Panteg's season of inconsistency (From Free Press Series)

Panteg's season of inconsistency

A WIN and a loss in Panteg's final two league matches of the season summed up a season of inconsistency for the Pontypool side.

Goals from Lewis Williams and Lee Morris put Panteg two nil up at home to Aberbargoed Buds last Tuesday only for the visitors to draw level before Dan Parfitt struck with three minutes to go to pinch the points for Panteg.

Late victory on Tuesday was followed by late defeat on Thursday as Panteg lost out to a controversial 80th minute Newport Corinthians free kick. Panteg looked jaded in the first half having had only 48 hours to recover from the Aberbargoed match and went in at the interval two nil behind.

But a rousing half time team talk from Panteg manager Paul Thomas seemed to revive his players and goals from Adrian Awretias and David Gabbidon levelled the match. Then with ten minutes to go a Newport free kick appeared to go straight in to the Panteg net without being touched by another player.

Despite furious Panteg protests the goal was allowed to stand and the game finished 3-2 to Newport - a result that relegated Undy to Gwent County Division Two.

Panteg finished ninth, a position that Thomas is unhappy with: "I thought we'd be a top three or four side this season. But the top teams don't lose games like we did on Thursday.

"Having said that we've played 26 league games this season and some cup games and the lads have given me everything."

Although their League campaign is over, Panteg still have a Gwent Amateur cup final against Underwood on May 14 to look forward to.

"I'm confident," said Thomas. "But I was confident when we were in the final two years ago and lost.

"But the players are have improved since then and hopefully I'm a better manager as well," he added.