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Welsh minnows Pontypridd Town edge out All Star cast of former professionals

:Headline: Result: Welsh minnows Pontypridd Town edge out All Star cast of former professionals: ID:272681: from db_amp
A talkSPORT side containing an array of ex-players struggle to contain Welsh third-division outfit Pontypridd Town in a 3-1 defeat at Ynysangharad Park.

Welsh League Division Three outfit Pontypridd Town AFC were left celebrating after overcoming a talkSPORT All Stars side at a packed Ynysangharad Park.

The Dragons won the one-off friendly 3-1, organised as a celebration of grassroots football, thanks to goals from Luke Gullick, Scott Hillman and Omar Abdillahi.

A sold-out crowd of 1,600 people braved the treacherous conditions and were treated to an entertaining contest in South Wales, after both sets of players and committee members worked frantically to clear the sodden pitch.

Colin Murray, who led talkSPORT's radio broadcast of the match, was introduced in the second half but could not make a telling impact as his All Stars side fell to defeat.

There was a party atmosphere throughout the game, despite the visiting cast of legends remaining very competitive and not giving much away in the first half.

Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann and ex-Wales international Simon Davies were pulling the strings in the opening 45 minutes, attempting to play through the Ponty midfield to no real avail.

Danny Hooper led the charge for the Welsh hosts, meanwhile, coming close to making a breakthrough when skipping past Phil Babb and onlooking Danny Gabbidon to get a good strike on goal which was just about kept out.

It was Ponty who struck first, however, when Gullick turned beyond defender-turned-pundit Gabbidon to make a vital breakthrough for his side.

The second half saw a wounded All Stars team come out quicker and nearly equalise, with presenter Max Rushden blazing over the bar from 12 yards out, coming after some good build-up play by Danny Murphy and Matt Holland to break down the opposition defence.

The hosts' lead was extended when player-manager Dominic Broad crossed for Scott Hillman to out-jump Babb and score emphatically; his back-flip celebration matching the goal and pleasing the crowd in front of the main stand.

Perry Groves and Matt Etherington linked up down the left to deliver a very dangerous cross as the visitors went in search of a route back into the game, but the ball was claimed well by Ryan Griffiths - the Dragons' record holder for clean sheets in a single season with 13.

From this a quick counter-attack was launched which saw ex-Blackburn Rovers and Wales Under-21s player Omar Abdillahi twist and turn past Michael Gray before curling the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Murray's late cameo appearance provided a comedy altercation with the referee, shoving the official just before a handball in the box provided his side with a chance to bag a consolation goal.

Gray was the man to step up, finishing coolly to score a deserved goal for an All Stars side that showed plenty of effort against a determined Ponty.

All that was left was for Pontypridd mayor Jayne Brencher to hand the talkSPORT trophy to the team and congratulate player-manager Broad on his team's victory, sparking further scenes of joy.

Ponty, who made headlines two years ago by competing in a high-profile friendly against Spanish giants Valencia, have two more league fixtures remaining of their gruelling campaign.

Promotion into the third tier of Welsh football remains a strong possibility for the Dragons, who will be determined to complete their regular season on a high following this latest memorable win.

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