Merthyr Town u19's 1-5 Aberystwyth Town u19's: Match Report

​Welsh Premier Development League South
Sunday 3rd December
Merthyr Town u19’s 1 – 5 Aberystwyth Town u19’s
 
Bari Morgan’s Aberystwyth Town u19’s squad earned an emphatic 5-1 victory away at Merthyr Town on a chilly Sunday afternoon at Penydarren Park. Two penalties from Jack Rimmer, along with goals from Liam Doherty, Josh Crowl and Ianto ap Dafydd secured a comprehensive victory for Aber’s youngsters as they continue their strong form in the Welsh Premier Development League South.
 
Aber got off to a dream start in the game as they were awarded a penalty in their first meaningful attack on 8 minutes, when Liam Doherty’s goal bound shot struck the hand of Merthyr’s defender. Jack Rimmer stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 1-0. Just two minutes later, Aber doubled their lead, as Liam Doherty latched on to a short backpass and produced a neat finish to slide the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs and make it 2-0.  The visitors continued to dominate the game with Geoff Kellaway posing a constant threat on the right flank as he continues to work his way back to full fitness after missing the last few weeks of first team football through injury. On 16 minutes, Lee Jenkins went close as his header was well saved, before Jack Rimmer hit the crossbar after a goalmouth scramble in the penalty area. The hosts struggled to find their way into the game, although they did apply some pressure on Aber’s back line after a succession of corners, but goalkeeper Ollie Farebrother stood up to the challenge excellently. Aber continued to push forwards, and played some lovely combination football as Josh Crowl and Rimmer played a one-two before crossing for Harri Horwood who’s shot was well blocked. As half time approached, Merthyr again earned a succession of corners and tested Farebrother with a couple of tame efforts, but Aber stood strong and went in 2-0 up at the break.
 
The second half started much the same as the first, with Aber attacking and looking for that third and killer goal. On 48 minutes, left back Osian Jones went on a marauding run down the left flank before shooting into the side netting. Soon after, Kellaway squared the ball for Doherty, who was unable to get his shot away on goal thanks to a last ditch challenge. The hosts were becoming increasingly frustrated as Aber dealt with their physical approach in admirable fashion. On 70 minutes, Kellaway was replaced by lively striker Ianto ap Dafydd, who was straight into the thick of the action as he pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area and produced an excellent finish to make it 3-0 to Aber. The hosts refused to give up though, and pressed for a consolation goal as Ollie Farebrother produced a stunning fingertip save on 80 minutes to maintain his clean sheet. But soon afterwards, Merthyr did indeed get a goal back as they managed to flick on a corner at the near post and the ball snuck into the bottom corner to make it 3-1. Aber weren’t phased however, and continued to play the free flowing football that coaching staff Bari Morgan and Iwan Roberts will have been impressed with. On 84 minutes, ap Dafydd again found himself in on goal, and he was chopped down in the box to hand Aber another penalty kick. Rimmer again stepped up and finished confidently to the keeper’s right and make it 4-1. As the game entered stoppage time, Aber attacked for the final time, as Harri Horwood crossed from the left and found Josh Crowl at the back post, who drilled a half volley beyond the goalkeeper and rounded off a resounding 5-1 victory for Aber’s youngsters.