RESERVE DIVISION
PENYBONT .................... 3 PONTARDAWE TOWN .. 3
PENYBONT came from two goals down at half time to earn a deserved point in this West Division clash with old pals Pontardawe Town at the Kymco Stadium, writes Tony Poole.
The fourth-placed Swansea Valley side entered the game with a recording showing just one defeat in 10 league starts.
But they fell behind to a sixth-minute strike from in-form Evan Denscombe, who hit the target from 25 metres.
Ponty hit back with Gareth Govier going close, and levelled from an eighth-minute storm ending in Tom Blizzard scoring.
They went ahead in the 20th minute – Cameron Harris tapping in – and another Blizzard goal made it 3-1 on 25 minutes.
During the interval, Matthew Symons came on for Matthew SmartySmith, and Bont were back in contention after pulling a goal back in the 49th minute.
Rob Symons benefitted from a telling pass from his brother Matthew to score with ease.
And the game was building up nicely after Bont restored parity in the 55th minute.
This time a goalmouth melee developed, and Denscombe was in the right place at the right time to make it 3-3.
Though it seemed as if this entertaining clash had more goals in its locker, it failed to materialise.
However, Ponty had a great chance to enhance a title challenge after Maesteg referee Byron Evans awarded a penalty following a dodgy challenge from Bont captain Rhys Jordan.
Though Bradley Cooze struck the penalty well enough, it was too close to Kyle Lewis-Thomas, who pulled off a good save.
That was the closest either side came to exiting with a victory and only a second draw of the season left Bont in seventh spot.
A minute’s silence was observed ahead of kick off for Swansea footballer Mitchell Joseph, who last week died during a match – a collection was also made during the Briton Ferry match. THE big derby matches in Highadmit South Wales Alliance Division One just keep on coming, writes Tony Poole.
And the interest they’ve generated has resulted in this Saturday’s big derby match between Cornelly United and Cefn Cribwr being staged at Penybont Football Club.
For both clubs playing on the 3G pitch will be a new experience while fans will be treated to more comfortable and plush accommodation both on and off the field.
Last Saturday because their home match with Clwb Cymric was called off, a big Cefn contingent was spotted in a packed Meadow Street for the thrilling derby clash with Garw, who went down 3-2 in as dramatic a finish as you’ll see all season.
The other big encounter on the day saw it finish goal-less between two other promotion seeking clubs – FC Cwmaman and Trebanog.
It left the Riders with a mere one-point advantage over FC Cwmaman from a similar 16 completed fixtures.
But with six sides now battling for three promotion places, the clash between Cornelly and Cefn at the Bridgend super club on Saturday is once more vital.
When the sides met during the reverse Cae Gof fixture back in August, the Riders triumphed 2-0 courtesy of a gem from Ioan Clatworthy, and a Curtis Grant goal from a goalkeeping howler.
And Vale United face an equally important clash in Division Two against promotion rivals Cardiff Cosmos in leafy Corntown.
The battle for the three promotion places has basically been whittled down to Blaenrhondda, Penrhiwfer, Vale and Cardiff Cosmos.
Vale chief Lloyd Williams last week again dipped into the transfer market, bringing in two players on two and a half year deals – pace man Thomas Danter (Llantwit Major) and much-travelled Jack Germain.
They both put pen to paper in a secret location, and will go into the match-day squad on Saturday against Cardiff Cosmos.
These could be key players for the Cabo Roche side in a bid to make it two successive promotion seasons.
Turning to the Premier Division, bottom club Llan Rangers are away to one of the sides relegated from the Welsh League last season – Cwm Welfare.
Like Betws last season, Cwm have also found playing a level lower an equally difficult proposition.
They did, however, win the day 4-1 during the reverse fixture at the Llan Siro back in August.
Llan Rangers are still coming to terms with the recent death of former club secretary Gwyn Howells
He performed various tasks at the Llan Siro for over half a century and it was his dedication that around 10 years ago that kept Llan Rangers in the old South Wales Amateur League.
Llan on that occasion suffered a similar fate to this winter only to bounce back the season after.
Finally, in Nathaniel Cars Welsh League Division Two, Llantwit Major travel to Ammanford this Saturday.
The Windmillers last Saturday were ready to rumble against Risca United until the match referee called a halt owing to the wet state of the pitch.
This will be the third meeting of the season with the Rice Roaders, who lost 4-3 at Windmill Lane in the league back in October.
But the following month they eliminated visiting Llantwit Major from the J D Welsh Cup, 3-2 on penalties, after it finished 1-1.
In other moves on last week’s FAW transfer-list, 43-year-old veteran Steven Amos has switched from Garw to Betws.
Penybont man Joshua Jones, who lives in the Pontypool area, has signed for Division One rivals Goytre (Mon).
He shouldn’t be confused with the Llantwit Major player of the same name, who still plays for Penybont Development and Youth teams.
And former Bryntirion Athletic goalkeeper Wyn Walters, aged 33, has switched from Aberdare Town to first-division Port Talbot Town.