Pontardawe Town FC - 2

Abergavenny Town FC - 1

AT kick-off, Pontardawe’s ground at Parc Ynysderw was in the teeth of a gale and it was the home side who had the advantage of the weather with the wind at their backs.

This advantage told in the 22nd minute when a cross from the left wing was caught up in the wind, deceiving Town’s ‘keeper and presenting Ponty’s Liam Griffiths with an easy header into an open goal.

Controversy raged on the half-hour mark when Ponty’s Josh Dorwood fired in a shot which stuck the crossbar and when the ball fell downwards it was grabbed by ‘keeper Tom Indge, but by then, the referee after consulting with his assistant, ruled the ball had crossed the goal-line.

In the second-half, Town had the advantage of the wind and started to put their hosts under pressure for long periods, but failed to make the breakthrough.

They lost momentum when Dan Hartland was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card, and their problems were compounded when central defender Ross Davies left the field with a pulled hamstring.

Pontardawe seized their chance and it was only a brilliant point blank save from Indge was stopped them adding to their total. Deep into added time, Town did grab a consolation when Will Duggan netted with a fine rasping drive, but in truth the hosts deserved their win.

Town are without a fixture this Saturday, and have to wait until the following Saturday (May 11) to play their final game of the season, when they travel to Caerau (Ely) when hopefully they will still have an outside chance of promotion.

Meanwhile back at Pen-y-Pound Town’s reserve team were no match for Bridgend Street being on the wrong end of a 1-7 defeat.

On Saturday Pen-y-Pound Stadium hosts the Gwent FA Amateur Cup final between Crickhowell and Abertillery Excelsiors.