Goytre - 4

Pontyclun - 3

GOYTRE edged their way back into the ranks of the top six teams in Welsh League Division Three on the weekend, after the Plough Road faithful witnessed an electrifying seven-goal 'dramarama'.

"At this point in the season we always wanted to be in and amongst the top six teams," revealed a delighted club chairman Paul Greenhalgh after the match.

"Saturday's result, especially against a higher-placed side like Pontyclun is a very important one for us, and one that should boost our player's confidence and prove to them that we are more than capable of playing against quality sides and banging out the result.

Goytre opened their account shortly after the half-hour mark when a show-stealing Graham Mason fired in the first of a well-taken hat-trick with a thunderous drive that left the Ponty keeper floundering.

Mason set about doubling his team's advantage within minutes after the keeper failed to deal with Simon Ritter's shot.

After the interval Mason twice went close to pulling his trick out of the hat, but unfortunately for Goytre the next score was an own goal by Adam Roberts, who mis-headed to put Ponty back in contention with the wind in their sails.

Not to be denied, Mason made it three on the 67th minute mark with a brilliant turn and shot that crashed into the back of the Ponty net.

Goytre keeper Gareth Williams did well to tip a Ponty header over ther bar before Craig Jollife fired home to make it 4-1 after 79 minutes.

Three goals ahead and with ten minutes remaining, the odds were stacked sky-high in Goytre's favour, but Ponty almost upset the apple-cart and showed their quality by scoring two goals in the space of five minutes.

Ponty's come-back stopped at two goals, but not before they forced Goytre to endure a very tense and uncomfortable end to the game.

Greenhalgh added, "Yes, it was certainly hearts in mouth time at the finish, but I believe we'd done enough to earn the three points.

"We were missing one or two key players on the day and Pontyclun proved to be a good side, so we deserve full credit for hanging on, and I'm really pleased for Graham Mason who delivered a top-drawer performance."

"It was a very welcome win, especially at home where we have seen a few results go against us this season."