Pontypridd Town 2-1 Undy Athletic: Gullick’s late effort secures FAW Championship football for Dragons

Luke Gullick’s late strike for Pontypridd against Undy Athletic secured safety for his side with a victory over Undy Athletic.

Two goals in the final quarter of the game from Lee Baldock and Luke Gullick cancelled out Alex Jarman’s fifth-minute opener for Undy.

The victory means Pontypridd will compete in the first-ever FAW Championship, should they obtain the Tier Two Licence.

Relegation rivals Goytre lost to Cwmamman United whilst Taffs Well were held to a draw against Ammanford.

Undy Athletic scored with the first real effort of the game. Alex Jarman hit a thunderous strike from 25-yards out with Cameron Clarke beaten.

Pontypridd sought an immediate response and Lee Baldock’s left-footed strike whistled past the post.

Continued pressure saw Luke Gullick go close for Ponty also. He shrugged off a challenge from the Undy defender to shoot wide from a tight angle after James Bloom’s through ball.

Cameron Clarke was forced into action as Undy aimed to gain a two goal advantage. Nathan Wood’s free-kick from 30-yards was palmed away by Clarke.

Aiden Lewis had the last chance of the half as his driven effort went yards wide of the goal.

Undy’s goalscorer Alex Jarman was unable to run off an injury and was replaced at the break by Giles Thompson.

The quality of the game became scrappy as the rain and wind began to affect the way the ball travelled.

With a quarter of the game left, Pontypridd drew level from a set piece. Lee Baldock struck an unstoppable free-kick from just outside the box as it clipped the crossbar on the way in.

As news broke of Cwmamman leading relegation rivals Goytre and Ammanford holding Taffs Well, Undy Athletic almost took the lead with a rare chance in the second half. Substitute Giles Thompson hit a volley over the bar from Olly Smith’s free-kick.

Pontypridd wanted to confirm their survival today and Baldock most did just that. After the ball was laid off to him his shot was deflected onto the crossbar.

Luke Gullick put Ponty in front, changing the complexion of the game as the game approached its climax. Josh Allen played the ball through to Gullick who showed great composure to tuck it past James Smallcombe.

Pontypridd were able to quell any Undy pressure in stoppage time and thus confirmed their second tier status. 

Pontypridd Town: Clarke, Wheeler, Baldock, Shaw, Hillman, Parry, Lewis, Fowler, Gullick, Albaarini (McKeary 48), Bloom

Undy Athletic:  Smallcombe, Waters, Smith, Wright, Parry (C), A.Jarman (Thompson 45), Woods, Barnes, Power, Cullimore, Jarman