M. Pemberton

O. Evans

S. Lupton

C. Underwood

T. Oliver

Match-day Squad: Calim Bowen, Dafydd Davies, Owen Evans, Luciana Linciano, Steffan Lupton, Toby Oliver, Morgan Pemberton, Luke Phillips, Matthew Phipps, Sam Rowe, Cameron Underwood.

The Cimla players were keen to get back to winning ways following last weeks home defeat.

The first half goalkeeping jersey was initially pulled on by Dafydd on his return from holiday, and this responsibility was shared in the first period with Sam. Good initial pressure from the Cimla side saw a succession of corners and throw-ins which were well defended by the home side. The initial breakthrough came as Morgan and a defender both went for a ball in the Pontardawe area which resulted in the ball going into the Pontardawe net, whilst some of the crowd felt the final touch was from the defender, the credit is clearly Morgans. Pressure followed from the Cimla side who saw a succession of corners and throw-ins which were well defended by the home side despite Calim taking up good attacking positions from these plays. Ponty eventually released the pressure on their goal when they forced a couple of corners of their own. It was from this that Owen made a speedy break up the field and then fed in Cameron who fired home coolly to make it 2-0 just before half time.

The team-talk at half time revolved around the need to show the determination and good football that had been the hallmark of recent second half performances. In particular the boys were asked to use the space to better effect and try to get their passing game going..

The second half tactics saw the goal keeping duties shared equally by first Matthew and then Luciana (and her four jerseys). The second period scoring started when Owen netted his to make it 3-0. Far from this being the signal for the home team to subside, they then went on and produced some of their best football and were unlucky not to score as Matthew was forced to pull down an attempted lob which came from the return of his own clearance. This was followed by another effort as Luke was forced to chase back and put the ball out for a corner. At times in the second period the lack of a good team shape continued to be a concern. However the determination of the Cimla team to compete until the final whistle was once again evident as they pressed on and were rewarded by a late goal for Steffan who had put in a good shift in the second period as he regularly covered to assist in defence. The final goal came right at the end of the game and was scored by Toby despite the best efforts of Owen as he finished it off after it had crossed the line. It was good to see Owen show the goal-scorers instinct in making sure that the ball had crossed the line, but perhaps it was even more pleasing to hear him credit the goal to his team-mate.