Pontypridd AFC men’s first team bounced back from last week’s horror show with a dominant win away to Hopkinstown. There was no repeat of last season’s fixture when Ponty squandered chance after chance in a 1-0 defeat. This time the Black Sheep took their chances in a display that was as excellent as last week’s home defeat to Ynysybwl was bad.
Callum Rendell led the way with a man of the match performance, grabbing a brace and an assist, as he continues to establish himself as an important player in the first team squad.
Rendell broke the deadlock with a superb solo goal, beating several home defenders on his way to scoring. This was just reward for the start Ponty made to the game, Michael Clare going close before Rendell’s opener. Charlie Hobby added a second from a free kick before Clare did get his name on the scoresheet thanks to a Rendell assist.
Three-nil up after half an hour was no more than the Black Sheep deserved, playing some fantastic one-touch football.
Hopkinstown did get one back before half-time and this spurred them on in the second-half. Putting the Ponty box under pressure for the first 20 minutes after the break, the Black Sheep had to show resilience and determination to hold off this home surge and prevent an unwanted comeback.
The introduction of Nathan Eratne and Jack Foxley helped turn the momentum. Eratne made an immediate impact, turning a defender in the box and squaring for Clare to double his tally, then blocking a clearance that presented man of the match Rendell with the opportunity to score his second and Ponty’s fifth.
Jack Foxley then added his own contribution with a goal of the season contender, firing into the top corner from outside the box.
Head coach John Radnor was delighted after the game, this was the perfect response to last week and despite missing some first team regulars, Radnor felt this was some of the best football the team have played in months. Now it’s time for the side to find some consistency and string together a run of performances.
