Llantwit Major took a Llantwit Major made a giant stride towards the Cymru South title as they defeated Pontypridd Town 3-1 at Prince Moomin’s Palace.
In a clash of the top two, it was Llantwit who took the points to give themselves a five-point lead in front of a record crowd of 290.
Josh Jones opened the scoring early on as Llantwit got off to a flying start. Top scorer Thomas Walters added two late first-half penalties to send the hosts in 3-0 at the break. Pontypridd tried to get back into the game in the second half and got a goal back late on. Gavin Beddard heading in to make it 3-1.
Karl Lewis’ side now hold a healthy lead over their title rivals going into the final nine games and it is theirs to lose after their win.
Llantwit started well and earned an early corner. Conner Goldsworthy took it and whipped it into the six yard box. Josh Jones met it at the near post and flicked a header in after four minutes.
The host kept the pressure on with Josh Jones making a run through the middle. He was fouled giving Llantwit a free-kick. Thomas Walters went for goal but put his effort just over the bar.
Pontypridd enjoyed large spells of possession but struggled to find the final ball. They tried to put the ball into the air for Gavin Beddard but Kris Evans and Sean Williams were able to keep the Pontypridd striker at bay.
Goldsworthy found Josh Jones with a good cross-field pass but Jones hit his shot over the bar.
Drew Fahiya tried to make something happen as he carried the ball from halfway to the area. Fahiya tried a lob over Lansdown but put it over the bar when it may have been better to go across goal.
Soon after Fahiya had another chance as he flash a shot just wide of the goal.
As the first half was drawing to a close Josh Jones cut past a defender and was fouled inside the box. Thomas Walters stepped up to take the kick and fired past Steven Cann.
Troy Greening, making his Pontypridd debut, tired a curling effort looking for the top corner. the former Barry player went close seeing his effort go just over the bar.
Deep into added time and Llantwit had another penalty. Antony Rawlings having his shirt pulled as he tried to turn away from a defender. Walters stepped up again and smashed the ball in to the same spot again.
Pontypridd brought Sam Johnson on at half time and he almost step up a goal straight away. Finding Ian Traylor in the box, Traylor hit a shot on the turn but Lansdown was on hand to save.
The visitors pushed Llantwit back but came up against a rock-solid backline that cleared everything that came their way.
The Dragons enjoyed good spells of pressure during the second half and got a goal back late on. Ian Traylor with a good cross into the six-yard box that saw Beddard power a header past Lansdown.
Llantwit Major: Jack Lansdown (G), Dafydd Owen, Conner Goldsworthy, Lee Jones (Adam Jenkins 74), Sean Williams, Kris Evans, Cullen Kinsella (C), Nathan Jones (Jonathan Fletcher 85), Thomas Walters, Anthony Rawlings (Ben Cripps 76), Josh Jones (Rob Jones 85).
Goals: Josh Jones 4, Thomas Walters 44 Pen, 45+8 Pen
Yellow Cards: Conner Goldsworthy 26, Lee Jones 40, Josh Jones 74, Jack Lansdown 90+2.
Pontypridd Town: Steven Cann (G), Vaughan Fowler, David Vincent, Jordan Knott (Sam Johnson 46), Aiden Lewis, Ian Traylor, Drew Fahiya (Corey Jenkins 75), James Saddler, Troy Greening (Christian Davies 60), Oliver Dalton (Lee Baldock 79), Gavin Beddard (C).
Goals: Gavin Beddard 90+2.
Yellow Cards: Troy Greening 7, Jordan Knott 45+7, Oliver Dalton 77, Aiden Lewis 90+4.
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