Joe Humphries brace helps Ynys to a 3rd win on the bounce

Under the floodlights of the Llandarcy Academy of Sport, Ynysygerwn, a team with a recent sweet taste for victory, hosted Ely Rangers who were looking for only their 3rd win of the season. For Ynys, a win would see them close the gap on the top 5 to just four points.

The visitors got the match underway. It didn’t take long for Ynys to register a shot on target. Though it didn’t trouble Ethan Caverney between the sticks for Ely, it certainly foreshadowed what was to come for the away side’s defense. For Ely, defense seemed to be the main priority, not seeing much possession or territory in the early stages. Their back line seemed formidable and in the first 15 minutes, frustrated the eager Ynys attack. At the other side of the pitch, skipper Josh Allen was in for a lonely night up front.

However on the 20th minute, the home side would deservedly break the deadlock through Joe Humphries. Nathan Davies took a high ball on the left beautifully, before beating his man on the wing. He got to the byline and played a high, fizzing ball across goal. Arriving at the far post was Humphries who finished a first touch tap in with pure composure to put his side ahead.

And in the space of two minutes, Ynys found themselves two up, and Humphries got his second after box scuffle lead to an even easier tap in for the number 7 in yellow. With 25 minutes on the clock you couldn’t blame the viewers for thinking that this might be a cricket score, considering the amount of goals Ely have conceded in the league this season.

Ynysygerwn had a spring in their step and dominated the remainder of the half. With chance after chance, constantly knocking on the door they looked certain to bag a third before the break. However Ely did very well to keep the door shut and deny their opponents until half time. It may have been a one sided first half, but at least Ely had a chance going into the second. And they had their defense to thank for their sturdy concentration against a relentless attack.

Nevertheless in the second half, Ynysygerwn’s attack just got more vigorous as time grew on. The closest Ynys chance came through James Newell who got down the left with a masterful touch and cut inside. His right footed effort was tipped over by the busy Caverney.

Gradually, Ely began to settle in to the half and had a few decent spells that resulted in a few chances. But they were wasteful through poor passes or poor shots in the final third. The signs were promising… was a comeback on?

Unfortunately for the joint bottom side, hopes of a comeback were ripped away from them on the 70th minute by Dan Nagle. A slip by the defender saw Nagle played through one on one with the keeper. And with no mistake he slotted away his team’s third and had almost guaranteed victory.

Ely Rangers still managed to show fight however as substitute Dominic Pates (No 15) saw his free kick fly just over the crossbar, Soon after he would assure that Rangers had the last laugh in controversial style. He was played through the center and seemed to control the ball with his hand before neatly putting away a consolation for the visitors.

Frustrations were high on both sides after the final whistle as Ynys failed to keep the desired clean sheet, while Ely Rangers had to settle for nothing and another disappointment. They visit AFC Porth in a fortnight looking to find some bit of form against a potential relegation rival. Meanwhile, the triumphant Ynysygerwn host a struggling Treharris on Tuesday. If they can repeat the victory they got in that fixture last week, that would make it 4 wins consecutively for a team in excellent form.