Pontypridd Town 0-1 Llantwit Major – Major hold out with fortunate Goldsworthy strike

A wind-swept goal from Connor Goldsworthy gave Llantwit Major victory over Pontypridd TOwn in a big win at the top of Division Two. 

The two sides who still have half the season to play were separated by just the one goal, which bumps the Windmillers up to 6th place. For Pontypridd, they are now four points behind league leaders STM Sports.

Pontypridd Town had the first shot on effort, as James Hill attempted a low shot from outside the box, forcing Jack Lansdowne to save his shot for a corner. The Dragons had a good passing movement, which began an attack, James Hill crossed in low to Matthew Hibbs, but Sean Williams was there to make a telling block.

Llantwit Majors route at goal looked like it would come on the counter-attack, after defending from Pontypridd corners. However, the game was being controlled from the midfield.

Ponty’s attacking threat came through dead ball situations, Danny Hooper put the corner in and Gavin Beddard strayed his header just across goal.

Beddard was given the first yellow card of the game, after going through Robert Jones.

Towards the end of the first half, Major was in the ascendancy and their goal came. Sam Snaith played a delicate pass to Michael Hartley, as he pulled the trigger for David Burnett to save.

From the resulting corner, Connor Goldsworthy swept in the corner attempting to find the head of a Major player but instead, it found its way in bizarre fashion, with the Pontypridd players stunned.

That goal got Pontypridd into gear and with the final chance of the half, Danny Hooper’s cross was met by the head of Gavin Beddard, but it sailed over the bar and behind for a goal kick.

The second half began and Llantwit had all the attacking intentions. Scott Hillman made a well-timed challenge on Anthony Rawlings to deny him an almost certain chance of a goal.

Rawlings was presented with another opportunity, but the recent signing from Port Talbot Town put his chance over the bar.

The home side had intentions of getting back into the game, with James Hill busting a gut down the line, forcing Sean Williams to put it behind for a corner, after almost catching out Jack Lansdown. Hooper put it in the corner and Hillman forced a header at goal bt Major stood firm.

Llantwit had the chance to double their lead when Sam Snaith was put in, but he squandered the chance by dragging his shot wide. They continued to push and Snaith who was showing his ability in holding the ball up with his physical power, crossed the ball into Robert Jones but Bobby Briers made a crucial tackle to deny him.

As the game approached the final fifteen minutes, Pontypridd continued to pepper the Major goal, Bobby Briers lifted the ball to Luke Gullck who crossed it to substitute Adam Johns but his header fell into the arms of Lansdown.

Aidan Lewis was the next to test Lansdown, he managed to hit a shot on the half volley, forcing the keeper to dive down and put it behind. In the final five minutes, the ball was in the back of the net, but Luke Gullick was judged to be offside after poking the ball home from close range.

Pontypridd Town 

Burnett, Briers (C), Hooper, Easter, Hillman, Bird, Gullick, Lewis, Beddard, Hibbs, Hill

Llantwit Major

Lansdown, Fletcher, Goldsworthy, Robinson, S Williams, Llewellyn, Butler, Hartley, Snaith, Rawlings, R Jones