AND OLI JAMES HAS WON IT!!!!

CANTON LIBERAL    1     PONTYCLUN   2

   Pontyclun travelled to Cardiff to take on Canton Liberal in a South Wales Alliance League fixture.

Pontyclun in their change colours of navy and red shirts and shorts got proceedings underway on a mild, overcast afternoon kicking towards the city end of the ground. After an even opening the first opportunity of the match fell to Canton Liberal in the third minute. A long free-kick played into the Pontyclun area deceived everyone and rebounded off the angle of post and bar into the Pontyclun area where it eventually found its way into the hands of James Billington in the Pontyclun goal.

Pontyclun had to wait until the 11th minute for their first real opportunity of the match. Jamie Williams advanced down the right wing before eventually crossing the ball into the ball into the Canton Liberal area to James Gronnow who tried a spectacular overhead kick but was unable to make proper contact with the ball and the chance went begging.

A minute later Pontyclun had a strong claim for a penalty. Chris Bullock gathered the ball on the left and advanced into the Liberal area where he appeared to be impeded by a home defender as he shaped to shoot. However, the referee waved away the furious appeals for a penalty.

After a relatively quiet and even period another opportunity fell to Pontyclun in the 23rd minute. Chris Bullock again advanced towards the Liberal area before playing a low diagonal ball into James Gronnow. The Pontyclun forward took a couple of touches before getting in a low shot which was blocked by the home keeper with his legs before rebounding out once again to the Pontyclun wide man who got in another goal-bound shot which was deflected away by a Liberal defender.

Four minutes later the Pontyclun goal had a narrow escape when the ball was played in from the right to a home forward on the penalty spot but, fortunately for Pontyclun, his high effort went just wide of the far post.

A minute later the home team were awarded a penalty. The ball found its way to a Liberal player in the Pontyclun on the left hand side of the area box with his back to goal. Clun full-back Matthew Trigg tried to win the ball but in doing so he was adjudged to have brought down the Canton player and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The ensuing kick was sent high down the middle of the goal giving James Billington no chance to save.

Pontyclun then squandered a glorious chance to draw level on the half-hour mark. The ball was played down the right to Jamie Williams in the Liberal area, However, his shot from close range went just over the Liberal bar.

After another quiet period of play the next chance fell to Pontyclun in the 40th minute. Jamie Williams picked up the ball just inside the opposition half and advanced on goal, riding several challenges, before getting in a firm goal-bound shot which was cleared to safety by a Liberal defender. Stung by this the home team spent the remainder of the half taking the game to Pontyclun. However, they could not add to their score and the interval arrived with them leading by a goal to nil.

The home team got proceedings underway in the second period. After a relatively tame opening with chances being at a premium for both sides Pontyclun drew level in the 57th minute. Jamie Williams picked up the ball and advanced into the Canton area before drawing the home goalkeeper and lifting the ball over him into the net.

Three minutes later Pontyclun came close to going in front. Jamie Williams won the ball before feeding substitute Oli James whose low ball through to fellow substitute Tom Haley put him through one on one with the home goalkeeper but his low effort just went wide of the left hand post.

With the home team starting to tire Pontyclun began to enjoy more and more of the possession but could not really turn this into scoring opportunities. As the minutes began to tick by both the players and the large travelling contingent were becoming increasingly frustrated at being unable to convert this increasing amount of possession into goals.

However, Oli James had other ideas. In the 86th minute Jamie Williams sent in a low cross from the right into the Liberal six yard area to Oli James. The Pontyclun player’s first effort was blocked by a Liberal defender but the ball came back to him and he managed to stab the ball between two defenders into the net from close range into the net sparking wild scenes of celebration by both players and supporters.

With the minutes ticking by play became increasingly scrappy as Pontyclun looked to preserve their lead and the home team going all out for an equaliser. Deep into stoppage time Canton were awarded a free-kick on the left 35 yards from goal but their player could only send his effort tamely over the bar.

This proved to be the home team’s final effort of the game as the remainder of the contest was played out deep in the Liberal’s half. Both Oli James and Tom Haley both had half-chances to increase Pontyclun’s lead but were unable to capitalise on them and the final whistle sounded with Pontyclun winners by 2 goals to 1