Pontypridd United stage second half fightback and tighten grip on fourth spot
A second half fightback was enough to see Pontypridd United oust rivals Aberystwyth Town 2-1 on Sunday afternoon.
Gwenllian Jones got the Seasiders off to the perfect start in the first half and looked in control. But goals from Alison Witts and Liv Francis in the space of two second half minutes was enough to seal the win for the Dragons.
Aberystwyth had a goal controversially ruled out in second half stoppage time to add to the drama.
The result leaves Pontypridd in fourth place, while Aber stay in sixth.
The Dragons flew out of the traps and dominated the opening quarter of an hour and had chances aplenty.
An Anais Trinci shot was punched away by Elen Valentine straight into the path of Jasmine Turner, who had the whole goal to aim at, but somehow managed to sky her effort over the bar.
Trinci then made a darting run from the wing and into the box. Her first shot was well saved by Valentine, but the Ponty winger hit the rebound sweetly towards goal, only for Elin Jones to superbly head the ball off the line.
It had been all Ponty, therefore it came as a surprise when Aber took the lead in the 18th minute.
A throw in on the near side was worked all the way to Beth Roberts on the edge of the box. She pulled a pass back to Gwenllian Jones, and her low driven effort left Ponty keeper Eleanor Brook no chance of getting to it, and the away side were ahead.
The goal seemed to suck the life out of Ponty. Communication on the pitch had dwindled and chances were non-existent.
Aber meanwhile were happy for the match to be played in the midfield and were never put under any real pressure for the rest of the half. The Dragons needed a change at the break.
Ponty did look better at the start of the second half. There was a zest to their attack, and they were getting chances.
Turner again drove at the Aber defence and played in Liv Francis, but she could only drag her effort wide after being one-on-one with Valentine.
Ponty were rewarded for their efforts after the hour mark. Alison Witts picked up the ball from Carys Bufton and cut inside. Her curling effort deflected off an Aber foot and sailed over a back-pedalling Valentine, and Ponty were level.
There was clearly a fire in the Dragons’ belly that was missing for a lot of the first half, and they found themselves ahead two minutes later.
Francis picked up the ball from deep and drove through the heart of the Aber midfield, who simply stood off of her. Francis punished their naivety by firing a driven effort past Valentine.
Aber needed a response and they almost got one immediately through Amy Jenkins’ free kick, but Brook produced a fine save to deny her.
Aber couldn’t get out of their half and were showing no signs of getting an equaliser, but then controversy arose in stoppage time.
A contested drop ball was won by Rebecca Mathias, and she hit it first time over Brook and into the net. The referee initally gave the goal, but after the consultation with his assistan referee, the goal was ruled out to the fury of the Aber players and coaches, especially as it seemed Brook had got a hand to it in the process.
While the game ended in controversy, Ponty will be delighted with the three points as they tighten their grip on fourth place.
Ponty will travel to Cyncoed to take on Cardiff Met next week, while Aberystwyth will host TNS.
Player of the Match: Liv Francis
We often talk about breakout stars and prospects in this league, and you can put Liv Francis’ name at the top of that list. The close control, the dribbling, the pace. At such a young age Francis has it all and showcased that again today in a fantastic performance
Pontypridd United
Eleanor Brook (GK), Clare Daley, Holly Broad ©, Emily Bayliss, Ellie Gunney, Anais Trinci, Alison Witts, Liv Francis, Efa Preece-Jones (Kirstie Pervin-Davies, 59’), Carys Bufton, Jasmine Turner
Unused Subs: Brooke Evans, Paige Ward, Holly Salmons, Sophie Bevan
Goals: Alison Witts (62’), Liv Francis (64’)
Aberystwyth Town
Elen Valentine (GK), Lucie Gwilt, Rebecca Mathias, Beth Roberts, Elin Jones, Kelly Thomas © (Ffiona Evans, 79’), Emily Thomas, Libby Isaac, Shauna Chambers, Gwenllian Jones, Tania Wylde (Amy Jenkins, 65’)
Unused Sub: Sian Evans
Goals: Gwenllian Jones (18’)
Yellow Cards: Elin Jones (78’)
