Dafabet Welsh Premier League Saturday 19th December Aberystwyth Town 4 Bangor City 0 Aberystwyth Town thrilled their supporters with a wonderful pre Christmas performance as they romped to a 4-0 win over ten man Bangor City in the heavy rain at Park Avenue. After a strong performance and a lot of hard work in the first half, the Black and Greens surged to victory with two goals from the irrepressible Chris Venables (on 60 and 64 minutes), a smashing 70th minute volley from Geoff Kellaway on his return from injury, and a well earned fourth for Jamie Reed twelve minutes from time. Manager Ian Hughes was blessed by the rare luxury of having a full squad to choose from before the game, and Jamie Reed came in to replace Liam Jaques up front in an otherwise unchanged eleven. The hosts started the game confidently after last week's great result, working hard to win important tackles in midfield and enjoying the majority of possession. Ross Stephens' corner was palmed away by Connor Roberts, only for Rhys Griffiths to knock the ball over the bar from the next move. Reed then picked out Luke Sherbon in the middle and his long range effort fizzed wide, before Bangor had their only effort on target as Mike Lewis got down well to stop Leon Clowes' glancing near post header. With Griffiths bossing the high balls and the imperious Venables running midfield with apparent ease, the chances kept coming and Jamie Reed forced Roberts into a save from distance, then flashed a drive just past the near post. Roberts denied Antonio Corbisiero from a narrow angle, then Reed won the ball in his own half and ran 60 yards down the left flank to send a shot just wide. Griffiths sent a 30 yard shot straight at Roberts, and then a move of liquid football started by Venables in his own area saw Reed feed Stephens to clip the crossbar. With Stuart Jones and Lee Surman looking particularly strong at the back Aber never really looked seriously threatened, but a goalless half time score meant the Black and Greens needed to find a cutting edge after the break. Bangor had an early chance in the second half when Ashley Young shot just over from distance, but then came a big moment in the game as Geoff Kellaway finally returned from injury, as a substitute for Griffiths on 48 minutes. Venables hit the crossbar from a free kick as normal service was resumed, and then a great surging run from Kellaway down the right almost opened the Citizens up, but the ball was cleared. Finally, a deep ball from out on the left found Sion James in the box and his goalbound header was flicked in by Venables to open the scoring on the hour. Four minutes later Reed showed great persistence on the edge of the area and prodded the ball through for Venables to shoot high into the net and double his tally. Kellaway was denied by Roberts when straight through, Ross Stephens lobbed just over and then Kellaway again burst through in the 68th minute, only to be brought down on the edge of the area by Roberts, and a red card was the only possible outcome. From the resulting free kick Stephens hit the crossbar only for Kellaway to mark his return with a crashing first time volley from close range, and the game was certainly won. Craig Williams typically ran forty yards to win a corner, and then Reed crowned a performance made of grit and determination by finding the bottom corner with a right footer from inside the area, and three became four. Subs Christian Langos fired wide for Bangor, and Phil Warrington fired an effort over the bar, but there was still time for Reed to warm sub keeper Antoni Sarnowski's palms, and to go agonizingly close to a second twice more before the end. Jack Rimmer, on as a sub, showed some nice touches on a difficult pitch and Cledan Davies pressed down the left, but the damage was had already been down by the hard work Aber had put in throughout the afternoon, on a very heavy surface, to fully deserve a four goal winning margin. Despite the weather, Town put on one of their best performances of the season this afternoon, and their supporters did not want this match to end. Aberystwyth Town are therefore delighted to have another home game on Tuesday evening to look forward to, at home to Carmarthen Town (kick off 7.45pm). The late surge is on! Photo courtesy of Chris Howells Dafabet Welsh Premier League Saturday 19th December (kick off 2.30pm) Aberystwyth Town v Bangor City Aberystwyth Town are hoping for a let up from the weather on Saturday as they prepare for the visit of Bangor City for a crucial Dafabet WPL clash. Having suffered three successive home postponements the Black and Greens now embark on a run of five home games in six, which will decide which half of the League they compete in for the final ten games of 2015/6. The mood in the Aber camp is buoyant after last week's super 1-1 draw away to League Champions and Champions elect The New Saints, crowned by a typically clinical strike from WPL Golden Boot holder Chris Venables. An inspiring team effort earned Ian Hughes' men a sweet point, and they will now be looking for all three on Saturday to kick on in earnest. Jamie Reed is eligible to return to Aber's squad for Saturday's game, and Geoff Kellaway is gradually returning to fitness in preparation for the run in, so the picture is looking very promising for Town to muster a late surge before the League Split on January 16th. Bangor City have had an up and down season, but the point they gained at home to Bala Town on Tuesday night took them above Aber into seventh place on goal difference - having played a game more. In the previous game between the two sides the Black and Greens won 3-2 at Bangor University Satdium thanks to goals from Darren Thomas, Ross Stephens and Jamie Reed. The same result again on Saturday would be the perfect Christmas present for Aber's fans. Kick off at Park Avenue is at 2.30pm and admission costs £6 for Adults, £4 Concessions and £1 for Children: and if you must do some Christmas Shopping - Steve Moore's Club Shop will be open from 2pm! Aberystwyth Town v Carmarthen Town - Match Postponed
Aberystwyth Town have been left frustrated by a third successive Park Avenue postponement, following a pitch inspection this afternoon. A waterlogged surface caused by inclement weather over the past few days means the match will now be rearranged for a second time, for next Tuesday 22nd December (kick off 7.45pm). Aberystwyth Town regret any inconvenience caused by this postponement. Dafabet Welsh Premier
