Sloppy Cwm pay price for a slow start

CWMAMMAN United went down to a 3-1 defeat at home to Pontardawe Town in Ardal League South West.

Ponty did the damage in a dominant opening spell.

Cwmamman were slow out of the blocks as Ponty found their rhythm almost immediately, forcing an early save from keeper James Devonald.

However, he could do nothing when striker Jordan Langley spotted him just off his line and he expertly lobbed the ball in from 25 yards.

Ponty kept up the pressure as they forced another fine save from Devonald.

Cwm’s first opportunity came when a through ball to Ryan Hurlow saw him force a save from the Ponty keeper.

But disaster struck Cwm in the 40th minute as they played the ball out across the penalty area, but Devonald didn’t see an advancing Ponty forward and clipped his ankle as he took the ball away from him.

Steven Berry put the penalty away.

The second half was a different affair, with Cwm taking the game to the opposition. A Ross Morgan free-kick was well saved and then Calem Rees was through on the keeper but saw his shot trickle past the post.

To add insult to injury, immediately afterwards a long Ponty ball split the Cwm defence and the cross evaded the defenders, allowing Josh Dorward to tap home for a 3-0 lead.

Devonald was injured in the process and was replaced from the bench by outfield player Keena Hinds.

A fine individual effort saw Hurlow pull one back in the 77th minute and then Rees hit the post with a free-kick from the edge of the box.

Rees then fired over, while Hinds made a good save at the other end.

Meanwhile, Cwmamman United Reserves came away from Port Talbot Town with a 3-0 victory.

The hosts defended resolutely throughout as Cwm played a possession-based game while patiently building attacks.

A number of chances went begging and Cwm were frustrated to go in at the break at 0-0.

The second half continued in the same vein and Cwm were awarded a penalty in the 51st minute which Brieg Matthews duly converted.

Cwm continued to build attacks and Matthews scored his second in the 75th minute.

Cwm capped a good allround performance with substitute Lewis Blofield scoring his first goal for the second team.

Cwmamman now look forward to the visit of Pontardawe Town Reserves this Saturday.