Return ends in victory (From Free Press Series)

Return ends in victory

Blaenavon returned to action after three weeks without a fixture, to play in-form Pandy of Division Two in the second round of Gwent Central League Open Cup.

Pandy began the game showing why they have remained unbeaten so far this season, putting the Blues back four under pressure from the kick off. The Blues lack of games showed as they struggled to retain possession. With ten minutes gone Blues could only clear a long throw to the edge of their box, the ball falling to Jason Osbourne whose shot found the back of the Blues net for the opening goal.

This was the signal for the Blues to raise their game and on 36 minutes a good passing move on the right between Craig Harris and James Parfitt resulted in the latter side footing the ball into the Pandy goal. James Parfitt was on hand again to score his, and the Blues, second goal on the stroke of half-time.

Within a minute of the restart the Blues stand-in keeper, Marc Browning, could only palm another long throw into the goal for Pandy to equalise.

The Blues increased the pace of the game after this and Parfitt completed his hat-trick on 56 minutes. Karl Hooper added a fourth a minute later.

Pandy committed more players forward which left gaps in defence which Blaenavon's forwards took advantage of.

The quality of Blaenavon's play was proving too much for Pandy as Craig Harris scored twice to complete the rout.