Pontypridd Town 2-3 STM Sports: Graham hat-trick inspires Mellons to victory to come from behind

STM Sports came from behind to knock out Pontypridd Town out of the Nathaniel MG Cup.

The Mellons fought from two goals down to beat Pontypridd as Josh Graham scored a hat-trick, including two penalties.

Pontypridd debutant Tyrell Webbe scored two minutes into his debut before Louis Gerrard opened his Ponty account.

Josh Graham scored a diving header to reduce the deficit, before scoring from the spot just over the half-hour mark. Graham earned the match ball with a second penalty in the 57th minute.

Pontypridd opened the scoring with the first real attack of the game. Aiden Lewis threaded the ball through to Tyrell Webbe who showed composure to tuck it into the corner of the goal.

Webbe was denied a second moments later as he beat Charlie Fripp to break into the box but Exauce Dimonekene stuck out a leg to block.

STM Sports pulled one back to provide Ponty with a scare. Josh Graham beat Morgan Davies with a diving header after Marcus Jones’ swinging cross.

Davies stopped an STM equaliser as Marcus Jones laced a shot from distance, but the Ponty keeper was alert to it.

Pontypridd missed a good chance to add a third. Tyrell Webbe found Louis Gerrard but his first-timed effort from close range hit the crossbar before going out.

Webbe then drove a left-footed free-kick just wide of the post as Pontypridd sought assurance.

They were made to rue missed chances as STM Sports were awarded a penalty following Sylvester’s trip on Marcus Jones.

Josh Graham hit his penalty into the top corner of the goal with Davies fully beaten to bring STM Sports level.

Both sides went into the break with a goal apiece with Pontypridd ruing not adding a further goal to their positive start to the game.

STM Sports started the half brightly and almost went ahead. Chris Worsley put a free-kick onto the head of Josh Graham who headed over.

Graham was presented another chance for his hat-trick as substitute Jack Wheeler caught him.

The two-goal hero made it three as he hit an almost duplicate penalty past Davies to give STM the lead for the first time.

Pontypridd failed to get out in the second half and only offered an attacking threat in the final quarter. Tyrell Webbe in search of an equaliser swiped a shot past the post.

Another Pontypridd debutant Lewis Cosslett spurned a chance for a first goal and a Ponty equaliser. Josh Allen curled a shot from a narrow-angle and Cosslett slid his shot wide from the rebound.

Pontypridd continued to press but were unable to find an equalising goal.

STM Sports who are competing in the competition for the first time will play Cwmbran Celtic at their home ground next week. 

Pontypridd Town: Morgan Davies, Luke Sylvester (Jack Wheeler 45), Lee Baldock, James Bloom, Scott Hillman (Shane Parry 60), Lewis Cosslett, Aiden Lewis (C), Vaughan Fowler (Gavin Beddard 80), Joshua Allen, Louis Gerrard, Tyrrell Webbe

STM Sports: Exauce Dimonekene, Hermon Yohanes, Riccardo Mackenzie, David Biggs, Christopher Hajgato, Tomas Rutherford, Charlie Fripp (Sam Cawley 77), Marcus Jones, Benjamin Ahmun, Christopher Worsley, Josh Graham (Sebastian Warman 87)