Cardiff Draconians 2-1 Pontardawe Town: Last gasp Williams penalty sends Dracs top
Liam Williams struck an injury-time penalty to complete a come back win to send Cardiff Draconians top of the Ardal South West.
Pontardawe lead at halftime but after huge Drac’s pressure in the second half the home side picked up all three points.
Joshua Dorward gave the visitors the lead after 27 minutes in the first half which saw Pontardawe have the better of the game. Cardiff Drac’s put their visitors under pressure in the second half and equalised though Joseph Morelli after 84 minutes. Into added time and Drac’s were awarded a penalty which Williams confidently put past Damian Davies.
The win sends Cardiff Drac’s to the top of the table on 35 points. One point ahead of Pontyclun who have two games in hand. Pontardawe drop down to fourth but are only two points from Drac’s
With little between the side in the league table, the game was a tight affair to start. Neither side was able to gain a foothold in the early exchanges.
Pontardawe had an early chance as a thought ball towards Jordan Langley wasn’t cleared allowing the striker to get the loose ball. Langley went for goal with Harry Johnson out of position but the Drac’s keeper was able to recover and gather the ball.
Drac’s had a good chance to take the lead. Callum Gunstone picked the ball up on the left and fed the ball to Shaun McCarthy on the corner of the box. McCarthy sent a curling effort towards the far corner but it went just over the bar.
Pontardawe started to gain a bit of control and put the home side under pressure. Garry Taylor sent a free-kick wide of the target as Pontardawe looked to take the lead.
Pontardawe’s pressure soon told as Joshua Dorward was played in on goal. Dorward coolly rolled the ball into the corner of the goal as Johnson was coming out.
The visitors were soon looking for a second goal Callum Silcox going past Richard Noyes and then hitting a shot into the side netting. Silcox tried again this time from the edge of the area but he hit his shot wide.
Drac’s could have been level when Matthew Hibbs found McCarthy with a ball across the box. McCarthy rushed his shot and hit the ball wide.
In a frantic end to the first half, Colin Harris was played in on goal forcing a fine save from close range from Harry Johnson. Drac’s went straight up the other end and forced Davies into a save.
Dracs came out for the second half looking to get back into the game. Kieran Cotterill trying from distance but seeing his shot blocked by Steve Berry.
A good ball into the box found Callum Silcox but his cross goal shot was saved by Johnson.
The visitors hit the woodwork when Garry Taylor’s corner was headed onto the bar by Colin Harris.
Callum Silcox won the ball from Richard Noyes and found space for a shot. Johnson was on hand to make the save and keep Drac’s in the game.
Ioan Evans went for goal from a Pontardawe free-kick but fired his effort over the bar.
Callum Dolman played in Jordan Langley though on goal and Langley fired a shot at goal. Johnson with quick reflexes tipped the ball over the bar.
Pontardawe would rue their missed chances as the game went into the final ten minutes. Luke Cox getting to the by-line and sending it across to the far post. From just yards out Joseph Morelli headed in to level the game. As Drac’s went to get the ball to restart the game Pontardawe’s Thomas Grey kicked out and was shown a red card by the referee.
With the momentum turned and an extra player, Dracs hrew everything at Pontardawe to get the win.
The game went into added time and Drac’s were awarded a penalty for a foul in the box. Captain Liam Williams stepped up and sent the ball low into the left corner. Davies went the right way but couldn’t get to the ball.
A big come back from the home side to take them top of the Ardal South West.
Cardiff Draconians: Harry Johnson (G), Richard Noyes, Joshua Payne, Liam Williams (C), Matthew Escott, Thomas McClean, Callum Nippers, Kieran Cotterill (Jack Kane 71), Matthew Hibbs (Joseph Morelli 84), Callum Gunstone (Luke Cox 64), Shaun McCarthy.
Goals: Joseph Morelli 84, Liam Williams 90+2 (Pen).
Yellow Cards: Shaun McCarthy 55, Joseph Payne 61.
Pontardawe: Damian Davies (G), Tyler Aylward, Ioan Evans, Garry Taylor, Thomas Grey, Steve Berry (C), Tim Georgievsky, Callum Dolman, Jordan Langley (Gabriel Kircough 87), Joshua Dorward (Colin Harris 30), Callum Silcox (Daryl Hughes 89).
Goals: Joshua Dorward 27.
Yellow Cards: Tyler Aylward 72.
Red Cards: Thomas Grey 86.
