The 1-0 lead last week meant little today as both teams kicked off at the Jim Owen, with Ponthir AFC visiting for a second time in as many weeks due to the original fixture’s cancellation ten minutes in due to an injury to the opposition’s player.
Instead of Excelsiors steamrolling offence that that seen them start so strongly against the visitors, the tables were emphatically turned, as Ponthir drew first blood early on, taking full advantage of a loose pass. Rattled by the early nudge, Tom Calver and Luke Lewis seemed desperate to nail a return effort but both came up short.
Ponthir then rattled the cage again, with a wicked strike that looked certain to score bouncing off the post and past a relieved Dan Parsons. However, the visitors from Division 3 would not be denied, with their second goal coming off a header thanks to a slick corner kick.
It fell to Jonny Morgan to gain some ground, with the midfielder finding the target in a one-on-one with the ‘keeper to bring things to 1-2, and Excelsiors within reach of equal footing. That
draw was cemented with the rocket-like ricochet finish of Luke Lewis, who looked certain to score again thanks to a great cross from Jordan Harford.
In a fantastic comeback, Rhys Whiteman fired off a scorching strike to pull the lads ahead as the first half went to bed with the Excelsiors claiming a one goal lead.
In a second lot of 45 minutes that proved equally as exciting as the first, Ponthir held firm for much of the second half, causing problems for Abertillery’s persistent attack. Despite the ball finding Shaun Smith several times, the striker couldn’t put the ball in the net, thanks in large part to the tenacity of the opposition’s defenders, who refused to allow any build up of momentum.
Both Zak Kelly and Lewis Jones saw their arsenals exhausted and disabled, despite some solid efforts, with the same to be said for regular workhorse Jamie Laurent, who battled hard from whistle to whistle. As goalkeeper Dan Parsons laid it all on the line in an all-or-nothing save, the Excelsiors ground out a hard-fought win that proved that regardless of leagues and divisions, cup matches really do bring out the best in teams.
Abertillery Excelsiors 3 – 2 Ponthir AFC
Goals:
Jonny Morgan
Luke Lewis
Rhys Whiteman