Pontypridd United vs Cwmbran Celtic

Match Report

We slumped to our worst away defeat in 20 years in Welsh League/Cymru South football on a blustery Friday night at a rain-soaked 4G USW ground. We started confidently in the first quarter, Bowen and  another firing shots over the bar and at the other end Hooper made a fine diving save from Sam Johnson’s shot. However, in the next 7 minutes the floodgates opened. On 22 minutes Thomas Hillman lifted the ball over the static defence for the unmarked Johnson to slot home. In the 25^th minute Selway’s cross was met by a diving header from Edwards to score. Two minutes later a superb cross-field pass with the outside of his boot by  Saddler found Hillman on the left. He casually slipped past his marker and then Hooper to stroke the ball into the empty net. The Powell brothers Sam and Isaac both collected yellow cards within 5 minutes of each other and Ponty hit the bar before half time.

In the 56^th minute the hosts were 4-0 ahead. Veale’s corner headed home by the unmarked Angel. On 73 minutes it was 5-0, a shot from 25 yards by Marsh taking a deflection over Hooper’s head into the net. Kian Bodenham came on in the 77^th minute for his first game for over a year following his serious injury last season and he was quickly into the action bringing a diving save from keeper Clarke. In the 86^th minute some awful defending  in our own penalty area led to Hillman pinching the ball and laying it in front of goal for Johnson to tap in. Hooper made a brilliant save off Marsh and Gameson headed home the resultant corner from Hillman (his 3^rd assist) to complete the rout.

This was our 6^th successive defeat to Pontypridd at the USW ground stretching back to January 2020 when we were beaten 6-1 (includes defeat on penalties in this season’s MG Cup). That was the last time we scored in these games; since then we have conceded 14 without reply. Spare a thought for returning man of the match Kian Bodenham. His last game in September 2024 when he was injured was a 5-0 defeat. His comeback game a 7-0 defeat.