(Image: Will Cheshire)
Abertillery Bluebirds booked their place into the draw for Round Four of the FAW Trophy as they beat Cardiff Draconians.
Goals in both halves gave the Gwent County League leaders a home victory over the Draconians, who are fourth in the South Wales Alliance League.
Ross Hancocks netted just before halftime, whilst Owen Goodenough doubled Aber’s advantage, to give the hosts the victory.
The Bluebirds got to Round Five of the competition last season and will be hoping to go one better this campaign.
Abertillery Bluebirds tested the Dracs defence early on. Chris Penny attempted a shot towards goal, but Shaun McCarthy cleared it away.
The Bluebirds continued their early pressure and the Dracs had a let off. Ashley Chivers played an exquisite ball to Thomas Calver, but his effort went wide of the goal. Brandon Withers unleashed a powerful effort at Meyer’s goal, but the Dracs goalkeeper was alert to the shot.
The away side had a rare chance through Brad Stubbs, as he was found outside the box from a corner, forcing Withers into a goal-line clearance.
(Image: Will Cheshire)
The best chance for Layton Maxwell’s side fell to captain Liam Williams. Anthony Burnett, whose powerful shot rattled the crossbar, laid the ball to Williams, who then nearly scored directly from a corner. However, Gareth Williams palmed it away.
After a spell of pressure from the Draconians, the home side stung the away sides’ defence with a goal on the stroke of halftime. Matthew Fowler played the ball to Ross Hancocks, who powered his effort past Meyer, to give the home side the lead.
Play resumed for the half and the Abertillery Bluebirds scored with their first real chance; Half-time substitute Owen Goodenough made the most of a mistake from Jake Nippers, to tuck his effort past Meyer.
The Dracs were finding chances limited, but after Williams free-kick was blocked, Shaun McCarthy’s effort went just wide.
Anthony Burnett forced Williams into a save, resulting in a corner. Williams tried to test the Bluebirds keeper again, but he was alert to a header, tipping it behind.
Late on, Brad Stubbs had an effort blocked by the Bluebirds defence, before Williams superbly saved Joey Morrelli’s shot
Abertillery managed to hold on, quelling any Draconians pressure, securing a clean sheet against the Cardiff based side.
Abertillery Bluebirds
Williams, Clark, Chivers, C.Williams, Vagg, Fowler, Withers, Hancocks, Penny, Calver, Hancocks
Mitchell, Pitt, Goodenough
Cardiff Draconians
Meyer, Morelli, McCarthy, Williams, Southard, Nippers, Burnett, McLean, R.McCarthy, James, Stubbs
Denner, Noyes, Morrison, Mahon, Maxwell.
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