Pontypridd United - USW Sports Park

Pontypridd United FC

USW Sport Park

Treforest Industrial Estate

Pontypridd 

CF37 5UP

Official Website

Twitter

Ground Number: 1123
Friday 14th October 2022
Pontypridd United 1-4 Newtown
Cymru Premier

PONTYPRIDD UNITED - A BRIEF HISTORY

The origins of the club date way back to the early 1900s, although the exact formation date of Ynysybwl is unknown. They have no connection to the recently reformed club of the same name. They played solitary seasons in the Welsh League in 1920 and 1925 but always returned to local football. Another two solitary seasons were spent there in the late 40s, but it wasn't until 1967 that they made the switch full-time. Starting in Division 2, they win the title in 1969. Six seasons in Division 1 followed, including finishing as high as 6th but by 1975, they were relegated back. A seven-season spell back in Division 2 followed, including some real struggles. In 1983, it was renamed Division 1 and by 1989, the club finished as runners-up to Garw. Three seasons were spent in the Premier Division, latterly renamed Division 1, the last of which saw them named Pontypridd-Ynysybwl following a merger with a team called Pontypridd Sports & Social Club.

 

1992 is given as the club's official formation date. They commenced where they left off and were initially successful in Division 1, finishing 3rd at what was now the second tier, following the establishment of the Welsh Premier, now the Cymru Premier. Despite finishing 11th out of 18, they were relegated to Division 2 in 1996. By 1999, they finished rock bottom, going down to Division 3. A 3rd place finish in 2002 saw Pontypridd United promoted to Division 2 before a title win in 2006 saw them win promotion to Division 1. Despite a 3rd place finish in their first season, they declined as quickly as they progressed and by 2009, they were back in Division 3. They generally finished well, aside from a 15th-place finish in 2014. in 2016, they were champions and promoted back to Division 2. Then a runners-up spot to Llantwit Major saw them promoted to Division 1, where they spent a single season. Following this, they Cymru South (and North) was established as the second tier in Wales and despite a season being wiped out due to Covid, Pontypridd have not looked back since. Again, it would be Llantwit Major that prevented them from getting the title, but due to licensing issues, they were promoted in their place, going up to the Cymru Premier. Over the summer, the club was renamed Pontypridd United.

 

In 1996, Pontypridd reached the Welsh Cup Quarter Final. They won 4-0 at Llanwern, 4-2 at Newport YMCA, 1-0 at Taffs Well and beat Cemaes Bay 1-0. Their run came to an end when they lost 2-1 against Llansantffraid. The town sits at the junction of the Rhondda and Taff valleys, where the River Rhondda flows into the Taff just south of the town at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park. The population of the wider area is around 31,000. Sited at the junction of three valleys, it became an important location for transporting coal from the Rhondda and iron from Merthyr Tydfil, first by the Glamorganshire Canal, and later by the Taff Vale Railway, to the ports at Cardiff, Barry and Newport. Pontypridd hosts Pontypridd Rugby Football Club, one of Wales's notable rugby union clubs, with successful junior rugby and age-grade sections. It frequently contributes players to the national team. Formed in 1876, Pontypridd RFC play in the Principality Premiership. The Welsh national anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of my Fathers) was composed in Pontypridd by local poets/musicians Evan James and James James. The singer Tom Jones was born in Treforest and often mentions his home town in interviews. He headlined in a 65th birthday concert at the town's Ynysangharad Park. The town was where the music group, the Lostprophets were formed and Steve Cooper, the current Notts Forest manager was born there.

The Flackwell Heath FC 'Fatlads' burger

MY VISIT

I was always keen to do a game on this Friday, but I didn't know where. With me being off work, I was keen to involve fellow hopper Colin, but as ever, arranging something with him was a bit of a pain. Especially seeing as he had left his phone and wallet at work, something that scuppered his chances of coming to Flackwell with me on Thursday the night before as it trebled my mileage going via him. As it was, it was a good night watching their youth team play my local side, Holmer Green. Flackwell Heath triumphed 5-0 but the real highlight was trying the Fatlads Special burger, a behemoth with two burgers, cheese and bacon. Usually, these things do not live up to expectations but this was excellent, greasy and full of taste, just like a burger should be.

 I finally got a decision from Colin at 9.30 on the day of the game and it was to be Pontypridd. This helped him get towards his aim of completing the Welsh Premier and it was also probably the best journey. I had stuff to do down town and a walk to take and so I went to town for my Covid jab and also to get a few things from Lidl. I was back around 1.30 and did my research on the club. This took longer than expected and I left in a rush at 3.40. I met Colin at my local shop and maybe we should have left earlier. It took 45 minutes to get the five miles out of Wycombe. The middle part of the journey went great and we zipped down the M4 until we got stuck in 20 minutes delay around Cardiff. The first port of call was food and we opted for a Chinese takeaway in Taff's Well called Hong Kong. I had my usual salt and chilli chips and also something new in Nasigoren Chow Mein. Whilst we waited, I caught up on my blog. I eat them back at the ground and they were pretty decent - as well as half the price of some I've been in. We got to the ground around 10 minutes before the kickoff. Entry was £7 for me.

Pontypridd were unbeaten in three, having drawn 1-1 at Penybont, beat Caernarfon 3-1 and triumphed 2-1 at Chepstow Town in the Welsh Cup. Since I'd seen them lose at home to Penybont, Newtown had been involved in an entertaining 4-4 draw at Airbus UK, their opponents' only point of the season. They'd also lost 2-0 to Bala and 4-1 at TNS. They'd stopped the rot with a thumping 8-1 win at Cardiff Corinthians in the Welsh Cup last Saturday. The game started fairly level and with few chances. On 16 minutes, Newtown took the lead and it was Louis Robles from a tight angle on the left that gave them the goal. The visitors continued to dominate and it was a trip that awarded them a penalty on 27 minutes, Aaron Williams converting the spot kick. Robles got his second on 43 minutes, his shot wrongfooting the home keeper and being fairly central. Pontypridd did at least have the satisfaction of scoring the goal of the game on 55 minutes. A corner came out to Kurtis Ress who sent a sublime lob over the goalkeeper from the edge of the area. Clayton Green was sent off in the immediate aftermath, rushing to get the ball back. Even looking at the S4C replays, it appeared nothing sinister or deliberate, though it did look as if the keeper was genuinely injured in the clash. Twelve minutes from time, Henry Cowans sealed the game for Newtown, a low shot on the break from the edge of the area to make it 4-1.

Fantastic goal for Pontypridd, pulls one back but Newtown still lead 3-1 pic.twitter.com/CGLjEvOIB7

— ⚽Russell Cox💙 (@RussWWFC) October 14, 2022

It had been a reasonable night out, although the game was a bit one-sided. There was a healthy attendance of 350 which shows yet again the merits of Friday night football. It was one of Pontypridd's better attendances, despite the game being covered by S4C. They do a great service to Welsh Football and it was really useful to be able to watch the goals back after arriving home. I needed petrol before that and stopped at ASDA in Cardiff for fuel. It was then a fairly straightforward journey home, despite part of the M4 being closed. I dropped Colin off at 12:20 and got home 15 minutes later. I had a couple of drinks whilst typing my blog and watching TV, staying up for a couple of hours before going to sleep.

THE GROUND 

USW SPORTS PARK is a smart and tidy venue but not the most exciting. A 3G cage with a couple of portable stands. There's one along the side, a standard Arena one with around 75 capacity. Also a more interesting one behind the goal with a tarpaulin roof that holds just under 200. There's a fair amount of parking, charged at £1. Bar and food facilities are outside, or a wider choice a couple of miles away in Taff's Well.