After seeing South Wales Alliance League Championship Division Aberfan knock out Merthyr Saints in the 1st qualifying round back in July, they have progressed to this stage thanks to further wins over Tonyrefail BGC and Pontyclun. When they pulled out Cymru South Briton Ferry Llansawel, then heading down the A470 to the outskirts of Merthyr Tydfil seemed a no brainer. A smattering of other groundhoppers obviously had the same idea!
The village of Aberfan is about four miles south of Merthyr Tydfil and is a former mining community in the Taff Valley. The village is synonymous with the worst coal mining related disaster in British history. At around 9.15am on October 21st 1966, a colliery spoil tip collapsed sending a 40ft tidal wave of coal waste down the mountain and onto the village. It was Pantglas Junior School that took the brunt of the avalanche and 116 school children died along with 5 of their teachers. Several houses and a farm were also destroyed and the final death toll was 144. A memorial garden now stands on the site of the school.
After a visit to the garden and cemetery to pay my respects ahead of the 57th anniversary next week, it was back to the trivial matter of a football match, where there was an impeccably observed minutes silence before kick off.
Founded in 1968, Aberfan Football Club play their home games at The Grove Field, on the banks of the River Taff. The main football pitch is railed off, but there is no furniture to protect you from the elements. In the 24 hours prior to the game the weather had been dreadful, with heavy rain, but the pitch held up well, even if it was very squelchy underfoot for us spectators.
After playing in the local district leagues the club joined the South Wales Amateur League in 2012 and then became founder members of the South Wales Alliance League in 2015, where they currently play in the Championship Division, which sits at level five in the Welsh pyramid.
Visitors Briton Ferry are currently top of the Cymru South (level two in Wales) and were overwhelming favourites to win the tie. In the end a 3-0 scoreline suggests The Ferry did with relative ease but Aberfan made them work hard for their victory and they can take a huge amount of pride in their performance.
Briton Ferry Llansawel dominated the possession from the off but it wasn't until the 20th minute that they made the breakthrough. Kris Evans broke into the Aberfan penalty area before exchanging passes with Jasper Payne before slotting home. Harry Jones in the Aberfan goal made some good saves to keep it at 1-0 at half-time.
The second half followed a similar pattern but as the half wore on Aberfan started to push forward a little more. In the 83rd minute they had their big chance and with just the 'keeper to beat the effort was saved.
Showing how football turns in the blink of an eye, Briton Ferry immediately went up the other end and scored their second goal, when Payne netted to effectively clinch the tie. In the 87th minute Briton Ferry had their third when an attempted clearance by the 'keeper was charged down by substitute Luke Bowen and the ball rolled into the unguarded goal.
Briton Ferry Llansawel march into the next round, the gulf in class was obvious, but Aberfan bowed out of the competition with their heads held high.
Whilst I am here, may I thank Aberfan for going to the effort of producing a programme, in this day and age it is much appreciated.
