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Defending FAW Amateur Trophy champions Trethomas Bluebirds thrashed Port Talbot Town 7-0 in round four of the cup competition on Saturday November 25.

After going a goal to the good through Levi Rees inside ten minutes, the Bluebirds never looked back.

Rees went on to grab a further three goals, as Gareth Tedstone, Adam Raymond, and a first goal for summer signing Luke Gullick, wrapped-up a good days work for the hosts at the Centre for Sporting Excellence.

Kick-off

Manager Mark Dunford opted to make a few changes ahead of the match, with half an eye on a busy schedule that includes a mouth-watering league clash against rivals Risca United on Friday December 1.

It took a few minutes for the hosts to click into gear, but sure enough, the Bluebirds soon netted a trademark early goal.

It wasn’t one that would live long in the memory however. A ball chipped over the onrushing keeper by striker Gareth Tedstone should have been dealt with by the covering defender, but in a goal-line scramble, Levi Rees was there to poke the ball home.

It was interesting to watch Rees, Tedstone, and Gullick play as a front three. Tedstone was generally the spearhead of the trio, but both Rees and Gullick frequently switched sides or dropped into midfield to pick the ball up, making it difficult for the visitors to get a read on any of them.

For Port Talbot, who had lost their last two coming into this match, they were hoping winger Francesco Sofiu would provide a spark. He was clearly their biggest threat, and looked to take players on down the left.

Any spark was soon snuffed out by the pass of the day from midfielder Lee Bladock. A delightful chip landed perfectly at the feet of Tedstone, whose touch was to match.

Through speed and power, Tedstone brushed off a defender before finishing on his right foot under the keeper. 2-0 inside 20 minutes.

It felt like this one was already over. The visitors were offering little going forward, and any move was quickly broken down by the Trethomas press.

It was nearly over for definite when the dynamic duo of Tedstone and Rees combined once more. The Bluebirds number nine with a cross to Rees who smashed the ball onto the underside of the bar and out.

Heading into half-time, the Steel Men had a lot to think about if they wanted to get back into things.

Second-half

A few minutes into the second-half and the illusive third goal should have finally come. Rees and Tedstone linked up again, but this time Tedstone missed at the back post, firing wide.

The inevitable breakthrough came shortly after however. A great bursting run by Gullick into the box eventually found its way to Rees, whose shot did take a wicked deflection off a Port Talbot defender, but went in all the same. 3-0.

With the result all but confirmed, Dunford made a few changes, one of them being coach Adam Raymond – who has a good record off the bench for the Bluebirds.

That record continued, after Rees’s lung-busting run down the left ended with a cross to Raymond who was in exactly the right spot to slide and finish.

Another summer signing, Liam Fawcett, was catching the eye from the sideline. Although small in stature, the midfielder closed down and tackled as well as anyone, whilst also progressing the ball positively in possession.

In full flow now, a much deserved goal finally came for Gullick, who had worked hard all game. It started with Raymond who after winning it in midfield, quickly gave the ball to Fawcett who played a lovely through ball to Rees.

Rees’s effort was saved, but like any good forward, Gullick was there to clean-up, and netted the first of his Bluebirds career. 5-0.

With his batteries seemingly still at 100%, Rees grabbed his hat-trick with a superb solo effort after 80 minutes.

A ball played in behind was picked-up by Rees who still had work to do. He rounded two or three, ignoring the run of Gullick who could have been played in.

There could be no complaints however, as after a few touches to set himself, Rees fired across goal into the far corner. No stopping that one.

Rees could have had a hat-trick of assists shortly after. A cross to substitute Ethan Edwards should have been put away, but it hardly mattered.

The final dagger for Port Talbot came in the last minute. A day to forget for goalkeeper Richard Powell, who having saved one shot, seemed to push the ball back into play instead of letting it run behind for a corner.

The ball was eventually crossed to Rees who made Powell pay, scoring his fourth of the day.

A great result and performance from the Bluebirds. With a league cup match on Tuesday 28 against Cefn Cribwr, it’s expected that Dunford will make some more changes to his side in preparation of the all-important league clash against Risca United the following Friday.