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Trethomas Bluebirds dismantled Brecon Corries 7-2 in a first-half performance described as “absolutely magnificent” by manager Mark Dunford, with the Ardal South East leaders taking a 6-0 lead at the break.

The two teams met on a rare sunny day at the Centre for Sporting Excellence for their first match of 2024, and the league-leading Bluebirds were keen to put an early marker down.

Gareth Tedstone opened the scoring, before debutant James Young soon got the second. Levi Rees grabbed himself a brace – as did Liam Fawcett – meaning the score was 6-0 at half-time.

The Corries tried to make a game of it to their credit. Two early goals in the second-half from Luke Roughley and Joel Evans made it 6-2, but Rees’ late hat-trick rounded-off a very impressive Bluebirds display.

Kick-off

The first interesting point of the game was the formation out of Brecon Corries. A ‘traditional’ two-up-top meant the visitors would be missing a man in midfield, but had more of a chance, in theory, when going forward.

It was clear early on however they wouldn’t be getting much of a chance in the first-half.

In typical Bluebirds fashion, an early goal settled them on their first game back since December 16; which also left the Corries reeling.

Former Abertillery Bluebirds midfielder James Young made his debut for the Bluebirds having signed earlier this month, and played the pass that got the move going. His ball through to number nine Gareth Tedstone down the right was perfectly weighted.

Tedstone crossed to an in-form Levi Rees whose touch let him down for once, but somehow ended up giving the ball back to Tedstone.

The striker just got there ahead of the keeper and defender to prod home from close range. One-nil inside the opening seven minutes.

Young’s dream debut continued after a promising start, Tedstone turning provider this time down the left. Driving into the box near the touch line, he cut the ball back to Young who was in all kinds of space, and side footed the ball home confidently into the bottom corner.

The Bluebirds could have been forgiven if they came out a bit rusty, but there was no chance of that. This side look determined to put the season to bed as soon as mathematically possible.

It wasn’t long before the third goal went in for Trethomas. Midfielder Thomas Gameson this time down the right floated a cross to the back post where Liam Fawcett was waiting.

Yet more poor defending from the Corries meant Fawcett’s scuffed attempt still managed to find Rees who couldn’t miss from right in front of goal. 3-0 after 25 minutes.

Trethomas were making lightwork of the Corries, who came into the game as the seventh in the league. A response was needed to stop things getting out of hand.

The Bluebirds attack was relentless however. Not long after the third, it was 4-0 to the hosts.

Young again started the move. Winning the ball in midfield, he set-up Lee Baldock who swept a lovely ball from left to right into the feet of Rees who took a great touch and finished well from the edge of the box into the bottom right.

There was nearly an immediate response from the visitors, when the ball was slipped through to James Jeffreys, but he was quickly met by the alert Bluebirds keeper, Harry Irving, who had little to do up until that point.

Back up the business end, more mistakes from the Corries defence meant the score was quickly 5-0.

A bouncing ball was struck by Gameson who volleyed into the ground towards goal. There was no response from the visitors, who seemed to watch the ball loop towards Liam Fawcett at the back post. The keeper too was out of position, making it the simplest of goals for Fawcett.

Aside from the clear gap in quality, the biggest problem for the Corries was not being physical enough. They rarely put any pressure on a Trethomas touch or run, making it far too easy for the high-flying Bluebirds to dictate the tempo of the game.

As half-time approached, the inevitable sixth went in, and what a goal it was.

Like most of the goals, this one started with a Brecon mistake. Goal keeper Declan Gaydon’s poor kick was met by Gwion Pugh-Jones whose thumping header fell to Tedstone high up the field.

Tedstone held the ball up well, before passing it back to Fawcett who took a touch and lobbed Gaydon from no less than 30 yards. A superb dink that looked on, but had to be executed perfectly nonetheless.

Half-time and Bluebirds manager Mark Dunford couldn’t have asked anymore from his side. For the Corries, the second-half had to be about damage limitation.

Second-half

Whatever Corries manager Damien Daniels said at half-time worked, as within minutes, the visitors had their first goal of the game.

The chance came out of nowhere, a ball down the left channel looked harmless enough before it was fired to Luke Roughley – who was the brightest of Brecon sparks in the first half.

Roughley’s shot seemed to catch Irving out, the ball flew straight over his head into the roof of the net and it was 6-1.

It would have been almost impossible for the Bluebirds to match the intensity of the first-half, but there was no excuse for defender Gareth Emmanuel passing the ball to Corries top scorer Joel Evans as the last man.

Evans wouldn’t have had many easier chances than that one, receiving the ball from the defender on the edge of the area, he made no mistake in grabbing his tenth of the season to make it 6-2.

There was still no cause for concern with 30 minutes to play, but the contrast to the first-half performance from both sides was night and day.

The Brecon sideline clearly still thought the game was there to be won. They were extremely vocal during this period, and were doing their best to get their team forward.

After a 20-minute spell of dominance, the hosts were back on top and slowing the game down as best they could.

There were still opportunities on the break however, and Rees managed to nab his hat-trick just before the final whistle.

A great one-two between Rees and substitute Adam Raymond saw the forward bursting past defenders as if it was the first minute. He was at the edge of the box in no time, before curling the ball into the far corner to wrap-up a good days work.

Full-time, 7-2 Trethomas Bluebirds.

That win puts the Bluebirds four points clear at the top with three games in hand over Risca United.

Their real threat however might be Newport City in third. They’re six points behind the Bluebirds, but Trethomas have just one game in hand over them.

Reaction

After the game, Caerphilly Observer spoke to Trethomas Bluebirds manager Mark Dunford. He said: “I thought we were absolutely magnificent in that first-half in and out of possession. There were some fantastic individual performances and we were ruthless in the final third.

“In terms of the second-half, the tone was set straight from the kick-off. We talk a lot about setting tones, and after conceding a sloppy early goal it got their tails up and made things hard work for us.”

Asked about new signing James Young, Dunford said: “We know a lot about James who has played a lot of games at this level and above.

“He showed his quality and experience in that first-half especially. He’s really bought into how we want to play and worked hard in training to be ready for today. I thought he made a good account of himself.”