REPORT: CAERAU ELY 1 - 0 ATFC

The Black and Greens fell to a narrow defeat in the capital this afternoon, away to Caerau Ely, with Dan Griffiths’ tap-in on 56 minutes proving pivotal in Craig Williams’ first match in charge. Aber threatened in the second half, with Richie Ricketts and Rackeem Reid testing the keeper, but the hosts held out for a deserved win.

Williams started his first match with Garin Evans and Johnny Evans up front and Tom Mason in behind. However, on a difficult pitch, chances were hard to come by for both teams. Ely’s Tim Parker brought a save from Tomos Evans in goal with an early flick, then Dylan Downs found Garin Evans with a great ball, but the Bont man’s effort flew wide. Evans later denied Oliver Redhead, and Griffiths headed wide, with Ely enjoying the majority of possession.

For Town, Johnny Evans sent in a superb cross from the right which just evaded everyone. Mason brought a save out of Exauce Dimonekene with a left-footed effort, then at the other end Griffiths had a goal from a corner disallowed for handball. A half low on quality ended goalless.

A series of corners paid dividends for Caerau Ely after the break, as George Sheppard’s delivery caused consternation in Aber’s box and Griffiths pounced to score from close range eleven minutes in, making the visitors’ task much harder. However, Aber responded well, moving the ball out to Ricketts on the left, and his thrilling left-footed strike was heading straight for goal until Dimonekene parried the effort for a corner. Downs then found Reid with a great ball, but he too was denied by the home keeper, while substitute Star Mayemba and Jonathan Evans both had shots blocked.

For Ely, Redhead headed wide from a corner and Jack Ashford fired straight at Evans, with Caerau doing well to restrict Aber’s chances. Once Downs’ excellent 94th-minute corner flashed past everyone in the area, the opportunity was gone and Caerau secured the three points their performance deserved.

The Black and Greens struggled to shine in Cardiff on a difficult pitch, but did create chances and on another day might have snatched a point. Aber reach the halfway point of the season in eighth place, five points off the coveted third promotion spot, and play their final game of 2025 on Friday (Boxing Day), away to Pontypridd United with a 2pm kick-off.

Merry Christmas one and all!