Aberystwyth Town 5 Llantwit Major 1

Novira Cymru South

THE Black and Greens thrilled their supporters on Saturday with a five-star performance to beat Llantwit Major.

On a beautiful sunny day, Aaron Williams touched home the opener on 23 minutes, before Tom Evans doubled the lead nine minutes later

Rhys Hughes slotted a third four minutes into the second half, with Gruff Sedgwick providing an astonishing hat-trick of assists on a sparkling debut.

Connor Goldsworthy pulled a goal back on 54 minutes, but normal service was resumed soon afterwards as captain Liam Walsh (60 mins) and Williams again (74 mins) completed the rout.

Aber were dominant from the first whistle, with a performance full of energy and commitment.

Leo Thompson brought a save out of Adam Caswell in the first minute from a free-kick, then Dillon Browne rounded Caswell but narrowly missed the target from a narrow angle down the left.

Sam Paddock brought another save from Caswell with a header, Williams twice went wide and Walsh curled over. Evans then set up Hughes, who surged thrillingly before firing over, and Thompson sent another free-kick inches wide.

Finally, Sedgwick picked out Williams in the box and the expert goal-gatherer touched home for a thoroughly deserved lead. Incessant Aber continued to press and, soon afterwards, playmaker Sedgwick found Evans on a trademark overlapping run, and the right-back slotted home.

Hughes saw a chip saved and later found the side netting, while at the other end Luke Evans dealt with Rob Jones’ dangerous inswinging corner before catching the rebound, and the Seasiders were extremely good value for a two-goal lead at the break.

Could Aber kill off the game? Of course they could, with Sedgwick yet again picking out Hughes’ run, and the flying winger slotted it home underneath the keeper for three-nil.

Thompson hit the back post with a corner after a great run from Dan Owen, while Williams also hit the post from close range. Then Goldsworthy pounced on the ball and lobbed Evans to reduce the arrears.

On came Aber, however, and Browne laid the ball off nicely on the edge of the area for Walsh to smash home a fourth – and the game was won. Paddock was next to test Caswell in goal, then Williams gained possession and slotted home his second goal of the game to bring up a fabulous fifth goal.

Substitute Calvin Smith had two efforts denied late on.

A confident performance delighted the home crowd basking in the August sunshine, and doubtless most will return next weekend for a Bank Holiday double-header at Park Avenue, with Pontardawe on Friday (KO 7.45pm) and Llanelli a week on the Monday (KO 2.30pm).