PURE SWANSEA: Honours even as top two cancel each other out at Park Avenue

Pure Swansea remain top of the Novira Cymru South and unbeaten after a goalless draw away to second-placed Aberystwyth Town on Friday night.

The meeting of the division’s top two at Park Avenue was a bruising affair that neither side could settle, captain Jordan Hughes taking the man of the match award for Jack Midwinter’s side.

It was a strong defensive effort all round, led by a captain who was outstanding on the night, with goalkeeper Kane Draper in inspired form behind him.

Draper keeps the hosts at bay

Aberystwyth started the stronger and at a high tempo. Aaron Williams volleyed just over from Tom Evans’ cross, before Rhys Hughes stung the fingertips of Draper, the Pure goalkeeper tipping the winger’s solo effort over the bar.

Kyle Copp gave notice that the visitors carried a threat of their own, chopping an effort wide before sending in a free kick that was glanced wide at the far post.

Draper was called into action again to tip a Williams header over, and though Pure grew into the half, Bradley Gibbings’ overhead kick testing Luke Evans in the Aberystwyth goal, it was the hosts who finished the half on top, Draper thwarting the dangerous Dan Owen once more.

Pure take control after the break

Pure tweaked their approach at the interval, forcing the hosts deeper, and had the better of the second period with Copp and Gibbings both going close.

Aberystwyth remained dangerous on the counter and almost broke the deadlock, an inspired Draper pulling off another save before Sam Paddock’s header grazed the post.

There was still time for Pure to steal it, Ollie Roberts drawing a strong save from Evans with a header and Gibbings seeing another effort pass inches wide, but neither side could find the moment that would have won it.

Ingram back, but two go off hurt

There was an early boost for Pure in the shape of Dan Ingram, a doubt all week after picking up an injury on Wales duty in Bosnia, who came on for Morgan Wright after 38 minutes.

Less welcome were the two changes that followed. Danny Williams was withdrawn at half-time for Ricky Kerr, with Mason Kelly replaced by Harvey Chapman just after the hour, both going off injured.

Midwinter expects one to be available again quickly, and will wait on the other.

“Danny Williams was just a precaution at half-time. I think Danny will be fine going into the next game,” he said. “Young Mason will be one that we’ll have to observe tomorrow and see where we go from there.”

‘We’ll take a point’

Midwinter felt the two halves balanced each other out.

“It was a tight and nervy game,” he said. “On reflection, immediately after the game, Aberystwyth were probably definitely on top in that first half. Then we dominated the second.

“When you look at the two halves of football, I think it was probably a fair result. I’ll be pleased with it.”

The manager was satisfied with a point from a difficult trip.

“We’ve come away to a tough place on a Friday night. They had a lot of people here watching, and we’ve kept a clean sheet and remain unbeaten in the league,” he said. “So overall, we’ll take a point away and we are pleased.”

Pure hold the advantage at the top

The result leaves Pure a point clear of both Aberystwyth and Pontypridd United, who won 2-1 at Caerphilly on Friday night, with the top three now separated by a single point.

Pure return home next, hosting 11th-placed Caerphilly Athletic at Swansea Bay Sports Park on Saturday 3 October (2.30pm kick-off), looking to extend an unbeaten league start.

Pure Swansea

Kane Draper, Morgan Wright (Dan Ingram 38), Jacob Lund, Ollie Roberts, Noah Osbourne, Jordan Hughes (c), Danny Williams (Ricky Kerr 46), Mason Kelly (Harvey Chapman 67), Bradley Gibbings, Kyle Copp, Casey Coughlin.

Author

Richard Bond

Swansea-based sports journalist.
Twitter: @RichBond00
Email: RichardBond@swanseabaynews.com