Croesyceiliog AFC 0-3 Abertillery Bluebirds: Bluebirds bulldoze past Croesy to progress
Aber Bluebirds are through to the next round of the Welsh Cup after a 3-0 win over Croesyceiliog at Woodland Road.
An own goal from Darren Paul’s deflected effort set the Bluebirds off before a fine solo goal from Ben Ward and a late strike from James Watkins ensured a comprehensive win for the Ebbw Fach Valley side.
The Bluebirds, who now boast former Abergavenny Town and Ynysddu Welfare manager Ben Murphy in their ranks, marked a 15-month hiatus from competitive football with a commanding performance and were deserving of their passage into Monday’s draw.
Croesyceiliog started the game brightly and their efforts earned them a corner after four minutes. A cross into the Abertillery half was headed behind by Darren Paull. The corner was whipped into the six-yard box and met well but it was straight at Gareth Williams.
Abertillery came back and found Owen Goodenough out on the right. Goodenough cut inside and tried the shot but he hit it straight at Luca Bullock.
The home side worked the ball down the left and with a good piece of passing play found Zack Osborne in space. He took a powerful shot but it was blocked by the Aber defence.
Croseyciliog seemed to be in the ascendency as a long ball into the box found Osbourne in a good position in front of goal. Osborne however was unable to control the ball to give himself a shooting chance. Soon after Jack Sainsbury found space on the left for a cross but it was cleared by Richard Crees.
The deadlock was broken after 24 minutes from an Aber corner. The corner was sent into the box and sent in off a Croseyciliog defender after Paull made the initial contact.
Croesy tried to get back into the game quickly. A deep corner ball flashed across the goal as two Croseyciliog players were unable to get to the ball.
Owen Goodenough, who had been causing problems for Croseyciliog all half, went down after a heavy challenge. The Aber forward felt that it was a foul but the referee hadn’t seen the challenge. Goodenough tried to get back up but was unable to continue.
The game slowed after the lengthy stoppage with Croseyciliog having a great chance in added time. Dan Prichard was found in space inside the box with a great chance to score. His shot though was tame and rolled wide of the goal.
Aber started the second half well as a good through ball found Thomas Beynon clean on goal but he shot wide of the target.
Ben Ward was finding lots of room out on the right side and attempted a curling effort from the corner of the box. His effort was just wide.
Aber were looking for the second goal as the half went on with Corey Mitchell shooting over from just outside the box.
Aber did get the second goal just before the hour mark with a stunning piece of play from Ben Ward. Picking the ball up out on the left he went past a defender to get inside the box then coolly rolled the ball under the advancing Luca Bullock.
Ward was having a fine game and his run inside the box found Ollie Watkins close to goal but he was unable to get good contact on the ball.
Croesyceiliog tried to get back into the match as Jack Sainsbury’s header went straight at Williams and then his long-range shot went over the bar.
Deep into added time, Aber made sure of the win as sub-James Watkins latched onto a poor pass to Bullock. Watkins steeling the ball to tap home and complete the victory.
Croesyceiliog: Luca Bullock (G), Josh James, Jack Sainsbury, Josh Hall (Lewis Clare 75), Ben Jones (C), Thomas Doidge (Thomas O’Shaughnessy 81), Daniel Clouth, Dan Prichard, Zach Osborne (Ben Wootton 55), Jack Sinderby, Ryan Saunders.
Yellow Cards; Ben Jones 20, Dan Prichard 65
Abertillery Bluebirds: Gareth Williams (G), Lewis Clark, Nathan Tunley, Darren Paull, Richard Crees (C), Corey Mitchell, James Young, Brett Morgan, Owen Goodenough (Ollie Griffiths 34), Ben Ward, Thomas Beynon (James Watkins 75).
Goals: OG Ben Ward 58, James Watkins 90+5.
Yellow Cards; Darren Paull 90+6
