Treharris Athletic Western 0-1 Pontyclun – Late goal keeps title dream alive

Pontyclun took the Ardal South West title race to the final day as they claim a 1-0 win in stoppage time over Treharris Athletic Western.

In a tense contest at Parc Taf Bargoed it looked as though Pontardawe would claim the title but Barry Quinn’s side had different thoughts.

Chris Darlington came off the bench in the 89th minute and got the vital goal in the second minute of added time.

Pontyclun can still win the Ardal South West thanks to the win but require Pontardawe to lose. to Penydarren.

Pontyclun had the game’s first chance when James Gronow found Joel Woodington free in the box. Woodington fired a shot at goal but Thomas Humphreys was able to save.

In what was an even first half Haben Samson picked up the ball in the middle and went past two Pontyclun players. Samson tried a shot from distance but it went wide.

Pontyclun had another chance from a corner as Harrison Flint met the ball but his header wasn’t on target.

Treharris had a free-kick which Sam Cawley sent to the far post, the ball was headed back across goal but Pontyclun keeper Sam L’Homme was able to catch.

Samson was almost in on goal for Treharris but was held up by the Pontyclun defence. Keeping the ball moving Treharris go it to Matthew Sellick who saw his shot saved.

James Williams tried a curling effort from the corner of the box as the second half began. With no real power on the ball Humphreys made an easy save.

With time running down Pontyclun upped their pace and Harrison Flint tried from distance. His effort wide of the goal.

Williams made a run into the Treharris box and took a shot that Humphreys saved. Joel Woodington tried to keep the ball alive but Treharris cleared with Pontyclun claiming Woodington was caught and wanting a penalty. The ref waved away their protests and the game continued.

Pontyclun started to throw everything at Treharris Woodington denied twice seeing two efforts at goal blocked.

Treharris weren’t out of the game though and Paulo Alves had a shot blocked before Efu Kazadi saw his effort saved.

As the game went into added time it looked like it wasn’t to be for Pontyclun. They kept going and Joel Woodington slipped a though ball into the path of Darlington. Darlington kept his cool to roll the ball under Humphreys and give Pontyclun the win.

Treharris Athletic Western: Thomas Humphreys (G), Connor Graham, Keenan Wiggins (Daniel Amin 45), David Mitchell (C) (Sam Cawley 8), Luke Bridgeman, Marinho Manga, Haben Samson, Matthew Sellick (Lloyd Williams-Clemet 75), Efu Kazadi, Paulo Alves, Robert Kennedy (Nathan Mathias 75).

Pontyclun: Sam L’Homme (G), James Williams, Jordan Lawrence (Ashley Beckett 61), Kieran Lawrence, Chris Bell, Aled Davies (Chris Darlington 89), James Gronow, Harrison Flint (Matthew Jacka 62), Joel Woodington (C), Ben Parry,

Goals: Chris Darlington 90+2

(Pics by John Smith/Same Old Smith Photography/FAW)