|
|
Pontyclun - L 2-1 (H) Cwmnant-Y-Groes
28/08/2010 Welsh Cup
Because of the legal dispute with the Welsh League and a few of its member clubs, the Bluebirds found themselves playing host to fellow WL outfit Pontyclun in the second preliminary round of the FAW Cup as their opening fixture of the 2010/2011 campaign.
On a sun drenched Cwmnantygroes field, both sides started brightly and a few half chances fell to both sides in the opening twenty minutes.
Unfortunately for the home side, it was Pontyclun who took the lead when Matthew Havard rounded the keeper with consummate ease and slotted home, completing an excellent counter-attack from a Bluebirds corner.
This seemed to spur on the visitors & they were unlucky not to grab another a few minutes later when Havard's deflected effort grazed the crossbar & went out harmlessly for a goal kick.
Alarm bells were now ringing for the Bluebirds defence and there cause was not helped when centre back Richard Clark under hit a pass back to the keeper and Havard, who was on sparkling form, picked up on the loose ball and slid it under the outstretched Abertillery keeper to give Pontyclun a 2-0 lead at the interval.
Strong words were spoken at half time and the Bluebirds came out all guns blazing, attacking in wave after wave, but failed to break down a resolute Pontyclun back line.
Unfortunately the game then took a downward turn as Brett Morgan made an unnecessarily bad and somewhat inane tackle on the Pontyclun shot stopper and the game became rather ill tempered.
Both sides became guilty of some poor challenges and the referee had some important decisions to make, which on the whole he got correct.
Owen Goodenough, the prolific Bluebirds front man, got his first of the season when he broke through from midfield and unleashed a bullet of a shot, leaving the Pontyclun keeper stranded.
Chris Simmons did hit the back of the net to draw the game level, but was unfortunately ruled offside by the referee who was some thirty yards away from the incident.
The game fizzled out towards the end and the Bluebirds were left rueing there poor first half performance by going out of this prestigious competition at the first hurdle.
This Wednesday, 1st September, they travel to fellow promoted club Aberbargoed Buds for the first league game of the campaign.
|
|
|
|
