THE ‘Battle of Cwmamman’ saw Cwmamman United travel to Aberdare to take on FC Cwmaman in the second qualifying round of the Welsh Cup.

A match that hasn’t happened for more than 10 years created a lot of interest, with the game being featured on the FAW Red Wall.

In a highly competitive game it was Cwmamman United who made it into the hat for the next round after with a hard-earned 2-1 win.

United had made a number of changes from their previous game and the home side took advantage of the visitors taking some time to settle.

After some early pressure, Adam Karakus tapped the ball home for FC Cwmaman in the 13th minute after United had failed to clear a corner.

The hosts kept up the pressure and United were grateful to Kurtis Bray for two magnificent saves that kept them in the game.

Cwmamman United then started to settle, and Taylor Smith and Daniel Briggs’ pace was causing the home side problems out wide.

Just before the half hour mark, a superb pass from debutant Jayden Rees found Briggs, who calmly controlled the ball and fired home the equaliser.

Alfie Phillips, Rees and Ryan Cole were now seeing more of the ball in the middle of the park and some good work saw Elliot Smith hit the bar and Briggs again go close.

The breakthrough came just before half time when a great run and cross by Taylor Smith saw brother Elliot hit the bar with a header and then smash home the rebound to take the lead.

The second half saw the visitors in the ascendancy with Smith again hitting the bar with a brilliant long range effort, until the 82nd minute when Iestyn Evans was red carded for a second yellow. Cwm then came under pressure and James Gorman, Charlie Davies and Evan Gibbs were immense in repelling the desperate FC Cwmaman attacks.

In the last minute, the home side were also reduced to ten men, after Morgan Grahame was sent off for an off-the-ball incident. This took the sting out of their attacks and Cwmamman United saw the game out for an impressive victory.

Their good form continues and they will now hope for a home draw in the next round after two consecutive away cup games so far.

Meanwhile, they visit Bryn Rovers for the Amman Valley Derby at Cae Criced in Brynamman on Wednesday, August 28 at 6.15pm hoping to continue their good league form.