NATHANIEL CARS
PONTYPRIDD TOWN ... 0 LLANTWIT MAJOR ...... 1
IF conceding the double to Caldicot Town was the low point of the season then this win over highflying Pontypridd Town at the USW Sports Park forms the highlight, writes Tony Poole.
It consolidated sixth spot in the table and with games in hand promotion to the top tier remains very much on.
On a first visit to the new Ponty base in Treforest, Llantwit hit the ground running with Sammy Snaith scuffing a shot on goal.
A cold and swirling wind made life difficult for both sides, but it was the home defence that was coming more under the cosh.
Neat and fast football was right out of the Karl Lewis coaching manual, and the only time visiting goalkeeper Jack Landsdown was troubled was from a speculative 40-metre effort.
The goal that settled the destination of the points arrived in the 44th minute after the Windmillers forced a corner.
Ex-Penybont star Connor Goldsworthy used the wind to curl his flag-kick into the penalty area.
Heads went up but the ball simply eluded everyone and to the delight of travelling fans, it went in at the far post.
His third goal of the season was to prove the difference between the sides, but before the points were banked Llantwit Major had to remain steadfast at the back.
However, Michael Hartley then shaved the cross bar on the end of a Jonny Butler cross while Ponty missed out during a oneon-one with goalkeeper Landsdown, who made himself big.
Anthony Rawlings on two occasions just failed to put the game to bed, and late on there was a heart-stopping moment.
Though Ponty had the ball in the back of the net on 85 minutes, the flag of an assistant referee was already raised for off side.
But during final knockings, the Windmillers wound down the clock to record their most significant win of the season.
Tonight (Wednesday) Llantwit Major visit Aberdare Town while on Saturday they entertain AFC Llwydcoed.