Pontardawe Town travelled to Port Talbot's Victoria Road ground in a positive mood as they hoped to reach our second Amateur Trophy Final in 7 years. The sun was shining and there was a good Ponty crowd there to cheer the lads on, including the Under 9s who, as mascots for the day, sang their hearts out throughout the game.

Missing Joe Clarke and Colin Harris this was still a very strong and settled squad and they started on the front foot against a strong and physical Porthcawl Town who had reached the final after a 3-1 win over Bridgend Street.

With Pontardawe dominating the early stages, Porthcawl Town were dealt as blow their top scorer Jorge Crofts had to leave the pitch injured on 20 minutes. Then, just 4 minutes later, Pontardawe took a well deserved lead as Steffan Jenkins met a cross to head powerfully home from the six yard line. It was a cracker of a header and a great start for Pontardawe.

Just 8 minutes later, things got even better, when Kyle Copp saw an opportunity and his pin-point strike gave Harley Tucker, Porthcawl's keeper, no chance. Pontardawe Town were looking comfortable now but Porthcawl gave them a reminder that they shouldn't take things easy when they broke down the right and made keeper Nat Osborne make a smart save at his near post. That was Porthcawl's only real chance of the first half and Pontardawe led 2-0 at the break.

Pontardawe were forced to make a change at half time following an injury to Jenson Stone who was replaced by Eliot Thomas. Early in the second half the big centre half showed his quality with two powerful headers as Porthcawl Town tried to get back into the game. Pontardawe then settled, and it seemed only a matter of time before they extended their lead. This they did on 67 minutes when quick thinking from Josh Dorward saw him back heel a Steve Berry strike home to make it 3-0.

With both teams making changes neither side the game got a bit bogged down with only few chances created, mostly for Pontardawe. Just on the final whistle Porthcawl Town nearly scored from a corner after a great header just went over the bar.

It was Pontardawe Town who celebrated after a great performance sees them go through to the final on the 25th April against CPD Bangor City 1876 at a venue still to be decided

Man of the Match (Sponsored by Harmony Windows)
Sam Harrison / Josh Dorward / Steve Berry