Caerau Ely 2-2 Taffs Well: French brace salvages draw for Wellmen

Richard French scored twice as Taffs Well battled from behind to claim a draw against Caerau Ely.

The Wellmen conceded two goals inside seven minutes but were able to salvage a draw after French scored in either half.

Daniel Hooper gave Craig Sampson’s side the lead with a free-kick before Rameer Outlaw added to the Young Guns’ tally in the seventh minute.

French showed his strikers instinct for both strikes in a game which Taffs Well will feel unfortunate they didn’t claim victory.

Caerau Ely registered their first point of the season after losing their last five, whilst Taffs Well stop the rot after two consecutive league defeats.

The hosts attacked the game from the off as Luke Bridgeman headed over the bar from Daniel Hooper’s corner kick.

Daniel Hooper punished Dan Dima’s handball as he delivered a trademark free-kick for the opening goal. Hooper hit the ball into the top right-hand corner having hit it with his left as Tomos Bodger was rooted to the spot.

Ely pulled ahead with another goal from a set-piece. Lloyd Toghill’s long-throw was flicked in by the head of Rameer Outlaw. 

The youthful Jordan Carey attempted an immediate response but his swiftly-taken volley was superbly saved by Elliot Matthews.

Carey was involved in Taffs Well’s first goal though. He latched on to Bertorelli’s through ball and attempted to slide his effort under Matthews but forward Richard French poked it home to ensure a goal.

The former Bristol Rovers youth continued to show his desire and he forced Matthews to save after creating space for himself.

Neither side added anything for the remainder of the first half.

Taffs Well came out of the blocks in the second half as they showed their intent.

The hungry Carey was involved in the Well’s equaliser. His curling shot was saved by Matthews but French struck home the rebound after a fumble from the goalkeeper.

Stevie William’s men almost drew ahead for the first time but Bertorelli’s shot rustled the side netting.

Carey squandered a further chance for the Well as Elliot Matthews undershot clearance allowed Carey to blaze over the bar when the goal was open.

Caerau Ely: Elliot Matthews, Jerome Maynard, Daniel Hooper, Luke Bridgeman, Huw Corne (C), (Levi Robson 50), Lloyd Toghill (Hywel Davies 77), Dylan Amin, Joe Shephard, James Dixon (Josh Spencer 75), Jamal Roberts, Rammer Outlaw

Taffs Well: Tomos Bodger, Dan Dima, Sam O’Sullivan, Jack Fox, Scott Hayward, Liam Martin, Jacob Matthew (C), Dylan Jones, Jason Bertorelli (Ibrahim Sani 80), Richard French, Jordan Carey