Ethan Vaughan nets last-gasp winner for Pontypridd to claw back on Colwyn Bay
COLWYN BAY, WALES - 13TH JANUARY 2024: Pontypridd players and staff celebrate their second goal at the JD Cymru Premier Phase One fixture between Colwyn Bay and Pontypridd United at the Four Crosses Construction Arena, Colwyn Bay. 13th of January, Prestatyn, Wales (Pic by Nik Mesney/FAW)
Pontypridd United claimed a monumental 3-2 victory over relegation rivals Colwyn Bay at the Four Crosses Construction Arena.
Ethan Vaughan scored a last-gasp winner in a dramatic few minutes of stoppage time to give the Dragons their first away league win in eight attempts.
Clayton Green twice gave Pontypridd the lead – first, in the 12th minute before debutant Harry Owen equalised and then on the hour mark but Udi Akpan equalised from the penalty spot.
Pontypridd remain bottom but are now within a point of Colwyn Bay and only two points adrift of safety after Aberystwyth Town suffered a defeat to Barry Town.
Pontypridd got off to a bright start and were rewarded just 12 minutes in, a looping cross thought to be tipped over from Bay keeper Joe Smith only to deflect off the crossbar into the path of captain Green. He was presented one of the easiest goals of the 29-year-old’s career as he headed home into an empty net, first blood drawn from the visitors.
A cagey affair as expected ensued, heavy midfield congestion and wasted chances from both sides was the story of the majority of the first half as the rain pelted down on proceedings. Pontypridd looked fluid on the counter when welcoming the pressure of the Bay attack, Ben Amhun unlucky to not score from a variety of good chances whereas Colwyn Bay tried to structure their approach play, often relying on Alex Downes at fullback to swing in some dangerous balls into the opposition box.
Into the second half, we began to see a bit more quality in the final third from both sides which showed how hungry each team was knowing the high stakes of this clash and it would be new Seagulls signing Harry Owen on loan from Connahs Quay to get them back in the game, albeit a scrappy goal which he just about managed to tuck away, game on as we approach the hour mark.
A response was needed and one was granted again through that man Clayton Green, a proper Captain’s finish as he struck the ball home from inside the box just less than ten minutes after the Colwyn Bay leveller. A strike of pure quality got the Dragons back up and roaring as they sought after a third goal to kill off the game within good time. Hunt, Cummings, and Pritchard all had chances on goal that were gathered in the end by Smith.
As we drew closer to the final embers of the game it looked as if Ponty had the points wrapped up, that was until a late controversial penalty saw a huge chance for the home side to draw level at the death.
Udi Akpan stepped up and slotted away another penalty this season, Bay’s star man was on form again from the spot to secure what the home crowd thought was a huge home point.
It wouldn’t be the Cymru Premier without some late drama as straight from kick-off Pontypridd had a chance and snatched it within the last seconds. Vaughan with seemingly acres of space on the far left side slid the ball past an onrushing Smith to seal the victory and in unbelievable fashion.
