Pontyclun FC 1 0 Merthyr Saints
6th May 2017 - 14.30
Ivor Park
South Wales Alliance League

PONTYCLUN FC  1   MERTHYR SAINTS  0

Alliance League Champions Pontyclun took on high-flying Merthyr Saints before a massive crowd at Ivor Park in their final fixture of the 2016-17 campaign.

Playing towards the Village End in the first half Clun enjoyed the better of the possession although the strong wind blowing down the pitch made it harder for them to play their usual passing game. Although Jamie Williams, Tom Tweedy and Chris Bullock all had chances in the opening period they were unable to convert them and the half-time whistle sounded with the teams locked at 0-0.

The second half followed a very similar pattern to the first as the game had a distinct end of season air to it with the vast majority of the spectators counting down the minutes for the presentation of the Championship shield at the end of the game.

The visitors didn’t do their cause any favours when Luke Jones was dismissed for a second bookable offence midway through the half. Playing with an extra man Pontyclun continued to enjoy the lion’s share of the possession and 15 minutes from time opened the scoring.

James Gronow picked up the ball just inside the Saints half and advanced forward before sending in a speculative daisy-cutter from fully 40 yards. Much to the surprise of everyone in the ground the effort eluded everyone and entered the net just inside the post.

This proved to be the last real effort of the game and despite Saints forcing a couple of corners late on the Pontyclun defence held firm and the game ended with them visitors by a goal to nil.