Ynyshir Albions 3-0 Abertillery Bluebirds: Ten-man Buns promoted to Cymru South

Ten-man Ynyshir Albions were promoted to the Cymru South as they defeated Abertillery Bluebirds 3-0 in the Ardal South play-off final.

Despite a red card for Joseph Eason, Cory Morgan, substitute Liam Thomas, and Leon Anstee scored the goals to take the Buns into Welsh football’s second tier.

Ynyshir despite the man disadvantage were deserving of their victory, dominating most of the game bar a few scares from the Bluebirds.

Merthyr, WALES – 17 May, 2022: Ynyshir Albions v Abertillery Bluebirds in the Ardal Southern Play-Off Final at The Bont Playing Fields on the 17th May 2022. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)

A lofted ball over the top gave Abertillery the game the first meaningful opportunity and their greatest chance as Michael Vagg powered a header at goal but Dane Williams was alert to it to stop it from going in the net.

Williams was composed in the Ynyshir goal but up the other end, a mix-up almost gifted the Rhondda side the lead. Nathan Lapping tried to sit on the ball but lost control, allowing Leon Anstee to snuff a shot at goal but the defence spared Lapping’s blushes.

A shot against the run-of-play then came from Thomas Beynon but the winger could only tun his shot past the post.

Beynon was involved in somewhat of a personal battle on his flank with Kailum Williams with the Ynyshir defender coming out on top. There was an appeal for a penalty from the Bluebirds faithful when the two tangled but the referee deemed it to be a fair challenge.

Merthyr, WALES – 17 May, 2022: Cory Morgan of Ynyshir scores his sides first goal. Ynyshir Albions v Abertillery Bluebirds in the Ardal Southern Play-Off Final at The Bont Playing Fields on the 17th May 2022. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)

A manic few moments ensured around the hour mark and Ynyshir who were on top, suffered a blow with a sending-off. Joe Eason led in with a challenge on Daniel paul and it was deemed to be a sending offence.

Unfettered by going a man down, there was a moment of celebration which was cut short for them. Liam Eason jinked his way through the defence and his shot deflected onto the side netting with his chance.

A few minutes later, Ynyshir would be able to celebrate as they took the lead. Eason worked the ball down the flank to Anstee and the striker looked up to find Morgan in space and the midfielder showed his composure to tuck it under Lapping.

In search of a response, a ball was floated onto the head of towering defender Daniel Paul but he couldn’t keep it from going over the bar.

Ynyshir’s place in the second tier was then gifted to them as a sloppy back pass allowed Thomas in. The substitute had the free run of the goal and rolled it home.

Things got even better as Anstee got a deserved goal to put the icing on the cake. He broke into the box and slid a shot into the low corner to spark jubilant celebrations.

Ynyshir Albions: Dane Williams, Kailum Williams (Jamie Rewbury, 90+2), Dre Griffiths (Stephen Vaughan, 90+2), Alex Rees, Mark Crutch, Scott Jones (C) (Sean Jones, 90+2), Cory Morgan, Liam Eason (Liam Thomas, 84), Leon Anstee, Joe Eason, Jacob Matthews.

Substitutes not used: Lewis Fry.

Goals: Cory Morgan 66, Liam Thomas 90+2, Leon Anstee 90+4

Yellow Cards: Liam Eason 21, Cory Morgan 89’

Red Card: Joseph Eason 59’

Abertillery Bluebirds: Nathan Lapping, Leigh Sharp, Michael Vagg, Daniel Paul, Richard Crees (C), Lewis Clark, James Young, Brett Morgan (Cory Mitchell, 72) Ben Ward (Jason Gardiner, 84), Ashley Price, Thomas Beynon (Cameron Williams, 72),

Substitutes: Chris Penny, James Watkins

Attendance: 777

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell/FAW)