NATHANIEL CARS
LLANTWIT MAJOR ...... 3 PONTYPRIDD TOWN ... 1
THIS was a massive three points for Llantwit Major against promotion rivals Pontypridd at Jenner Park, writes Tony Poole.
Work on Windmill Lane ground improvements led to the game being switched to Barry, and early pressure came from the Windmillers with Anthony Rawlings going close.
A free kick then caused Ponty problems after goalie Dave Burnett fumbled, but no-one was on hand to pick up the crumbs.
However, play swung end to end in exciting fashion before Llantwit Major took a 40th-minute lead from a corner.
A spectacular Sammy Snaith bicycle kick had Ponty back-pedalling, and goalie Burnett helped his effort into the net.
But the lead lasted a mere two minutes – Andrew Smith making it level-pegging – before the Windmillers responded from a contentious Ponty free kick to lead 2-1 at the changeover.
Goalkeeper Burnett struck Rawlings with it, and the ball fell to Snaith who said thank you very much for eight goals this term.
Ponty protests were brushed aside by the referee – and they were even more miffed in the 54th minute when it became 3-1.
A meandering Josh Jones dart, including a deft nutmeg, resulted in him scoring as fine a solo goal as you’ll see all season.
However, just eight will play for Boys Clubs of Wales U19s next Sunday against Scotland at Afan Lido.
He will then fly out to Germany on May 18 with the squad and participate in a three-day semi-professional tournament.
A similar path awaits Alex who will play in the U15 game with Scotland at Afan Lido this Sunday, and will follow Keane the third in Division Two in 1996/97 – Bridgend Town were champions – and while Philip Lyons netted 34 times his younger brother Darren also got a shed full of goals, finishing second on the list with a sweet 16 strikes.
It was a 1-1 draw with Bridgend Town at Lock’s Lane on April 30, 1997 that secured the Seasiders the third promotion spot.
Both goals came from the penalty spot – Kevin Bartley on target for Bridgend Town and Philip Lyons for Porthcawl.
However, that wasn’t season over for the Seasiders because they had also booked a place in the Welsh League’s Cyril Rog- Riders could only manage one goal with Lloyd Hearne the net buster.
But the Riverboaters - under the baton of inspirational captain Nathan Whelan - held their nerve and moved into the final on the back of goals from Nathan Daniel, Taylor Davis and Danny Budge.
However, with FC Maesteg launching an appeal against their Reserve team being removed from the competition, Caerau have minutes later Josh Jones saw red, and the 10 men had to park the bus during the remainder of the game.
But stout defending kept Ponty at bay, and late on Connor Goldsworthy almost made it 4-1.
Meanwhile, last night following week in heading for Germany.
Maesteg Park rewarded the pair in making a donation towards travel expenses.
“As a club we’re delighted that the abilities of the two boys has been recognised, and we wish them the best of fortune in forthcoming matches,” said Maesteg Park secretary Andrew Jones. ers Cup Final against UWIC (now Cardiff Metropolitan University) at iconic Coychurch Road in Bridgend.
In a thrilling final on May 5 1997, it was 3-3 after 90 minutes, but the Students lasted the pace better and ran out, 5-4, winners.
It almost goes without saying the Lyons’ brothers were on the scoresheet – Phil bagging a brace and Darren netting once – while the other goal came from Colin Herman.
Though Porthcawl consolidated in Division One during the 1997/98 season, finishing 12th, the season after they were relegated.
That triggered a long goodbye to the Welsh yet to establish whether they will play FC Maesteg or Pencoed Athletic in the glittering cup final.
Meanwhile, Cefn Cribwr Development XI brought the curtain down on their season in Division Two with a 5-1 defeat against Tondu Robins at Pandy Park.
The Cefn goal scorer was Jimmy Prescott.
Switching to the Celtic Tyres Premier Division Cup, Maesteg Park endured a bumpy ride before (Tuesday) Llantwit Major had another major task at Garden Village; this Saturday they entertain Risca United and on Tuesday they go to second-placed Ammanford.
However, it’s still a brave man who calls the three clubs that will play in League, and they bid it farewell in 2011.
The other notable Porthcawl goal-scoring deed during their golden era came before they were promoted to the Welsh League in 1994. coming through 3-2 away to Llanharan last Saturday at the semi-final stage.
It, however, booked them a place in the final with old pals Llangeinor at Bridgend super club Penybont a week on Friday (6pm).
Park looked good at half time when leading 2-0 on the back of goals from Luke Howells and Alex Blacker.
But by midway through the second period it was the final season of Welsh League Division One.
Teams like Aberbargoed Buds and Garden Village are the real jokers in the pack and if they play their cards right, leading candidates STM, Ammanford and Llantwit could get trumped.
During the 1990/91 season, silky operator Damian McCann scored 31 goals, as Porthcawl finished runners-up in South Wales Amateur League Division One to Hoover Sports. 2-2 – and Llanharan went on to send a penalty award high over the cross bar.
That proved costly as in a last throw of the dice, the Llynfi Valley side fed electrifying Keane Watts in the penalty area, and he duly toe-poked home a lastgasp winner.
Meanwhile, tonight (Wednesday), Maesteg Park travel to Llangeinor Park for a Nathaniel Cars Open Cup quarter-final tie with the Llan lads.