April 06, 2024 - 338 views
A first half goal from Harry Owen gave the Seagulls a crucial 1-0 home win over Pontypridd United to lift them off the bottom of the table.
They go a point ahead of Pontypridd and to within one point of Aberystwyth, who lost 3-0 at home to Penybont, although they have played a game more.
The game was delayed for an hour because the referee wanted more work done on narrowing the pitch to avoid a sodden area in front of the new stand which he deemed dangerous, but when it did finally get under way, the Bay had to make an early change when Lloyd Marsh-Hughes had to go off after only seven minutes following a clash of heads and was replaced by Matty Hill.
They started the game well, however, and took the lead on 18 minutes when Harry Owen scored from close range following a corner.
Hill missed a great chance to double the lead when clean through on goal and Udi Akpan fired a thunderbolt from 25 yards just over the bar.
Pontypridd keeper Ashley Morris made a good save from Matty Hill’s deflected shot and Tom McCready fired an effort narrowly wide as Bay dominated possession.
Reece Trueman rode his luck, hiowever, when he fouled Ben Ahmun outside the area and escaped with a yellow card.
The Seagulls then faced the strong wind in the second half, but did well to defend their lead with Reece making a couple of big close range saves.
The Pontypridd keeper kept his side in the game with two good saves from Udi Akpan and another to parry a fierce Alex Downes shot away for a corner, while Jamie Cummings headed a chnace wide from Matty Hill’s long throe.
In the closing minutes Ben Margetson fired a long range effort just over the bar for the visitors.
