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Trethomas Bluebirds remain top of the Cymru South after two stoppage time free-kicks secured a 2-1 win over familiar foes Newport City.

It was a fairly uninspiring watch for large parts, with neither side offering much for the 250 fans at the Centre for Sporting Excellence on Friday November 1.

An early Newport City goal gave the visitors something to hold onto, which they almost did until a Kallum Thomas free-kick in the 90th minute found the back of the net.

Just as a draw looked certain, Jack Jones stepped-up in the 97th minute and sent the ground into overdrive with his curling effort into the top corner on a night to remember for the club and its fans.

Kick-off

It was clear early on there was a needle between the two sides, who have played each other eight times across the past few seasons.

City winger Louis Phillips was the first to make a play, nipping past Alfie Jones down the right before firing a cross into the gloves of Harry Irving.

His opposite number Ethan Edwards was looking to do the same down the channel, but after beating one man, he was pushed wide and out.

With neither side offering much going forward, a Newport free-kick saw the first proper chance of the game, with the visitors taking full advantage.

A cross wasn’t dealt with by Irving and the defence, and after a bit of a scramble, Owen Bancroft was able to knock it back into the middle.

Forward Nat Jarvis was the most alert, and prodded home from close range to give Newport an early lead.

Nothing really changed for the Bluebirds after the goal, who were a little predictable at times with balls over the top to striker Gareth Tedstone to chase.

Midfielder Thomas Gameson was doing his best to get Trethomas going, his combination of flair and strength is always easy on the eye.

Set pieces remained a concern going the other way for the hosts, who looked boxed in on top of the keeper from every long throw/corner/free-kick taken by Newport.

There was a good battle between Bluebirds right back Harvey Selway and Newport winger Owen Cuddihy, both of which played together at Risca United in previous seasons.

Referee Joseph Gibson soon blew his whistle on a fairly uninspiring half from both teams, with all the incentive on Mark Dunford’s side to come out and get things going.

Second-half

It was as if the half-time whistle never went, with both sides continuing to struggle with the ball.

Set pieces were the only time either team looked dangerous, particularly Newport who forced Irving into a good save from a corner when Louis Carmella-Gerrard headed goal bound.

The first bit of ‘quality’ out of Trethomas came in the 60th minute, when forward Jack Jones curled a perfect ball from the left into the box where Tedstone and James Young had a chance to head. Neither could connect though.

With the game seemingly slipping away from them, Dunford looked to his bench and called on Callum Huggins and Kallum Thomas to get things going.

Moving to a two up top with Barry Town loanee Huggins offering something in behind worked instantly, giving the Newport defenders more to think about.

The visitors had half a chance to wrap things up after 75 minutes or so, a slip from Andrew Evans at the back put Jordan Cotterill through, but he blazed his shot over.

A few minutes later and the Bluebirds had their best chance of the game when a low deflected cross popped up to Young in the box.

The ball was a little behind him, but he caught the half volley well enough. Just wide on this occasion though and you wondered if that was that.

Quite the opposite though, the chance seemed to spark Trethomas into life, and for the final ten minutes or so they hammered Newport and looked good money to find an equaliser.

A free-kick on the edge of the area offered a chance, but with it so far left of the box, it wasn’t much good for the dead ball specialist J. Jones.

Instead, substitute Thomas stepped-up, with the Trethomas players and Newport keeper expecting a cross.

Whether by design or just quick thinking, the midfielder caught the keeper out and whipped an effort over the wall and into the near corner, leaving Cohen Riella rooted to his line.

The 250 or so fans went crazy as the league leaders seemingly snatched a late point on a night where they’d played some of their worst football of the season.

However, the Bluebirds were not done yet.

Another free-kick, this time in a more central position on the edge of the box, had the crowd on their feet.

Both Thomas and J. Jones stood over it, giving Riella all sorts of problems as the ball could have gone left or right.

Fair play to J. Jones for pulling rank at such a time, the 21-year-old whipped a fierce effort over the wall and into the top corner. Riella could only flap at it as it bulged into the roof of the net to send the Centre for Sporting Excellence into pandemonium.

It was a moment to savour as the dugout and subs flooded the pitch, along with a couple fans too. What a way to win.

The whistle went just moments later to an equally loud roar, a night to remember for all in attendance.

As of Saturday November 2, that result puts Trethomas Bluebirds three points clear of Pontypridd United in second.

Reaction

After the game, Caerphilly Observer spoke to Bluebirds manager Mark Dunford. He said: “I thought we were poor tonight. Probably our worst performance of the season that if anything got worse after half-time.

“Newport surprised me a bit as to how they approached the game and it caught us off guard. We never really dealt with that and we needed a change of shape and personnel to get things going.”

On the substitutions, Dunford said: “Callum Huggins gave us huge energy up there alongside Gareth, and Kallum Thomas in behind gave us that composure on the ball we needed.”

On the two late goals, Dunford added: “I didn’t know Kallum Thomas had that in him I’ll be honest. That’s something for us to look at, his technique was superb.

“We know what Jack Jones can do, but I must say I was surprised to see him take it after Kallum scored the first, but fair play, he was a bit under par tonight and still had the confidence to win us the game.”

On the season overall so far, Dunford said: “We’re really happy at the moment. It shows the character of this side when we have our worst performance and still find a way to win.”

The Bluebirds face another tough test on the road to title contenders Cambrian United on Saturday November 9.