SECONDS: Following last week’s excellent performance, Blaenavon Blues seconds started their cup game away at Fairfield in confident mood.

Blues management chose to give a second team debut to Jake Green and his performance justified that decision.

The Blues created many clear chances but, following Jack Moore’s seven goals last week, an opening score eluded him and the Blues.

Dominic White, pressing forward from midfield, hit a fantastic volley only for the ball to smash into the boarding just wide of the goal. Still 0-0.

The breakthrough finally came as Chris Jones floated a free-kick onto the head of Graham Rees, whose clever header found the back of the net and the deadlock was broken.

But it wasn't all one-way traffic, Fairfield played a lot of attractive passing football in their own half and the movement of Fairfield forwards Donovan Black and Glenn Rees caused the back three of the Blues, Chris Jones, Tom Goodwin and George Edwards to be at the top of their game.

But with the Blues still being unable to score the second, Glenn Rees for Fairfield broke forward and despite the close attention of Tom Goodwin his shot was bound for the corner of the Blues net. Nathaniel George in the Blues goal just got a finger-tip to the ball but it was enough to divert the ball inches wide of the post.

Harvey Davies, playing out wide for Fairfield, was a continual menace and Ellis Pipe from the Blues did a superb job of minimising his potential. Half-time Fairfield 0 Blues 1.

Half-time saw the introduction of Kyran Bould for Blues captain Shey Watkins, who was struggling with a calf injury.

Blues continued to create chances, despite Fairfield's dominance in possession. Fairfield created dangerous situations without managing many clear chances but finally equalised when Blues defender Chris Jones passed back to keeper Natt George, but Natt wasn't where Chris passed it. 1-1.

Disappointing, but rather than heads dropping on the Blues side, they felt inspired, and with youth in the midfield, Jake 18, Kyran 20, Dominic 19, Blues combined to put Jack Moore through on goal.

This time Jack drilled the ball in, giving Connor McMillan in the Fairfield goal no chance. That is 14 goals for Jack in the last four games.

A couple of minutes later the game was secure as Dominic White floated the ball over, looking again for the head of Blues' Graham Rees, but instead floated it over the Fairfield keeper to make it 3-1.

Although again Fairfield had a lot of possession, Blues continued to have the chances but the game finished Fairfield Utd 1 Blaenavon Blues 2nds 3.

FIRSTS: After back to back wins Blaenavon Blues firsts made the trip to Abercarn hoping to make it three wins on the bounce.

But Blues got hit for four in the first 35 minutes. Perhaps it was over-confidence or the ability of Abercarn, but the game was effectively over after the first 35 minutes. Abercarn 4 Blues 0.

Some tactical and personnel changes made by Blues management, with Mike Waite and Jack Rogers coming off the bench, brought an end to the scoring.

The second half saw a general improvement and Blues managed not to concede again. Final score Abercarn 4 Blaenavon Blues 0.

THIRDS: Blues thirds started brightly and could have been 1-0 up in 10 seconds after an excellent move involving Ben Dando and twins Ellis and Kyle Richards.

After ten minutes, the Blues again had a chance to open the scoring after another good move down the right.

Stuart Harper, returning to the team after injury, looked dangerous down left flank every time he had the ball.

In many of these game it is the first goal which is so crucial to the outcome of the game.

The Blues failed to clear and conceded that vital first goal. Blues 0 Usk 1.

The Blues then repeated the same simple mistakes and went two down. They then went to three at the back with Steve Richards pushing into midfield alongside hard working Richie James and Rhys Davies.

The 2nd half saw Blues starting well with Ben Dando working hard and knocking in some lovely crosses that the Blues just couldn’t convert.

The linking of father and sons Richards was working well and the team played some decent football trying to get back into game, but mistakes cost Blaenavon.

Three further goals gave a slightly generous score line to Usk but Blues will learn from this.

Ellis Richards just pipped Ben Dando to man of the match. Final score Blues thirds 0 Usk 5.