Blaenavon Blues - 1 

Abercarn United - 1

ON Saturday Blaenavon Blues were held to a draw by Abercarn United who were one point and two places below them in the league,

Blues manager Ryan Durham made three changes, with Darren Harris, Marc Browning and Richard Williams coming into the team for the injured Lee Wathen and suspended duo Jamie Brankley and Craig Harris.

Abercarn settled down and dominated the first quarter. Against the run of play Blues were awarded a controversial penalty. Mike Waite's spot kick was brilliantly saved by United keeper Ryan Blakemore.

Jamie Seymour was a constant threat to the Blues defence and bought a fine save from Blues keeper Lee Jones.

A good run by Waite set up Lee Penry but Blakemore was again his side's saviour.

Jake Bull nearly beat Blakemore at his near post. From the resultant corner Craig Tanner had his effort  saved.

The second half started with Tanner floating in a super cross and Lloyd Jeffries should have done better with his header.

With twenty minutes of the second half gone the referee sent off Blues centre back Brad Jones for reasons only he will have known.

With the game very open, Penry surged through the midfield before being brought down just outside the box. Tanner's shot went fractionally over.

From a corner Harris had two bites to get a shot on goal but both efforts were blocked.

Blues were awarded a second penalty. Again Blakemore got his hands to the ball but this time the power of Waites shot saw the ball end up in the back of the net.    

With time running out Abercarn equalised after Jones failed to hold a difficult shot from Seymour and Alex Whatley scored from the rebound.

United almost won it in the last minutes when right back Brett Thornbury rattled the cross bar from thirty yards.

A draw was a fair result with both sides playing excellent football in an exciting end to end game.  

Lee Penry was outstanding in midfield, well supported by Waite, Marc Browning and young Matt Burns. Jeffries again ran himself into the ground in his lone striker roll. 

Next up for the Blues is the FAW Trophy fourth round tie against Tredegar Athletic. The fixture has been switched to the Blues Memorial ground (2pm kick off) due to Tredegar's ground share with Tredegar Town who are also home on Saturday in the Welsh league.

 

The Blues reserve team travelled to Pontnewydd to take on Wainfelin Bluebirds with the home side taking all three points from a poor game. The Blues attempted to play football on one of the worst pitches in the league but were unable to break down the Bluebirds defence. The home side played the long ball tactics which suited the conditions, and scored from a rare attempt on goal, when a corner was not dealt with by the Blues defence and a header hit the crossbar and went in.