs to the wall for Ponty then but the wall couldn’t stand firm. An 89th minute header completed the turnaround for Non-Pol before a breakaway fourth in injury time sealed the win.
A shambolic second-half display that was particularly harsh on Krawcow. The young goalkeeper certainly deserved better for his efforts than to concede four goals, having saved a penalty and made several top class saves while Ponty were in the lead.
FULL-TIME | Rhydyfelin Non-Pol 4-2 Pontypridd
Pontypridd FC: Michal Krawcow [gk], Brad Harris, Ryan Jones (Aled Evans), Daniel Perry, Dan Outing, Dan May, Geraint Lewis (Rhys May), Ashley Moyle (Artur Cegielka), Huw Morgan, Kieron Cook [c] (Ryan Wheeler), Hywel Patterson
Goals: H. Morgan (31), Own Goal (34)
Red Card: B. Harris (72, DOGSO)
Yellow Cards: H. Patterson, A. Moyle, G. Lewis, D. May
MOTM: Michal Krawcow
Referee: T. Bell
