This WJ Owen Cup tie against Championship side Bettws FC turned out to be a memorable 4-4 before a cruel 2-4 loss for Aber on penalties. A mainly dry but windy afternoon saw Aber defend the Town end with the breeze behind them and included new signing Alex Jacklin in the start line-up. Within 2 minutes a visitors attack down their right was not dealt with and a cross into the box for an easy finish and 1-0. A promising Aberdare move down their left was thwarted before Will De Sousa blazed over on 23 minutes from a right side cross. Immediately after a Macauley Morgan strike hit the Bettws crossbar before both strikers could not reach a good cross ball from Kieran Rodway. However the equalizer came just after the half hour as Jacklin's left side corner to the near post was knocked home by Mason Howells. From the kick-off Bettws had easy progress through the home ranks to take a 2-1 lead but within a minute it was 2-2 as Cam Walker played in Howells to blast home from distance. Amazingly a fourth goal in 4 crazy minutes as more poor home defending saw the visitors go 3-2 up. That was the end of the first half scoring as Aber were netting the good goals and conceding the bad ones. 49 minutes saw Cameron Walker find Morgan who was denied by the Bettws No.1, the away side then having a header hit the Aber post. Another relinquished ball saw the guests net another easy finish just past the hour for 4-2. Substitutions were Jack Salmon for Walker, James Rowlands and Hadley Taylor replacing Cam Sage and Elliott Hewings and on 78 minutes a Rodway ball from the left went in at the far post for 3-4. Sadly an injury meant that Rowlands' introduction was soon over with Nathan Sage coming on to contribute to the fight back. An 88th minute Salmon thunderous shot from 30 yards came off the bar and appeared to go over the line but nothing was given but into added time and a Salmon corner from the left evaded everyone for 4-4. Amazingly, Aber thought they had won it when an excellent drive from Player of the Match Howells hit the bar and, again, seemed to cross the line only for the referee to be unmoved. So it ended as honours even and straight to penalties. Bettws missed their first but after De Sousa netted his the visiting 'keeper, who had replaced the previously injured custodian, saved 2 Aber penalties while his side netted their next 4 for a 4-2 victory. A good game for the neutral but all concerned with Aberdare were obviously disappointed at the outcome after the effort. A chance for redemption on Saturday 1st November when hosting Llanrumney in a league fixture at 2.00 p.m. Team: Dylan Pearce, Alex Jacklin, Elliott Hewings (Hadley Taylor), Kieran Rodway, Kellan Webb, Cameran Sage (James Rowlands, Nathan Sage), Cai McKenzie, Macauley Morgan, Mason Howells, Cam Walker (Jack Salmon), Will de Sousa Subs not used: Ceri Jones Player of the Match: Mason Howells Match Sponsor: Signflow Services

Report by Ray Pearce Published 25 October 2025