DIVISION ONE
CORNELLY UNITED ..... 3 TONYREFAIL BC .......... 0
CORNELLY United stretched an unbeaten run to 12 matches, but the scoreline flattered them during this victory over Tonyrefail Boys Club, writes Tony Poole.
Though the Meadow Street boys started without top scorer Carl Owen (suspended) along with other potent hit men like William Thyer and Joe Jones, they proved more lethal finishers.
And that was down to on the money Ryan Penny-Hughes, who cashed in twice, and a sixth of the season from Dann Jones.
They also fielded two Christmas presents in the form of ex-Kenfig Hill centre-half Chris O’Neill, who had a fine debut, and midfield schemer Arran Jefferies from Division One pals Garw.
Following a cagey opening, packed with cat and mouse tactics, Ton clipped the woodwork in the eighth minute via Josh Ellis.
A driven Penny cross into the six-yard box went begging for Cornelly, who then survived two major scares.
A fine reflex save from home goalkeeper Luke Jones denied Danny Millard while Nathan Williams went clear only to be driven wide, and shot in to the sidenetting.
However, Cornelly ended the half with a flourish and a Penny pearler was diverted for an unproductive 43rd-minute corner.
But a minute later exGarw stars Justin James and Arran Jefferies combined to send Dale Smith into acres of space.
His right-wing cross picked out Penny, who deposited the ball in the net that was guarded by Ricardo Freitag.
That was the half-time score, and straight from the kick the Meadow Street boys almost doubled the lead.
Penny turned on a sixpence to free Smith, but the Cornelly chairman failed to get the better of goalkeeper Freitag. half time when James Loveridge netted.
It remained that way until the 73rd minute, and the time was right for Thomas Davies to restore parity.
However, they were only back on terms for two minutes – the Sospans came on the boil and were awarded a penalty that Loveridge duly converted.
Back came Bont to deservedly square matters through a fine Josh Jones strike.
And the clubs will meet again at Stebonheath on February 2, this time in the Welsh Premiership Development League Cup (7.30pm).
In the other semi-final, saying that John Lewis stored up another big Blandy performance, and against the Llynfi Valley side his sublime skills were again in the shop window.
Though Lewis surprisingly failed to get on the scoresheet, he must soon appear on the first team shopping-list.
The Blandy boys pulled clear on the back of hat-tricks from Harry Davies and Macaulay Stevens.
Electric sweeper Dai Broom brushed in two goals while Andrew Morris drove on to the scoresheet once.
Next up for Garw
But another goal was just around the corner, and it unfolded in the 52nd minute from a splendid Callum Jones touchline dart.
His cross was tailormade for Penny to slide the ball past Freitag, and it nestled in the far corner of the net.
On the hour a Ton free kick from Williams was diverted on to the cross bar by goalkeeper Luke Jones – and it became 3-0 in the 63rd minute.
Justin James sent Callum Jones away down the right flank and this time Dann Jones took his time before beating Freitag.
During the remainder of the game, Ton carved out more in the way of clear-cut chances, but their finishing was woeful.
A seventh league win of the season moved Cornelly up into seventh spot, and they remain promotion outsiders.
They head to Premier Division club Caerphilly Athletic on Saturday in the league’s W J Owen Open Cup ahead of season-defining home derby clashes with Garw and Cefn Cribwr. cup holders Cambrian & Clydach entertain Swansea City.
Turning to the Nathaniel Cars Welsh League Reserve Division (West), Penybont suffered a 5-0 defeat against Pontyclun at Ivor Park.
Meanwhile, on last week’s FAW transfer-list, 17-year-old Joseph Mellars has exited Penybont, and linked with Welsh Premiership club Barry Town United.
It was recently announced that the Bridgend College student had been included in a Welsh Colleges squad for the Roma Caput Mundi tournament in Rome next month. is a long trip on Saturday to Carne Rovers in the league, and an overnight stay is in the offing.
Though table-topping Pencoed sat out last Saturday’s league programme, closest challengers Cefn Cribwr caught Tondu Robins on the hop, and flew to a 6-0 win at Pandy Park.
It left the Riders 12 points shy of the Felindre Road boys, who have completed four more games.
Pencoed hope to resume post-Christmas duties away to FC Maesteg on Saturday while Cefn visit Llangeinor.