Tuesday 15th December (ko 7.45pm) Aberystwyth Town v Carmarthen Town Aber Town are looking to build on the positive momentum created by last weekend's excellent result at TNS, by gaining a positive result tomorrow night at home to West Wales rivals Carmarthen Town. The Black and Greens performance at Park Hall probably saw each player earning an eight out of ten for hard work and tactical discipline, and marked the end of a tough run of results for Ian Hughes' men. With five out of their last six games at home, and all but one against bottom six opposition, Town know that a good run of consistent form will see them safely in the Top Six come the split in mid January. Back in September Aber gave one of their best performances of the season when they won 3-0 at Parc Waundew against Tuesday night's opponents, and that result set them off on a seven match unbeaten run which took them as high as third place in the Dafabet WPL. Black and Greens supporters will be hoping for more of the same over the next four weeks. Carmarthen Town are direct rivals for a Top Six spot and they always turn up for their games versus Aber, which are usually high scoring and very entertaining affairs one way or another. Admission tomorrow night will cost £6 for Adults, £4 Concessions and £1 for Children, and with Aber back on form it’s a match not to be missed! Kick off is at 7.45pm. Dafabet Welsh Premier League
Friday 11th December The New Saints 1 Aberystwyth Town 1 A great all round team effort, crowned by a clinical strike from WPL Hot Shot Chris Venables eighteen minutes from time earned Aber an excellent point at League Leaders TNS' Park Hall Stadium last night, and set the Black and Greens up perfectly for an exciting run of home games over the next month. With Centre Back Lee Surman back from suspension and Jack Rimmer back on the bench Aber's squad looked stronger than last week, and although the visitors started fairly confidently showing some nice passing, TNS took the lead in the 8th minute when keeper Mike Lewis saved a low shot from Chris Seargeant, only for Mattie Williams to gobble up the rebound from close range. The visitors could have crumbled at this point but to their immense credit they went on to play a full part in the game, creating just as many chances as their esteemed hosts for the next 75 minutes of the game. Rhys Griffiths was a rock up front for Town and with young Liam Jaques buzzing around and chasing down space throughout, TNS were never allowed to relax in possession. Griffiths sent in a dangerous cross, then twice went close with headers, the second time from an excellent turn and cross by Jaques. Mike Lewis saved efforts from Adrian Ciesliewicz and Jamie Mullan (twice), but back came Aber with Griffiths again going close from Antonio Corbisiero's corner, Stuart Jones causing a scrambled clearance from a powerful header and Craig Williams the Ross Stephens sending efforts over the bar. Lewis had again to be alert when he parried a Matty Williams header to safety, but a one goal half time deficit was scant reward for a very commendable first half from Aber's point of view. As the second half progressed Ian Hughes' men continued to exert a high press up front and to show a strong defensive organisation through midfield and at the back, meaning that chances were few and far between. True, Aber did have a couple of let offs when Ciesliewicz glanced a header onto a post from a good position, and when Williams hit the crossbar from inside the area, but it was an even game and then with 18 minutes to go Town got what they fully deserved. Jaques laid the ball back to Corbisiero on the right flank, and his deep cross found Venables lurking on the edge of the box. Always the man for the big occasion, the Powys goal poacher then slipped inside his marker only to pick out the bottom corner of Paul Harrison's net with a brilliant instinctive finish. Of course TNS went on to exert pressure in the final period of the game, but with back four Sion James, Stuart Jones, Surman and Craig Williams strong as oxes, protected by the midfield shield of Stephens, Luke Sherbon, Corbisiero, and Venables, not to mention Griffiths who also came back to defend well, the Champions were restricted to half chances. Lewis did well to save Williams' low strike, and also gathered a Greg Draper header, but Aber fully deserved to hold on through the four additional minutes, and a morale boosting draw was the end result. After a tough run of fixtures and results, the Black and Greens last night with their excellent and disciplined team performance created a perfect platform to go on a very positive run between now and mid January, and with five out of their last six games at home, Park Avenue is set for some excitement over the festive period. Tuesday night's game at home to Carmarthen Town (kick off 7.45pm) cannot come soon enough! Dafabet Welsh Premier League Friday 11th December (ko 7.45pm) The New Saints v Aberystwyth Town Aberystwyth Town have not enjoyed much luck of late - and the WPL fixture Gods decreed that this run should continue as the Black and Greens prepare for the fourth away game in a row, a second visit to Champions TNS in six days. Aber's last five games have comprised two games against the League leaders, a clash with second place Llandudno and away trips to last year's bronze medallists Airbus, and Rhyl, and the run doesn't get any easier with Friday's game. With four first teamers unavailable the Black and Greens fell to a 3-0 defeat at Park Hall in Saturday's live televised JD Welsh Cup Third Round tie, but at least Centre Back Lee Surman will be back from suspension in 48 hours. Jamie Reed will again be unavailable for selection, and Geoff Kellaway remains some weeks away from full recovery. TNS for their part will be confident having performed at a high level last week, and having not lost a domestic home match since November 2012. Coach Carl Darlington has returned to the fold this week and The Saints will be looking to extend their eleven point lead at the top of the Dafabet WPL. It's clear then that on their current run Aber have to make their own luck. Football however can be a perverse game, as the Black and Greens proved on their last League visit to Park Hall, when they came back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with a dramatic injury time equaliser. More of the same would go down very well indeed on the Ceredigion Coast: The Coach leaves Park Avenue at 4pm. |
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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