Pontypridd AFC men’s first team progressed in the Bernard Martin Cup with a hard-earned win away to Cilfynydd AFC.
The Black Sheep’s biggest success came in this competition with a run to the final two years ago and the potential of another cup run will lift spirits after a difficult start to the season.
Both sides came into this desperate for a result after losing their opening two league games and it was Ponty that started strongest, seizing the upper hand in the early stages and converting that dominance into a lead. Captain on the night Elis Hughes got on the end of a Frowen corner to head the Black Sheep in front and it wasn’t long before a second followed. Hughes, again involved, with a through ball that Geraint Lewis fed into Michael Clare and Ponty’s number nine made no mistake.
That should have been the platform for Ponty to go on and lay down a marker but the foot came off the pedal and the struggling hosts were allowed back into the game. When former Pontypridd player Jack Watkins cut the lead in half, it was no more than Cil deserved for not giving up.
The Black Sheep took the lead into half-time and were forced into an unexpected change. Goalkeeper Dylan Greedy – making his 50th club appearance – was unable to continue and was replaced by Owen Kingsbury in the XI on the field. Jack Foxley deputised with the gloves.
A scrappy second-half saw few clear cut chances, Ponty unable to re-assert their early control and with a narrow lead late pressure was inevitable, but the boys in black and white held firm with man of the match Elis Hughes at the heart of the rearguard.
