Blaenavon Blues - 4
Coed Eva Athletic - 3
THE Blaenavon Blues finally broke their dry run of three defeats on the bounce at their New Memorial ground with a tenacious and well-earned victory over Coed Eva Athletic.
The Blues Manager Rob Browning made a number of changes after a lacklustre defeat last week, recalling Matthew Cox and gave starts to Adam Johnston, Shey Watkins and Damian Heward, who made his first start for the senior in a number of years.
These four more than justified their manager's faith with outstanding games.
The Blues started brightly with early attacks down the right, and bright and quick combinations in midfield.
Blaenavon created two good chances before Leigh Carrick opened the scoring with a fine piece of finishing after a superb through ball from Adam Johnston.
The Blues continued to play with a lot of confidence, considering their recent home form, and increased their lead with a fine piece of work from Leigh Carrick again, who coolly stroked the ball left footed past the advancing keeper.
Coed Eva pushed forward and with a lot of their best attacks coming through their right back, the Blues defence was put under pressure but their defence held firm, marshaled excellently by Captain Ryan Huish.
Lee Jones in goal had very little action until he was picking the ball out of the net just before half time following a break by Coed Eva down the right.
Coed Eva started the second half with a good piece of wing work down the right and an excellent cross volleyed into the net from close range gave Lee Jones no chance.
Looking to keep his team's head up, Rob Browning brought on Grant 'Vinny' Evans and Dell
'Boy' Ewers and the Blues responded rapidly with the every improving James Cox smashing in a shot from outside the box reminiscent of the goal he scored at the Blues last victory away to the Abertillery Excelsiors.
The Blues playing the better football scored again from a beautifully flighted corner from Adam Johnston which James Cox rose to head into the bottom corner.
Coed Eva now started to push more players forward but with the power in the air provided by the Blues back three of Matthew Cox, Brad Jones and Ryan Huish - Lee Jones in goal had very little to do.
Following a corner in stoppage time, Coed Eva managed a consolation goal which gave the game a slightly unreal score line.
The entire Blues squad played with confidence and commitment which bodes well for the future of the team. This weekend the Blues face the tough task of traveling to Chepstow Town with a 2.15pm kick off.