JD Cymru Premier
Friday 15th November
The New Saints 2 Aberystwyth Town 0

​A disciplined defensive performance from the Black and Greens restricted the JD Cymru Premier Champions to remarkably few chances at Park Hall last night, but the clinical Saints struck twice to gain the three points through Keston Davies, who opened the scoring on three minutes, and Ryan Brobbell who completed the goalscoring three minutes before the break.

Aber looked up against it from the start last night, after their ten goal mauling at Park Avenue earlier in the season. Bereft of Conor Roberts and Adam Hughes (both on loan from TNS), Alex Pennock and Stuart Jones came in to fill the gap, but Town were behind early on when a deep right wing cross rebounded kindly for Davies to tap home from a narrow angle. On a cold clear evening TNS dominated possession but Aber were taking an intelligent defensive shape which restricted the danger, and making attempts to break on occasions with some pleasing passing moves. Wes Baynes and Paulo Mendes sent in dangerous balls from the right but they were cleared. Dan Redmond had a shot blocked for the hosts but then back came Aber as Mathew Jones’ free kick dropped inches wide of the post. Redmond again failed to finish from a good position, and another free kick from Jones somehow evaded everyone in TNS’ box and flew behind to safety.  Jon Routledge had a shot deflected over, then Josh Nembhard fired over but Pennock had barely had a save to make and Town were growing in confidence. Edmilson Vaz dispossessed his right back before bearing in on goal and firing into the side netting, and Lee Jenkins set up Ryan Edwards, but his shot was blocked in turn. Then just before the break Aber lost possession high up the pitch and the hosts broke down the middle, allowing Brobbell to round Pennock to double the lead, which was harsh on the balance of chances if not possession. Greg Draper tried a cheeky attempt from the touchline in injury time but Pennock reacted well to snaffle the ball and the half ended at 2-0.

The second half began following a similar pattern to the first, with Aber’s defensive shape and discipline demonstrating pride in their performance. Mendes headed wide from a Baynes corner, Joe Phillips bore down the left wing but his shot was saved. Brobell saw his brilliant 30 yard free kick crash off the crossbar, and Aber had a let off, but then sub Geoff Kellaway slid into the area and skidded a shot wide with Aber threatening an unlikely comeback. Draper brought a rare save from Pennock with a right wing cross and then the ball dropped nicely 30 yards out for Alex Boss, but his volley flew over the crossbar. Phillips set up Tom Price for another blocked attempt on goal, and then Boss played in Mendes down the right, and his powerful shot went just wide to ensure that the visitors would not score on the evening, and the hosts would win 2-0.

Despite the scoreline this was an excellent performance from Aber who restricted the Champions to a handful of chances, and resisted the temptation to hoof the ball forward, trying instead to break progressively. Sadly they were unable to convert from a number of chances last night and the clinical Champions won the game, but honour was definitely restored to the Black and Green cause at Park Hall and Aber retain their ninth place in the JD Cymru Premier. Next weekend is Semi Final Saturday as the Seasiders travel to Llanrumney, Cardiff to face STM Sports in the MG Nathaniel Cup Semi Final (ko 2.30pm). Unmissable!

Gifted goalie is latest recipient of Aber Town Football Club Scholarship

Talented goalkeeper Alex Pennock has been awarded the Aberystwyth University and Aber Town Football Club Scholarship. Eighteen year old Alex from Aberystwyth is a first year student studying a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences. 

Whilst studying for his degree, Alex will play for Aberystwyth Town Football Club in the Welsh Premier League and also the Aberystwyth University BUCS (British Universities & Colleges Sport) football team.

The Aberystwyth University and Aber Town Football Club Scholarship is worth £4,000 a year, with a range of additional benefits including Platinum membership of the University Sports Centre, football coaching development opportunities, medical insurance, access to physiotherapy, match and training kits.

The scholarship is jointly funded by Aberystwyth Town FC and the University’s Aber Fund, which receives donations from Aberystwyth University alumni all over the world.

“Being awarded the opportunity to have a place on this scholarship scheme is something that my family and I are very proud of,”  Alex said. “To be able to play football whilst also getting a university education is great. So far I’m really enjoying my time at the University, as I am finding my course really interesting and have met plenty of new people who have already become good friends. I’m really looking forward to seeing what the next three years hold, both academically and with my football.”

