Friday night saw Aber fall to their first defeat of the season at the hands of Llandudno managed by former Seasiders boss Alan Morgan, writes Matthew Wallace. For 55 minutes, Town were the brighter side, dominating territory and possession, however they failed to muster many clear scoring opportunities. But ten minutes into the second half, the tide of the game changed as the visitors grabbed the all-important goal and asserted themselves on the game. In conversation with Aberystwyth Town's Youtube Channel, Manager Neville Powell was left unhappy with his sides performance in front of a good crowd on a horrible evening for football with a driving rain and 45mph winds battering the Ceredigion coast: “We know we can do better than that. We’ve got some very disappointed players in the dressing room. I’m very disappointed. I know conditions were bad but it was the same for both sides. We always knew it was going to be difficult and whoever got the first goal would go onto win the game”. “We struggled after they got the goal. They are a street wise and experienced side Llandudno and they managed the game well. That said, Geoff [Kellaway] has had a great chance to make it 1-1 and then it’s a different game but overall we’re really disappointed with the result and the performance.” The defeat leaves the Black and Greens with a total of one point after the opening two fixtures. Although the point away at Barry was a good result in Powell’s eyes, he was frustrated with the opening weekend at Park Avenue. “After a spirited performance against Barry, we’ve let ourselves down there a little bit tonight. There were loose passes and mistimed challenges but the lads know that. They know they could have done better all over the pitch.” Thoughts quickly turn to Friday’s fixture away at Cefn Druids. With a win and a defeat in our two visits to the Rock last season. Powell knows his side must be at their best to get the result they want from the fixture. “We’ve got to make sure we work hard and be prepared for what we’ve got to come this week against Druids. They’re a big, strong, physical side so we’ve got to do well there.” Watch the full interview on Aberystwyth Town's Youtube Channel here. Photo courtesy of Chris Howells JD Welsh Premier League Friday 18th August Aberystwyth Town 0 Llandudno 2 Despite dominating the opening hour of the match, Aber Town fell to defeat at the hands of clinical Llandudno, for whom strikes by Danny Shaw (55 minutes) and, inevitably, Danny Hughes (88) earned the three points, with the Black and Greens left to rue a series of missed chances. A healthy crowd, boosted by the attendance of 30 of the Club's valued Sponsors, defied the unseasonable pre match downpour to watch Neville Powell's first competitive home game in charge of Aber Town, and the early signs were promising. John Owen burst through the middle to fire over, and then Declan Walker's viciously inswinging corner was punched away by Dave Roberts. Declan Carroll had a shot deflected, and then Craig Hobson just failed to connect with Cledan Davies' dangerous set piece delivery. With a strong wind in their favour Aber kept creating chances. Walker returned Roberts' goal kick by smashing the ball back to the visiting keeper, then Davies' corner was headed off the line by Danny Taylor before Owen tapped wide. Walker again brought a save from Roberts and then the visitors threatened for the first time when James Joyce's excellent left wing cross was sent wide by Ryan Edwards. John McKenna headed over the bar from an Ashley Young throw in, and roared on by a vociferous following Llandudno had survived the first half onslaught to keep the scores goalless at the break. Aber continued to press towards the Dias Stand after the break. Luke Borrelli's low cross was cleared to safety, then Owen dribbled into a promising position but saw his shot saved. A goal seemed inevitable, but sadly for the Black and Greens it came at the wrong end, as Llandudno lofted a ball into Aber's box which Shaw back headed over home keeper Chris Mullock to gain a scarcely merited lead. The strike saw the visitors visibly grow in confidence and they did enough in the last 35 minutes to earn a win. Mullock was called on to punch clear Edwards' free kick, and Marc Williams drew another save from the home netminder soon after. Sub Geoff Kellaway flashed a shot just wide minutes after coming on but with Aber committing more and more players forward in search of an equaliser, Llandudno were threatening on the break and James Joyce was next to go close for Alan Morgan's men, on two occasions. Joe Phillips saw a shot deflected for a corner and then the home side were denied when Kellaway, through on goal and about to equalise, was blocked by a superb last gasp tackle from Danny Shaw (photo top left). Shaun Cavanaugh went close for Tudno and then with two minutes left yet another superb strike from Hughes into the far corner, who scored Sgorio's Goal of the Season at Park Avenue last season, gave the scoreline a flattering appearance for the visitors with Aber feeling hard done by. Resolute defending and clinical finishing won this game for Llandudno and deservedly so, but that should not obscure the fact that the hosts were thoroughly dominant for the first 55 minutes of this game, and if Neville Powell's men can start converting the chances they create, success will be just around the corner. Town's next test in this regard comes next Friday evening at Cefn Druids (ko 7.45pm). Keep the faith! Photo courtesy of Chris Howells Aberystwyth Town are delighted to announce the signing of local midfielder Mathew Jones. 