Cwmamman enjoy a productive Easter period
AS the free Easter eggs were being handed out around Grenig Park on Saturday, Cwmamman United welcomed high-flying Cambrian & Clydach in a game that will have a big influence on who finishes as runners-up in division one of the Welsh League this season.
Cwm went into the match with a catalogue of injuries, with half a dozen of the first-team squad unavailable for selection. This did not deter them, however, and they showed the spirit within the squad as they won a thrilling, open match 2-1.
Cwm started brightly, with Kyle Ashford finding space out wide and causing problems, but it was Cambrian who took the lead after 11 minutes when an overhit cross dipped at the last minute and over Chris Curtis into the goal.
This freak goal did not deter Cwm and Ryan and Ben Thomas were bossing the middle, with Colin Harris firing off neat through balls.
Cwm’s injury woes worsened when Luke Allen hobbled off to be replaced by Jake Liles, who went on to have a good game. Then a great Calem Rees cross found Hurlow, who turned neatly, only to be tripped in the box. Ryan Thomas fired home from the spot for a 1-1 score at half-time.
The second half saw Cwm move into the ascendancy as Nathan Mcneill and Gareth Howarth dominated the middle of defence. Ashford made a great run along the byline and saw his shot hit the post with the keeper beaten. Cambrian continued to play neat football and themselves hit the bar after a great move.
Cwm were awarded another penalty for a trip, and Thomas again stepped up to fire it home.
The game continued to move from end to end as Cambrian chased the game, with Hurlow and Chrissy Allen going close for Cwm.
Stuart Dunn came on for the injured Howarth and Grant Rees came on as legs tired in the heat.
There was then the usual nerveshredding finish as Curtis pulled off two great saves to see Cwm home.
Cwm are away to Undy Athletic tonight and are home to Goytre on Saturday.
Last Wednesday Cwmamman travelled to in-form Goytre United and came away with a creditable 1-1 draw after a bruising but fair encounter.
The result came at a cost as they lost Ashley Johns and Ross Morgan to injury to add to the loss of Declan John and Ashley Curtis the previous week.
With both teams making tackles count there were not many chances in the first half. Nathan Mcneill and Ashley Johns were coping well with the aerial bombardment while Chrissy Allen was having his own personal battle up front aided by the probing of Luke Williams.
The second half picked up as Goytre pressed more, giving Luke Allen and Calem Rees plenty of covering to do on the flanks.
The game swung when Goytre fired in a vicious swerving shot from the edge of the box, leaving Chris Curtis with no chance.
Goytre were now pressing strongly and Harris, Morgan and Thomas were on overtime in Cwm’s midfield trying to stem the tide.
But Cwm started putting some neat moves together and a beautiful floated pass from Harris over the defence found Allen, who chested it down and skilfully placed it past the keeper.
Ben Thomas and Kyle Ashford came on and made an immediate impact. Goytre kept up the pressure and Cwm survived a couple of late goalmouth scrambles to see the game out for a hard-earned draw.
■ It wasn’t such a successful Easter week for mid-table Ammanford as they went down 4-1 at home to Afan Lido on Saturday, having also lost 2-1 at Briton Ferry Llansawel last Tuesday night. Their next game was away to bottom club Ton Pentre last night, and on Saturday they are home to Taffs Well.