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Trethomas Bluebirds made the short trip to Cwmbran over the weekend, looking to bounce back from their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Baglan Dragons.

In a match which had just about everything, Mark Dunford’s Bluebirds side managed to run out comfortable(ish) 6-4 winners on the day, and maintain their spot at the top of the Cymru South.

Kick-off

Due to a few Trethomas absentees, specifically in the midfield, we saw a new shape out of Trethomas. Needs must, but perhaps the right time to play it against a Cwmbran side at the foot of the table.

A welcomed return to the side for Leon Thomas who was sharp from the start, but it was the hosts who had the first chance when a free-kick was floated to the back post.

Defender David Vincent was at fault when he awkwardly leant on his man, and gave Jack Stuckey no choice but to point to the spot.

Celtic captain Andrew Larcombe made no mistake with the penalty, and the Bluebirds were behind within minutes.

No need to panic though, the game settled and you quickly realised it was going to be an impossible task for Cwmbran to hold onto a 1-0 lead.

Striker Gareth Tedstone benefited massively from having fellow number nine Callum Huggins alongside him in a more traditional ‘front two’, he was afforded time and space to step back into midfield and take hold of the ball, with the more willing runner Huggins getting in behind.

The hosts were doing their best to slow the game down, but the signs were there that a goal was coming.

Tedstone again given too much space on the edge of the box fed winger Ethan Edwards who was a bit wider than he’d have liked, but got his shot away anyway. Keeper Jamie Pring parried though and it was cleared.

Despite some decent build-up play, it was some classic route one stuff which brought the Bluebirds level after 33 minutes played.

Quick thinking by Harry Irving in goals for Trethomas, he launched the ball perfectly over the defence where Tedstone had timed his run expertly.

Pring came to punch, but the youthful 33-year-old got his head on it first and found the back of the net.

It was becoming really difficult to judge the bounce due to the boggy pitch, something the Bluebirds aren’t used to given their all-weather home ground, but dealt with well on the day.

One player who found his feet despite playing out of position at right-back was Andrew Evans. Always good on the ball, he looked at home taking-on players down the channel and getting crosses in.

Again though it was another ball over the top which the Bluebirds exploited to take the lead before the half.

Huggins this time with the run, he showed a surprising amount of strength to muscle away the defender and keeper who failed to clear. The striker was the most alert to the loose ball and fired into an empty net.

Looking a little ragged now, Celtic had the chance to do something from a corner, but were caught on the counter when Thomas found speedster Edwards in space.

Away down the left, his pace was too much for Pring, who he skipped around before being brought down by an outstretched arm.

Still struggling to find a reliable penalty taker in this side, Huggins stepped-up and put a pretty soft one at Pring who pushed it back into the feet of the Barry Town loanee. No missing this time. 3-1.

Second-half

Seemingly nothing changed during the break, and it wasn’t long before the visitors had the game-killing fourth.

A more typical Bluebirds goal this time, Edwards drove past his man down the left and cut a ball back to Thomas who was alert to the chance and finished well from the centre of the box into the far corner.

With their tails now up, Trethomas looked good money to go on and improve their goal difference. Everyone was pressing with energy, hungry to get the next goal.

Wisely however, Dunford and his coaching staff substituted the likes of Thomas and Edwards, managing minutes ahead of a box office clash against Llanelli Town next weekend.

Momentum was killed further when the referee went down with cramp for a good ten minutes. Assistant Sam Lloyd had to take over as Stuckey limped up and down the pitch now as a linesman.

The visitors refocused well though, whereas Cwmbran were caught sleeping when a free-kick straight off the training ground led to a fifth.

A quick ball through to sub Jack Jones allowed the winger to get past the wall and cross. It hit fellow substitute Harvey Selway, but it was the eager Huggins who was there to fumble home and claim his first hattrick for the club.

The sixth goal followed shortly after, starting from Kallum Thomas, who had been knocking on the door for a start, and played well in a slightly deeper position than what he might be used to alongside James Saddler.

He held the ball up well before finding captain Saddler who threaded Jones in down the middle.

Jones’ shot was saved, but he had another chance to tee-up Tedstone for his brace into an empty net. 6-1.

With just minutes left in the tie, everything went a bit crazy.

Caught out from the restart, a free-kick was lofted in towards Irving who looked to have had his gloves on it. Not according to the referee though, as Callum Hodges barrelled-in and headed home.

Only a minute later was Irving once again retrieving the ball from his net. Not much he could do about this one though.

From the halfway line, Oliver Berry hit a Beckham-esq shot over the keeper and into the net to make it 6-3.

Frustrated by what was going on, the Bluebirds coaching staff were trying to restore order, but the madness continued when a Larcombe shot hit the bar, post, came out, and was awarded as a goal.

Still uncertain as to how it happened, but the result was in no doubt as the final whistle went and everyone could breathe again.

Overall a very good performance from Trethomas Bluebirds, who were looking for a reaction. They’ll need to take it up another gear though if they want to claim all three points against second place Llanelli Town.

Reaction

After the game, Caerphilly Observer spoke to Trethomas’ assistant manager, Adam Raymond. He said: “I think for 80% of that match we completely controlled the game and played some good football on a really heavy pitch.

“We were clinical in front of goal and yeah there were some bizarre moments at the end but a good bounce back win nonetheless.

“The boys who’ve come in today have done really well. The tweak in formation was partly personnel, but also what we knew about Cwmbran Celtic. I thought everyone knew their jobs and executed.”

Asked about that Llanelli game on Friday December 6, Raymond said: “It’s a huge game. They’re the ones we looked at to start the season and thought ‘what an occasion that’ll be for the club’.

“They’re the league favourites and it will be a real challenge, but we’re excited to embrace the opportunity.”