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PONTYCLUN FC 3 SULLY SPORTS 0
Mid-table Sully Sports were the visitors to a bright and breezy Ivor Park on Saturday for a South Wales Alliance League Premier Division fixture.
Pontyclun got proceedings underway kicking towards the Cowbridge End of the ground. However, it was the visitors who nearly opened the scoring in the first minute. After forcing a corner on the left the visitors crossed the ball into the Pontyclun area. Pontyclun keeper James Billington could only succeed in helping the ball towards the goal but fortunately Kieran Lawrence was on hand on the line to clear the danger.
Three minutes later it was Pontyclun who had a good chance to open their account when Tom Tweedy running through with the ball into the Sully area drew the visiting keeper off his line but just as he was about to let fly a Sully defender got back and managed to divert the ball behind for a corner.
Pontyclun had another opportunity to open the scoring in the eighth minute. The ball found its way to the advancing Jamie Williams on the right hand edge of the area but he could only pull his shot high and wide.
With the Pontyclun having more and more of the play it came as little surprise to the large crowd when they took the lead in the 20th minute. Pontyclun won a free-kick on the left. The ball was played into the Sully area towards Joel Woodington. After the Pontyclun forward initially headed the ball straight up in the air he atoned for his error by deftly back-heading the ball, as it returned downwards, over the head of the Sully keeper and into the far corner of the net off the post.
Five minutes later Pontyclun doubled their lead. A long diagonal cross-field ball found Jamie Williams on the right hand edge of the Sully area. The Pontyclun forward wasted no time in bringing the ball under control and held off the challenge of a Sully defender before powering a low shot into the far corner of the net.
Although the home team were now dominating proceedings they had to wait until the 41st minute for their next real opportunity when a Jamie Williams shot from the edge of the area was well palmed away by the Sully keeper. The proved to be the last significant action of the half and the interval arrived with Pontyclun leading by two goals to nil.
The visitors got the second half underway and after a rather tame opening it was the Pontyclun goal which had a narrow escape in the 55th minute. Good battling by a Sully player down the right saw him eventually reach the by-line before putting in a firm low cross right across the Pontyclun goal. However, fortunately for the home side, there was no visiting player on hand to turn the ball into the net.
Three minutes later Pontyclun had their best chance of the half so far. After being awarded a corner the ball was played into the Sully area where it was kicked off the line by a visiting defender. After the ball had pinged around the Sully area it was eventually partly cleared to Shaun Moss on the edge of the box but the Pontyclun midfielder only send his effort high and wide
As the minutes ticked by, despite being in control of proceedings the home team were unable to secure that all important third goal which would make the game safe. They were finally awarded for their endeavours though in the 79th minute. A good, firm cross by James Gronow on the left found an unmarked Joel Woodington 15 yards from goal and the Pontyclun centre-forward powerfully headed the ball past the Sully goalkeeper into the net.
This move proved to be the two players concerned last involvement of the game as immediately afterwards they were replaced by Oli James and Chris Bullock respectively. The remaining minutes were quite a tame affair with Pontyclun well in control of the proceedings and full time arrived with them comfortable winners by three goals to nil.