Bluebirds beaten by Baglan Dragons but ‘still in title race’

Trethomas Bluebirds’ nine game unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday afternoon in a 2-0 loss to Baglan Dragons.

The Bluebirds were looking to reclaim top spot in the Cymru South after Llanelli Town won Friday night, but failed to do so when beaten for the second time this season by the Dragons.

With just five games left in the season, Trethomas still have it all to play for, with manager Mark Dunford insisting his side are “still in a title race”.

Kick-off

Two very tough and physical sides, from the start it felt as though whoever was ‘most up for it’ would win this contest.

Back in the reverse fixture it was the Dragons who came out on top, and it was them who settled first on a sunny Saturday in Port Talbot.

A throw-in down the right led to a cross which wasn’t dealt with by the Bluebirds defenders and fell to striker Tom Randall.

He turned smartly inside the box but pulled his shot slightly, just wide of the near post. An early warning.

The first half chance for the visitors came when an alert Gareth Tedstone flicked a header to James Young on the edge of the box.

Trethomas’ leading goal scorer this season got the ball back, but from a narrow angle blasted his shot over the frame of the goal.

Pressing more consistently though, the breakthrough came from the hosts, when a nice switch to Thomas Davies on the left gave the winger a sight at goal.

His touch didn’t allow him to shoot, but having shuffled it wide he fired a low cross in where two attackers were waiting unmarked.

It was Randall who got the final touch, a simple first-time finish past Harry Irving who could do nothing.

Things were very stop start as the game progressed. The Bluebirds were failing to win the second ball and looked half a yard off it for the most part.

The absence of Thomas Gameson was a big one, not just for his ability, but as a teammate who can rile his side into a response so effectively.

Davies continued to find joy down the left for the Dragons – midfielder Dylan Thomas often finding his man whenever he had the chance.

There were a few more half chances for Trethomas after the goal – Tedstone with a header into the side netting the best of them – but nothing sustained.

It could have been 2-0 shortly before the half when Davies’ shot was palmed away by Irving. A great save from the Bluebirds number one to keep his side in it.

Second-half

The addition of Kallum Thomas at half-time made an immediate impact. A player happy to both drive the ball and pick a forward pass, he had an early shot which led to a string of corners for the visitors.

There were gasps from the 200 or so spectators as each corner came in, the most dangerous of which fell to an unmarked Tedstone in the middle. He had his head in his hands when nodding wide.

They were growing into it though; a textbook Trethomas chance unfolded when a long kick from Irving found Tedstone who slipped in Young inside the box. His shot was blocked however.

Some solid defending from Baglan meant they weathered the early storm, leaving the visitors frustrated and seemingly out of ideas after an hour.

Struggling to get a hold of the ball, it was the Dragons who looked to counter and put the game to bed. Joshua Evans put a good ball in from the right which was just over Thomas’ head.

With 15 minutes to go, it was Bluebirds defender David Vincent who played a nice ball through to Tedstone once again. His shot stopped well from an acute angle by Mathew Stanton.

The resulting corner saw Stanton in action again when recent signing Joshua Gibson had a solid strike palmed away.

The best chance might have fallen to Tedstone when a ball flashed across the face of the goal was volleyed well enough by the number nine, but straight into the grateful gloves of Stanton.

Throwing caution to the wind with five minutes or so to go, defender Andrew Evans made way for forward Noa Barry, which instantly backfired when the hosts broke with men over.

Owen Williams timed the pass out to Artiom Legavec perfectly, who having scored the winner against Trethomas away from home, put this beyond doubt with a neat finish into the bottom corner. 2-0.

With the bit between their teeth, Baglan managed the game out well to land the double over Trethomas, who suffered just their fourth league defeat of the season.

Not good enough on the day, but with Pontypridd United losing in third, the Bluebirds sit second just two points behind Llanelli.

Reaction

After the game, Caerphilly Observer spoke to Trethomas Bluebirds manager Mark Dunford, he said: “I told the boys they’d have to be up for it today, and if we don’t match them for the first and second ball we wouldn’t get anything and that’s what happened. It’s disappointing.”

On an improved start to the second-half, Dunford said: “I thought our changes had an impact on the game, not as big as recent weeks, but ultimately we were off it all over the pitch.

“I thought Baglan were superb and credit to them.”

Asked about resetting ahead of hosting Cwmbran Celtic next week, Dunford added: “That’s all we can do. There are five games to go and we’re still in a title race.

“There are opportunities and we have to stay positive, lift ourselves, and bounce back – which we usually do.”