Ferndale 1

Blaenavon Blues 2

BLAENAVON Blues squeezed in to the third round of the FAW Trophy with a hard fought win over Ferndale BC.

The Blues found themselves one down in the first half when a Ferndale attacker broke the Blues off side trap.

With the sun in the Blues defenders eyes the big Ferndale side resorted to hitting long and high balls up to their front men, which caused the Blues defence a number of problems.

But the Blues were also causing their hosts problems at the other end but were unable to take any of the numerous chances created, left midfielder Andrew Johnson guilty of missing the easiest chance with a far post hearer, which he put wide of the post.

The Blues were more organised second half, and the heat of the day was taking it toll on the Ferndale players.

Darren Harris was replaced by the lively Leigh Carrick who started to causing the home defence a number of problems with his speed.

The young attacker made a superb tackle in the Ferndale half against the big defender who caught Carrick on the ankle and as a result broke his Carrick's ankle.

This was the third injury blow to the Blues who lost Josef Ward in the first half with and ankle injury and Darren Harris who was ill.

The Blues over came these problems and equalised through a James Parfitt goal, and should have gone on to win the game in regulation time, but again the Blues failed to take the numerous chances they created.

The Blues won the game inside the first 10 seconds of extra time when Blues captain White caught the Ferndale defender sleeping and made the telling tackle he set up Neil Cox who worked hard all afternoon and Cox fired home with his left foot.

The Blues defended the rest of the game, and Ferndale never really had a chance, the impressive Chris Jones in the Blues goal easily saved the only chance that did come their way.

The Blues reserves had an easy 9-3 win over Llanfoist in the Open cup, sixteen year old James Cox impressing a hat trick, while Marc Creese scored another two to go with the sublime goal he scored last week.

Next week they face Pentwynmawr AFC.