DIVISION ONE

CORNELLY UTD ............ 5 ABER VALLEY ............... 2

ON-FIRE Carl Owen made it eight goals in three games, as Cornelly United gained a third consecutive league victory, writes Tony Poole.

Former Porthcawl Town star Owen is in the form of his life, and lowly Aber Valley failed to hold a light to him or young guns like Callum Jones, William Thyer and Rhys Jones.

And at the back captain Shaun Duffy, Michael Wilson and Kieran Jeffreys were also standout performers, as the Meadow Street boys continue to show a massive improvement.

The now traditional early Cornelly goal this time arrived in the sixth minute with Callum Jones playing in Owen, who easily got the measure of Aber goalkeeper Shane Davies.

But right out of the blue Aber won a 14th-minute penalty that Jason James rifled past goalkeeper Luke Jones to square matters.

However, Cornelly continued to look more menacing, and they were awarded a 27th-minute penalty after Owen was felled.

Callum Jones sent Davies the wrong way with the ensuing penalty, and the Meadow Street boys led 2-1 at the break.

Owen twice went close for Cornelly on the restart before a 52nd-minute effort was only parried by goalkeeper Davies, and Thyer followed up to get a second goal for the club.

But once again the Meadow Street boys displayed the irritating trait of switching off – and were duly punished from a 79th-minute corner by Connor Li.

However, the last 10 minutes belonged to Cornelly, and on 81 minutes a remarkable Mark Evans run – displaying pace and guile not previously seen - led to Owen finishing with aplomb.

And with just three minutes to go, they signed off with another goal, Owen completing a delightful hat-trick from close range.

Next up for Cornelly is a South Wales Senior Cup clash away to Caerphilly club Cwrt Rawlin on Saturday, and their next league game is home to rock-bottom Llantwit Fardre on Saturday week.