18 year old Mathew attended Comins Coach and Penglais Schools and is the son of Richie "Gas" Jones who played for Town's Reserve side for years and is a loyal supporter of the Black and Greens. He was a key member of Shrewsbury Town's Youth Team which enjoyed a good FA Youth Cup run last season reaching the fourth round before being knocked out by Premier League side Sunderland; and joins Aber on his release from the Shrews this summer. Jones made a keen impression in pre season with some full blooded performances in Central Midfield and is Neville Powell's latest addition to Aber Town's WPL Squad for 2017/8. He has been awarded squad number 17. Everyone at Park Avenue welcomes Mathew to the squad and we look forward to following his development closely. Friday 18th August (ko 8pm) JD Welsh Premier League Aberystwyth Town v Llandudno JD Welsh Premier League football returns to Aberystwyth on Friday night as Neville Powell's men face Llandudno, looking to kick off their home season with a positive result. Powell's new look Black and Greens included six debutants at Barry in Sunday evening's season opener, and a large and vociferous Green Army saw the side earn a well deserved 1-1 draw thanks to Jonny Spittle's 81st minute equaliser. Declan Walker, John McKenna, Jonny Spittle, Declan Carroll, Ashley Young and Craig Hobson plus subs Christian Langos and Joe Phillips earned their stripes at Jenner Park, but it would be wrong to overlook significant contributions from last season's coterie too. Chris Mullock, Ryan Wollacott, Malcolm Melvin, Luke Borrelli, Jon Owen and Cledan Davies all played their part and can be expected to feature again on Friday night. Alan Morgan's Llandudno gained a commendable 3-0 win over Carmarthen on Saturday and will of course provide tough opposition. Last season's meetings were all very entertaining, with Aber gaining two wins up at Maesdu only to draw 0-0 and lose 3-4 at Park Avenue. Admission tomorrow evening will cost £7 for Adults, £4 Concessions and £1 for kids, and a Sponsors Evening is sure to swell a significant turnout on Matchday 2. Kick off is at the slightly later time of 8pm and entertainment is guaranteed. Friday Night is Football Night in Aber: see you there! Pre-Season Friendly Sunday 13th August 2017 Aberystwyth Town Ladies 2 Shrewsbury Town Ladies 1 Aber made it two wins in just four days with a 2-1 victory against very tough opponents Shrewsbury Town Ladies. Shrewsbury started off the better side and were dominant in possession whilst Aberystwyth were looking a bit nervy, and young Aber goalkeeper Katie Christopher had to make some good saves to keep the scores level. Despite Shrewsbury having most of the ball it was the home side that opened the scoring on 32 minutes. A free kick from the left eventually came to Cat Davies who scored with her first touch after coming on as a substitute. Aberystwyth started to play some good football and were causing the Shrewsbury defence some problems but were unable to double their lead. Shrewsbury then went very close with the last kick of the half. A shot from the edge of the box went narrowly wide of the Aber goal. Like the first half, it was Shrewsbury who started the better side and 10 minutes into the half, the scores were level as Nic Durnall’s well taken free kick from 30 yards ended up in the top corner. Despite conceding, Aber stayed calm as they looked for a second to re-gain the lead and their wide players were causing the Shrews defence some problems. Shrewsbury then came extremely close to taking the lead when Durnall’s free-kick deflected off the wall and smashed the cross bar. On 66 minutes the home side were back in front, as a cross into the box fell to an Aber trialist who was able to score from close range. The home team were now looking strong going forward and were causing the Shrewsbury defence all sorts of problems with their pace up front. Aber thought they’d scored again but this time the goal was ruled out for offside. Shrewsbury did push forward for an equaliser but it was Aber who came off the pitch as the winning side. This was a very tough match for the Black and Greens but they worked extremely hard for the victory against very good opposition. The league season starts on 3rd September and if you’d like to join the team please contact one of the coaches or email abertownlfc@outlook.com Pre-Season Friendly Thursday 10th August 2017 Llanidloes Ladies 0 Aberystwyth Ladies 10 Goals from Tania Wylde (4), Helen Evans (2), Cat Davies (2), and an own goal ensured Aber’s second pre-season match ended in a comfortable victory for the team in Green. The Greens started the better side and on 17 minutes took the lead. Striker Cat Davies turned inside the 6-yard box and her shot went through the ball through the keeper’s legs and into the net to put the away side ahead. Tania Wylde doubled Aber’s lead 8 minutes later, her low shot from inside the box beating the keeper at her near post. It was three not long after as Helen Evans’s fantastic long-range strike flew into the top corner. Aber again started quickly after the break and increased their lead when Helen Evans’s attempted cross looped over the keeper and into the back of the net. Steph Land came close with an excellent strike from distance but the ‘Llani’ goalkeeper made a great save. Aber then scored four goals in the space of 10 minutes. Tania Wylde got her second of the match with a low strike on the edge of the area. A couple of minutes after a Steph Land goal was disallowed for offside, then Nia Witts decided to have a go from distance and her effort went over the goalkeeper and into the net to make it 6-0. Wylde then completed her hat-trick with a brilliant first-time strike on the edge of the area, and scored her her fourth quickly after with another impressive strike, her powerful long-range attempt hit the inside of the post and crossed the line. Aber were now 8-0 up and playing very well. In a packed penalty area eight then became nine. Cat Davies’s shot was deflected into the goal off a Llanidloes player. Aber reached double figures with just a couple of minutes remaining. Cat Davies found herself through on goal and stayed composed as she side footed the ball past the keeper and into the net to make it ten. After the match manager Kevin Jenkins said “Llani never gave up but we did what we needed to do”. Aberystwyth Ladies still have a few pre-season games to play before the season kicks off on September 3rd. If you’d like to join the team please contact one of the coaches or email abertownlfc@outlook.com. |
Gem Nesaf
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Ebost / Email: AberTownFC@live.co.uk
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