Hillman Brace Not Enough as Stars Fall to Late Pontypridd Winner

MATCH REPORT

The stars produced a hugely encouraging performance in our opening Novira Cymru South fixture but were denied a deserved point by a late Pontypridd United winner at Bush Park.

Tom Hillman marked his competitive debut with two second-half goals as we recovered from a 2–0 half-time deficit to draw level. However, Jack Jones’ superb free-kick ten minutes from time secured a 3–2 victory for the visitors.

FIRST HALF

The Stars started the game brightly and were the better side throughout the opening half-hour. Christian Davies and Carter Campbell both found themselves in promising positions, but a combination of good goalkeeping and determined defending prevented us from making our early pressure count.

Pontypridd remained dangerous on the counterattack, and Shaun Gardiner was called into action around the 20-minute mark, producing a sharp point-blank save to keep the scores level.

The visitors began to build momentum and caused problems with a series of dangerous set pieces, although we initially defended them well.

Pontypridd eventually opened the scoring after 31 minutes, with an element of fortune involved in the build-up. The stars cleared the original free-kick, but the ball was sent back towards the penalty area. Liam Angel’s first effort was blocked, only for the rebound to fall kindly back into his path, and he finished excellently into the bottom corner.

The goal changed the momentum of the contest, with Pontypridd taking control and looking to extend their advantage before the interval.

Their second goal arrived in first-half stoppage time. Taylor Marsh released Ethan Edwards through on goal, and the Pontypridd forward kept his composure to finish well past Gardiner.

Having controlled much of the opening half, we were left wondering how we had reached the break two goals behind.

SECOND HALF

We faced a significant uphill battle after the interval but were handed immediate hope by debutant Tom Hillman.

Just two minutes after the restart, Hillman capitalised on a defensive error and finished confidently to score his first goal in a Stars shirt and bring us back into the contest.

The goal lifted the entire side, and we began to take control as we pushed for an equaliser.

Pontypridd did come close to restoring their two-goal advantage when half-time substitute Eli Phillips turned well inside the penalty area, but his effort drifted agonisingly wide of the post.

Moments later, we were level through a sensational second goal from Hillman.

A corner was only partially cleared to the edge of the penalty area, where Hillman reacted quickly, adjusted his feet and sent an unstoppable 20-yard strike into the top corner.

With almost half an hour remaining and the scores level, the game was there for either side to win, but the momentum was firmly in our favour.

Pontypridd substitute goalkeeper Lewis Mouland produced two excellent saves to deny us, while we also had a goal disallowed for a push following a set piece.

The visitors responded by introducing an additional defender and, to their credit, stood firm under increasing pressure.

As the game entered its final 15 minutes, a draw appeared the most likely outcome, but Pontypridd had other ideas.

With ten minutes remaining, the visitors were awarded a free-kick around 25 yards from goal. Jack Jones stepped forward and sent an unstoppable strike into the top corner to restore Pontypridd’s lead.

We spent the closing stages camped inside the Pontypridd half and continued to push for another equaliser, but the visitors defended superbly to see out the game and leave Bush Park with all three points.

SUMMARY

Despite the result, there were plenty of positives to take from a very promising performance against a strong Pontypridd United side who are expected to challenge towards the top of the division.

The STars will be extremely disappointed not to have taken at least a point after controlling large periods of the game and showing excellent character to recover from two goals down.

Hillman’s two goals provided a memorable competitive debut, while the overall performance gave us plenty to build on as we prepare for the challenges ahead.