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It was a case of Déjà vu for Trethomas Bluebirds, who for the second time in three days conceded a late equaliser and share the points, this time against Caerau Ely.

In another ultra competitive Cymru South match, league leaders Trethomas made the short trip to Cardiff hoping to return to winning ways against a Caerau side who have had a very tough opening few games.

It turned-out to be a bank holiday belter, with the Bluebirds opening the scoring thanks to a Jack Jones stunner of a free-kick.

The visitors were pegged back shortly after the break through a Luke Davies header, before Lee Baldock restored their lead from the penalty spot.

Exactly like the Trefelin game on Friday night however, another agonisingly late equaliser stopped Trethomas taking all three points. 2-2 full-time.

Report

There was a clear contrast in styles from the outset. Caerau, led by last year’s Cymru South manager of the season Dean Wheeler, wanted to get the ball down and play football.

For the Bluebirds, with the absence of striker Gareth Tedstone, pace in behind was needed to get at the Caerau defence.

Trethomas winger Jack Jones caught the eye first in the match, struggling for form by his own admission according to manager Mark Dunford, he was brilliant from the outset, attacking positively with the ball and working hard to win it back out of possession.

The first real chance of the game fell to the Bluebirds after a Thomas Gameson ball out wide to Leon Thomas had the former Risca United man skipping past the sweeping Caerau keeper.

Thomas rounded Exauce Dimonekene, but his cross to Jones at the back post was just flicked away by the defender.

It took around 15 minutes for Caerau to find their flow, but once they started passing the ball quickly over short distance, they managed to open-up space and create chances for themselves.

The first of which came down the left channel when George Sheppard managed to squeeze past a few and whip a cross into the near post. Striker Liam Bishop got his head to it, but thumped wide.

Bishop had an even better chance within minutes after a mix-up down the left again led to a few nice passes and a through ball to the number nine.

He beat keeper Harry Irving to the ball, but his shot just trickled wide to silence premature celebrations from the crowd of 150.

Just as Caerau were growing into the game and threatening to find the opener, Trethomas were awarded a free kick the best part of 30 yards out.

There were murmurings on the sideline when Jones stepped over the dead ball, and for good reason. He curled a beauty into the top right corner to give the Bluebirds the lead.

It was a disappointing one for the hosts, whose frustration was doubled by returning defender David Vincent who seemed to meet every cross and ball forward with his head.

The first save Irving had to make came in the 35th minute when Bishop was once again trying his luck. His fierce shot was saved comfortably enough by last season’s golden glove winner though.

Despite their easy on the eye football, there was an argument Caerau were overplaying at times. Charlie Lewis was feeding some lovely neat passes into the forwards who seemed to have time to turn and shoot but instead would opt to play that extra pass which would kill the move.

Having spoken to some Caerau fans before the game, this has been the theme of their season so far, in frustrating losses to the likes of Pontypridd United and Newport City.

As half-time approached, Bishop was once again away down the right, chasing a ball into the channel.

Met by Irving on the edge of the box, the keeper slid a little late and caught the striker who went down to a chorus of appeals from the hosts who argued Irving should have seen red.

After a talking to by referee Kris Hames, he opted to show yellow instead, arguing defender Andrew Evans was behind covering. A let-off to say the least.

There was one more chance before the half-time whistle, a bit of Jones magic once again out right saw the 21-year-old create space for a strike out of nothing and force the keeper into a fingertip save.

Second-half

Having made two substitutions at half-time, Caerau looked bang at it, and threatened from the outset. Their fist shot in the box needed a timely block from Lee Baldock.

In midfield, Kallum Thomas replaced the injured James Saddler and had a pretty solid game. A superb ball through to Ethan Edwards allowed the winger to get away, but his shot was blocked by Luke Davies.

The hosts were beginning to pile the pressure on, with a golden chance falling to substitute Brandon Griffiths in the box. He had to score but somehow pulled his effort wide of the near post to the frustration of the coaching staff.

It wasn’t long before the pressure told, however instead of a slick passing move, the goal came from a set piece.

A corner from the right was swung into the back post where the onrushing Davies caught the header full and firm, past everyone and into the far corner.

That goal was a much needed wake-up call for the Bluebirds, who were quickly gifted a huge chance to restore their lead.

A flick from Gameson towards Edwards was met by the winger before defender Sheppard, who couldn’t do anything but bring the forward down in the box with a lazy outstretched leg.

The referee pointed straight to the spot, as Baldock surprisingly stepped-up and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way. 2-1.

Another killer goal for Caerau to concede in terms of timing, just when they were looking to build some momentum.

Dunford decided it was time to shore things up at the back with a host of defensive substitutions, with Edwards the lone attacker doing what pressing he could.

He very nearly secured the three points for Trethomas by himself when tackling Dimonekene who stepped-up into midfield as good as to act as an extra man.

Tackling the goalkeeper, Edwards was away and about to shoot when the referee blew his whistle for an off the ball foul on a Trethomas player. Hugely frustrating for the coaching staff.

Edwards had yet another chance despite the lack of attacking presence; another solo effort around a few defenders saw his shot just fizz wide.

As the final whistle approached however, Caerau were probing and probing until the visitors were caught out by another cross.

From the left, Haben Samson’s cross found Griffiths in the middle who side footed home from close range to make it 2-2 with a few minutes left.

With no attackers left on the pitch, it was a case of ‘not losing’ now for the Bluebirds, who did manage to see the game out and share the points.

A bit like the Trefelin game, it’s always a sore one to lose that late in the day, but the Bluebirds will reflect and see that as a good result which for now keeps them top by one point.

Reaction

After the game, Caerphilly Observer spoke to manager Mark Dunford. He said: “Caerau are a good footballing side and you have to take your hat off to them.

“I thought we created enough chances in the game to at least take a point, but obviously we’re disappointed to concede late like we did on Friday night.

“You’ve got to take the positives however. We both had chances and it was probably a fair point at the end of the day.”

Asked about how his side dealt with the quick turnaround, Dunford added: “It was difficult for us, but it’s difficult for everyone.

“On a bank holiday weekend too, the boys want to do what they want to do, but we wanted to be part of this so we have to take our medicine and make sure we’ve got the depth and recovery in place.”

Asked about Jack Jones, who was met with applause from both sets of fans when coming off, Dunford said: “His attitude has been outstanding. He’s had to wait a bit but he’s been given his chance and his contribution on and off the ball was great. He’s exactly what we need at this club.”

The Bluebirds are back in action against Caerau Ely on Friday August 30, in a league cup match at the Centre for Sporting Excellence.