PREMIER DIVISION
PENCOED ATHLETIC ... 2 PONTLOTTYN ............... 0
DYNAMITE Jack Delve lit the blue touch-paper on this explosive Pencoed victory over Pontlottyn, writes Tony Poole.
The former Penybont star, who has recently disappointed a big fan base with some low key finishing, was a real jack in the box against the final South Wales Senior League champions of 2015.
The Felindre Road side, who are enjoying a great run under manager Mark Powell, were unchanged from the side that three days earlier won, 3-0, against Cardiff Corries at The Riverside.
Though the Furnace men had the better of the argument for 25 minutes, they never really tested star stopper Matt Roberts.
But it was all change once one-touch play led to dynamite Delve producing a finish that made him the darling of the Bridgend Super Club at Penybont.
But manager Powell was almost pulling his hair out after it would have been easier for Adam Brimble to scalp Pont than give the cross bar a haircut from six yards.
Some fans felt the ball bobbled just as nimble Brimble pulled the trigger - but it didn’t prove an expensive blunder.
In the 50th minute, full-back Ashley Beckett swung the ball over, and cool as a cucumber Delve rekindled the salad days with a 10th goal of the season to level with becalmed Kyle Owen.
Though Coed weren’t counting chickens, Lewis Butler, Richie Lewis and hot-shot Hopkins continued to rule the midfield roost.
And despite substitute Keegan Alexander and dynamite Delve missed chances to enhance the lead, Coed were clever winners.
“Pontlottyn were like a furnace at times, making us work hard for victory, but the boys stuck it out well on a difficult playing surface,” said boss Powell during his press conference.
“Five straight wins and four clean sheets is exceptional form from what is basically a young team.’’
Tonight (Wednesday) Pencoed host old pals AFC Butetown, and on Saturday they are away to Merthyr Saints. corners and eventually Adam Jones benefited from a parried Bowden effort.
Porthcawl have just one remaining league match, but they will have to wait until May 2 before visiting Abercregan United.
But with title-holders Cwmavon winning 5-0 at Bryn Rockets last Saturday, they are eight points adrift of Porthcawl with three games in hand.
FC Porthcawl went on to gain a 3-1 win over Baglan Dragons at the Evans Bevan in the League Cup to set up a semi-final clash this Saturday with Tata Steel at the Steel Ground in Margam.
Following a goal-less opening half, a 50thminute goal from Alex Treharne proved significant for more than one reason.
It was the 100th team goal in league and cup - but it was soon nullified by a debatable Baglan penalty.
However, things were then evened up when the mean Green Machine got a penalty that top scorer Joe McCarthy converted.
And they sealed the win with a late Karl Cornock strike that Treharne engineered.