Saturday 30 January 2000

Welsh League Division One

A disappointing day out to the Rhondda for Pontardawe as they went down by a single goal at the reigning Champions.

Ponty shocked Ton in the opening period, as they took the game to the home side, but without creating any clear-cut chances. At the other end, reserve keeper Mark Price, deputising for the unavailable Adrian Barnsley, was in outstanding form, making a great save on 25 minutes from a fierce left foot drive. Ponty nearly snatched the lead on 35 minutes, as Chris Miller got a shot in, only to see Ton keeper John Roberts tip the ball around the post. 0-0 at the break.

Jason Quinn had an effort well saved three minutes into the second period, before one of those strange incidents arrived after 53 minutes. Simon Davies took the ball to the by-line, and knocked the ball back across the face of the goal. With Jason Quinn sliding in to put the finishing touch, the Ponty striker was amazed when the ball didn’t reach him – it stuck in the mud and was eagerly collected by a relieved Ton Pentre keeper! On the hour mark, Andy Richards let fly with a 30-yard attempt that bounced just in front of the keeper, but Roberts reacted brilliantly to tip the ball over the bar.

With 70 minutes gone, Ton Pentre hit Ponty with a sucker punch. A long through ball squirmed past Mark Price, and Ceri Harding somehow toe-poked the ball home from an acute angle. To their credit, Pontardawe then rolled up their sleeves, determined to grab back something from the game.

After 75 minutes, Chris Miller beat the Ton Centre half, and slipped the ball under the advancing Roberts. With Miller already turning away to celebrate, and half the Ponty bench leaping on the pitch in jubilation, the ball suddenly stuck in the mud again, and was hurriedly hoofed to safety as the Ponty team watched in disbelief.

Twice denied by the pitch, Pontardawe hammered away in the final minutes. Neil Waters got the ball into the net after 82 minutes, but the referee disallowed the effort for handball. Waters also went close with two other efforts that brought saves from John Roberts, and there was even time for the pitch to once more come to Ton Pentre’s rescue, this time a cross from Aled Rees catching a divot that deflected the ball over the in-rushing Andrew Jones’ leg.

No points, but a great performance from Ponty. With the two sides meeting again next week, this time in the Flocon Cup, Pontardawe have an early opportunity to settle the score.

PONTARDAWE: Price – Lovell – Rymer – Brown – Singh – Morse – Waters – Richards – Miller – Quinn – Davies Subs: Matthews (for Lovell 70) – Rees (for Quinn 78) – Jones (for Rymer 78)