Cardiff Dracs finish season with dramatic victory over Pontyclun

Cardiff Dracs concluded their season with a dramatic victory over Pontyclun at Ivor Park. 

Substitute Jamal Roberts proved to be the Dracs hero after he came off the bench to score a late winner at Pontyclun.

Glynn Davies looked to have handed Ponty the win when he headed home a corner before the Dracs scored twice in the final five minutes.

Sam Roberts levelled the score in the 89th minute with a header before Roberts stunned the hosts when he was in the right place at the right time to prod home four minutes into added time and spark jubilant scenes.

The victory at Ivor Park helped Draconians return to winning ways, following Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Ynysygerwn and moved Nana Baah’s side up to third in the Ardal South West table.

Ponty, however, still have three games left to play but are safe from relegation and return to action this Saturday when they host Penrhiwceiber Rangers, who are six points behind leaders Cefn Cribwr with three more games to play.

But the day belongs to Baah and his men after fighting tooth and nail to snatch victory from defeat to end their season on a high.

The Dracs began the game in the ascendancy but failed to convert their chances.

Callum Becket fired over from the edge of the box, after winning the ball from Nathan Renfree, before Roberts could only direct an effect wide.

Beckett was then denied superbly by Sam L’Homme. His first one on the volley was well saved by Pontclun’s number one before he stood tall to block the midfielder’s close-range effort to keep the game goalless.

With half-time fast approaching Teejay Vickery had the hosts’ first shot on target when his effort was straight at Dracs goalkeeper Harry Johnson.

Johnson then pulled off a spectacular save from Renfree’s free-kick before Ponty did find the back of the net from the resulting corner in the 50th minute.

Renfree’s delivery found Davies, and the defender was left unmarked to nod the ball home via the crossbar.

Pontyclun held firm and resolute with N’Homme immaculate between the sticks and when he was beaten the woodwork came to his rescue as Oscar Raisbeck’s header from Nathan Mathias’ corner crashed against the crossbar.

N’Homme was then nearly caught out as he came out of his goal juggling the ball and was superbly blocked by Graham Trevett with the ball falling to Roberts, who took the ball on his chest and with the goal gapping he could only send the ball agonising wide.

But the Dracs claimed their well-deserved equaliser with a minute left a bit in fortuitous circumstances. Arjen Matthews attempted volleyed clearance came back off his bar and Roberts was there to hear the ball home.

With the wind in their sails, the Dracs pushed forward and went close to snatching the win when Johnson came up from the back for a corner but the ball just evaded the visiting goalkeeper before Roberts’ late heroics.

Johnson’s free-kick in his half was sent towards Raisbeck, the defender and home goalkeeper N’Homme came together and saw the ball fall to Roberts to guide the ball home from 12 yards out to spark delirium.

Pontyclun

L’Homme, Matthews, Lawrence (C), Davies, Darlington, Gronow (Phillips, 63), Rhys Morgan, Renfree, Stone, Vickery (Garland, 63), Guildford (David, 23) (Callen-Lee Stubbs, 79)

Yellow Cards: Callen-Lee Stubbs 79′

Goal: Davies 51′

Cardiff Draconians

Johnson, Lewis (Manga, 56, Davies, Bridgeman, Raisbeck, Mathias, Corson (Gardner, 69), Beckett, Roberts, Amin (Trevett, 69), and Kazadi (Roberts, 69)

Yellow Card: Mathias 49

Goal: S.Roberts, 89, J.Roberts 90+4

Cardiff Dracs manager Nana Baah said: “What a way to end the season. These boys @CDraconians.”

(Featured Image: Josh Thomas)