WOODINGTON WINS IT!
CARDIFF CORRIES 1 PONTYCLUN FC 2
Pontyclun made the short journey to Radyr on Sunday afternoon to take on Cardiff Corries in a South Wales Alliance League Premier Division fixture which was the final fixture of the Spring Groundhop Weekend.
The home team got proceedings underway on a cold and sometimes blustery afternoon kicking towards the north end of the ground. Right from the kick-off the home team went on the attack on the right towards the Clun area and a cross-cum-shot flew straight over the bar.
Three minutes later the home team spurned a glorious chance to open the scoring. After advancing down the left a Corries forward played the ball into the Pontyclun area. After several failed Pontyclun attempts to clear the danger the ball eventually broke to an unmarked Corries player eight yards out but he could only spoon his effort over the bar.
After this initial burst of activity the game then entered a much quieter phase and Pontyclun had to wait until the 17th minute for their first real opportunity of the match. However, they were unable to capitalise on a goalmouth scramble and the ball eventually found its way into the hands of a grateful Chris Came in the Corries goal.
Just before the half hour mark the Pontyclun goal had another narrow escape. A throw-in on the right level with the Pontyclun 18 yard line was launched into the area. The ball caught in the swirling wind and as keeper James Billington came to gather he only succeeded in spooning the ball behind him. However, fortunately for Pontyclun he was able to spare his blushes by recovering to dive on the ball before it was able to cross the line.
Spurred on by this let-off Pontyclun came more into the game and in the 32nd minute came close themselves to opening the scoring. Jamie Williams embarked on a mazy run down the left taking on several players before finding Shaun Moss who in turn played in the former player on the edge of the area. However, his firm shot was pushed away to safety by the home keeper.
After another relatively quiet period of play Pontyclun once again came close to taking the lead in the 42nd minute when an acrobatic effort by Craig Williams was pushed over the bar by Chris Came. This proved to be the final significant action of the half and the interval arrived with the score at 0-0.
Pontyclun got proceedings underway in the second half and they did not have to wait long for an opportunity to go in front. In the 49th minute Joel Woodington was brought down just inside the Corries area and referee Mark Boucher had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Shaun Moss stepped up to take the kick and although the Corries keeper dived the right way he had no chance of stopping the firmly driven kick which went low into the left hand corner of the net.
However, Pontyclun’s lead proved to be short-lived as three minutes later Corries drew level. The ball was played up into the Pontyclun area. After several Pontyclun players spurned the opportunity to clear their lines the ball broke to Corries Cawley on the right hand edge of the area and he fired low into the corner of the net.
After this flurry of action the game reverted to type with little being created by either side. In the 64th minute though the Pontyclun goal had another miraculous escape. Corries were awarded a free kick on the left 30 yards from goal. James Billington in the Pontyclun goal managed to parry away the low effort but could only succeed in diverting the ball into the path of an unmarked Corries player three yards out but the player somehow managed to send his effort against the bar when it looked easier to score.
The home side were made to pay for spurning this opportunity as in the 70th minute Pontyclun regained the lead. Good work by Jamie Williams down the right wing saw him advance almost to the by-line before pulling the ball back low into the Corries area where the onrushing Joel Woodington was on hand to turn the ball into the net from 8 yards.
As the minutes ticked by Pontyclun’s high level of fitness began to pay dividends as they began to enjoy more and more of the possession and in the 80th minute they came close to extending their lead.
Once again good play down the right by Jamie Williams resulted in him sending the ball into the Corries area towards an unmarked Tom Haley six yards out. However, the Pontyclun forward was unable to get the ball fully under control and his effort flew over the bar.
As the minutes ticked by neither side really looked like adding to their tally and although Corries put on more pressure in stoppage time the Pontyclun defence held firm and the final whistle sounded with Pontyclun, much to the delight of the sizeable travelling contingent in the crowd of 189, winners by 2 goals to 1.