WELSH LEAGUE DIVISION TWO
ABERDARE TOWN ........ 2 AMMANFORD ............... 0
ABERDARE moved into fifth spot in the division after this victory over a goal-shy Ammanford.
Shaun Chappell came in for the unavailable Luke Jones as the only change from the win at Briton Ferry and showed excellent touches in a first half where both sides were guilty of some wasteful finishing.
Aberdare’s Jones headed Warren just wide early on and Aber keeper Clint Forbes had to be at his sharpest to save from a Craig Fraiter effort and a Jonny Thomas shot from close out.
The visitors enjoyed a good 20-minute period finding space to set up raids but Jack Howe, yet again an imposing presence, was a rock in the home defence with Tom Mouncher, Jason Henley and Levi Jones completing a solid back four.
As the half reached the half-hour mark, Aberdare began to find a grip and a subtle pass from Chappel found Warren Jones whose fierce shot just skimmed wide.
Two minutes later and Aberdare were ahead. On the right of the Ammanford goal, Josh Powell touched a quick free kick to Henley whose pinpoint cross found the head of Elliot Morris who buried the effort for his fourth goal in two games.
The visitors bounced back and were denied an equaliser when Rhys Owen headed home only for referee Harry Hendricks to disallow for a push on an Aberdare defender.
Shaun Chappell, with another clever pass, found Jack Howe who had raced through from the back but his effort skewed wide.
On the stroke of half time, Josh Powell was booked for words with the ref following a strong midfield challenge on Lewis Holder by Ammanford’s Matthew Fisher, and which saw Holder receive treatment for what looked a nasty shoulder injury.
Holder however reappeared for the second period with manager Matt Driscoll bringing on Jon Phillips for Chappell, who had given his all in his first competitive match of the season for the Town.
There was an early scare for Aberdare when Cerith Williams headed wide and at the other end an excellent ball from Howe found Morris whose sharp cross just eluded the onrushing Ricky Carter. Morris was causing havoc in the visitors’ defence, aided by the tireless running of Carter and Warren Jones and with Holder, Phillips and Powell shoring up midfield.
A last-gasp tackle denied Carter with a Howe effort tipped to safety by Ford keeper Kirkwood as Aberdare dominated proceedings.
But the second finally arrived in the 79th minute when a Powell left hand cross into the box produced hesitancy in the defence and there was the tireless Warren Jones to prod home at the far post.
Ammanford tried to respond but were guilty of some poor finishing with Fraiter ballooning over and other half chances spurned while there were bookings for Holder and Morris.
Overall a comfortable victory for Aberdare with Elliot Morris the undoubted man of the match.
This Saturday they travel to the outskirts of Cwmbran for a meeting with mid-table Croesyceiliog with a 2.30pm kick-off and looking to continue this successful mini-run.