As the Excelsiors road to promotion meanders its way through some of the toughest competition in the league, tonight was a ‘must-win’ game for them – for momentum if nothing else – against Clydach Wasps.

The lads hit the ground running, coming out of the blocks with purpose and gusto, mounting pressure at every turn. Jonny Morgan set precedent too, with an early shot being drilled at goal but going just wide.

The Wasps however seemed poised and composed, weathering the storm in the early going and swatting back several chances at goal. More worrying for the Abertillery contingent was Clydach’s near successive attempts at attacking on the rebound, as the home team saw chinks in the armour and sought to exploit them.

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Clydach’s attempts at breaking the defensive unit of the Excelsiors certainly fired something up in the hosts, who pushed harder and harder to try and break the deadlock, but were left disappointed on more than one occasion as the boys kept firm.

Captain Brett Morgan, returning after nearly seven weeks due to injury, showed no signs of rust in the middle of the pitch, effortlessly commanding from the midfield and reacquainting himself with the referee through some tough tackles. The captain would then prove the worthy assistant, delivering a great ball to Tyla Preece, who buried the ball into Clydach’s goal with a strong diving header to push things to 0-1.

Jamie Laurent would join the scoresheet too, with another slick penalty finish to bring proceedings to 0-2 and giving those watching from the side hope of a clear-cut victory upcoming, going into half time with a definitive lead after a strong half.

Dan Parsons began the second half on the back foot as Clydach looked to gain lost ground but with a fantastic save to rattle even the most hopeful of strikers, the goalkeeper seemed to allay any fears of a Wasps comeback. Spurred on with the backline of Tyla Preece, Jordan Pettet and Callum Williams, Excelsiors began the methodical and strategic wearing down of the Clydach attack, which seemed to be working until a measured opportunity and show of perseverance payed off for the home side, who came back with a return goal to make it 1-2.

The goal did the intended job for the home team, who seemed reinvigorated and rejuvenated by the unexpected finish, desperately looking to claim another goal at any cost and cut the thin lead down even further. A surefire chance for striker Shaun Smith was cut off at the pass with a late tackle that did not reap the same reward as Laurent’s penalty, as the Excelsiors tried to setup and regroup against a hungry and aggravated nest of Wasps.

As the game wound down into the final 10 minutes, a palpable tension was in the air, with the expectancy that a goal for either side would completely take the wind out of the opposing team’s sails. That tension was cut through with a knife moments later, as Dan Parsons was beaten to the punch by a Clydach attacker, who saw his prize roll over the line and into the net, scoring an huger, emphatic equaliser so late in the game.

A shocked and rocked Excelsiors turned on the defensive prowess that has served them well for much of the season late in the game, and a lucky break for Dan Parsons saw an effort from the edge of the box come within inches of scoring and putting the game to bed for Clydach, whose effort bounced off the crossbar. Moments later, the referee blew up to signal the end of a tough and entertaining 90 minutes and leaving things at a 2-2 finish, giving both teams a precious point that further adds intrigue to the final few weeks of the 2017/18 season.

This Saturday, the Excelsiors aim for all 3 points up for grabs when they face New Inn away and if history is anything to go by, a win is most definitely achievable, with victories in league and cup this season already going in favour of the Excelsiors.

The 1st Team see their meeting with Sudbrook CCFC postponed for a little bit longer. The heavy rain has resulted in a washout at the Woodland

Elsewhere, the Jim Owen proves unplayable also, as our Reserves fixture against Abertillery Bluebirds falls foul of the weather.

The 1st Team’s hotly anticipated rematch against AFC Machen saw both teams locked in a stalemate this past Saturday, with the visitors denying the lads a precious 3 points.

The opening minutes of the match at the Woodland, a rearranged fixture from last September (which was abandoned in the latter stages following a multi-man scuffle), saw the Excelsiors start with promise and make several runs into Machen’s half.

An early attempt from Dafydd Phillips looked set to rattle the defence of the visiting team but their goalkeeper was on point for a majority of the match, rarely missing a beat and making some great saves from solid attempts.

The goalless deadlock ended with Jamie Laurent driving a goal over the line thanks to a penalty, following Machen bringing down a Tiger deep in the box, bringing the scoreline to 1-0. Not to be outdone, celebrations were short-lived as Machen mounted a counter attack that resulted in a free kick. Despite the initial effort being deflected, it would shortly find the feet of an opposition player, who managed to slot the ball past ‘keeper Dan Parsons and gain an equaliser of 1-1 going into halftime.

The second half saw Machen come out of the blocks with some gusto, attempting to push up the pitch whenever possible and throwing in some sharp tackles that drew the ire of the crowd in attendance.

The 1-1 scoreline hung ominously over the game for much of the remainder of the game, with the feeling that the levee could break at any time and result in an upset for the opposing side. One such highlight came from a slick corner in by Jamie Laurent, who commanded the attack from deep in midfield, but although his shot was on target, the follow-up header found its way into the hands of the man in the sticks.

Some personnel changes in the dying embers of the game sought to revitalise the attack, with Luke Lewis and Matthew Thomas taking to the pitch to relieve their tiring teammates. As the clock wound down, dependable defender Tyla Preece and powerhouse Rhys Whiteman both played their part at keeping the wolves from the door, with clearances that avoided a late Machen win. As the whistle blew, a tough slog for both teams who laid it all on the line signalled a single point to be had for both teams.

The 1sts now return to action tomorrow in a huge encounter against league leaders Ynysddu Welfare at Pontllanfraith 3G, with an 8pm kickoff pencilled in.

We can officially confirm that the Gwent County Senior Amateur Cup Final will take place at Ty Isaf Park, the longtime home of Risca United, on Saturday, May 5th.

Our opponents will be league rivals and Gwent powerhouses Ynysddu Welfare, who punched their ticket to the occasion after win over Brynmawr yesterday in a game that ended 4-1 after it came down to the wire and penalties were the ultimate decider.

Those in attendance will no doubt be treated to a great game between two teams who may respect one another off the pitch but who very much take off the gloves when the whistle blows. We’ll see you there.