Pontardawe secured promotion to the JD Cymru South for the 2026/27 season with a deserved 2-0 victory over Cwmbran Town in the Ardal South Promotion Play-Off.
Christian Evans’ side made the perfect start in Tonypandy, taking the lead inside the opening minute through Sammy Harrison. The forward produced a superb finish, lifting the ball over the goalkeeper after a controversial build-up that saw appeals for handball waved away.
Pontardawe continued to create the better chances throughout the first half and could have extended their advantage before the break. Jesse Meacock and Jake Barrow both went close from the left-hand side, but the score remained 1-0 at half-time.
The hosts started the second half with the same intensity and doubled their lead within five minutes of the restart. Harrison turned provider, threading a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Barrow, who calmly slotted beyond the goalkeeper into the bottom corner.
Barrow’s goal capped an impressive individual display and left Cwmbran with a mountain to climb. Despite remaining in the contest thanks to a succession of excellent saves from goalkeeper Callum Brain, the visitors were unable to create enough opportunities to mount a comeback.
For Cwmbran Town, the defeat marked the end of an era. Following the match, manager Dale Clark informed the club of his decision to step down due to work and family commitments. Clark leaves having overseen two full seasons without a home defeat, and attention will now turn to appointing a successor capable of leading the club’s next promotion challenge.
The result sees Pontardawe return to the JD Cymru South, joining Ardal South West champions Pure Swansea and Ardal South East champions Caerphilly Athletic in next season’s second-tier line-up.
Full league compositions for 2026/27, along with season dates and fixture release days, will be confirmed in due course.
