PREMIER DIVISION

PORTHCAWL TOWN ATHLETIC ...................... 6 CWMBACH ROYAL STARS ............................. 4

PORTHCAWL Town Athletic squandered a threegoal lead before picking up three survival points against relegated Cwmbach Royal Stars at Lock’s Lane, writes Tony Poole.

The Seasiders seemed to be breezing it after constructing a 3-0 midway through the opening half.

But the twinkling Stars then shone, restoring parity at 3-3, before Porthcawl changed ends with a 4-3 advantage.

And although Stars once more drew level on 4-4, it was a relieved home side and fans that eventually toasted a win to keep them in a Bridgend orientated Division One next winter.

An unchanged side hit the ground running with cool as a cucumber Jorge Crofts opening the scoring.

It was Crofts again soon after and Lock’s Lane was buzzing when top scorer Andy Fisher made it 3-0 with a 15th this term.

But over confidence then proved a Porthcawl bugbear, and incredibly Stars went on to square matters on 3-3.

The shell-shocked Seasiders then took stock of the situation, and delivered a key blow in the approach to half time.

Morgan Thomas and pop idol Jordan Marks combined and Crofts duly completed a quickfire hattrick.

Into the second half and after Tyler Hollidge snapped back for Stars, making it 4-4, Porthcawl emptied the bench.

Big hitters Thomas Warren and Mike Booth entered the fray and gradually the Seasiders assumed control.

A superb free-kick from Marks gave them back the lead at 5-4 while a fourth goal from man-of-thematch Crofts sealed an unbelievable and exciting victory.

His 14th goal of the season, leaving him one behind Fisher, was down to Morgan Thomas and Hayden Lau getting on the same wavelength, and Crofts did the rest from 10 metres.

Porthcawl were due to host Clwb Cymric last night (Tuesday), and wind things up at home to FC Cwmaman on Saturday week.