Briton Ferry Llansawel v Trefelin: Six talking points from Cymru Premier clash

Briton Ferry Llansawel and Trefelin shared the spoils in a result which leaves both sides with plenty to play for as the season continues.

For the Reds, the draw at least brings an end to a run of five straight defeats, while Trefelin can take another point from the game as they continue their search for that elusive first victory of the season. It does move Trefelin out of the Cymru Premier relegation zone following heavy defeats for Ammanford and Flint Town United however.

Alex Gammond opened the scoring late in the first half, giving Ferry the lead heading into the break. But Trefelin hit back shortly after the hour mark when former Ferry player Tyler Brock found the net to earn his side a share of the spoils.

Neither side could find a winner in the closing stages, meaning the points were shared in a result which leaves both clubs with plenty still to play for.

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Captain Gammond breaks the deadlock

After a largely scrappy first half in difficult conditions, Ferry finally found the breakthrough three minutes before the interval. Alex Gammond was left completely unmarked from a Mitchell Bates corner as Trefelin’s zonal marking failed to pick him up, and he made no mistake from close range to give the hosts a 1-0 lead at half-time.

The trend of set-piece goals in the Cymru Premier continues. In midweek, 49% of goals came from set-pieces, stressing the importance.

Brock strikes against his former club

There was a familiar face on the scoresheet as former Ferry player Tyler Brock brought Trefelin level shortly after the hour mark. A superb cross into the box picked out Brock in a dangerous position, and he made no mistake with the header to restore parity.

It was an important moment for Trefelin, who had trailed since Alex Gammond’s first-half header. Brock’s goal gave the visitors fresh belief and suddenly put them in with a chance of taking all three points, with Lewys Ware later going close after being played in by the goalscorer.

Dan John forced off a blow for Trefelin

Dan John had looked one of Trefelin’s more dangerous outlets in the opening stages, showing plenty of pace as he carried the ball forward on the counter.

But his evening was cut short when the forward was forced off injured after 34 minutes. He was able to walk off the pitch and was met by manager Andy Hill, with Owen Degelman coming on in his place.

Hill will be hopeful it is only a precaution, with John having been entrusted to lead the line on numerous occasions so far this season. The forward is still awaiting his first goal in Trefelin colours.

Cooper and Walters proving a dangerous combination

Andy Dyer’s men repeatedly looked to the same route to create their best chances, with Luke Cooper’s diagonal deliveries causing Trefelin problems throughout the evening. Thomas Walters was the main target, rising highest from one early ball before seeing another effort crash back off the crossbar.

The pattern continued after the break, with Cooper again involved in the build-up as Ollie Anderson flicked the ball into Walters’ path, only for his effort to bobble narrowly wide. With the slippery conditions making it difficult for either side to consistently play through midfield, Ferry’s willingness to go direct and use Cooper’s delivery proved an effective way of getting the ball into dangerous areas.

Luke Bowen watch: a familiar face waiting in the wings

There was also an interesting subplot on the Ferry bench, with Luke Bowen starting the game as a substitute against his former club. Bowen was instrumental in Trefelin’s Cymru South title-winning campaign last season, scoring 21 goals in 24 games.

He was eventually introduced in place of Ollie Anderson, adding another layer of intrigue to an already closely fought contest. With his record in front of goal for Trefelin still fresh in the memory, it was inevitably one of the names to keep an eye on when he entered the action. There was nothing of any real note following his introduction, with Trefelin thankful that it was one of their own players doing the haunting of their previous club.

Neither side able to find the winner

Once Trefelin had levelled, there were chances at both ends as the game opened up. Lewys are put an effort narrowly wide after being fed by Brock, while Ferry continued to threaten from set-pieces, with Walters forcing Scott Coughlin into a second attempt at gathering a free-kick.

Trefelin also showed plenty of commitment defensively late on, throwing bodies in the way of a Ferry effort as they protected their point. In the end, neither side could find the decisive third goal, leaving Ferry to take something from the game after five straight defeats and Trefelin with another point in their ongoing search for a first league win.