Town tasted defeat for the first time this season with a 2-1 loss in the shadows of Caerphilly Castle at current league leaders Cwrt Rawlin. A sunny and breezy afternoon greeted the sides who had both won their opening league fixtures. Liam John and Will De Sousa returned to the starting line up on a hard and bouncy pitch. The home side quickly enjoyed aerial prowess which continued throughout but the first development was on 26 minutes as Aber's Macauley Morgan was unable to continue and replaced by Hadley Taylor. The half-hour mark saw the home side effort just wide of Dylan Pearce's post but a raid down their left on 39 minutes saw the opening goal bundled in from close range. Immediately Aber's Mason Howells got through on the right but was denied by the home 'keeper. After a disjointed away performance the guests tried to up the tempo but on 61 minutes the hosts went 2-0 up when a ball from their right was not dealt with for an easy finish. Another injury after 67 minutes saw Lee Hartshorn replaced by Oscar Din but Aber had some hope as, on 70 minutes, Taylor closed down a home defender and the ball was rifled home by De Sousa. Sadly, a bad injury to Howells on the 3 quarter-hour mark led to a long delay, a dismissal for a home substitute and Aber brining on Lewis Reed to replace the Aber wide man who looks for a spell on the sidelines. In the remaining normal time and extensive extra minutes Aber were unable to test the Cwrt Rawlin side to any great extent as the final whistle saw a jubilant home squad celebrate their 2-1 success. Obviously a disappointing outcome for all concerned with Aberdare but next Saturday, 23rd August, sees a home JD Welsh Cup tie versus Caerphilly Athletic with a 2.00 start. Team: Dylan Pearce, Liam John, Kellan Webb, Lee Hartshorn (Oscar Din), Kieran Rodway, Jack Salmon, Cam Sage, Cai Mackenzie, Mac Morgan (Hadley Taylor), Will de Sousa, Morgan Howells (Lewis Reed) Subs not used: Dan Field, Dan Collins Player of the Match: Cam Sage

Report by Ray Pearce Published 16 August 2025