REPORT: TRETHOMAS BLUEBIRDS 2 - 3 ATFC

The Black and Greens earned a fourth win in their last five league games with a 3–2 victory away to Trethomas Bluebirds, following a positive performance from Callum McKenzie’s men.

Dylan Downs opened the scoring after four minutes, and when Ben Davies doubled the lead nine minutes after the break, Town looked well in control. Trethomas, however, fought back — Jay Thomas scored on 59 minutes, and five minutes later Josh Williams equalised. Aber had the final say though, as the outstanding Zach McKenzie’s low shot squirmed under home keeper Elliot James thirteen minutes from time, sealing another impressive win.

CREDIT: ROB HILL (@hillr02 / X)

Town started on the front foot, and Downs struck early on — assisted by Jonathan Evans — with a low, arrow-like effort from the edge of the box that wrong-footed James in goal. Trethomas’ Brandon Griffiths had a goal ruled out for offside, before Ethan O’Toole fed Tyrone Ofori down the left, whose shot hit the side netting. Norton Ferreira headed over for the hosts, and the influential Downs sent in a free kick for Sam Paddock to head just over the bar. Richie Ricketts’ low cross narrowly evaded Evans, and Aber’s encouraging start continued as Rackeem Reid’s goal-bound effort was parried away by James for a corner. Ofori then had a goal disallowed for offside before bringing another save from the home keeper with a low strike. Evans flashed a volley wide, and McKenzie was next to test James with a driven effort. Trethomas continued to play progressive football, with Jay Thomas curling wide, but Aber were well worth their half-time lead.

Evans fired over twice after the break, before O’Toole did superbly to win possession and drive through midfield, finding Ben Davies to his left — and the former Bow Street man finished expertly with his left foot to make it 2–0. With the visitors moving the ball confidently, a third goal looked likely, but instead a left-wing cross found Thomas, who smashed home off the crossbar to pull one back for Trethomas just before the hour. O’Toole made a great challenge to prevent another home chance, before McKenzie blasted over at the back post. Soon after, a ball over the top found Williams in space, and he levelled the match — a shock for Aber after their control.

The visitors continued to press: Reid fired wide, and at the other end Reece Thompson saved well from Williams’ header. Substitute Kane Auld saw a looping header saved, then Reid laid the ball back to McKenzie down the right, and his low effort to the near post bamboozled James and crept over the line for a huge goal for Aber. The visitors’ excellent travelling support roared them on as Evans’ cross from the left just evaded Reid. In a lively injury time spell, substitute Star Mayemba saw a left-footed effort saved, Aber defended bravely, Thomas curled wide for Trethomas, and Davies almost produced a spectacular finish with an audacious lofted attempt from the halfway line — brilliantly tipped over by James. Aber, though, had done enough to claim another big win on the road.

This was not just a victory, but a hugely encouraging performance from Callum McKenzie’s men, who created chance after chance and fully deserved the three points. The Seasiders’ excellent league record since early September should give them plenty of confidence ahead of a tough home test next Saturday against Trefelin, who currently sit second in the Cymru South.

Kick-off at Park Avenue is 2.30pm — where else would you be?