Aberdare Town FC

Report by: Ray Pearce Photo by: Beth Kelly Photography With the resignation of Merthyr Saints, Aberdare and their visitors Cardiff Bay Warriors found themselves at the foot of the Championship. David Ikete and Iestyn Thomas were unavailable with starting places for Southern Rowlands and Haatim Elmehdawi. A chilly but dry afternoon saw Aber attacking the Town end but it needed a save at his right post by Nyles Vaughan to thwart a visitors 10th minute free kick from 30 yards. Aber offered little in attack as the speedy Cardiff front men, particularly down their left side were caught offside until, on the half-hour, a through ball saw Vaughan race from his goal but was beaten to the ball and the visitors forward easily rolled home the opening goal. 37 minutes saw the guests get their second with an unchallenged finish into the corner. Vaughan made a fine tip away from another Cardiff effort on 40 minutes but the break arrived with no further alarms. Manager Dean Raven needed some reaction and substitute Jack Salmon had an early run which was repelled. A Luke Boyle effort went over before a Cam Sage corner on 52 minutes was not cleared for Boyle to make it 1- 2 with a close range finish. The home side were more attacking but with few alarms for Cardiff except a Boyle free kick saved by the away No.1. The game turned again on 77 minutes when, awarded a dubious free kick just outside the penalty area, a superb curling effort gave Vaughan no chance for a 2 goal away margin. Now trying to push forward, Aber were caught by quick breaks down the visitors right which resulted in two finishes past Vaughan. These came in the last few minutes and the final 5-1 score line could have been worse. This was Cardiff's first away league win of the season to leave Aberdare firmly at the bottom of the league. Another tough fixture awaits at Vale United on Saturday 8th February at 2.00 p.m. when all concerned with Aberdare will be hoping for a reaction.

Published: Saturday 2 February 2025

Aberdare Town 1 Cardiff Bay Warriors 5

Match Report

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ABERDARE TOWN Football Club

Team: Nyles Vaughan, Rhys Lewis (Dean Raven), Moad Elbakbakh, Aston Francis-Carrington, Thamsanqa Nyathi, Luke Boyle, Phil Thomas (Jack Salmon), Haatim Elmehdawi (Logan Miles), Cam Sage, Southern Rowlands, Ulrich Keuni Sub not used: Lewis Reed Player of the Match: -

MATCH DATA Goals: ATFC: Boyle, CBW:Yusuf x4, Mohamed Yellow cards: ATFC: CBW: Red cards: ATFC: CBW: Referee: Peter Small Venue: Easy Panels Stadium, Aberaman Park

Report by: Ray Pearce Photo by: Beth Kelly Photography With the resignation of Merthyr Saints, Aberdare and their visitors Cardiff Bay Warriors found themselves at the foot of the Championship. David Ikete and Iestyn Thomas were unavailable with starting places for Southern Rowlands and Haatim Elmehdawi. A chilly but dry afternoon saw Aber attacking the Town end but it needed a save at his right post by Nyles Vaughan to thwart a visitors 10th minute free kick from 30 yards. Aber offered little in attack as the speedy Cardiff front men, particularly down their left side were caught offside until, on the half-hour, a through ball saw Vaughan race from his goal but was beaten to the ball and the visitors forward easily rolled home the opening goal. 37 minutes saw the guests get their second with an unchallenged finish into the corner. Vaughan made a fine tip away from another Cardiff effort on 40 minutes but the break arrived with no further alarms. Manager Dean Raven needed some reaction and substitute Jack Salmon had an early run which was repelled. A Luke Boyle effort went over before a Cam Sage corner on 52 minutes was not cleared for Boyle to make it 1-2 with a close range finish. The home side were more attacking but with few alarms for Cardiff except a Boyle free kick saved by the away No.1. The game turned again on 77 minutes when, awarded a dubious free kick just outside the penalty area, a superb curling effort gave Vaughan no chance for a 2 goal away margin. Now trying to push forward, Aber were caught by quick breaks down the visitors right which resulted in two finishes past Vaughan. These came in the last few minutes and the final 5-1 score line could have been worse. This was Cardiff's first away league win of the season to leave Aberdare firmly at the bottom of the league. Another tough fixture awaits at Vale United on Saturday 8th February at 2.00 p.m. when all concerned with Aberdare will be hoping for a reaction.