Treowen Stars vs Cwmbran Celtic

Match Report

We spurned a golden opportunity to register our first win of the season at Bush Park, Treowen when, having taken a 2-goal interval lead and then missed a penalty, they were reduced to 10-men and were eventually pegged back to concede a draw by two late goals by the home side. After the teams sparred for the 1^st 10 minutes, the Stars had 2 chances – a shot straight at Hooper and another shot wide. In the 19^th minute Celtic took the lead, Jac Evans heading home Joe Bowen’s pinpoint free kick. Treowen continued to create chances, one saved by Hooper and another shot wide. In the 39^th minute we were denied a second goal by a superb reflex save by keeper Gardiner from Josh Gibson‘s shot. However, 3 minutes later we duly got our 2^nd goal when an Alex McDowell corner was headed on by Andrew Larcombe for Isaac Powell to head into the goal at the far post.

Half time: Treowen Stars 0 Cwmbran Celtic 2

Shortly after the re-start Gibson was given a clear shot on goal by a mis-directed clearance but he shot tamely wide. On 50 minutes we had a great opportunity to put the game to bed when they were awarded a penalty for a trip on Gibson. Isaac Powell sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot kick but the ball went the wrong side of the opposite post. On 53 minutes Finlay Hayman was sent off for a very harsh 2^nd yellow card handball and this gave Treowen the fillip they needed as they dominated the last half hour. We brought on James Conway for his 1^st team debut.  Three chances were shot wide and a cross from the left was glaringly missed.

In the 85^th minute the Celtic defence was cracked when a long ball out of defence by Jak Lewis fell kindly to Gavin Meacham  who volleyed  the ball into the corner of the net. Then, in the 3^rd minute of time added on, a bounce ball in Treowen’s favour was played sideways to unmarked ex-Celtic defender Tommy James who stroked the ball into the box where Jak Lewis hit the ball hopefully on the turn goalwards, however he couldn’t have hit it any sweeter as it nestled into the net for the last-gasp equaliser.

Full time: Treowen Stars 2 Cwmbran Celtic 2

A crumb of comfort for Celtic was that this was their 3^rd game in succession without defeat in 90 minutes so, as manager Simon Berry strives to work out what is his strongest team, the performances are gradually improving and in this game they provided striker Josh Gibson with opportunities to show his class up front which have hitherto been lacking.

POM: Cole Doolan