Aberystwyth Town Football Club Chairman Donald Kane, who is an alumnus of the University, said: “I warmly congratulate Alex on being awarded the prestigious Aber Town FC Scholarship.  A home-grown talent, Alex played for the Under 16s and was part of Aberystwyth Town's Under 19s side which retained the Welsh Premier League Development Trophy at Newtown in May 2019.  He now plays for the first team, where one of his teammates is fellow Scholarship holder, Mathew Jones.

“Since being awarded the scholarship in 2018, Mathew has been almost ever-present in the first team.  He has been selected as Vice-Captain and was picked for the Wales Semi Pro squad which drew with England at Salford City FC in March 2019.  He also captained Aberystwyth University's side when it played against Bangor University in Varsity 2019 at Park Avenue in front of 1,500 people.”

Aberystwyth University is the principal sponsor of Aberystwyth Town Football Club for the 2019-20 season.

At the team’s match against Bala Town FC on Friday 8 November, Professor Tim Woods, Pro Vice-Chancellor Learning Teaching and Student Experience, accepted a framed first team kit on behalf of the University, as a token of appreciation from Aberystwyth Town FC.

Professor Woods said: “Aberystwyth Town Football Club was established in 1884, just eight years after the University first opened its doors to students.  Ever since then students and staff from the University have supported or played for the ‘Seasiders’, and the sponsorship and scholarship builds on this long-standing relationship, whilst also opening up opportunities to sport and higher education.”

The closing date for applications for the Aberystwyth University and Aber Town Football Club scholarship is 15 July 2020.  Full details and the online application form can be found at: www.aber.ac.uk/scholarships.  

Applicants are also welcome to contact Aber Town FC to discuss suitability: abertownfc@live.co.uk

__________________________________________________________________________________

Gôl-geidwad talentog yw’r diweddaraf i dderbyn Ysgoloriaeth Clwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth

Dyfarnwyd Ysgoloriaeth Prifysgol Aberystwyth a Chlwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth i’r gôl-geidwad talentog, Alex Pennock. Mae Alex, sy’n ddeunaw oed ac yn dod o Aberystwyth, yn fyfyriwr yn y flwyddyn gyntaf yn astudio BSc mewn Gwyddor Chwaraeon ac Ymarfer Corff yn Athrofa’r Gwyddorau Biolegol, Amgylcheddol a Gwledig. Tra bo’n astudio ar gyfer ei radd, bydd Alex yn chwarae i Glwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth yn Uwch Gynghrair Cymru a hefyd i dîm pêl-droed Chwaraeon Prifysgolion a Cholegau Cymru (BUCS).

Mae Ysgoloriaeth Prifysgol Aberystwyth a Chlwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth yn werth £4,000 y flwyddyn, a cheir ystod o fanteision eraill yn cynnwys aelodaeth Blatinwm o Ganolfan Chwaraeon y Brifysgol, cyfleoedd datblygu hyfforddiant pêl-droed, yswiriant meddygol, gwasanaeth ffisiotherapi, a chit ar gyfer gemau ac ymarfer.

Ariennir yr ysgoloriaeth ar y cyd gan Glwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth a Chronfa Aber y Brifysgol, sy’n derbyn rhoddion gan gyn-fyfyrwyr Prifysgol Aberystwyth o bob cwr o’r byd.

“Mae cael lle ar y cynllun ysgoloriaeth hwn yn rhywbeth yr wyf i a fy nheulu yn falch iawn ohono,” meddai Alex. “Mae gallu chwarae pêl-droed a chael addysg prifysgol yn wych. Hyd yn hyn, rwy’n mwynhau fy amser yn y Brifysgol yn fawr, gan fod fy nghwrs mor ddiddorol ac rwyf wedi cwrdd â llawer o bobl newydd sydd eisoes yn ffrindiau da. Rwy’n edrych ymlaen at yr hyn fydd gan y tair blynedd nesaf i’w gynnig, yn academaidd ac o ran y pêl-droed.”

Dywedodd Cadeirydd Clwb Pêl-droed Tref, Donald Kane, sy’n gyn-fyfyriwr o’r Brifysgol: “Llongyfarchiadau calonnog i Alex ar ennill Ysgoloriaeth fawr ei bri Clwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth. Mae Alex yn fachgen lleol a fu’n chwarae dan 16 oed ac roedd yn aelod o dîm dan 19 Tref Aberystwyth a enillodd Gwpan Datblygu Uwch Gynghrair Cymru am yr ail flwyddyn yn olynol yn y Drenewydd ym mis Mai 2019. Mae ef bellach yn chwarae i’r Tîm Cyntaf, ac un o’i gyd-chwaraewyr yn y tîm yw deiliad arall yr Ysgoloriaeth, Mathew Jones.

