REPORT: ATFC 1-0 PONTARDAWE TOWN

Aber Town kicked off their Bank Holiday double-header with a solid victory against promoted Pontardawe Town, and Dan Owen’s brilliant 44th-minute strike was a clear highlight in a tight game in which, as a rule, defences were on top.

As a pleasant August afternoon fell to darkness, the game began at a fast pace, with the visitors showing they had not travelled to be rolled over.

Liam Samuel for the visitors tested Luke Evans in goal early on, then for Aber, Tarran Hollinshead had a shot blocked and Liam Walsh fired over. Hollinshead then set up fleet-footed Rhys Hughes, but he was denied, before Leo Thompson’s corner was deflected just wide. Evans saved from Will Thomas, then the mesmeric Dan Owen came to the party.

First, he shimmied before sending in a low effort which was saved for a corner. Seconds later, Nat Osbourne in goal denied him again, then saved his header from a Thompson cross for a triple denial. Samuel curled wide from a good position for the visitors, but finally the breakthrough came just before the break.

Hollinshead picked out Owen through the middle and he surged before unleashing a thunderbolt which flew straight into the top corner, sending Nark’s Corner into raptures, and Aber were ahead at the break.

The second half was a tense watch, with Pontardawe dominating possession but Aber creating more clear-cut chances. Thompson for the Black and Greens had a free-kick deflected to Osbourne, the irrepressible Tom Evans volleyed over and Harry Cottam touched wide from another free-kick.

Debut-making James Smallwood and the returning Niall Coleridge came on, and Hughes set Smallwood up in the middle, only for the ball to rebound to Hughes, who sent his shot over the bar. Pontardawe’s Taylor Evans sent in a free-kick which Rhys Benjamin nodded wide at the back post, then at the other end Tom Evans cut inside and curled just wide.

Samm Harrison tested Evans in goal with a lob from the touchline, then at the other end Tom Evans surged to set up Hughes, who again went close. Owen tested Osbourne with a late attempt, and Thompson curled just wide in injury time as Craig Williams’ men saw the job through for a well-earned three points.

With a clean sheet in the bag, particular credit should go to Jack Rimmer and Harry Cottam at the back, who were solid throughout.

So the Black and Greens found a way to win a tight game on a night when some of their main rivals dropped points, moving up to fifth in the table with a game in hand.

Aber now have an opportunity on Bank Holiday Monday to solidify their ambitions of success, with another home game against Llanelli, which kicks off at 2.30pm. Where else would you be?!