Croesyceiliog FC - 1

Abergavenny Town FC - 1

AFTER two weeks of inactivity, Abergavenny Town returned to the fray at Croesyceiliog’s Woodland Road ground on Saturday, only to be denied a victory by a last minute goal.

Town nearly took the lead on 15 minutes through a Sean Feeley strike. In the next minute Ross Oakley’s fierce drive tested James Peckham in Croesy’s goal.

Just after the half-hour mark Croesy did manage to breach Town’s defence but the referee judged the ball had been palmed into the net.

On 40 minutes, Peckham was almost caught out when a defender deflected a header towards his goal, but a fingertip save kept his goal intact, as both sides settled for no score at half-time.

Peckham had to be alert early in the second-half, producing an instinctive reaction save to a powerful header, and then Tom Jenkins’ blast saw Peckham weakly parry the shot which trickled towards the goal-line, but was cleared.

However there was no reprieve for Croesy moments later as Sean Feeley surged into the box and was brought down by Peckham. The referee instantly awarded Town a penalty which Bradd Jones converted with aplomb.

Following this Town bombarded Croesy with attack after attack, and in one move Peckham made three point blank saves in the space of 10 seconds.

Tom Indge in Town’s goal, largely a spectator in the second-half, had to be alert in a one on one, but pulled off a fine save as the game drifted towards its finale.

Deep into added time Croesyceiliog launched one final attack with Tom Doidge’s shot thumping the crossbar and rebounding to Jordan Jones who made no mistake with his header from short range.

Following the re-start referee Vaughan immediately blew for full-time, as Town were cruelly denied the three points.

Town now look forward to Friday night at Pen-y-Pound Stadium when they entertain Aberdare Town, who are on something of a revival, having beaten Caldicot Town, Pontardawe Town and Dinas Powys in their last three outings. Kick off is 7.30pm.

Meanwhile Town’s reserve side had a comfortable 4-1 win over the division’s whipping boys, Monmouth Town with goals from Ross Stokes, George Clarke and a brace from Owen Vaughan. The reserves are away at Croeyceiliog this Saturday (2.00pm)