Town edged a thriller at Parc Ynysderw as a very good Aberbargoed Buds side threw everything at the home side
The hero for Pontardawe was goalkeeper Steven Reeve who saved two penalties and made numerous saves. Town rode their luck as well with the visitors having two cleared off the line as well as hitting the bar.
The first penalty on 29 minutes was the first real action after the visitors had started so well. A foul on the edge of the box saw Referee Tom Bevan award a penalty which was taken by Charlie Loss. His strike was well saved by Steven Reeve and Declan Horgan-Evans was the first on the scene to clear the ball for a thrown in to the Buds. Two minutes later Buds went close again but Cavan Williams's shot hit the bar.
On 35 minutes Town nearly scored from a Garry Taylor free kick but Liam Griffiths's header went just over. That was Town's only chance in an ill-disciplined first half
The second half was a much better affair and with both sides focusing on attacking football it was edge of the seat stuff. Buds nearly scored on 68 minutes but Steven Reeve saved well and Craig Davies cleared the rebound off the line. Then, for the home side, Joshua Dorward went close with a short range strike.
On 75 minutes Town scored what was to become the winner. A sweeping move caused confusion in the Buds defence and Liam Griffiths capitalised to score his 22nd goal of the campaign from close range.
On 85 minutes the referee awarded a second penalty to Aberbargoed Buds when he deemed that Craig Davies had handled the ball. This was strongly contested by the home side but the referee wouldn't budge and up stepped Cavan Williams to take the penalty. Again Steven Reeve was the winner and saved low down to his right. Minutes later a terrific off the line clearance by substitute Tom Grey kept Town's slender lead in tact.
On 90 minutes there was an incident in the Buds dugout which was dealt with by the referee who sent off a non-playing member of the Buds squad
So 3 more points to Town which keeps alive their slim hopes of promotion ..... next ..... The FAW Trophy Final !!!
Checkout Geraint Burgess's Photgraphs from the game on his Facebook Page