TORRENTIAL rain and a floodlight failure could not dampen Cwmbran Town's spirits last night as the game exploded with five goals in the last seven minutes, giving the Crows an invaluable Welsh Premier League win over Afan Lido.
The match had looked doubtful but referee Simon Jones gave it the go-ahead even though the pitch had taken a battering in the recent downpours.
And to make matters worse the lights went out after 38 minutes when a fusebox tripped but 12 minutes later the players returned to the pitch and sluggishly plodded to half time.
The second half resumed under full light but the football on show followed a similar pattern with both teams trying to pass the ball in near impossible conditions but in-form striker Chris Summers came close, hitting the side netting from a tight angle.
Lido were beginning to take control of the match and should have scored five minutes after the restart but a flashing header by Chris Dyer was brilliantly saved by on-loan 'keeper Gareth Wesson and Liam McCreesh missed the rebound.
Crows boss Brian Coyne brought on Kaid Mohamed and Jason Welsh on 73 minutes and it was Welsh who was instrumental in turning the game.
With seven minutes remaining, and the game looking destined to a goalless draw, Welsh squared a back post corner kick and it fell into the path of Jason Perry, who lashed the ball high into the net from eight yards.
And ninety seconds later Cwmbran looked to have settled it when Welsh crossed from the right for Summers to convert in some style, firing past the despairing hand of Thomas.
But the action was not over by a long shot as four minutes from time, Afan Lido substitute Kevin Bartley beat the offside trap to slot the ball low into the corner of the net to throw the away side a lifeline.
And they almost grabbed an equaliser when a wicked crossed ball cannoned off Perry and towards the Crows net but Wesson managed to paw the ball clear.
Cwmbran responded by going back on the offensive and added two goals in stoppage time to bury the Afan Lido threat.
Summers grabbed his second with a close-range header after another Welsh assist and Michael Fowler ended the match in fine style, lashing home the rebound from Hurlin's shot.
Cwmbran boss Brian Coyne said: "I am just delighted for the boys. We asked them to consider the conditions and keep it solid and try and take the chances when they came our way.
"I knew that we would create one or two chances but it was great to grab four.I thought it looked like heading to a goalless draw so it is great to get the three points.
"It was a big game for us, we really needed a home win and I'm pleased for the lads."
"They tried to keep the ball and play good football in atrocious conditions. To be fair I thought both sides did well given the conditions and both tried to play football."
Special mentions went to keeper Wesson, who made two fantastic stops and two-goal hero Summers. Coyne said: "Gareth has done very well. He made great saves at vital times for us. The one from the header was top class and I don't know how he got to it.
"As for Chris, he has a proven scoring track record and we know that he has the quality and, if we give him the ammunition, he'll get the goals.
Coyne added: "Hopefully people are starting to realise that we are trying to play entertaining football and a passing game which isn't always easy but we are making good progress."
Cwmbran Town: Wesson; James, Green, Perry, Warton, Fowler, Summers, Jones (c), Dimond (Welsh 73), Hurlin, Edwards (Mohamed 73). Subs not used: Fernquest, Wallace. Afan Lido: Thomas; Hurley, Martin, Evans, McCreesh (Walters 82), Rickard, Pearson, Pridham, Dyer, O'Leary, Felton (Bartley 73). Subs not used: Shrimpton. Booked: Dyer 57 (foul). Referee: Simon Jones (Swansea). Attendance: 180.
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