The New Saints vs Aberystwyth Town
JD Cymru Premier
Saturday 28th November
MATCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
 
Following last week’s late postponement of the Seasiders home tie with Bala Town, it is a trip to Shropshire that awaits Gavin Allen and his team this weekend, as they travel to face table topping The New Saints.
 
Six weeks ago, the Black & Greens came close to pulling off one of the results of the season in the reverse fixture at Park Avenue, as only a late Ben Clark goal denied Aber all three points. A Louis Robles goal had given The New Saints the lead before half time; however goals from local boys Jon Foligno and Steff Davies swung the game in Aber’s favour as the Seasiders dominated much of the second half, before Clark’s equaliser gave the visitors a share of the spoils.
 
A 1-1 draw away to Cardiff Met has been the only time Aberystwyth Town have been in action since that game, whilst The New Saints were able to play throughout the firebreak lockdown, picking up three wins and a draw to cement their place at the top of the table and their unbeaten status.
 
Saturday’s hosts have played 12 league games so far this season (plus an additional game at Bala that was expunged from the records due to floodlight failure!) and they have won 10 of these with the other two being draws – including our meeting at Park Avenue. They have scored 35 goals and conceded 6. Greg Draper & Louis Robles have scored 8 goals each, whilst Ben Clark has added 4 and Dean Ebbe 3.
 
Both Connor Roberts & Louis Bradford will be ineligible for this game as they cannot feature against their parent club. This may provide an opportunity for recent signings Amin Ahmed, Shama Bako and Louis Gerrard to feature in the matchday squad for the first time, whilst Alex Pennock will be looking to replicate his inspired performance in October’s fixture in goal.
 
The last time Aberystwyth Town recorded an away victory against The New Saints was way back in November 1993, when the club was known as Llansantffraid FC and were competing in their first season in the then League of Wales. Records are there to be broken however, and Gavin Allen’s men have shown on many occasions already this season that they are capable of competing with anyone in the Cymru Premier!
 
As per Covid-19 regulations, no supporters can be admitted into the ground, however as always you can follow all the action on our Twitter page @AberystwythTown. The New Saints are also providing live commentary via TNS Radio on their Facebook page. The Black & Green Army will be delighted to learn that Tuesday’s match away at Haverfordwest County will be live on Sgorio’s Facebook page – so there are plenty of opportunities to keep in touch with ATFC over the coming days!
​

£750k support package from The National Lottery gives lifeline to 44 Cymru Leagues clubs while fans are unable to attend matches.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is pleased to announce that all 44 Cymru Leagues clubs are set to receive financial support as part of a unique partnership with The National Lottery. The financial package – established by the FAW and The National Lottery and facilitated by the UK Government – will see clubs in the JD Cymru Premier, JD Cymru North and the JD Cymru South receive funding while matches continue to be played behind closed doors, owing to the current COVID-19 restrictions.

Football clubs and training facilities across the Cymru Leagues are often at the heart of their communities. They act as central hubs that give further opportunities for children and adults to be active, while bringing a source of pride to their towns. This funding stream recognises the essential role that Cymru Leagues clubs play beyond matchday. National Lottery players, who make a difference every time they buy a lottery ticket, will also get a range of benefits as a thank you for their support – including free tickets to football matches, once stadia are safe to reopen, and VIP experiences with the Cymru National Team.

The funds, which will be distributed via the FAW, will play a key role in ensuring that the clubs can continue to exist, and, where possible, operate during these difficult times.

Jonathan Ford, CEO of the Football Association of Wales, “At the FAW, we are incredibly grateful for our unique partnership with The National Lottery and the funding stream which has been provided for our clubs across the Cymru Leagues, while matches continue to be played behind closed doors.”

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said: “Clubs in the Cymru Leagues play a huge role in their local communities and, like many others, they have been struggling in the current climate. I’m delighted that the UK Government could help bring The National Lottery and the football authorities together to deliver for these clubs and for grassroots football in Wales. From Prestatyn to Taffs Well, this funding package will help enable clubs to keep going until fans can safely return.”

Nigel Railton, Chief Executive of National Lottery operator Camelot, said, “The National Lottery and its players have been making a massive difference to communities across the UK for the past 26 years, so we’re thrilled to be able to partner with the Football Association of Wales to provide vital funding for these incredibly important clubs in the Cymru Leagues. As a huge football fan myself, I know what this will mean to fans of these community clubs, and I’m sure they’ll be pleased to hear that their clubs are getting the support they need.”

The partnership follows a similar National Lottery initiative between the FA and National League in England, which was facilitated by the UK government. Work continues on partnerships with the Scottish and Northern Ireland FAs.

​Aberystwyth Town vs Bala Town
JD Cymru Premier
Friday 20th November
MATCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
 
The Black & Greens make their long awaited return to Aberystwyth University Park Avenue Stadium this Friday for the visit of high flying Bala Town.
 
Having gained a point on the road last week at Cardiff Met, Town will be looking to continue where they left off at home a month ago, where a tremendous performance saw the Seasiders almost claim victory against table topping The New Saints, only to be denied late on.
 
Friday’s meeting is the second of the season with Colin Caton’s side, the reverse fixture being the live game on 10th October which saw Bala take the points with a 5-2 victory. Marc Williams was on target with a superb header in that match, and Aber’s inspirational captain has continued his good goalscoring form beyond the firebreak lockdown, netting again in the capital last Saturday.
 
