A superb performance from Josh Allen helped Cambrian United to a 3-1 away win against Pontypridd United at the USW Sport Park.
Liam Warman opened the scoring for the away side before a fifth goal of the season from Liam Eason levelled the scoring.
Summer signing Ashley Evans who joined from Cymru Premier side Penybont was shown a second yellow for the hosts, making their task to get a result more difficult.
The sending-off changed the tide of the game as former Llanelli Town duo Thomas Hillman and Jack Fox both struck in quick succession for the travelling side as they picked up their second win of the campaign.
The fiery encounter brings to an end The Dragons winning start to the season as they drop to third in the table with Cambrian jumping to first place for the first time this season.
It was a bright start from Ponty as they patiently knocked the ball around looking to break through what is always a defensively resilient Cambrian backline.
The away side gained confidence however and began to apply their own pressure. Thomas Hillman found himself with an opportunity to strike from distance in the 15th minute but his effort sailed over.
The confidence was rightly felt as they opened the scoring in the 18th minute. A defence splitting pass from Joshua Allen found Liam Warman in the box with him having plenty of time to slot calmly beyond the keeper.
The home side pushed for the equaliser and had a number of quick corners but were unable to make the most of the set pieces.
They were almost punished as Warman found himself played through again after a great through ball from Hillman. Young Dragons keeper Sam Jordan doing well to beat the onrushing forward before clearing.
The frustration began to show for Gavin Allen’s men as Jamie Veale picked up the first yellow card of the game for a late challenge. As the half-time whistle blew the away side held their narrow lead in what was a highly competitive opening 45 minutes.
The second-half competitiveness began in quick fashion as Cambrian forward Tim Parker hit the deck following an off-the-ball incident, the officials waving away protests from the travelling side.
Ashley Evans was shown a yellow card for Ponty shortly after for a late challenge, further building the tension between both sides.
Liam Eason who has been in prolific form to start the season missed a great opportunity to level for the hosts in the 52nd minute, as his header dropped over the bar.
He made no mistake just four minutes later as he picked up the ball on the left side of the area. He took a touch inside to create space before curling a strike beyond the Cambrian keeper.
Their task was made harder when Evans was shown a second yellow for a cinical foul stopping Hillman on the break in the 62nd minute.
With the man advantage Liam Williams’ men had the urgency to push for their second win of the campaign.
They regained the lead after another sensational pass from Allen allowed Hillman to break through, before prodding first time beyond the keeper in the 73rd minute.
The points were all but sealed in the 78th minute as a strike from the edge of the area by Fox rifled through a sea of bodies and into the net.
The final whistle brought to an end Ponty’s winning start to the season showcasing the competitiveness of a division where any team can beat one another.
Pontypridd United: Sam Jordan (GK), Luke Cummings, Keston Davies, Ashley Evans, Daniel Griffiths (Luke Gullick 71’), Liam Eason, Jamie Veale, Cole Mace (Kyle Kapner 81’), Joe Evans, Jarrad Wright (C), Joshua Stephens (Thomas Stokes 80’)
Goals: Liam Eason 56’
Yellow cards: Jamie Veale 39’ Ashley Evans 50’ Keston Davies 58’ Liam Eason 87’
Red cards: Ashley Evans 62’
Cambrian United: Morgan Davies (GK), Lee Price, Danny Birch, Joshua Allen, Keiron Coles, Kyle Jones (C), Jacob Jones (Cole Baker 87’), Jack Fox, Tim Parker, Thomas Hillman (Efan Fletcher 82’), Liam Warman (Abdulrasheed Ibrahim 82’)
Goals: Liam Warman 18’ Thomas Hillman 73’ Jack Fox 78’
Yellow cards: Thomas Hillman 70’
