A brace from substitute Sam Jones helped Cambrian and Clydach Vale to a 3-0 win against strugglers Taff’s Well, as Dane Williams’ men kept their unbeaten away record intact.
Jones entered the fray in the 68th minute and popped up with two goals in the last five minutes to see off a Taff’s Well side who battled hard throughout.
A first-half strike by the impressive Liam Edwards put Cam ahead at the break, and they had to be patient after the interval against a well-organised Wellmen defence.
The win sees Cambrian climb to second in Division One, leapfrogging Haverfordwest County who lost 3-0 at home to Penybont.
Both sides struggled to adapt to the conditions early on, with numerous passes going astray and needless fouls given away.
In slippery conditions underfoot, Cambrian’s Liam Edwards showed quick feet to nutmeg full-back Liam Sylvester, before being shepherded out of play.
Taff’s Well vs. Cambrian & Clydach Vale. (Jordan Jones)
The opening quarter of an hour was very stop-start, with neither side able to build consistent spells of pressure and conceding a lot of free-kicks in midfield.
Dane Williams’ side took the lead after a break down the left by Liam Reed put his side on the front foot, he played the ball inside to Liam Edwards who got onto his right foot and curled an effort into the right corner to put his side ahead.
The goal helped the visitors to settle into the game, after becoming embroiled in the type of battle which wasn’t conducive to their style of play.
Former Welsh international goalkeeper Glyn Garner was busy on the night and was called into action just before the half-hour mark.
The visitors worked the ball into the box, and forward Richard French got a shot away which was saved by Garner. Cam were able to recover the ball and goalscorer Edwards shot from inside the area, saw his effort parried back towards him, shot again, and once more Garner was up to the task.
The hosts saw their claims for a goal waved away after a header on the goal came close to crossing the line. The Wellmen, however, were penalised for a foul on keeper Dan Bradley.
Jordan Carey saw his shot from just outside the area saved by Bradley before Garner was called upon once again.
A mistake in midfield gave French the chance to run at the Wellmen defence, he got a shot away which was saved, and the ball rebounded to Edwards who’s effort was pushed away.
Bradley had to be alert in between the sticks at the start of the second half, and he did well to get a strong glove to Jason Matthews’ powerful free-kick.
Sam Jones scores for Cambrian & Clydach Vale. (Jordan Jones)
The visitors began to take control after the hour mark and went close when Kyle Jones, who was free inside the area, saw his shot cannon off the left post.
Garner was on hand to deny Reed’s low effort five minutes later after the forward was played in by an incisive through ball.
Centre-back Joe Evans was the latest Cambrian player to have an effort on goal, the Taff’s Well defence scrambled well to block the shot away.
Garner produced an eye-catching acrobatic save to deny Sam Jones’ shot, which was destined for the top right corner.
Jones was not to be denied 10 minutes later.
The replacement was played in on goal and made no mistake in finding the right corner of the goal to all but clinch the win.
The Wellmen, pushing for a consolation goal, were light at the back and Cam were able to take advantage in the dying minutes.
Reed found space down the right and played a pinpoint cross into Jones who tapped in to score his second and Cambrian’s third of the evening.
Jones celebrates after scoring against Taff’s Well. (Jordan Jones)
Jamie Sherwood’s side were left to reflect on a game where they competed for large periods but were ultimately undone by a side which had that extra bit of quality in the final third.
Speaking after the win, Cambrian & Clydach Vale manager Dane Williams said: “I think the scoreline flatters us because of how late we scored the two goals. Looking at the game overall, we had enough chances to maybe score three.”
“We’ve taken our chances at the end and got the three points.”
“We didn’t start the game very well, but to give credit to Taff’s Well, they’re in a difficult situation at the moment and we expected them to come out in the first 20 minutes and put up a fight.”
Commenting on Jones’ performance off the bench, Williams said: “Sam has been superb, I think he’s our top scorer now and that’s another two for us. We need someone scoring goals, so I’m very happy!”
Cam host Cwmbran Celtic on Saturday, a club that Williams has a lot of time for: “I like Cwmbran Celtic, I’ve been very fond of them over the years. I like what they do and what they’re about.
It’ll be a tough game, it always is.”
Taff’s Well: Garner, Sylvester, Davidson, Jones (c), O’Sullivan, Barnett, Davies, Matthews, Bertorelli, Carey, Hughes.
Substitutes: Davies, Thomas, Garrett, Anney, Fawcett.
Cambrian & Clydach Vale: Bradley, Evans, Keetch, Crutch, Coles, Thomas (c), Jones, Shephard, French, Edwards, L. Reed.
Substitutes: S. Jones, M. Jones, Owen, Lloyd, N. Reed.
(Featured image: Jordan Jones)
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