WELSH LEAGUE DIVISION TWO
ABERDARE TOWN ........ 2 NEWPORT CITY ............ 0
ABERDARE welcomed bottom club Newport City to the Park and claimed the expected three points but not without a difficult tussle.
Aberdare had thumped their visitors in the corresponding fixture at the Newport Stadium but City have certainly strengthened their squad since then and will still, despite this reverse, harbour hopes of avoiding relegation.
Lewis Holder returned to the Town’s starting 11 after suspension and saw his team go a goal up inside five minutes. A Warren Jones pass freed Josh Powell and his cross caused panic in the visitors’ defence with Ross Daniels taking advantage to steer home for his first for the club.
Newport’s first chance on goal saw on-loan Caerau Ely striker Callum Smith get a strong shot in on goal well handled by keeper Clint Forbes. The game remained very even but Aberdare were denied an increase in their lead after a superb double save by City keeper Adam Webb from a Warren Jones shot and a follow up Daniels header. A typical Rob Blatchford run, cutting in from wide left saw him shoot straight at Webb and there was a strong appeal for a penalty as Warren Jones appeared to be upended just inside the box whilst a Smith effort at the other end saw him finish smartly, only to be flagged for offside.
Aberdare began the second period on the front foot with chances for Jones and the impressive Jason Henley but as the half progressed play became rather pedestrian and manager Matt Driscoll made three substitutions bringing on John Phillips and latterly Tom Neville and reserve team player Corey Thomas for his debut. These changes certainly had the desired effect with the momentum moving almost completely to Aberdare who, as Newport began to tire, saw the refreshed front line causing several problems.
But a one-goal lead is rarely enough and Newport almost snatched an equaliser with a Matthew Flynn thunderbolt crashing against the stanchion but other than that, the solid backline with Jack Howe and Tom Billings shaping well as a central pairing saw off any City threats. The second goal, to wrap things up, looked likely and arrived in the 85th minute courtesy of a pin point through ball by Neville finding leading scorer Elliot Morris who guided home to the delight of his team mates and the home fans.
The win consolidates sixth spot in the division and on Friday night, Aberdare welcome secondplaced Briton Ferry Llansawel to the Park with a 7.30pm kick-off. This is a game Aberdare need to win if they are to remain in contention for promotion and will be hoping for a good crowd lending their usual strong support for this floodlight fixture.
MERTHYR TYDFIL VETERANS .................... 1 MERTHYR TOWN VETERANS .................... 4
THIS eagerly-awaited clash in the Wales Veterans Over-45s League on Sunday saw table-toppers Town give a workmanlike display for a deserved win despite a brave effort from their rivals.
Town bossed the last 20 minutes at The LoadLok Stadium, Penydarren Park, showing their overall better play and fitness against Merthyr Tydfil Vets, several of whom also play at Over-50s level.
Merthyr Town broke quickly into attack from the start, gaining ground on the right and getting in some penetrating crosses.
In reply, Robbie Sullivan and Keith Williams combined to send Carl Lewis away for the opponents but the latter was offside.
Town drew first blood on 11 minutes. Julian Barsi had his attempt in the box blocked but Chris Jones was there to fire past goalkeeper Terry Collins.
Philip Davies did well in the Tydfil rearguard until he had to go off with a calf injury.
Les Thomas tried to spark a Tydfil raid in the middle but lost out to an opponent.
Collins pulled off a fine save and then at the other end, a useful effort from Nick Francis cannoned off the post, and later the keeper saved from Keith Williams.
On 29 minutes, scores were level. Sullivan centred from the left and found Llion Williams who beat a defender, saw the space and drilled home his shot.
Barsi hit the bar and then Town dealt well with a Keith Williams cross with the half-time whistle blowing at 1-1. Town had been the better side but Tydfil did well and had also had a goal disallowed.
Keith Williams ran tirelessly from the start of the second period but the other side began to step up a gear with their crisp passing.
Richie Collins, well- known in borough football and a former striker with Troedy rhiw and Penydarren Boys’ Club, came on for Town.
Luck eluded Tydfil again when another Francis drive came off the bar.
Town exerted pressure without threatening Collins too much. He did well, however, to save and concede a corner on 58 minutes. But it led to Town getting their second goal.
Craig Evans, Neil Davies and Anthony Smith added to the Town’s tally, the third coming with just 10 minutes left with the other team still hopeful of salvaging something.
Tydfil kept pressing even though the task was uphill at 4-1, their best effort coming when substitute Ian Williams sent a shot narrowly wide.
Brian Caffell, Tydfil manager, told his players later: “We didn’t deserve to lose by 4-1.
“We kept going never gave up trying.” and