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REPORT: AFAN LIDO 2-5 ATFC

11 hours ago
3 min read

Aber Town opened the 2026/27 season with a five-star second-half performance, securing a big opening-day win away to Afan Lido in front of a large Black and Greens following on Aberavon Beach.

Cameron Keech opened the scoring for the hosts after seven minutes, only for Dan Owen to equalise spectacularly on 32 minutes. Aaron Williams gave Aber the lead on the hour, before Liam Walsh (69 mins) and substitute Rhys Hughes (72 minutes) settled the result. Jack Pascoe pulled a goal back for Lido two minutes from time, but Leo Thompson scored a 90th-minute fifth to complete an emphatic victory.

A sunny first day of August provided a fitting setting, but a fresh breeze blowing in from the coast meant Lido enjoyed some territorial advantage in the first half. Keech nodded the hosts into the lead with a looping header from a long throw. Luke Evans, in Aber’s goal, saved from Dai Thomas, then at the other end Harry Cottam had a shot blocked and Aaron Williams tested keeper Aaron Jones with a long-range effort.

The visitors started to turn up the pressure, with Dan Owen seeing a shot blocked before Sam Paddock headed over from Tarran Hollinshead’s corner. Then, from Dylan Downs’ long throw, Owen picked up the ball on the edge of the area and curled a stunning strike into the top corner to equalise in dramatic fashion.

Lido still threatened from set pieces, with Keech sending a free-kick over before missing the target again soon afterwards, and when Johden de Meyer nodded past the post, the first half was over.

The visitors began the second half confidently. Sam Paddock made a superb recovery tackle before going close himself at the back post from Hollinshead’s delivery, but then came a memorable three-goal burst in 12 minutes that decided the contest.

The irrepressible Owen won a free-kick and, when Thompson delivered to the far post, Dillon Browne nodded the ball back across goal for Williams to smash home from the edge of the six-yard box for a huge goal.

Walsh picked out Williams for a second strike soon afterwards, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Luke Evans then made a good save from Keech’s free-kick, before Williams released Owen down the left and his cross was expertly headed home by Walsh on his first competitive appearance as Aber’s captain.

When a ball was played through to substitute Hughes and he slotted underneath Jones for Aber’s fourth, the visiting supporters – who numbered around 50 – were in dreamland, with the game effectively won.

Jamie Baker missed the target for Lido, then substitute Rio Dyer crossed for Pascoe to tap home a consolation, but the Seasiders had the last laugh when Calvin Smith was dragged back for a free-kick and Thompson curled a stunning 30-yard effort into the net to end a perfect day for those of a Black and Green persuasion.

The game was closely contested in the first half, but Aber showed the quality needed to take control during a devastating 12-minute spell after the break. The celebrations between the players and supporters at full-time spoke volumes for a job exceptionally well done and an early marker laid down.

Town manager Craig Williams will be delighted with the result, and the Seasiders are already looking forward to next Saturday’s Park Avenue opener against Treowen Stars, with a 2.30pm kick-off. More of the same, please!