Blaenavon Blues 1 Abercarn United 1

BLUES entertained Abercarn United who were one point and two places below them in the league.

Blues manager Ryan Durham made three changes, Darren Harris, Marc Browning and Richard Williams coming into the team, the injured Lee Wathen and suspended duo Jamie Brankley and Craig Harris missing out.

Abercarn settled down the earliest of the sides and dominated the first quarter, against the run of play Blues were awarded a controversial penalty, Mike Waite’s spot kick was brilliantly saved by United keeper Ryan Blakemore.

Jamie Seymour was a constant threat to the Blues defence and bought a fine save from Blues keeper Lee Jones.

A good run by Waite set up Lee Penry but Blakemore was again his side’s saviour.

Jake Bull nearly beat Blakemore at his near post, from the resultant corner Craig Tanner had his effort saved.

The second half started with Tanner floating in a super cross Lloyd Jeffries should have done better with his header.

With twenty minutes of the second half gone the referee sent off Blues centre back Brad Jones for reasons only he will have known.

With the game very open Penry surged through the midfield before being brought down just outside the box, Tanners shot went fractionally over.

From a corner Harris had two bites to get a shot on goal but both efforts were blocked.

Blues were awarded a second penalty; again Blakemore got his hands to the ball but this time the power of Waites shot saw the ball end up in the back of the net.

With time running out Abercarn equalised, Jones failed to hold a difficult shot from Seymour and Alex Whatley scored from the rebound.

United almost won it in the last minutes when right back Brett Thornbury rattled the cross bar from thirty yards.

A draw was a fair result with both sides playing excellent football in an exciting end to end game.

Lee Penry was outstanding in midfield, well supported by Waite, Marc Browning and young Matt Burns, Jeffries again ran himself into the ground in his lone striker roll. Next up for the Blues is the FAW Trophy 4th round tie against Tredegar Athletic, the fixture has been switched to the Blues Memorial ground (2pm kick off) due to Tredegar’s ground share with Tredegar Town who are also home on Saturday in the Welsh league.

Next up for the Blues is Fairfield United this weekend at home kick off 2pm.