Dafabet Welsh Premier League
Saturday 7th January Aberystwyth Town 0 Cefn Druids 1 Druids sub Adam Eden's 85th minute breakaway winner condemned the Black and Greens to a costly home defeat which confirms Town's place in the bottom six, or "Play Off Conference" for 2016/7. Two new signings started the game for Aber with two more coming off the bench, but although Luke Borrelli had a goal disallowed and later hit the crossbar with a header, Cefn's defence stayed firm to earn a win which if truth be told they probably deserved. With new signings Elliott Scotcher starting in midfielder and Jon Owen up front Aber started the game well. Ricky Watts set up Luke Borrelli, but the hosts’ Top Scorer skewed just wide, before Owen saw a shot blocked. Druids however had come to play their part and they were soon creating chances of their own. Tricky Naim Arsam had a shot deflected before home keeper Chris Mullock punched a corner to safety. Cledan Davies curled wide with a shot from midfield, then Mullock parried Stuart Cook’s powerful effort to Steve Blenkinsop, who failed to connect with the rebound to widespread relief amongst the home supporters. Michael Pritchard was next to fire wide with the visitors playing a full part in proceedings. Back came Aber and Borrelli had a shot blocked for a corner, then once again Arsan went just wide before setting up Blenkinsop with a great cross he just couldn’t reach. Kostya Georgievsky almost fashioned an opening down the left only to be blocked, then a sweet move involving Borrelli and Georgievsky created a chance which Owen put away beautifully: sadly though the linesman’s whistle had already gone for offside. Davies again brought a save from Filippo Casatotto and Luke Sherbon flashed an exciting volley just over, but the half ended goalless with the visitors ahead on points. Only one goal was needed however and although Kyle Parle shot over Kurtis March released Ricky Watts whose first time cross was headed against the bar by the frustrated Borrelli. Chris Jones, then new signings Lee Healey and Jamie Crawford were all sent on to try and change the game, though Blenkinsop was again out of luck when his headed bounced back off the far post into Mullock’s hands. Aber needed a lift and Owen almost provided it by surging down the left channel and sending a shot narrowly wide of the far post; he then crossed from the opposite side for Jones to head wide at the back post. Arsan again shot wide for Druids as did Jones for Aber. Then visiting sub Adam Eden made his mark, firing wide before breaking free down the left with five to go and slotting the ball under Mullock’s near post for a devastating blow. Try as Aber might there was no coming back from the mortal blow and Druids held on for a win which proved the strength in depth in the Dafabet Welsh Premier League, and ultimately cost Aber a place in the Elite. In truth a place in the Top Six would have been a monumental achievement for Matthew Bishop, Wayne Jones and their squad in what was always assumed to be a transitional season, and credit is due to them for coming close to that improbable target. Nevertheless the Play Off Conference beckons now and a seventh place finish bringing with it a UEFA Europa League Play Off is the main aim. The race for Europe starts next Saturday at home to Cardiff Met (ko 5.15pm), preceded by a Free Family Fun Day from 1.45pm. Aberystwyth Town are delighted to announce the signing of experienced central midfielder/defender Jamie Crowther from Altrincham FC. Crowther, 24, was an ever present for Gap Connah’s Quay last year in their surge to the UEFA Europa League, before moving Southwards to represent Bala Town in both their UEFA Europa League matches in the summer. Jamie left the Lakesiders soon afterwards and joined National League side Altrincham – and although he did not appear for them, Town have been sweating on his international clearance all week. Thankfully that arrived today and Jamie goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s game against Druids. Interestingly Wales Under 18 Cap Crowther debuted in the Welsh Prem with Druids in 2010, having also represented Mold Alex and Holywell Town. He went on to represent Stalybridge Celtic, Wrexham Reserves and Barrow before retruning to the Welsh Prem with Connah’s Quay in 2015. Jamie has made 56 Dafabet WPL appearances in total, scoring three times and his experience and physicality will be a big boost to Town’s defensive solidity. Everyone at Park Avenue welcomes Jamie to the Club and we look forward to a successful period together. Photo courtesy of Nik Mesney, Gap Connah's Quay FC Dafabet Welsh Premier League Saturday 7th January (ko 1.30pm) Aberystwyth Town v Cefn Druids Excitement is peaking in Aberystwyth ahead of