IT was Pontardawe on their home patch who turned in a good all round performance against their higher league status opponents Ammanford to win this pre-season friendly on Tuesday (Jul 23).
Goals from Pontardawe players Taylor Evans, Callum Silcox and Josh Dorward were enough to seal the victory.
In an entertaining encounter both sides moved the ball around the park and it was Pontardawe who had the better of the first half exchanges and opened their account by scoring with a well placed shot into the corner of the net which left Ammanford keeper Morris rooted to the spot.
Pontardawe held onto their deserved lead until the interval.
The second half saw Ammanford starting to exert some pressure on the home team and won themselves a penalty after the Pontardawe defender was adjudged to have handled the ball inside his own penalty area.
The Assistant Referee flagged immediately for the infringement and after a short consultation with the Referee, a spot kick was indeed awarded. Up stepped Ammanford’s central midfielder Mathew Fisher who rifled the spot kick into the roof of the net.
The goal seemed to spur the home team back to life and it took an excellent save at close range from Ammanford’s stopper Craig Morris to deny Pontardawe retaking the lead.
Soon after and probably the best goal of the game came from Ammanford’s Craig Frater who, from 30 yards out from goal, spotted the Pontardawe Goalkeeper off his line and with a sublime shot , lobbed the ball over the keeper into the net.
The lead lasted for only minutes as Josh Dorward a stalwart of Pontardawe turned the Ammanford defence inside out and stroked the ball home to level the scores
The momentum was with the home team again and some very good passing opened up the Ammanford defence which led to the third goal from close range.
Ammanford tried to respond in the final minutes but could not find a way through. When the final whistle blew it was Pontardawe who secured a well deserved win in this friendly.
Ammanford now turn their attention to another away friendly at Welsh Premier League side Carmarthen Town this coming Saturday (Jul 27). All good preparation for the Season ahead.
