Blaenavon Blues 3 Pontnewydd United 2

Manager Ryan Durham took the opportunity to play some of his fringe players in this County Challenge Cup fixture against third division newcomers Pontnewydd United.

After an even first twenty minutes Jake Bull found his captain Mike Waite with an excellent ball, Waite finished in style to put his side one up. A good move saw Jamie Brankley shoot just wide.

Pontnewydd came into the game and scored a superb goal by Luke Griffin, in their next attack they were awarded a free kick , Craig Fairclough stepped up and beat Blues keeper Lee Jones with a well-placed shot.

Lee Penry put Bull in on goal but the United keeper saved bravely at his feet.

The game then went off the boil with the Blues forwards repeatedly being caught in United’s well worked offside trap.

With twenty minutes remaining Iltydd Caddick’s free kick caused trouble in the United penalty area and Jake Bull was first to react, making the score two each.

Bull was booked for simulation as the Blues poured forward, great work by Waite put Lee Penry through, his thunderous shot hit the crossbar and rebounded to safety.

The game went into extra time and Caddick, Bull ,Penry and Craig Harris combined to put Lee Carrick in on goal , Carrick’s shot went narrowly wide.

Blues won the tie when Caddick's free kick was headed back across goal by central defender Brad Jones for, the ever alert Jake Bull to score his second of the game.

An excellent victory for the Blues against a competitive and well organised Pontnewydd side.

This weekend the Blues face the tough task of high flyers Panteg away, kick off 3pm at Panteg House.

The Blues reserve team recorded a 3-2 victory on the road against Usk Town. The Blues took a first half lead through a superb shot from Matt Burns. Usk came back at the Blues and went into a 2-1 lead mid-way through the second half, before the Blues threw everything at their hosts, firstly captain Steve White got the Blues back on level terms, before Matt Burns got the Blues winner with another superbly controlled shot.

The clubs third team made it a excellent weekend for Blaenavon Blues with a fine 2-0 home victory over Race reserves, the goals coming from Joe Prince and Liam Matthews with young Ellis Pipe picking up the man of the match award.