Abergavenny - 2

Swansea Bay -2

DESPITE last week's heavy loss against Pembroke, Abergavenny remained full of optimism ahead of Saturday's game against an experienced Swansea outfit.

Both Tom Johnson, and Tony Clements returned to play at right back and striker respectively, and after good performances in Pembroke, Alex Morgan once again partnered John Meredith in central defence.

Aber started confidently enough, though the constantly harassing visitors left them little time on the ball, and in the first minutes of the game, composure was in short supply. Nevertheless, good moves from Dilwyn Thomas, in combinations with Peter Hewinson, and Clements gave the visitors pause for thought.

However it was the Bay who gained first blood halfway through the first half, after an infringement in the D lead to a short corner.

The resulting hard low shot gave 'keeper and captain Pete Bartlett little chance to save the well taken short.

From the restart Aber looked dangerous, and full of running, and in due course, the pressure paid off, as Clements was able to find space in the D for a well taken shot.

After the interval, Aber were in full flow, with some excellent passing and movement.

Tired Swansea legs lead to desperate tackles, and aggressive play, and it was such measures that led to the next Aber goal halfway through the second half.

With the central midfield running from deep, left back Geraint Davies held his ground as the Swansea player overran the ball and bundled into Davies. The resulting free hit allowed a fast move to the left, and a solid strike into the D by midfielder Hewinson.

Meanwhile Duncan Melville ghosted into the right hand post, and coolly touched the ball past the 'keeper, and defence, in a fantastic display of being in the right place at the right time.

A frustrated Swansea now surged forward with a do or die mentality, and the dying minutes of the second half saw the Aber goal under continual and heavy pressure.

With five seconds on the clock, and despite resolute defending and running by Meredith, Swansea cleared past Bartlett in literally the last hit of the game.

This disappointing goal see's Abergavenny near the foot of the table, however, such is the standard, that a single win would see Aber comfortably in the top half of the division.

Aber will now hope that results go the right way for next week's game against Penarth, a club who have yet to win at home, and one who sit in that favourable mid-table slot.