Llantwit Major FC v Aberystwyth Town FC

Captain Desean Martin (12 mins) and birthday boy Tyrone Ofori (58 mins) got the crucial strikes, with Jack Bevan scoring for the hosts (26 mins). Ethan O’Toole was red carded for Town on 84 minutes, who then survived nine and a half minutes of injury time to secure the three points.

Aber’s prospects were boosted by the tremendous vocal support of approximately 40 Southsiders, who made their presence felt from the start and encouraged Callum McKenzie’s men. True, Llantwit, boosted by a strong wind, had a promising start, but Aber’s talisman Desean Martin provided huge cheer when he latched onto Ofori’s cute pass and slotted home into the far corner for the first strike. Llantwit enjoyed more possession without creating any clear cut chances, then Bont-Boy Garin Evans went on a thrilling 70 yard run down the right, but his cross just evaded Ofori. Minutes later Tom Lillico’s long throw bounced nicely in the box for Bevan to score from close range and the game was back level.

Now was Aber’s time to suffer, and keeper Reece Thompson pulled off a great save from close range to deny Bevan a second from the right flank, and the striker headed wide from a corner soon afterwards. Garin Evans saw a left footed effort saved by Kane Draper in the home goal, then back at the other end Cameron Gauci sent a free kick inches wide. Martin saw a headed effort saved for Town, then Thompson was again called to hold the line, saving Josh Jones’ header and in truth the visitors were glad to go in level, with Llantwit having used the wind to dominate possession in the first stanza.

Jones flicked past the post early in the second half, but then back came Aber with a strong period of pressure which eventually won them the game. Kosta Mario and Martin combined well to send in a super cross from the right which just evaded sub Tom Mason. The excellent Calvin Smith surged forward and sent in a stinging low shot which Draper parried for a corner, then Smith’s delivery was headed just wide at the far post by the dependable Kane Auld. Mario crossed for Mason whose low attempt deflected for a corner, them Smith’s throw from the left caused consternation in the home area and Ofori pounced to smash the ball thrillingly into the roof of the net from close range for a huge strike on his 25th birthday!

Mario and Martin again combined but the captain’s cross was just over the bar. At the other end Sean Williams headed Connor Goldsworthy’s corner wide, and livewire sub Gwydion Dafis set up Mason for another attempt on goal, but then O’Toole was sent off for a second yellow card and the onslaught was on. Brave Thompson went in where it hurts to gather a low ball, then caught a dangerous cross. The visitors played the ball into the corner but back came Llantwit, Youssef Elazhari cleared off the line deep into injury time and Aber held on to make the perfect start to life in the South!

The Black and Greens had to work hard for this win which made it all the sweeter, and they found a way to win on a tough opening day. The connection between the players and supporters was all there to see at the final whistle and Town supporters will hope to see the joyous scenes of celebration at the end repeated throughout 2025/26!

Next up comes an MG Nathaniel Cup First Round match away to Barry Town next Saturday (ko 2.30pm). Put it in your diary!