Cambrian & Clydach vs Cwmbran Celtic

Match Report

Click on above to read Matchday Programme

Celtic travelled to the M & G 3g in Clydach Vale to try to avenge the 4-3 defeat inflicted on them by Cambrian & Clydach the previous Saturday.

Celtic started the game very slowly and seemed to be struggling to come to terms with the 3g surface. A lot of passes were going astray and the hosts were dominating the game to the extent that we hardly got out of our own half for the first 15/20 minutes. However, against the run of play, we took the lead in the 23rd minute when Tom Meechan returned a cross from the left back into the six yard box from just outside the right hand post and Shaun Moss was on hand to steer the ball past Morgan Davies.

This goal didn’t really improve things for Celtic who seemed rather lethargic, continued to misplace passes and won hardly any second balls. Cambrian continued to dominate most of the play, particularly in the midfield area and it was no surprise when Liam Reed equalised in the 39^th minute after a good move down the right hand side.

It was a bonus when on the stroke of half time, Tom Meechan chested down a long kick from ‘keeper Lewis Watkins, turned and hit a stunning 30 yard volley that flew past Morgan Davies to give Celtic the lead going into the break. It was certainly a contender for Goal of the Season!!

Half-time: Cambrian & Clydach 1 Celtic 2

The second half started in much the same vein with Celtic struggling to get a real foothold in the game and, again, it was little surprise when Liam Reed scored his second goal after a bit of a scramble in the six yard box following a cleverly placed free kick from Jay Woodford.

This goal did, however, seem to spark Celtic into life and they started to play the football they are capable of and put some good moves together, particularly down the left hand side. It now looked that, if either side was going to get a winner, it was Celtic and it duly arrived in the 87^th minute. Tom Meechan played a pinpoint cross from the right and Alex Bonthron was on hand to head it low to Davies’ right and, although managing to get a hand to the ball, he could only help it into the net. This was Alex’s 15^th goal of the season and it put him joint top of the Cymru (South) Scorers list with Luke Bowen of Briton Ferry Llansawel. Tom’s assist also extended his lead at the top of the League’s Assists table!

This was not one of Celtic’s best performances but it was a very welcome 3 points and, as they say, it’s a good sign if you can win when not playing particularly well.

Full-time: Cambrian & Clydach 2 Celtic 3

MO: Tom Meechan