Second spot is Cwm target after they battle back to win

CWMAMMAN United remain in the hunt for second place in division one of the Welsh League after they claimed a hard-earned 2-1 win at Cwmbran Celtic.

As has happened a few times this season, Cwmamman were a little slow out of the blocks and the hosts had early control of the game. And after seven minutes Cwmbran were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box following a handball by Ben Thomas and Josh Bull stepped up to curl the ball around the left side of the wall and into the net.

Cwmbran continued on the offensive and the next 15 minutes saw them create a couple of half-chances.

But the visitors gradually began to get a foothold in the contest as Ross Morgan became more influential and they went closer to an equaliser when Ashley Curtis steered the ball just past the post.

Then Ryan Hurlow headed the ball over the keeper, but his effort was lacking in power and the keeper recovered to stop the effort.

Just before half-time Calem Rees won a tackle and his through ball released Curtis, but he was denied by Cwmbran keeper Watkins.

Cwm were fired up for the second half and with Gareth Howarth and Declan John controlling the back four, Cwmbran’s attack was no longer a threat.

In a crazy five-minute spell Cwmamman saw a number of chances go begging as scrambles in the goalmouth ended with the ball cleared over from two yards out and then the bar was rocked by a fierce shot.

An equaliser seemed inevitable, and when Chris Allen raced on to a great cross he was brought down in the box.

Ryan Thomas stepped up and calmly put his spot-kick away.

On 74 minutes some lovely play by Harris and Thomas ended with Harris shooting just wide. Luke Williams and Kyle Ashford came on for Cwm in a bid to maintain the pressure and the increasingly nervous Cwmbran defence panicked as a weak header back to the goalkeeper was fumbled and Colin Harris pounced to round the keeper and tuck his shot away.

Cwmamman manager Eirian Rees said: “This is always a tough place to come so I’m delighted the boys fought so hard to come from behind and get the win.”

Cwmamman are now up to sixth in the table with games in hand on all the teams above them. On Saturday they welcome Afan Lido to Grenig Park (2.30pm).