Cwmbran Celtic vs Briton Ferry Llansawel

Match Report

Matchday Programme

After beating top of the table Llanelli 10 days ago, Celtic were hoping to pick up another big scalp when they entertained second in the table Briton Ferry Llansawel on Saturday at the Avondale Motor Park Arena.

The Celtic team was unchanged from the eleven that started their last game – a 1-1 draw at Llantwit Major. The first half was a cat and mouse affair with neither side managing to make the breakthrough until, on the stroke of half-time, a long kick from goalkeeper Iwan Hooper fell kindly for top scorer Alex Bonthron who gratefully accepted the opportunity and placed a left foot shot past Pennock in the visitor’s goal to send Celtic into the break with a 1-0 lead.

Briton Ferry Llansawel came out with a bit more intent at the start of the second period and looked more of a threat. It was no real surprise when they equalised in the 63^rd minute – centre back Kris Evans firing home after the ball fell to him following a corner. Celtic fought hard to retake the lead and Alex Bonthron was unlucky on a number of occasions not to add to his goal tally. This was particularly so when he was put though on goal and expertly beat Pennock only for his effort to be ruled out for offside when it looked like he had timed his run perfectly.

Another controversial decision followed in the 74^th minute. When the referee blew for a foul on the edge of the Celtic penalty area, just about everyone in the crowd thought he was awarding a free kick to the home side but, inexplicably, he pointed to the spot and awarded the away team a penalty which Luke Bowen gratefully converted with a shot that sent Hooper the wrong way. So potentially from going 2-1 up Celtic found themselves 2-1 down!

However, the home side didn’t give up and, in the first minute of time added on, a goal bound touch from Lewis Iles was helped into his own net by defender Alex Gammond and Celtic thought they had earned a well-deserved draw.

Football can be a cruel game though and in the 3^rd minute of added time, Tom Walters seized on an opportunity to score the visitors an unlikely third goal and four minutes later, with Celtic pushing forward to try to find another equaliser, Caleb Demery broke free down the right and expertly guided a shot past Hooper to wrap up the points for the visitors.

Although losing the game, Celtic can be proud of their performance against a team that may well be playing in the Cymru (Premier) League next season.