AVAFL PREMIER
DIVISION
THIS AVAFL Premier Division clash saw Hirwaun FC arrive at Y Parc for the final game before the installation of a new 3G surface at the ground.
And it was the visitors who began brightly and they duly established an early lead when Rhys Howells arrived at the back post to bury his header with barely five minutes on the clock. Undeterred, AFC responded well with Gareth Norris and Adam Davies both performing well down their respective flanks and Tom Fournier and James Davies controlling the central third. Indeed, an equaliser was duly scored just after the halfhour mark when in–form striker Chris Mitchell saw his shot from an acute angle eventually find the net after hitting both posts on the way in. At half-time the score remained 1–1.
After the break Cynon came out all guns blazing and they went in front for the first time on 55 minutes. Centre-back Jordan Baker won a brace of tackles and shipped the ball on to Tom Fournier. Fournier then fed Adam Davies and the winger played a neat one-two with Man of the Match James Davies before crossing with precision to skipper Tom Evans whose bullet header found the opposite corner of the net.
At this stage AFC were well on top but Hirwuan displayed great character as the half opened out and gradually forced the home side on to the back foot. Indeed, they scored an excellent equaliser going into the final third when Rhys Howells completed his brace courtesy of a looping header that gave keeper Lee Thomas no chance. And just before full-time the visitors almost plundered a late winner. However, Thomas in the AFC goal produced a timely save to prevent the deflected shot form going in. And with no further scoring, match official Alun Thomas signalled for full-time.