CLUN PAY THE PENALTY
PONTLOTTYN AFC 3 PONTYCLUN 0
Pontyclun made the long journey to the top of the Rhymney Valley to kick-off their 2016-17 season against Pontlottyn.
The home team got proceedings underway in the bright sunshine but it was Pontyclun who had the better of the early exchanges. In the opening couple of minutes they were awarded a free-kick on the right just outside the Pontlottyn penalty area after a foul on Tom Tweedy. Chris Bullock stepped up to take the kick but he could only send his effort tamely over the bar.
The home team had to wait until the 8th minute for their first real opportunity of the match when a firm low shot from the right hand edge of the Pontyclun area was gathered at the second attempt by James Billington in the Pontyclun goal.
Five minutes later the home team had another good chance to take the lead when one of their forwards jinked around a couple of Pontyclun players on the left hand edge of the area before putting in a cross which was deflected just wide for a corner. With the home team having more and more of the game they again came perilously close to taking the lead in the 18th minute when a cross-cum-shot ten yards from the by-line on the right deceived James Billington before going just wide of the left hand post.
Two minutes later Pontyclun had to thank James Billington for keeping the scores level. A long ball played down the centre of the field created indecision in the centre of the Pontyclun defence. A Pontlottyn forward took advantage of the situation and broke free before sending in a low shot which the advancing Billington did well to save with his foot.
Pontyclun had a rare opportunity in the 25th minute Chris Bullock put the home goalkeeper under pressure outside his area. The ball broke to Oli James who was subsequently bundled to the ground by the Pontyclun stopper for which he received a yellow card. However, Clun were unable to take advantage of the ensuing free-kick. Shaun Moss managed to curl the ball around the wall only to see his effort comfortably saved by the Pontlottyn custodian.
On the half hour mark the home side thought they should have been awarded a penalty when it looked as if Matthew Trigg had pulled down a Pontlottyn player who was advancing on goal. However, fortunately for Pontyclun the referee waved away the furious protests of the home side.
As the half drew to a close Pontlottyn were having more and more of the possession. Three minutes before half time the home team were awarded a corner on the right. From the ensuing kick a Pontlottyn player rose unmarked to head powerfully into the net to open the scoring. Straight from the re-start the home team gained possession and were again on the attack and James Billington was called into action on a couple of occasions in quick succession before the half time whistle sounded.
Pontyclun got proceedings underway in the second half and in the opening minute they were awarded a lifeline when James Gronow was bundled over in the Pontlottyn area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Chris Bullock stepped up the take the kick but his tame effort was pushed out by the home keeper. However, the ball only went as far as the onrushing Oli James whose effort was blocked by the Pontlottyn goalie who pushed the ball into a crowd of players before another Pontyclun effort was bundled behind for an ultimately fruitless corner.
Pontyclun were soon made to pay for squandering this chance to draw level as two minutes later the home team doubled their lead after they were awarded a free-kick thirty yards from goal on the right. As the Pontyclun defence grouped ready for the expected cross into the area the home team cleverly played the ball low down the right wing to an advancing Pontlottyn player who advanced into the area before firing in a low shot which beat James Billington at his near post.
The home team were now well in the ascendency and in the 57th minute they made the score 3-0. A rare mistake by Clun centre-back Lewis Miller in his own area gave possession to a Pontlottyn forward. The home player got in a shot from eight yards which was partially blocked by James Billington. However the ball rolled under his body and tricked into the far corner of the net.
This score completely knocked the stuffing out of Pontyclun. With the game now essentially over as a contest it was the home team who dominated possession. However, they seemed content to settle for what they had achieved and failed to further assert their dominance over a now completely demoralised Pontyclun. Despite manager Barry Quinn ringing the changes by sending on Richie Veale, Harry Flint and Sam Shilton the Clun were unable to get back into the game. Indeed their only real effort came right at the death when a Chris Bullock free-kick from the edge of the area was comfortably saved by the Pontlottyn goalkeeper.