Pontypridd United wrapped up their season with a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Aberystwyth Town.
Goals from Carys Bufton, Liv Francis and Shannon Greenway made it a great afternoon for the Dragons, as they lifted the Conference Plate trophy.
The start of the game was quiet but open. Both sides were getting forward into the final third, but neither had the quality to carve out a chance or an opening. A header from Rebecca Mathias the closest either side came in the first half hour.
Games between these two are never a straightforward or calm occasion, and that was epitomised in the final 15 minutes of the first half.
A scrap between Alison Witts and Beth Roberts took place on the floor, with both appearing to kick out at each other. Somehow, both escaped without a card.
Eight minutes before half time, Ponty were presented a golden chance to take the lead from the penalty spot. Tania Wylde was judged to have handled the ball from Carys Bufton’s shot, but it certainly looked a harsh decision. Up stepped Evie Hughes, but she blazed her effort over the bar.
Aber had kept four consecutive clean sheets coming into this one, the joint longest run along with Cardiff City all season, but they finally conceded on the stroke of half time. Bufton with a remarkable strike that looped over Carys Pugh-Jones and the Dragons headed into the break ahead.
Ponty went on the front foot at the start of the second half, as they looked to assert their dominance.
Bufton raced through on goal twice but some last-ditch Aber defending denied her, before Ellie Gunney’s turn and shot was almost fumbled into her own net by Pugh-Jones, but the keeper gathered at the second attempt.
The visitors almost got themselves back into the contest before the hour mark. A corner led to pinball in the Ponty box. Eventually, captain Kelly Thomas was able to swing her foot at it, but the Dragons blocked her strike before scrambling the ball away.
Aber would rue their missed chance as Ponty doubled their lead. This time the mercurial Liv Francis emulated Bufton’ striker with another pinpoint curling effort from range. Pugh-Jones with no chance of saving it.
Gavin Allen’s team fight until the end and Emily Thomas almost got one back after latching onto Clare Daley’s loose header. One-on-one with Maisie Jones, it was the Dragons keeper who came out on top, stretching out a leg to make a superb save.
With confidence high, Ponty found their third five minutes after their second. Jess Osborne’s initial shot was blocked, and it fell to Shannon Greenway, who hit a scintillating half volley into the bottom corner.
Aber substitute Jessica Baker took only three minutes to make an impact. Her jinking run opened up space in the box, but her effort just went over the bar.
Two chances fell to Shauna Chambers in the space of two minutes, but a good low save from Jones and a looping effort over the bar kept the deficit at three.
But their efforts were in vain, as Ponty lifted the plate in style with a comfortable win.
Player of the Match: Ellie Gunney
It was a great team performance from the Dragons today, but Gunney stood out for me. Playing in an unfamiliar centre-back position, she thrived, and her sternness certainly helped her side to victory.
Pontypridd United
Maisie Jones (GK), Shannon Greenway, Carys Bufton (Emily Bayliss, 84’), Clare Daley ©, Ellie Gunney, Kirstie Pervin-Davies, Alison Witts (Chloe Christy, 90’), Liv Francis (Holly Salmons, 84’), Evie Hughes, Jasmine Turner (Anais Trinci, 67’), Lucy Jones (Jess Osborne, 46’)
Goals: Carys Bufton (45’), Liv Francis (61’), Shannon Greenway (66’)
Aberystwyth Town
Carys Pugh-Jones (GK), Lucie Gwilt, Rebecca Mathias, Beth Roberts, Kelly Thomas ©, Emily Roberts (Rebecca Challinor, 77’), Libby Isaac, Shauna Chambers, Ffiona Evans (Jessica Baker, 67’), Tania Wylde (Dani Mawle, 77’), Amy Jenkins
Yellow Cards: Libby Isaac (89’)
After the game, we spoke to player of the match Ellie Gunney, Ponty coach Jonathan Spyropoulos and Aberystwyth captain Kelly Thomas.
Ellie Gunney: “We wanted to win on the last day, and we came out with a gameplan and played it well. I’m really proud of the girls and we ended the season on a high by lifting the plate, so couldn’t ask for much more.
“Our skipper, Holly Broad, was away today so I filled in at centre-back. I’m more used to being a wing-back but I don’t mind helping the team in any way, but it’s not only me, we all have each other’s back, so I knew I was comfortable playing where I did.”
Jonathan Spyropoulos: “I’m really proud of the girls. They’ve done really well all season, and to cap it off today with a 3-0 win over really tough opposition in Aberystwyth. They always have been difficult to beat, but today we started off a bit flat but second half I thought we were brilliant.
“We came out of phase one with a desire to win and that’s ultimately what we did. We’ve gone unbeaten in phase two and we’ve played really well, and that’s something we can build on for next season.”
Kelly Thomas: “We came down with aspirations of a win today. We won four games in four, kept four clean sheets, and wanted to make it five today. The girls looked tired today including myself, but it’s been a really difficult season with such a small squad.
“We’ve been really happy with our performances over the past month, especially keeping the clean sheets. We’ve bought in Carys Pugh-Jones, our U19s keeper, in last week as Elen was injured, and then she got the call-up for Wales this week, so I’m chuffed for her to get two full games under her belt because she deserves it.”
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