Trethomas Bluebirds move clear at the top with victory over Cambrian United

Trethomas Bluebirds passed another difficult test over the weekend, where they claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory on the road to Cambrian United.

The Rhondda-based side had yet to lose a home game this season until the Bluebirds rolled into town on Saturday November 9.

One goal was enough on the day; a Gareth Tedstone strike after 30 minutes gave Trethomas all three points as they maintain their grip of top spot in the Cymru South.

Kick-off

Under the mist and fog of the Clydach Vale, the only bright yellow object anyone could see was referee Cieran Lebreton’s yellow card inside the opening minute.

Bluebirds striker Gareth Tedstone went into the book after a bit of a scuffle, a bit harsh so early into the contest, with the number nine having to walk a tightrope for the remainder of the match.

It was the visitors who opened as the more dangerous side. Winger Ethan Edwards looked sharp from the get-go, but had his efforts blocked when cutting inside.

Defender David Vincent had the first half-chance as his header looped over Morgan Davies in goals, but also over his crossbar.

Cambrian were doing their best to show why they’re unbeaten at home and pushing for top spot. Forward Liam Warman was causing a few problems down the right wing, but probably didn’t see enough of the ball.

Their best chance of the half came down the right, when a corner was floated to captain Kyle Jones at the back post. His header might have crept in bar the clearance of Harvey Selway on the line.

Aside from that it was fairly one way traffic in favour of Trethomas, who were getting plenty of joy in the final third, but falling short of the killer pass and finish.

Tedstone received an earful from midfielder Thomas Gameson after he decided to shoot from the edge of the box when there were options ahead of him. His effort went well over the bar.

The prolific 33-year-old goalscorer soon made-up for his decision only a minute later though, when a lovely flick by Edwards set Tedstone up in the box.

With his favoured left foot, he curled a shot beautifully into the far corner, giving Davies no chance of saving.

The visitors continued to control the game, but were again at fault for being a little wasteful in front of goal. A fear from the benches that not capitalising now could lead to regret later in the game.

For now though, it didn’t look like Cambrian were capable of posing any threat. Jones pleaded with his players to get something going as the half-time whistle came.

Second-half

There must have been a few words said at half-time, as the hosts came out looking far more focused and determined to get forward.

Trethomas’ Lee Baldock was called into action early on, and made a great block to stop Thomas Hillman when he was through down the left.

Although Cambrian had more of the ball to open the half, the press from the Bluebirds was superb and as always organised brilliantly by the coaching staff. Assistant manager Matthew Jones usually the one conducting things.

Generally unthreatening from corners, the Bluebirds did have half a chance when a failed clearance fell to defender Andrew Evans on the area. His strike was decent enough, but just fizzed wide.

Up the other end and Cameron Keetch should have perhaps drew his side level. Through down the left side of the box, he pulled his effort wide past Harry Irving’s goal.

After a ragged couple of minutes from the Bluebirds, Tedstone impressed with his leadership in getting his side back on track.

As time ticked on though it was clear that the hosts were looking the more likely to score, but were still yet to even have a strike on target.

This was largely thanks to the defence, who were all on their game and cleared any potential threat they hadn’t already read and stopped at source.

Veteran defender Vincent nearly sealed the game up the other end when his acrobatic effort from a corner forced Davies into a diving save.

The fog became thicker with ten to go as the floodlights came on, but that didn’t do much to change Cambrian’s fortunes, still finding it impossible to even test Irving.

Vincent could have had a hattrick as his header with a few minutes to go went over. That was perhaps the ‘easiest’ one of the three.

With Irving still yet to make a save, the match finished with a swing and a miss from Cambrian’s Efan Fletcher.

A win for the Bluebirds then in a game they never truthfully looked like losing. Despite the highs of that crazy 2-1 win over Newport last weekend, a good performance was important in this one, with Trethomas delivering yet again.

Reaction

After the game, Caerphilly Observer spoke to Trethomas Bluebirds manager Mark Dunford. He said: “The goal was big, better decisions in the final third and we would have scored one or two more, which was frustrating.

“Cambrian came out with a little bit in the second-half but we rode the storm out and I don’t think Harry [Irving] had a save to make. These games at 1-0 are always going to be tough, but we trusted the shape and worked hard.

“I thought that was a really good dogged performance from us.”

Asked how big of a result that was against quality opposition, Dunford added: “They’ve recruited unbelievably well in the summer and are a massive force in the league. To come up here and win 1-0 on the road is very pleasing.”