ABERDARE EXTEND UNBEATEN RUN
ABERDARE TOWN ........ 3 WEST END ..................... 1
A MINUTE’S silence was observed prior to kick-off in memory of John Derrick, the ex-Glamorgan CC player and coach who had sadly passed away that day and the condolences of the club go to his family and loved ones.
Tom Billings returned to the line-up with Sean Chapple coming in for the suspended Luke Jones and with Jordan Coles moving into midfield. Things began disastrously for the hosts with Dan Burgess, undoubtedly West End’s star player, finishing wonderfully within two minutes of the start, cooly lobbing Clint Forbes in the Aberdare goal.
Slowly, Aberdare began to regain their composure and there were chances for Ross Daniels and Dan Richards. But no side was taking control and with mispasses galore the fayre on offer was frankly dire at times. But things were to take a turn for the better, well as much as Aberdare were concerned, with two goals in rapid succession just before half-time.
A Josh Powell corner found the imposing Tom Billings whose header flew into the net for the equalizer and two minutes later, Richards threaded through a delightful defence-splitting ball which the alert Daniels tucked home for his third in four games. It could have been another for Daniels on the stroke of half-time with his close-range effort just skimming the post. Aberdare maintained the pressure in the opening minutes of the second half with the cross-field passes of Coles a feature but with no further addition to the scoreline.
As the half progressed, the visitors began to find a foothold with a big shout for a penalty as the ball struck the hand of Billings waved away by referee, Andrew Wilkins and a 20yard screamer from the ever dangerous Burgess crashing against the cross bar down onto the line but with no goal line technology available though! So it was rather against the run of play when a Rob Blatchford cross found Coles who scampered to retrieve, crossing superbly at pace for the onrushing Jon Phillips to fire home.
Aberdare were now looking for more with the most potent threat being the wing play of Blatchford who was giving his opposing number a torrid time.
But a fourth goal was not to arrive but it did give the opportunity for manager Matt Driscoll, to blood young reserve team prospects Mitchell Boyce and Scott Griffiths who were certainly not overawed by the step up. Kris Collins also showed up well but over the 90 minutes it was Josh Powell who was to take the accolade of man of the match.
The result extends Aberdare’s unbeaten run to six matches with three wins and three draws. One of those draws was with promotion chasing Cwmamman United and they are the next visitors to Aberaman Park this Wednesday evening with a 7.30pm kick-off.