(Image: Darren Griffiths)
Luke Gullick scored a hat-trick to reach 101 goals for Pontypridd Town against a poor Ammanford to give manager Lee Kendall victory in his first game in charge.
The 32-year-old who has been with the club for five-years scored twice in the first half and a goal in the second to give Pontypridd their first victory of the year.
Substitute Kareem Leigh also scored a brace with two superb long-distance efforts in the final fifteen minutes to provide a five-star performance for the Dragons.
Pontypridd were disciplined in the way that they defended, nullifying the Ammanford attack, who offered a minimal threat to the hosts.
Luke Gullick scored in the first real opportunity of the game. Ammanford failed to clear a Lee Baldock free-kick and Gullick tucked his shot past Craig Morris.
Scott Hillman made a crucial tackle on Alfie Stottor to deny the Ammanford attacker a clear-cut opportunity. Hillman was doing well to man-mark forward Craig Frater as he tracked the Ammanford forward’s runs.
In search of their second goal, Matthew Hibbs almost doubled the home sides advantage. Lee Baldock’s ball over the top found Hibbs who hit the post from a first-time volley.
Ammanford almost found a route back into the game from a Euros Griffiths header after Stottor swung in a corner.
(Image: Darren Griffiths)
Just over the half-hour mark, Luke Gullick reached his 100th for the club. Hibbs showed good hold-up play to release Gullick and the Ponty forward scored with a curling effort as it clipped the post on its way in.
Vaughan Fowler almost provided a three-goal cushion, with his half-volley sailing just over the bar.
Craig Frater appealed for a penalty in first-half stoppage time but the referee waved away the protests.
Luke Gullick put himself on his way to his next century just before the hour mark. Gullick was found with a neat pass and he sidestepped Morris to roll the ball into an empty net.
Cameron Clarke was forced into action for the first time when Fisher fired an effort at Clarke, but the Ponty keeper was alert to the shot.
Substitute Kareem Leigh opened his Pontypridd with their fourth. He benefited from some sloppy defending and Leigh scored with an audacious effort from distance to catch Morris off his line.
(Image: Darren Griffiths)
Two minutes later, Leigh doubled his tally for the club. He bettered his first effort by scoring with a superb first-time volley to rub salt into the wounds of a below-par Ammanford.
The Pontypridd defence remained vigilant to any Ammanford attacks as they aimed to keep a clean sheet under former goalkeeper Lee Kendall.
Craig Frater tried for a consolation goal as he smacked a free-kick towards goal but Clarke remained untested by palming his effort away.
Pontypridd saw out the victory and kept their clean sheet to provide a perfect start for the new manager.
The Dragons are now third from bottom and entertain Briton Ferry Llansawel at home next week.
(Featured Image: Darren Griffiths)
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