Top scorer Crofts hits five as the Seasiders sink sorry Butetown
TOP scorer Jorge Crofts struck five times, as leaders Porthcawl Town hit woeful AFC Butetown for six, writes Tony Poole.
It’s given the young hitman an astonishing 17 goals already for the season, but the Seasiders – who were five goals up at half time – eased off and better sides might well have punished them.
The return of Adam Jones from FC Porthcawl saw him turn in a commanding display alongside the equally influential trio of defenders in Andrew Emery, Joe Downes and Rob Davis.
And goal-hanger Thomas Warren hung Bute out to dry in a red letter day display that included two dainty assists for Crofts.
They took an eighthminute lead when Warren intercepted and put in Crofts, who shot past goalkeeper Ramos Karnouvarus.
Nine minutes later Crofts seemed to be going nowhere fast only to turn on a sixpence and crash home a powerful shot.
An Adam Jones clearance on the half-hour mark saw Crofts beat the off-side trap - and a low shot went in off the far post.
It became 4-0 in the 35th minute when Warren headed the ball on for Crofts to again score with a too-hot-to-handle effort.
And in the final move of the half, Morgan Thomas was obstructed in the box, and Mattie Ellis converted a penalty.
At 5-0 it seemed as if double figures were in the offing, but Bute then bucked up their ideas and showed more resolve.
A couple of fine Brad Robinson dives that dent- ed the goalmouth denied Bute, and the final goal arrived on 56 minutes.
This time it was Downes who played Crofts through - and it was five for him and six for the Town.
But after that rich promise things went pearshaped for Town, and it allowed Bute to exit Lock’s Lane with a degree of respect.
This Saturday Porthcawl – who have a three-point advantage over closest challengers Trebanog from two more games played – play host to second-division side AFC Bargoed in round two of the South Wales Alliance W J Owen Open Cup (1.30pm).