Blaenavon Blues - 2
Cwmffrwdoer - 1
BLAENAVON Blues secured their first league win since early October on Saturday and in the process condemned Cwmffrwdoer to only their third league defeat of the season.
This Gwent County Division One Torfaen derby game started at a canter for both sides as neither club seemed to want to take hold of the match.
Around the twenty minute mark Cwmffrwdoer had a deflected shot well saved by Blues keeper Lee Jones, and this gave the Blues the kick-start they needed to up the ante.
The Blues were the better side for the remainder of the first half, and were disappointed not to have taken the lead going into the interval after the 'Doer' keeper denied 17-year-old James Cox from close range.
The Blues continued to dominate the game after the re-start but couldn't break down the 'Doer' defence.
Fifteen minutes into the second half the 'Doer' had a break away attack from a botched Blues free kick and a last ditch tackle from Grant Evans in the box was adjudged to have been a foul by the referee who pointed to the spot.
The spot kick was duly converted by the grateful Cwmffrwdoer striker.
Going a goal behind fired the Blues up, and they played some attractive football on a pitch that is not in the best of condition and more like a glue pot in places.
The Blues manager replaced James Cox, who worked tirelessly all afternoon and caused the 'Doer' defence no end of problems with his intelligent movement off the ball, with the experienced Darren Harris.
Harris held the ball up well and caused the 'Doer' more problems with his physicality and close control, and it was Harris who evened the score for the Blues when a superb pass from Neil Cox was coolly converted by the big front man.
The Blues worked solidly all afternoon and were not going to settle for a point and with five minutes left on the clock Mikey Waite fired the Blues into the lead with a 20 yard effort which dipped into the top corner.
The Blues defended the rest of the game and were worthy winners. Blues full backs Grant Evans and Ben Belli were both outstanding and defended superbly all afternoon.
This Saturday sees the Blues travel to Ringland Park, Newport to face mid-table side Spencer Youth & Boys. kick-off is at 2pm.
Elsewhere in Division One, Mardy's campaign to avoid relegation suffered another setback after they were dismissed 6-0 by Albion Rovers.
Meanwhile in Welsh League Division Three, the Goytre fell foul of a bottom-of-the-table Merthyr Saints side who beat them 3-2 at Plough Rd. Goytre will definitely look to improve on this next Saturday when they play Cwmamman United away.