A tough slog resulted in a 2-3 win for the Excelsiors, as they turned over a gutsy Pill AFC away on the road.

The first half was dominated by end-to-end play, with both teams hungry to control the game after a scrappy affair at the Woodland in Cwmtillery. Both teams were well up for the challenge, with all pistons firing in the opening 20 minutes. Some big hits more akin to an NFL game were easy to find, as Pill attempted to take down the attackers in the Excelsiors setup, who responded likewise.

Pill were able to break the deadlock after taking advantage of a defensive slump to make it 1-0, which only served to invigorate the lads who looked certain to equalise early. Rhys Whiteman would heed the call, with a lovely bicycle kick after catching the end of a superb cross from Tyla Preece to stand things at 1-1.

The trifecta of Shaun Smith, Lewis Jones and Dafydd Phillips then shot into action, creating some fantastic football and photo-finish opportunities, continuing to mount the pressure on the Pill defence. A late tackle in the box led to Pill dropping a penalty, expertly taken by Jamie Laurent to push the Excelsiors into the lead at the end of the first ‘45.

The second half called for more of the same, with Pill desperately chasing another goal only to be headed off at the pass by another Dafydd Phillips effort. Giving another penalty away, Pill seemed poised to had their game put to bed but a good save from their man between the sticks stopped the Excelsiors charge.

With Pill’s goalkeeper being tested by a mounting offence, the home side took advantage of a downed Brett Morgan and fired another one away, to tighten the gap to 2-3 with minutes left. As the clock wound down, Pill pursued a point from an hellacious 90 minutes and piled the pressure on hoping for the Excelsiors back line to crumble but unfortunately for the Newport outfit, it wasn’t to be and the lads clinch 3 points at the referee’s whistle.