Christian Allen hailed a hard-fought team performance after his hat-trick inspired Port Talbot to a crucial victory over Penrhiwceiber Rangers in a top-of-the-table Ardal South West clash.
Port Talbot came out on top against the previously unbeaten league leaders, securing three valuable points and reducing the gap between the two sides to just two points, while also having a game in hand.
It was a significant result for Port Talbot, particularly given the injury problems and player unavailability they faced heading into the encounter.
Allen was the difference between the sides, finding the net three times to cap an impressive individual performance and help his team secure a statement victory in the promotion race.
Christian Allen reflects on hard-fought Port Talbot victory
Reflecting on the contest, Allen admitted both teams knew the importance of the result as they battled near the top of the Ardal South West table.
He said: “A hard fought game. Both sides battling at the top wanting to try and win the league. We left it all out on the pitch. Such a hard game, but well fought, well battled, and we’ve come out on top.
“We’ve had a lot of injuries this week. A lot of people unavailable. We got together, worked hard, and it was a big win for us. It was good to get the three points after a hard fought win.”
Allen explains how he completed his Port Talbot hat-trick
The three goals were particularly satisfying for Allen, who had not found the net since scoring against Llwydcoed on September 26.
He had previously registered a hat-trick in Port Talbot’s 5-1 victory over Cardiff Corinthians on September 12, but had gone five games without scoring before rediscovering his goalscoring touch against Penrhiwceiber.
The forward explained how each of his three finishes came about, including a composed first goal after beating the offside trap.
He said: “I’m not really known for running in behind. I’m not the quickest but I beat the offside trap, I took my time, looked the goalkeeper in the eyes and slotted it.
“The second one, I saw the back pass and thought to try and get in there. Luckily it bounced for me in front of goal. A nice tap-in.
“The third, I saw the goalkeeper come out, and I thought I’d give him the chip. Thankfully it went in. Nice to finish off a hat-trick with that.”
Allen admitted getting back among the goals was a welcome feeling and believes finding the net can quickly build a striker’s confidence.
He added: “When you’re a goal scorer. Once you get one, you get another and your confidence grows. Hopefully I’ll keep getting chances and put them away.”
Port Talbot close gap on Penrhiwceiber Rangers in title race
The victory could prove an important moment in the Ardal South West campaign, with Port Talbot now just two points behind the league leaders and holding a game in hand.
Penrhiwceiber had not previously lost in the league this season, making the result an even bigger achievement for Port Talbot.
However, with both sides having played fewer than 10 league matches, Allen was reluctant to read too much into the significance of the result at this early stage.
He insisted his side would remain focused on taking each fixture as it comes rather than getting carried away by their position in the table.
Allen said: “It’s definitely too early to say. It’s a big game though. It will only give us confidence to move on, and stay up there. It is too early to say.
“We could drop points next week, it doesn’t really matter. We’re going to take it a game at a time. It’s a good result, we’ll celebrate and on to the next one.”
With confidence boosted by a victory over the previously unbeaten league leaders, Port Talbot will now look to build on their momentum as the Ardal South West promotion race continues to take shape.
