Colwyn Bay punish poor Pontypridd United as Udi Akpan stars in big win
Udi Akpan scored and earned a penalty as Colwyn Bay beat Pontypridd United. (Image: Sgorio)
Colwyn Bay beat Pontypridd United comfortably to win their first Cymru Premier game in two months.
Udi Akpan opened the scoring for the Seagulls in the first half before being fouled for a penalty. Captain Tom McCready converted the spot-kick and just two minutes later Jamie Cumming further inflicted damage on the Dragons.
Bay move off the bottom spot and above Aberystwyth Town on goal difference whilst Pontypridd are just two points above safety.
Pontypridd started the brighter of the two sides but failed to take their chance. Corey Shephard played in Jan Maertins with a through ball but after rounding the goalkeeper he went too far and eventually Corey Hurford’s tame shot was gathered.
Up the other end, Bay went near to breaking the dealock. McCready drove a free-kick into the box and Sam Hart’s header looped over George Ratcliffe. Another chance came from a set-piece as Alex Downes headed at the near-post and thought his effort crossed the line.
Bay’s brief frustration at a goal not counting turned to joy. Goalkeeper Joe Smith launched a ball up field and the ball dropped enough for Akpan to header over Ratcliffe after he left the goal unguarded.
Pontypridd in search of a leveller went near from a free-kick. Hunt’s free-kick was met by Green and his looping header was expertly saved by the goalkeeper.
In the last chance of the half, centre-back Keston Davies hit a free-kick that beat the wall but not the goalkeeper.
Colwyn Bay started the second half the brightest and should have doubled their lead. McCready had space on the edge of the box but curled a shot over the crossbar.
McCready would get another opportunity, this time from 12 yards after Jarrad Wright hacked down Akpan in the box. The captain sent Ratcliffe the wrong way with a low-driven penalty to the left side of the goalkeeper.
Bay made the most of a wounded animal as they scored their third just minutes later. A cross from Tom Creamer came into the box and Cumming got on the end of it after Cummings missed his clearance to increase their lead.
Pontypridd’s heads dropped and the hosts failed to affect the deficit. Substitute Matty Hill came on and he curled a shot right at Ratcliffe in the last notable chance of the game.
It’s a trip to Newtown next for Pontypridd on November 28, whilst Bay face Penybont at home on November 25.
Pontypridd United: George Ratcliffe, Luke Cummings (Owain Pritchard, 70), Ethan Vaughan (Kieran Lewis, 70), Keston Davies, Ben Margetson, Corey Shephard, Jan Maertins, Jarrad Wright (Owain Jones, 70), Joe Hunt, Corey Hurford and Clayton Green.
Yellow Cards: Owain Pritchard 90+4
Colwyn Bay: Joe Smith, Alex Downes, Stefan Edwards, Cai Owen, Sam Downey, Tom McCready (Nick Rushton, 77), Jamie Cumming, Sam Hart, Daniel Jones (Matty Hill Hill 77), Thomas Creamer (Sam Turner, 90), Udoyen Akpan (Dylan Allshorn, 90+2)
Goals: Udoyen Akpan 23, Tom McCready p 67, Jamie Cumming 69′
Attendance: 229
