Penydarren BGC FC - 3

TOWN had the lion’s share of play in the opening exchanges against Penydarren, despite the disappointment of losing influential mid-fielder Aaron Norman to injury early on, and were soon rewarded for their efforts when Nathan Davies’ sublime strike found the net on 17 minutes. However Town’s lead was short-lived as moments later Penydarren went close with a header and then scored when a low hard cross into the box rebounded into the net. Both sides tried to add to their lead as play progressed, but at half time it was honours even.

In the second half Town started in much the same fashion as the first half in taking the game to their hosts. A fine Liam Simmonds run soon had the Town supporters on their feet only for the wingman to strike the side netting. Penydarren took the lead for the first time just as the hour approached when an accurate cross from the right wing was met at the far post, and 15 minutes later it was the same type of cross and the same result which was Town’s undoing as Penydarren extended their lead.

Town were handed a lifeline ten minutes from the end and Rhys Tandy made no mistake in chasing down along ball which should have seen a routine back –pass played, but he seized on a moment’s hesitation in the hosts defence which resulted in him steering the ball into a now empty net.

Town pressed hard to salvage a point but the referee’s final whistle meant Penydarren claimed the points.

Town have the chance to make amends on Saturday entertaining Ton Pentre( ko 2.00pm), a fixture which evokes memories of Abergavenny Thursdays in their hey-day, and apart from it being the first match of the new decade, it will be, due to the fixture list and postponements, the first time Town has been at home since the Goytre game on November 9.

All of Town’s other teams were not in action last weekend , but on Saturday the reserves travel to Clydach Wasps hoping to repeat their win at home in mid-September, whilst the U16’s are at home on Sunday entertaining Chepstow Town. Also on Sunday, Abergavenny Town Women travel Cardiff City Women.