Newtown break down stubborn Pontypridd United as Louis Robles nets late winner
Louis Robles scored the only goal of the game as Newtown beat Pontypridd United. (Image: Sgorio)
Newtown left it late as they beat Pontypridd United 1-0 in the USW Sport Park to make it five straight victories.
Louis Robles grabbed a late winner in a tightly contested affair at the USW Sports Park to take the Robins up to fourth in the Cymru Premier.
Last year, Newtown rolled over the Dragons in both fixtures. But this time around, they narrowly snatched victory.
Newtown dominated the ball early with a couple of chances falling to the striker Jason Oswell.
The best chance of fell to Louis Robles who jumped on a short header back to the keeper to find himself at point-blank range.
He attempted to chip the on-rushing George Ratcliffe, but his attempt looped just over the bar. Shortly after Shane Sutton would have another big chance to get the Robbins in front.
More defensive madness led to a massive chance at the far post that the away side’s captain dragged wide.
In the second half, Robles would come close again after Matty Jones fed him a beautiful cross towards the hour mark. This time the crossbar denied him as his header wasn’t accurate enough to get his side in front.
Pontypridd had a lot of the ball. They couldn’t work Wycherley in goal for Newtown until the 72nd minute when Corey Shepard cut in from the left and curled an effort to the far corner. The Newtown goalkeeper flew to tip away what would have been a sublime goal.
With everything all square going into the final 15 minutes, something magic was needed to win the game.
It was that man Robles who finally got his goal with something special as the game entered the last 10 minutes.
He ran with the ball up the right and cut inside. You thought he was going to pass but he goes alone all the way across goal before slotting it home with his left to Ratcliffe’s bottom right.
Proceeding the following minutes of jubilation, Callum Roberts would put a silencer on the visiting celebrations by getting himself sent off for dissent.
Despite that, the Dragons could not find an equaliser in the final ten minutes and Newtown hung on for a crucial win.
It only gets harder for Pontypridd as they travel to league leaders TNS on the weekend, trying to avoid a fifth consecutive league game without scoring a goal and a third straight defeat.