Gavin Allen should have most of his squad available to choose from for this fixture. Jonathan Evans’ return from injury at Cardiff Met was a major boost, as was Mathew Jones. Mati Etchegoyen made his debut with new signings Amin Ahmed, Shama Bako and Louis Gerrard all waiting in the wings for theirs.
 
Bala Town were one of only three clubs allowed to play during the firebreak and they registered two 1-1 draws with Haverfordwest County and The New Saints, before beating Penybont 4-1 last Saturday as the league returned in full. They currently sit in second place, one point ahead of reigning champions Connah’s Quay Nomads, having played a game more.
 
As always, the man to watch on the opposition side is Chris Venables. The talismanic former Aber forward has already notched double figures in terms of goals this season, and once again looks to be a favourite for the golden boot.
 
Unfortunately, fans are still not allowed into the ground, but the Black & Green Army can follow proceedings on our Twitter platform @AberystwythTown as usual. Friday night football under the lights is back!! 

Aberystwyth Town returned to JD Cymru Premier action last night following a month-long hiatus since their draw against The New Saints on the 16th of October. A 55th minute goal from skipper Marc Williams was cancelled out by a 77th minute equaliser by sub Ashton Gleed to share the spoils at Cyncoed on a bitter November evening in the capital. 

​Four changes were made to the team from their previous outing, with Connor Roberts, Louis Bradford and Mathew Jones returning to the XI alongside Deadline Day acquisition Matias Etchegoyen in place of Alex Pennock, Harri Rowe, Rhys Davies and Jonathan Foligno. 

The opening 30 minutes passed without many notable chances to speak of, with both defences keeping on top of their opposition's attacks. As he has throughout the season, Steff Davies' timing of runs in behind the defence worried the men in burgundy all night, with Veale, Etchegoyen and full-backs Rimmer and Matty Jones looping balls his way. On 30 minutes, the game's best chance at that point was created by tidy work from Etchegoyen and Veale, who whipped an inch-perfect ball around the Met left-back to Davies who bared down on goal. However, the covering defender forced Davies wide and narrowed his angle, conceding only a shot into the side-netting. A minute later, another golden chance dropped to Steven Hewitt after the Met keeper's rushing clearance didn't go far, leaving an empty net for Hewitt to attempt a difficult half-volleyed dink. Agonisingly for the travelling Town officials, the ball dropped wide of the post and the score remained level though Aber were on top.

Town never let up their relentless pressing in the middle of the park as half-time approached, with everyone doing their parts to put the home side under duress. With a single added minute, Met's best chance of the half fell to the lighting-fast Warman as he curled the ball narrowly over the bar from 20 yards. With that, the referee blew an end to an entertaining but goalless half.

The second half saw Met keep ahold of the ball to re-open proceedings before Steff Davies had a penalty shout for a bodycheck waved away by the referee on 54 minutes. However, Steff needn't wait long for a goal contribution as Jack Rimmer delivered a delicious ball down his right side to latch onto. As he sped towards the by-line, he managed to get a foot ahead of the defender to cross low to skipper Marc Williams who smartly and deftly flicked the ball past the students' goalkeeper, putting Town ahead. 

Town didn't rest on their lead however, continuing to do their part in attack as well as defensively - notably a counter-attack on 70 minutes that released the searing pace of Rimmer to coast past defenders on their heels, but his attempted cross to the recently substituted Jonny Evans was blocked smartly by last-ditch defending. Minutes later, Gwion Owen went close after good play from Mathew Jones set-up the former Rhuthin man, but wide his effort went. 

Aber were in the ascendancy to double their lead, but as is the norm in our league - no lead is safe for long. A Met corner on 77 minutes was taken short and delivered to the area where a miscued header on the edge of the box fell to the feet of substitute Ashton Gleed who hit the roof of the net to equalise with a quarter hour to go.

The introduction of Owain Jones offered Town a speedy outlet to find a winner, with Met pushing to find a clincher of their own. On 86 minutes, Mathew Jones set-up the first of Aber's final chances by fizzing a low ball across the home area but no man in green was able to react quick enough. As the game entered its 90th minute, Met were awarded a free-kick from 20 yards out to the agony of travelling on-lookers, but the ever-vocal Connor Roberts showed why he's considered one of the league's elite shot-stoppers by getting low to parry away a potential game winner from Kyle McCarthy.

Just as the game seemed to be drawing to a close, a penultimate attack from Aber garnered an excellent chance for Steven Hewitt from close range but his side-footed effort just couldn't find the corner as some members of the Green Army had flashbacks of a late winner at Cyncoed two years ago from Ashley Ruane; however, it was not to be this time. A final chance for Aber was collected by the Met keeper and the final whistle was sounded.

Certainly one of the more entertaining 1-1 draws in recent memory, Town will accept their away point against resolute opposition though must feel all three were up for grabs. The Seasiders now look forward to another difficult run of fixtures following the postponement of three fixtures versus similarly-positioned teams; Bala (H), TNS (A) and Connah's Quay (H) to come before the run-in to Christmas and New Year.

We go again next Friday night under the Park Avenue lights - it's great to be back!