Aberdare Town FC

Match report by Ray Pearce Picture by Beth Kelly This Hugh James SWFA Cup Tie saw Aberdare host the current league leaders of the Cardiff and District League, Cwrt Y Vil. Attacking the Town end, the visitors went close in the opening minute but Callum Dunning saved at the expense of a cleared corner. After the away 'keeper had prevented an Aber effort, Cwrt won a free kick on their left side on 14 minutes and this was netted with a glancing header by Follon and it needed more saves by Dunning to deny a second Sadly, Brychan Davies was sent off for a contentious second yellow and the away side made it 2-0 on 31 minutes as a run down their right saw a cross for Follon to tap home and give Aber a tough task to come back. They almost pulled one back right on half-time but a header off the line thwarted them after the away 'keeper had made a couple of good stops. 5 minutes into the second half there was a strong shout for a handball in the box committed by the away side which was disregarded. However, Evan Olson, on as one of 3 substitutes at half time, got down the right and Connor Berry headed Aber's opener on 53 minutes. 5 minutes later saw the visitors restore their two goal cushion as another free-kick saw Cwrt's Jones head home. Back came Aber on 69 minutes as Jordan Jones netted with an attempt into the top corner for 2-3. With the return of Cory Thomas after his long forced absence, Aber hoped to get level. A home mistake on 73 minutes saw Cwrt put a good chance wide but Leonard finished well with 11 minutes to go for a 4-2 advantage. Home hopes were rekindled with 4 minutes to go as Berry profited from Leon Jacka's free-kick for 3-4. The jubilant visitors and their fans were attacking again within 60 seconds and netted their fifth and match- winning goal. For any neutral it was a fine cup tie, disappointment for Aber who would have hoped to progress but credit to the guests who showed determination and considerable skills to emerge as victors TEAM: Callum Dunning, Sam Weston-Sheppard (Alex Adshead ‘20), Brychan Davies, Jack Bethell (Evan Olson ‘46), Sam Weaver (Jordan Jones ‘46), Aaron Rowling, Leon Jacka, Josh Davies (Dan Collins ‘46), Connor Berry, Shay Welch (Cory Thomas ‘79), Cameron McHale

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Published Saturday 11th November 2023

Eight goal thriller see Town out of SWFA Senior Cup

ABERDARE TOWN Football Club

“Where toil the Cymry deep in sunless pits and emptying all their hills to warm the world”

W.H.Davies

Match report by Ray Pearce Picture by Beth Kelly This Hugh James SWFA Cup Tie saw Aberdare host the current league leaders of the Cardiff and District League, Cwrt Y Vil. Attacking the Town end, the visitors went close in the opening minute but Callum Dunning saved at the expense of a cleared corner. After the away 'keeper had prevented an Aber effort, Cwrt won a free kick on their left side on 14 minutes and this was netted with a glancing header by Follon and it needed more saves by Dunning to deny a second Sadly, Brychan Davies was sent off for a contentious second yellow and the away side made it 2-0 on 31 minutes as a run down their right saw a cross for Follon to tap home and give Aber a tough task to come back. They almost pulled one back right on half-time but a header off the line thwarted them after the away 'keeper had made a couple of good stops. 5 minutes into the second half there was a strong shout for a handball in the box committed by the away side which was disregarded. However, Evan Olson, on as one of 3 substitutes at half time, got down the right and Connor Berry headed Aber's opener on 53 minutes. 5 minutes later saw the visitors restore their two goal cushion as another free-kick saw Cwrt's Jones head home. Back came Aber on 69 minutes as Jordan Jones netted with an attempt into the top corner for 2-3. With the return of Cory Thomas after his long forced absence, Aber hoped to get level. A home mistake on 73 minutes saw Cwrt put a good chance wide but Leonard finished well with 11 minutes to go for a 4-2 advantage. Home hopes were rekindled with 4 minutes to go as Berry profited from Leon Jacka's free-kick for 3-4. The jubilant visitors and their fans were attacking again within 60 seconds and netted their fifth and match-winning goal. For any neutral it was a fine cup tie, disappointment for Aber who would have hoped to progress but credit to the guests who showed determination and considerable skills to emerge as victors TEAM: Callum Dunning, Sam Weston-Sheppard (Alex Adshead ‘20), Brychan Davies, Jack Bethell (Evan Olson ‘46), Sam Weaver (Jordan Jones ‘46), Aaron Rowling, Leon Jacka, Josh Davies (Dan Collins ‘46), Connor Berry, Shay Welch (Cory Thomas ‘79), Cameron McHale