The first team prevailed in the battle of the Black Sheep at Ynysangharad Park in the Bernard Martin Cup, but it was not without Pontypridd Reserves threatening an upset with a strong first half performance in the first ever competitive fixture between Pontypridd AFC’s two senior sides.
Tom Slater’s penalty following a handball put the 2s into an early lead and a combination of resolute defence and wayward finishing maintained that lead in a frustrating first half for the first team. Bradley Harris’ well taken goal before half time doubled the Reserves lead at the interval.
However, the first team came back strongly in the second half and quickly levelled the tie through Ashley Moyle and Elis Hughes. Joao Leal poached from close range after good work by Nathan Eratne and once they had taken the lead, the first team never looked back.
Elis Hughes completed his brace with a nice finish before Hywel Patterson, Dylan Porter and Geraint Lewis struck late on against a tired 2s to add some gloss to the scoreline for the firsts.
PONTYPRIDD AFC [firsts] 7 A. Moyle (48), E. Hughes (52, 71), J. Leal (66), H. Patterson (80), D. Porter (86), G. Lewis (89)
PONTYPRIDD AFC RESERVES 2 T. Slater (8 pen), B. Harris (45+1)
Pontypridd AFC [firsts]: Connor Bickford [gk], Dan Nuttall (Nathan Eratne 57), Ross Thomas (Jack Foxley 78), Jonny Hughes, Elis Hughes, Aled Evans [c], Geraint Lewis, Dan May (Joao Leal 61 (Piotr Tolak 75)), Dylan Porter, Lewis Roberts, Ashley Moyle (Hywel Patterson 68)
Pontypridd AFC Reserves: Alex Mitchell-Charman [gk], Louie Sellwood, Gareth Panes (Leo Wilson 72), Rhys Boots (Kaden Harris 67), Dan Outing [c], Seb Cegielka, Bradley Harris, Dai Llewellyn, Josh Jones (Michal Krawcow 54), Spencer Banner, Tom Slater (Liam Griffiths 56)
Referee: M. Ford
