Pontypridd moved up to second in the Cymru South after claiming the bragging rights over Taffs Well in the A470 Derby with a 3-0 win.
An early goal from Keston Davies set the tone of the game as he and top scorer Liam Eason netted inside the first half hour to put the Dragons on their way to all three points before Jarrad Wright made sure of the victory.
The Wellmen had a few half opportunities but not enough to cause any jitters to the hosts. Josh Anderson suffered defeat on his return to the USW Sport Park and his side remain second from bottom.
Pontypridd started with the intention of scoring early and almost netted in the first minute. Ashley Evans’ deflected shot looked like it was heading on target before a deflection.
The hosts did score just a few minutes later. Keston Davies wasn’t challenged and from 25 yards out he drove his shot at goal with Ed King beaten at his near post.
Taffs Well had a chance to respond almost immediately as they were given a free-kick on the far side of the box. Drew Banner opted to shoot rather than cross and Cameron Clarke made easy work of his attempt.
It was a fairly stop-start opening quarter with the ball failing to stay in play for a prolonged period. Taffs Well eventually had a meaningful opportunity as the ball was fed to Banner on the flank. He tried his luck from a narrow angle with Clarke saving and then Daniel Bowen was denied on the rebound from a more central position.
The visitors would be made to rue to taking their chances as Pontypridd doubled their lead. Dan Griffiths was able to find Liam Eason in the box and he made it 15 league goals for the season with a low but driven shot.
Taffs looked to set pieces to try and trouble Pontypridd after suffering a setback. Reece Perry rose highest but his header was blocked in a congested box, and then the ball deflected off the crossbar after the ball bobbled around the six-yard spot.
Pontypridd were doing a good job of nullifying the away sides attack as they pressed them high. The final chance of the half saw Johnson have a free-kick from a foul on Jak Carson, but it was easily saved by Clarke.
In the second-half Taffs Well started brightly with Johnson trying a looping shot that almost caught out Clarke. A defensive error almost put Taffs Well further on the front foot but King denied Taylor Marsh who tried to tuck a low shot past him.
Cameron Gauci went near for the Wellmen as his left-footed shot skimmed just past the post. Substitutions began to take the sting out of the game just as Taffs Well were building up some steam.
With 15 minutes remaining Taffs put together an attack with Johnson and Harvey Sing combining but the formers header was too tame to cause any problems.
Pontypridd made it three just a few minutes from time. A corner-kick came in and Wright powered his header home into the corner. They saw out stoppage time without Taffs Well laying a glove on them to secure a clean sheet.
Pontypridd United XI
Cameron Clarke, Jordan Knott, Keston Davies, Ashley Evans, Dan Griffiths, Liam Eason (Tom Stokes, 83), Taylor Marsh (Cole Mace, 65), Jamie Veale, Alfie Lewis (Kieran Lewis, 55), Joe Evans, and Jarrad Wright.
Subs not used: Benjamin Matthews, Jack Jones, and Joshua Stephens.
Goals: Keston Davies 4, Liam Eason 22, Jarrad Wright 88′
Yellow Cards: Jarrad Wright 7, Daniel Griffiths 11′
Taffs Well XI
Edward King, David Lyon (Harvey Sing, 61), Cameron Gauci, Jack Carson, Benjamin Parry (C), Reece Perry, Jack Simpson (Finley Hayman, 66), Herry Treharne (Ryan Harris, 80), Samuel Johnson, Drew Banner, and Daniel Bowen (Joshua Pope, 66)
Subs not used: Jack Amos, and Thomas Dean.
Yellow Cards: Jack Simpson 42′
(Featured Image: Josh Thomas)
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