ABERDARE TOWN (Aberaman Park)

FAW WELSH CUP 3rd ROUND, ABERDARE TOWN 4-2 PRESTATYN TOWN, ATTENDANCE: 120 (est)

A trip to the Cynon Valley today as Welsh Cup holders Prestatyn Town began their defence of the trophy at Aberaman Park, the home of Aberdare Town. 

This had 'potential banana skin' written all over it as Welsh Premier League Prestatyn headed south to take on their Welsh League Division One opponents.

Founded in 1892, Aberdare Town were previously known as Aberaman Athletic before the changing their name to Aberdare Town in 2012. Aberaman Athletic had won the Welsh League as recently as 2009, but were denied promotion on ground criteria.

It was an eventful game as the cup holders crashed out and finished the game with eight men. 

Prestatyn were down to ten men after 7 minutes when Sean Hessey was deemed to be last man and was given a straight red before Chris Miethke gave the homesters the lead after 29 minutes. 

On 33 minutes Lee Hunt received his second yellow card and just before half time Miethke netted his second to give Aberdare a 2-0 interval lead. 

This was soon 3-0 after the restart when Sam Small broke clear to score before Mike Parker deflected home a Jack Lewis shot to reduce the arrears on 55 minutes, to give the seasiders hope. That hope was quickly extinguished when David Hayes was given a straight red for foul and abusive language. 

Sam Danby made it 4-1 with 12 minutes remaining before Andy Parkinson got a second for Prestatyn after 85 minutes. 

Obviously the sending offs had a huge impact on the result and it is a case of 'what if?' for Prestatyn, but take nothing away from Aberdare they had a right go and unsettled Prestatyn from the off,  playing some decent attacking football. Their two wingers caused problems to the Prestatyn defence throughout the game. Aberdare will now be at home to Bodedern Athletic in round 4. 

Pre-match was spent in the Red Cow in Llwydcoed where two Gower Ales 'Sampson's Jack' and 'Gower Gold' were on offer. A top day out in South Wales.

Match highlights can be found on this link here