Aber Valley 3-2 Cardiff Corinthians: Radz hits hat-trick as Aber extend lead at top
Nathan Radz hit a hat-trick as Aber Valley defeated title rivals Cardiff Corinthians 3-2 at the USW Sport Park.
The league leaders increased their lead at the top of the Alliance League to five points.
Aber Valley fought back twice after falling behind to Daniel Noyes penalty in the first-half and Elijah Chilekwa’s effort in the 55th minute.
Cardiff Corinthians had George Jones sent off a minute from time to further add to their frustrations on a card laden evening for the Capital side.
From the off, Valley used set pieces to threaten their opponents.
Owain Davies glanced his header wide from Jonathan Midgley’s early corner-kick.
Moments later Connor Stokes moved down the line and put pressure on Alex Smity.
The Corries had a rare chance through Hishi Lama, though he was unable to hit the target after Iwan Withers cross-field pass.
But for all Aber’s control, it was the Corries who claimed the first goal.
Midgley caught Elijah Chilekwa in the box and Dan Noyes cooly dispatched his spot-kick past Aaron Brown.
The hosts were undeterred by trailing at half-time and continued to dominate in possession when the players remerged.
They were on level terms, six minutes into the second-half. Connor Stokes threaded ball found Nathan Radz who pulled his effort past Smity.
He almost had another goal seconds later, but his shot hit the post.
Corries benefited from Radz hitting the post as they went from defence-to-attack and Elijah Chilekwa restored their lead with an impressive strike.
The influential Radz almost turned provider for Stokes, but the Valley striker miscalculated his effort.
He did however get Aber back level just after the hour mark. A far-sided free-kick beat everyone, including the goalkeeper, as Valley celebrated a second equaliser.
Shellshocked from conceding, Corries fell behind for the first time as they left Radz unmarked and he scampered his shot past Smity.
Corries chasing an equaliser had the ball in the net, but the referee disallowed Beddis for an offside.
Owain Davis almost furthered Corries lead after benefiting from Smity’s dropped ball, but the keeper made amends by blocking with his foot.
Substitute Jake Fletcher almost made sure of the game after Stokes pass across goal, but he was unable to make his mark as he spurned his chance by shooting over the bar.
Aber goalkeeper Aaron Brown, a bystander for most of the game, was forced into action late on and he blocked Chilekwa’s tucked shot, coming out on top in a one-on-one.
Their job of defending their lead was made easier when a moment of frustration saw George Jones sent off.
Aber Valley meet the Corries in two weeks time, whilst the Corries will play Cwm Welfare.
Aber Valley: Aaron Brown, Dan Jones, Jordan Carter, Garron Wiltshire, Jonathan Midgley, Zak Thomas, Andrew Kempton, Gavin Jones (Jake Fletcher 69), Connor Stokes, Owain Davies, Nathan Radz.
Goals: Nathan Radz 51, 61, 66′
Cardiff Corinthians: Alex Smith, Jack Henry, Dan Noyes (Cory Hallett 80), Gavin Robins, Alex Smith, Ben Bailey (C), George Jones, Josh Beddis, Iwan Withers, Hishi Lama (Aaron Shanahan 69), Elijah Chilekwa.
Goals: Daniel Noyes, p 34, Elijah Chilekwa 55′
Yellow Cards: Dan Noyes 48, Ben Bailey 77, Alex Smith 83, Aaron Shanahan 87,
Red Card: George Jones 89′
See how Aber Valley moved five points clear through our live blog:
(Featured Image: Mike James)
