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Trethomas Bluebirds were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Ammanford in the Cymru South.

It was the tenth-placed visitors who opened the scoring at the Centre for Sporting Excellence shortly before half-time, Adam John giving his side a lead under the floodlights on Friday January 24.

The Bluebirds responded well though after substitutions, and looked for all the world like they were going to snatch a winner after Ethan Edwards drew level with 15 minutes to go.

They came agonisingly close, but 1-1 is how it finished, meaning Llanelli Town now top the division on goal difference ahead of a potential title clash between the pair next Friday.

Kick-off

The visitors looked well-organised from the outset. For once, a side who appeared to have done a bit of homework on slowing down the greatest Bluebirds threat in winger Ethan Edwards.

From minute one, every time the ball came wide to Edwards, fullback Babucar Sauane was touchtight, with midfielder Adam John also there to double up.

On the other side and there were shades of the 3-0 win at home to Carmarthen Town for the Bluebirds, with traditional midfielder Thomas Gameson matched-up against the smaller Harri Lawson.

Neither Trethomas attacker were finding much joy, not helped by the fact it was a very stop-start contest.

The first chance of the match fell to Bluebirds defender David Vincent. He’s been knocking on the door for a few games now, but his glancing header was just wide from a corner this time.

Down the other end and the visitors had a great chance of their own when a well-timed run from Tristan Jenkins put the number ten through on goal.

Trethomas keeper Harry Irving was alert to the danger though, and rushed out quickly to smother the shot.

The frustration was building amongst the fans and coaches even after 30 minutes played; a rare bit of space for Trethomas fullback Harvey Selway was wasted when his cross just inside the box found the arms of Luke Martin in goals.

Midfielder Kallum Thomas was looking the most alive for the hosts, he’s been very composed on the ball in recent matches.

Despite him and his side’s best efforts though, it just wasn’t happening.

With a few minutes left in the half, what looked like a coming together between Edwards and captain Adam Orme left both worse for wear, but it was the Trethomas forward who entered the book.

Caught sleeping from the restart, a brilliant ball through from Jenkins set John on his way, who was looking for his fourth goal of the season.

He made no mistake, smashing the ball past the onrushing Irving who could do nothing. A huge blow so close to the break.

Second-half

Two attacking substitutes made by the Bluebirds to start the half, Kallum Thomas and Callum Huggins made way for Leon Thomas and Jack Jones.

It was Jones who caught the eye first, always a direct winger who likes to get past his man, he had Lawson on skates for most of the half.

Pretty much parked inside the Ammanford half now, it was a case of finding that final ball for the hosts.

Without a traditional target man though, specifically one suspended Gareth Tedstone, the aerial crosses to the likes of Edwards and Thomas were just being headed clear by the defenders.

Pressure was mounting however, and briefly boiled over when a poorly timed Selway tackle out of frustration led to a bit of pushing and shoving amongst the players.

Selway clearly turned that moment into motivation when his superb ball through found Jones in space down the right.

A chance to drive along the touchline, he had time to pick his head up and find Edwards who expertly found the space in-between defenders.

Composing himself, he got his foot behind the ball and found the back of the net to a huge roar of relief from everyone watching.

With the bit between their teeth, there looked to be only one winner as the visitors sunk deeper into their box.

Ten minutes to go and the rain began to pour, making it even more difficult to pick-out any crosses.

Selway again involved, a more central cross to Thomas through the middle all looked perfectly timed as the forward tapped it past the keeper and into the net.

The flag of linesman Sam Hill soon put an end to any celebrations though. Agonising for the hosts.

The final few minutes were even more intense, as Gameson, Edwards and James Young all had chances to snatch a late winner.

Not to be though, and although it was technically two points dropped, that’s still the Bluebirds unbeaten in their last six.

They fall to second on goal difference, and travel to league leaders Llanelli Town next Friday night.

Reaction

After the match, Caerphilly Observer spoke to Trethomas Bluebirds manager Mark Dunford. He said: “It was frustrating. I thought we played okay, but that first-half we were probably a yard off the pace.

“We edged the territory and overall possession, but switching off a minute before half-time is all it takes at this level to concede.”

Asked about the response from his side in the second-half, Dunford said: “The impact from the bench was really strong which is great for us, on another night we nick a goal at the end.

“We didn’t lose, we’re 1-0 down at half-time so it takes a bit of courage to go out there and turn it around, and like I say in another match things perhaps fall kinder to us and we win it. Sometimes that’s football.”