Cefn Druids’ visit for a crucial Dafabet Welsh Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon. After one of Aber’s best ever days in the transfer market, when Manager Matthew Bishop picked up four key targets within 24 hours, Black and Green fans have been expressing their delight at the signings and their excitement to see the new players perform. Strikers Lee Healey and Jon Owen, midfielder Elliot Scotcher and keeper Chris Mullock have all been registered for Aber since Tuesday to boost an already exciting squad. The boost comes at a time when things already seemed to be going Aber’s way following a ten point haul, and three clean sheets from their last five games. Kurtis March and Luke Borrelli saw off Holywell Town 2-0, Geoff Kellaway, Borrelli and Kostya Georgievsky did the business up at Druids in a 3-0 win and March again nicked a winner at home to Newtown on Boxing Day. Joe Clarke’s 93rd minute equaliser on New Year’s Eve at Newtown was oh so crucial, and the perfect way to bid farewell to his friends in Mid Wales. All of this means that two more wins will win Aber only a second ever Top Six finish in their history – and first up come Cefn Druids on Saturday. The 3-0 win Aber gained up at the Rock three weeks ago was not a true reflection of a game in which the hosts made a very good impression overall, only to miss a number of good chances, so the Black and Greens will have to be at their best to gain the simple win required to keep themselves in the game. Admission will cost £6 for Adults, £4 Concessions and £1 for Children, and a decent sized crowd will be full of intrigue to see how the new recruits blend in with the established side which has got Aber this far. Kick off is at 1.30pm so don’t be late! Highly Rated Striker Jon Owen is the next player to join the Black and Greens' push for Top Six, arriving today from Llandudno FC. Welsh speaker Owen, 24, from the Porthmadog area spent six years at Bangor City but was restricted to 24 sub appearances for Neville Powell's team and moved on to Porthmadog and Caersws in the Cymru Alliance before returning to the Dafabet Welsh Premier League at Rhyl last season. He made a very positive impression, scoring 9 goals from 27+3 appearances including two great strikes against Bangor City last March at Belle Vue in a televised thriller. Jon was snapped up by Llandudno in the summer and has scored three more goals from 19+2 appearances at Maesdu Park. His fantastic energy on the pitch make Jon an exciting Player to watch and if he fulfills his promise Black and Green Supporters are in for a treat, starting on Saturday against Cefn Druids (ko 1.30pm). Croeso i'r Clwb ganddo ni gyd Jon. Aberystwyth Town are pleased to announce another signing today as experienced striker Lee Healey joins the Club from Holywell Town 30 year old Lee is known for his no nonsense style of play and he has impressed against Aber on a number of previous occasions, most recently for the Wellmen in the Welsh Cup tie in December. Merseyside based Healey has previously played Dafabet WPL Football for Gap Connah's Quay, Bangor City, and Cefn Driuds, scoring an impressive total of 16 goals from 24+11 sub appearances and winning the WPL Player of the Month Award for October 2014. He has also played for Ashville, Congleton Town and Droylsden in the English system, and his transfer to the Club was concluded today. Find out a bit more about Lee in Sgorio's informative and funny profile here. We welcome Lee to Aber Town and look forward to more of his spectacular goals during his time in Black and Green! Aberystwyth Town are delighted to announce the permanent signing of Goalkeeper Chris Mullock from The New Saints Chris joined the Black and Greens on loan in the Autumn and has been in top form ever since, and a key Player in Town's surge from the bottom two to Top Six Contenders in 2016/7. He earned National fame in October by scoring a 65 yard free kick against Rhyl to mark the first ever competitive goal on Park Avenue's 3G Surface, and has contributed to five clean sheets in 12 Dafabet WPL matches. Mullock's loan period with Aber expired on January 1st but Club Officials have moved quickly to secure his permanent transfer and we are delighted to announce that Chris joins the Club permanently today, in time for Saturday's game against his old Club Cefn Druids (ko 1.30pm). We thank officials at The New Saints for their cooperation in concluding this important deal for the Club. |
Gem Nesaf
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Ebost / Email: AberTownFC@live.co.uk
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Cyfeiriad / Address: ATFC Ltd, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, SY23 1PG.
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