 JD Cymru Premier
Saturday 1st April Pontypridd United 1 Aberystwyth Town 1 The Black and Greens enjoyed injury time heroics for the second week in a row as Super Keeper Matthew Turner’s 96th minute equaliser earned a huge point away to Pontypridd United. Tom Davies had given the hosts the lead after 32 minutes, but Town survived some nervous moments to stay in the game, before snatching a point at the end amid scenes of utter jubilation amongst the superb 40 strong following support. Anthony Williams’ men were cheered onto the field by the visiting tifosi, and started well. Harry Arnison headed wide from Billy Kirkman’s free kick, and Ponty repelled a series of free kicks and corners. Clayton Green blasted over from a tight angle down the left for the hosts, then Jon Owen’s shot was deflected for a throw, and Niall Flint fired inches wide into the side netting amid gasps of disappointment. Then however the hosts found their mojo and Liam Walsh got back to clear Ben Ahmun’s effort off the line, before Turner punched another attempt to safety. With the rain falling down Jack Thorn was next to clear off the line and then just past the half hour a right wing cross was nodded home from close range by Davies, and Ponty had the lead. Arnison saw a free kick held by home keeper George Ratcliffe, before Danny Williams fired over and another Ahmun effort was cleared off the line by Thorn – and Aber were hanging on. Flint had a long range effort saved for Aber but the under the cosh visitors were probably glad to hear the half time whistle. The visitors again started the second half in promising form. Iwan Lewis’ cross just evaded Owen, then Jonathan Evans’ ball back in fell to Owen, but his low shot was saved by Ratcliffe. Ahmun headed Tom Davies’ corner wide, and saw another headed attempt saved by Turner. The irrepressible home forward then surged through in a one on one and seemed certain to score but for a superb fingertip save from Turner, and Captain Jack Thorn was once again back on the line to prevent a second strike for Ponty. Aber were trying to respond from set pieces, with chances from open play hard to find, although Owen did pull off a brilliant Cruyff turn down the left before sending in a dangerous cross which evaded all in Black and Green. As the game wore on Ponty seemed happy to settle for one nil and Aber got more direct with Steff Davies coming on to add a target man to the eleven. Four minutes of added time were shown but when Kieran Lewis went down for United, the two additional minutes added for his injury proved absolutely crucial for Aber. Davies was denied by a super save from Turner, then a series of corners up the other end gave Aber a glimmer of hope. Turner come up for the last one and incredibly, when Arnison fired in a last gasp effort, Aber’s super keeper was in the right place to side foot home an astonishing equaliser, causing absolute bedlam and wild scenes of delight both on and off the field! This result could prove to be a vital one for Aber, moving the Black and Greens back out of the bottom two with three games to go. While Ponty will feel they should have put the game to bed more than once, Williams’ men bravely hung in there, and found a way to score right at the death, in an uncanny repetition of the two side’s previous 3-3 draw at Park Avenue. Town have gained ten points from their past five games and look to be in good form ahead of next Saturday’s match up at home to Airbus UK Broughton, with a 2.30pm kick off. See you down the Park! Comments are closed.
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Gem Nesaf
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