Fixture frustration for Porthcawl
FOOTBALL
PORT Talbot & District League Premier Division leaders FC Porthcawl suffered another frustrating weekend, writes Tony Poole.
The mean Green Machine were due to visit Bryn Rockets, but it failed to experience lift off, owing to the wet state of the pitch.
This means Porthcawl continue to head title-holders Cwmavon by eight points, but the Port Talbot village side have three games in hand.
This Saturday, Porth- cawl stage a final home league game of the season in welcoming Fairfield Wednesday to Rest Bay.
When the sides met in the reverse fixture back in October, the Green Machine triumphed 3-0.
Top scorer Joe McCarthy was on target together with Andrew Bowden and Ben Bryant.
That leaves Porthcawl with three other league games to fulfil, all away, involving Croeserw, Abercregan United and Bryn Rockets.
But for Jon McCarthy’s side to be crowned Port Talbot League champions
Back on September 25 during the reverse Kymco Stadium fixture, Bont won the day to the tune of 7-0.
But since the turn of the year, Bont had experienced a poor patch of league form, twice losing to Haverfordwest County with other defeats suffered against Barry Town United, Carmarthen Town and Cambrian & Clydach.
However, a five-match losing league streak came fying victories over Risca United and Cambrian & Clydach and a lone defeat away to Cardiff Metropolitan University.
From the word go the dancing skills of Danny Woolfenden had Barry in a twist, and he scored a second-minute goal on the end of a Connor Goldsworthy free kick.
And Goldsworthy – who recently switched to Division Three club Llantwit Major – shocked his team- during their inaugural season, then Cwmavon will have to drop points.
Behind 14-goal hitman Joe McCarthy on the Porthcawl chart are onsong James Brown and Alex Treharne with eight strikes.
Andrew Bowden has hit the target seven times; one goal back come Karl Cornock and Sam McCarthy while Ben Bryant has hit the target on five occasions.
Meanwhile, manager McCarthy has spoken to some unassigned players regarding next winter – and early signs suggest to an end at Park Avenue with the main spotlight falling on young Matt Symons.
Though Aber hit the front through Harry Horwood after 18 minutes, Matt Symons then hogged the limelight completing a quickfire hat-trick with goals on 22, 26 and 34 minutes.
Bont led 3-1 at the break, but Aber were back in contention once Sean mates in the 24th minute with a goal off his golden right peg.
Seven minutes late it became 3-0 with yet another right-footer hitting the back of the net.
It remained that way until the 63rd minute when substitute Jamie Appleby – on for injured Evan Denscombe – struck from close range on the end of a pass from on-fire Goldsworthy.
Soon after an appre- two might well push for first-team inclusion.
And on the club social scene, Porthcawl are on Saturday week staging a major event at the Ancient Briton Inn in Newton.
Footballers and surfers are joining forces in a head-shaving event to raise funds for little Ellie Roberts, daughter of Porthcawl player Hywel.
At the moment 11 big heads are down to receive a short back and sides.
Looking further ahead, Porthcawl are set to be involved in a major social event, second only in the town to the Elvis Festival. Ewart netted in the 52nd minute.
But Bont, who lost the corresponding fixture, 7-2, last season, clung on to seal the win on the strength of a last-gasp strike from Jamie Appleby.
However, Penybont Ladies suffered a blank weekend after their Wales Women’s League fixture at Pontypridd Town on Sunday was called off, owing to a waterlogged surface. ciative Kymco gallery then saluted a Goldsworthy hat-trick goal – and there was still time left on the clock for another goal.
Woolfenden danced in to collect his second goal of the night, as Bont inflicted six of the best on duly punished Barry.
But there was a downside for Bont, as Cornelly United star Callum Jones was sent off during final knockings for two bookable offences.