Llantwit Major vs Cwmbran Celtic

Match Report

Cwmbran Celtic registered their 1^st league points of the season with a 2-0 win in the basement battle with last season’s champions Llantwit Major. The home side’s ranks have been decimated by the close season mass defections which left them with only 2 regular players from last season in their 18 man squad and only one other transferred player with Cymru League experience.

Celtic welcomed the experienced Jordan Meaney and Tom Meechan back for their 1^st games of the season and there were first starts for defender Taylor Davies and new goalie signing Joe Regan. In stifling 35◦ heat Celtic were well in control in the opening quarter and it was no surprise when on 8 minutes Alex Bonthron swivelled and hit a well-controlled shot low into the corner of the net (Meechan assist). Dominic Connor went close with a shot which just cleared the bar but Llantwit got into the game as the half progressed and brought a good save from Regan diving low to his left. In the 56^th minute Bonthron was halted in the box by a handball and the striker drilled an unstoppable spot kick high into the net to give his side a 2 goal cushion. Thereafter Llantwit had more of the game but fashioned only one clear chance which Regan stopped at his left post with a quick reaction block while at the other end Lewis Iles scraped the bar with a header.

Celtic’s new back 3 formation and Regan’s assured display between the sticks secured the team’s 1^st clean sheet in 10 games which lifted Celtic to 10^th in the league.