Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters
From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today
Caerphilly Athletic have beaten Ton Pentre 4-0 to secure their first league win of the season in the Premier Division of the South Wales Alliance League.
It was a scorching Saturday afternoon at the Centre for Sporting Excellence, and Caerphilly would have been sweating coming into the game, knowing they were still winless this season.
Despite their record however, the hosts started like a team with bags of confidence. Goals from Jamie Morgan, Sam Watkins, and a Joseph Morelli brace put Caerphilly 4-0 up by half time.
They went on to control the second-half and secure a much needed victory.
Kick-off
On a hot sunny afternoon, it could have been forgiven if both sides eased their way into the contest, but chances were plentiful within the opening minutes.
Ton Pentre striker and captain Michael Jones had the first with a free header in the box, his effort was straight at Caerphilly keeper Michael Marsden however.
The hosts soon made Jones and the visitors rue that chance, a free-kick on the left for Caerphilly was curled in superbly by fullback Adam Williams, in an area which was difficult for the keeper to collect and defenders to clear.
Jamie Morgan leapt above the rest and glanced home to give his side the lead after six minutes. A great start for the hosts.
Ton Pentre responded well and almost equalised from the restart, Jones again, this time with a curling effort from inside the box. There were calls for offside but it didn’t matter as his effort clipped the crossbar.
A few minutes later and it was Caerphilly who struck the woodwork.
Christopher Crane made a great run down the left before digging out a cross which found the head of top scorer Joseph Morelli. The striker didn’t manage to control his effort however, and the ball smashed the crossbar.
Crane got his deserved assist shortly after, a cross from the right this time was drilled in across the goal and Sam Watkins couldn’t miss from a yard out. 2-0 inside 20 minutes.
The visitors were all over the place now. An inspired through-ball from Morgan found the feet of Crane who fired at the keeper. It rebounded to Morelli who prodded home into an empty net. Game over.
Immediately after the goal there was a water break, perhaps a chance for Ton Pentre to collect themselves and try and get something going.
The visitors’ task wasn’t made any easier after referee Luke Mansell showed a blue card to Lee Price for dissent.
The blue card is part of a trial campaign from the Football Association of Wales, where players are sent to the sideline for ten minutes if they use offensive language, for example.
Caerphilly took full advantage of the extra man, a corner taken by Jordan Thomas was met by Morelli at the near post. A well-struck volley made it 4-0 with half-time approaching.
It got a little heated between the players as the half closed, but the whistle went with Caerphilly Athletic in complete control.
Second-half
Despite the scoreline, the visitors started the half with a desire to get back into things.
Caerphilly looked a little frantic at the back and a ball came to Brandon Thomas in the box. Thomas was only a few yards out and really should have scored. His volley was misplaced however and no harm was done.
The Caerphilly coaching staff and players were keen to remind each other that the game wasn’t won yet.
Connor Ray could have made things interesting if his header at the back post went in, but he couldn’t get enough on it.
An hour played and Ton Pentre were still knocking on the door, an indirect free-kick in the box was a rarity, but blocked by the wall.
Down the other end, Crane had a chance at the near post once again to make it five, but Jason Pritchard saved well.
Morelli nearly bagged his hat-trick shortly after when he was denied by the post. A brilliant header across the goal left Pritchard rooted. Very unlucky.
The game slowed down once more. Caerphilly ate up the clock well knowing the valuable three points were theirs.
That win puts Caerphilly Athletic ninth in the table, and they’ll look to take some momentum into a Welsh Cup tie against JD Cymru South side Abertilery Bluebirds.
Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters
From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.
Become a member today