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In their first match of the new season, Trethomas Bluebirds claimed a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Cwmbran Celtic in a round one Nathaniel MG Cup clash.

Short of a few players, it was always going to be a tough test for Trethomas, on the road against established Cymru South opposition, managed by former Risca United manager Simon Berry.

An early Levi Rees goal against the the run of play should have settled the Bluebirds, but Cwmbran responded well through Alex Bonthron and Andrew Larcombe to lead 2-1 at the break.

The second-half was all Trethomas. Former Risca United man Leon Thomas equalised for the visitors before defender William Bevan headed-in the winner.

It sets the Bluebirds up against Baglan Dragons in the next round.

Kick-off

It was a fairly slow start from both sides, to be expected in their first competitive game following an extremely short preseason.

Trethomas’ new recruit, goalkeeper Cameron Clarke, was extremely vocal from minute one, keen to get his players high up the pitch and away from goal.

The first goal came high up the field for the Bluebirds, some good pressing by Thomas Gameson allowed him to block a clearance which fell to last season’s golden boot winner, Levi Rees.

On the edge of the box, Rees shrugged past two defenders before taking a snap shot on his favoured left foot, finding the near corner before Lewis Watkins had time to react.

It felt bittersweet to watch Rees wheel away in celebration knowing the winger is set to leave the country for work in a couple of weeks. He’ll be a huge miss for sure.

Cwmbran responded well to the goal. A series of free kicks allowed them to dictate the pace of the game, with a few half chances drawing encouragement from the dugout.

Another new signing, former Barry Town defender David Vincent, looked at home in the back four from minute one. His height allowed him to win the duels up high, but the experience was also clear in the way he was almost always in the right starting position.

The first real chance for Cwmbran was nearly an early contender for goal of the season. Midfielder Isaac Powell from just inside the Trethomas half tried his luck and very almost beat Clarke in the net. Just wide however.

Despite Cwmbran seeing more and more of the ball, Gameson was doing everything possible to disrupt the flow. The midfielder is a real nuisance off the ball; exactly the type of player you want in your team.

There’s not much he or anyone else could have done about the equaliser however. A superb move from back to front by Cwmbran eventually came to Powell in the box who turned and shot low and hard towards the back post.

Meanwhile defender William Bevan claimed an elbow to the face as he went down, but nothing given as Clarke pushed the ball away only as far as danger man Alex Bonthron, who couldn’t miss from a yard out.

After 30 minutes or so played there were some real signs of frustration from Trethomas, who were looking up against it.

The pressure eventually mounted-up, and hosts Cwmbran took a deserved lead.

Down the left, Thomas Meechan whipped in a brilliant cross, low and firm at the near post where captain Andrew Larcombe was making his run.

His header was equally good, past Clarke in a flash to make it 2-1 shortly before the break.

Second-half

After a slightly scrambled start where they gave away some needless corners, Trethomas looked to be a lot more settled for the first time in the match.

Playing into the wind however, it wasn’t going to be easy for the Bluebirds.

Just five minutes into the half though and new signing Thomas found himself in far too much space over on the left hand side.

Almost a carbon copy of the many goals he scored for Risca, Thomas picked out the far corner beautifully, past the keeper and off the inside of the post to make it 2-2.

It was now Cwmbran on the backfoot, as shortly after a classic Bluebirds break threatened to make it 3-2. With a man over, Trethomas at full flow would have made it count. It was all a bit slow and sloppy on this occasion though and the hosts survived.

Rees had to make way just before the hour mark, indicating his hamstring was in some pain. That could well be the last time he steps on a pitch for the Bluebirds.

The visitors would need to find a goal scorer elsewhere. One unlikely candidate soon delivered to give Trethomas the all-important lead.

Substitute Alfie Jones curled in a great free kick down the left which was met by the towering Bevan; unmarked inside the box.

He attacked the ball well and powered it into the top corner to make it 3-2 in what was turning out to be a brilliant match.

The game had completely flipped. Striker Gareth Tedstone had a half chance to kill the tie off, but his effort trickled wide.

The wind and rain was really swirling by the 70-minute mark. Substitute Andrew Evans put a header onto the bar and it felt a certainty the fourth was coming for the Bluebirds.

As the minutes ticked by, Cwmbran had to make their move. They struggled to get anything going however.

Any crosses were met by Clarke, who used every second to bleed the clock further; resulting in an eventual yellow card.

There was one huge moment which could have forced penalties though. Larcombe was through on goal when James Young came out of nowhere and managed to block the shot.

After a nervy corner, Trethomas cleared to a huge cheer as referee Joseph Gibson blew his whistle.

Reaction

Speaking after the match, Bluebirds manager Mark Dunford told Caerphilly Observer: “The start of the match was a bit of a wake up call for us.

“We’d been in control of every preseason game and that first-half we didn’t match the physicality and intensity of Cwmbran, who had a great game plan.”

Asked about how his side responded after the break, Dunford said: “We put a few things right at half-time and that’s what you want to see really. It was a game of two halves and I’m really happy with our response.

“I thought our subs were excellent and we finished the game strong. We’ll take lots of positives.”

On his new signings, Dunford added: “We didn’t give our front three much to work with in the first-half so that was something we addressred.

“You can see the quality of Leon when he’s given the ball, that was a great strike and later we see an assist from sub Alfie Jones.”

The Bluebirds kick-off their debut Cymru South campaign away to Llantwit Major on Saturday July 27, but face Baglan Dragons in round two of the cup at the Centre for Sporting Excellence on Friday August 2.