A Morris hat-trick helps Town back to winning ways

WELSH LEAGUE DIVISION TWO BRITON FERRY LLANSAWEL................... 3 ABERDARE TOWN......... 4

Aberdare returned to winning ways thanks to an Elliot Morris hat-trick after an exciting tussle at promotion hopefuls Briton Ferry.

Thankfully the Town were unrecognisable from the team that had given such a dismal display the previous week at Dinas Powys.

Jack Howe made an outstanding return to first team action and young prospect Levi Jones gave an eye-catching performance in the Town rearguard.

The hosts began the livelier and there were early chances for their prolific striker Gareth Jones who saw a powerful header hit the crossbar.

As the game progressed, the midfield of Warren Jones and Lewis Holder began to dictate matters and Merthyr product Luke Jones, returning to his sniping best, fired just wide from a Josh Powell cross with another effort narrowly over.

Ferry were under the cosh and there were bookings for Ian Hillier and Dan Thomas as Aberdare kept them on the back foot, with Powell bravely denied by a Luke Probert dive at the feet of the onrushing midfielder.

But minutes later Pow- ell was on the scoresheet.

Cutting in from the right, he hammered home from an angle to give the visitors a deserved lead.

In a game where neither trainer was called on, the referee booked several players including the Jones’ Levi, Warren and Luke and another three Ferry players over the 90 minutes.

On the stroke of half-time, Aberdare went two-up when a Luke Jones cross caused panic in the Ferry defence and Morris pounced to rifle home.

Aberdare continued to be notoriously slow starters in the second period and this night was to be no exception as Gareth Jones reduced the arrears with a trademark header from a set piece.

Aberdare gained their composure and with Holder and Warren Jones hounding in midfield, the Ferry defence was kept under pressure and it was no surprise when the visitors extended their lead.

A long Howe ball out of defence found front runner Ricky Carter who cleverly hooked over for his fellow frontrunner Morris to finish smartly.

Gareth Jones went close with another header and Carter crossed into the box but Morris just failed to connect.

But the fourth – and to be the match clincher – soon arrived when Carter found ex-Bath player Jason Henley who crossed for Morris to thunder home for his hat-trick and fifth league goal of the campaign.

Howe had given his all and was replaced by Scott Woodford, leaving the field to rapturous applause from the large away following.

Ferry were thrown a lifeline in the 78th minute when Gareth Jones got his second and the remaining 12 plus minutes saw Aberdare under siege with Tom Mouncher, Henley, Levi Jones and Woodford holding out grimly with keeper Clinton Forbes showing no lasting effects from the Dinas game as he handled efforts superbly.

It took a disputed freekick to reduce the arrears further when, on 90 minutes, Mouncher was deemed to have handled a ball struck at him from less than a yard, having appeared to hit his side rather than arm.

Hillier converted the free-kick from the edge of the box with a thunderous shot and there was still time in injury time for Henley to be the hero, clearing off the line after a frantic goalmouth tussle.

Thoughts now turn to this Saturday’s home fixture with Ammanford Town at Aberaman Park (2.30pm). all