“Ers iddo ennill yr ysgoloriaeth yn 2018, mae Mathew wedi chwarae bron yn ddi-dor i’r tîm cyntaf. Cafodd ei enwi’n Is-Gapten a’i ddewis ar gyfer carfan Rannol Broffesiynol Cymru a gafodd gêm gyfartal yn erbyn Lloegr yng Nghlwb Pêl-droed Dinas Salford ym mis Mawrth 2019. Ef hefyd oedd capten tîm Prifysgol Aberystwyth pan chwaraeodd yn erbyn Prifysgol Bangor yng nghystadleuaeth ryng-golegol 2019 yng Nghoedlan y Parc o flaen 1,500 o bobl.”

Prifysgol Aberystwyth yw prif noddwr Clwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth ar gyfer tymor 2019-20.

Yng ngêm y tîm yn erbyn Clwb Pêl-droed y Bala nos Wener 8 Tachwedd, derbyniodd yr Athro Tim Woods, Dirprwy Is-Ganghellor Dysgu, Addysgu a Phrofiad Myfyrwyr, git y tîm cyntaf mewn ffrâm ar ran y Brifysgol, fel arwydd o ddiolch gan Glwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth.

Dywedodd yr Athro Woods: “Sefydlwyd Clwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth yn 1884, wyth mlynedd yn unig ar ôl i’r Brifysgol agor ei drysau hithau i fyfyrwyr. Ers hynny mae myfyrwyr a staff o’r Brifysgol wedi cefnogi’r ‘Seasiders’, neu chwarae iddynt, ac mae’r nawdd a’r ysgoloriaeth yn adeiladu ar y berthynas hirdymor hon, ac yn agor cyfleoedd i chwaraeon ac addysg uwch.”

Y dyddiad cau ar gyfer ceisiadau am Ysgoloriaeth Prifysgol Aberystwyth a Chlwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth yw 15 Gorffennaf 2020. Gellir cael hyd i fanylion llawn a’r ffurflen gais ar-lein ar: www.aber.ac.uk/ysgoloriaethau.  

Gall ymgeiswyr hefyd gysylltu â Chlwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth i drafod eu haddasrwydd: abertownfc@live.co.uk

JD Cymru Premier
Friday 15th November (ko 7.45pm)
The New Saints v Aberystwyth Town

Aberystwyth Town face a major challenge on Matchday 15 of the 2019/20 JD Cymru Premier as they head East to take on League Champions The New Saints at Park Hall Stadium. Prior to last Friday’s televised match at home to Bala Town Aber had been enjoying a good run, but a 0-5 defeat certainly halted the side’s positive momentum, at least temporarily, and Manager Mathew Bishop will be looking for a positive response this weekend.

It won’t be easy for Aber though, and the task is made harder by the fact that regular Goalkeeper Connor Roberts and Defender Adam Hughes, who have both been impressive over the past month, are unavailable for selection as they are on loan from TNS. On the credit side Luke Boundford is back after a long term injury and Stuart Jones will be available once again to bolster Aber’s defensive options.

The New Saints are certainly not having everything their way this season and currently sit in fourth place with a match in hand, but they did save their best for Park Avenue this season, demolishing Town by a record 10-1 scoreline back in August. It goes without saying that the Black and Greens will have to play an awful lot better this time round if they are to get anything from the game.

Airbus’ defeat to Penybont last weekend meant that Aber retained their ninth place position in the JD Cymru Premier, and further info on Park Hall can be found here. Kick off on Friday evening is at 7.45pm and we will be grateful of your support!

ER COF ANNWYL AM CHWARAEWYR Y CLWB HWN A SYRTHIODD YN Y RHYFEL MAWR

1914-1918

IN MEMORY OF THE PLAYERS OF THIS CLUB WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR
Bdr. Thomas Cartwright, Royal Field Artillery 
Pte. Ambrose Davies, Devonshire Regiment
Pte. John Richard Davies, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Sjt. David Rees Davies, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry
Sgt. George Henry Davies DCM, Cheshire Regiment
Capt. Edward Dickinson, Yorkshire Regiment
Lt. Anwyl Ellis, Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve
2nd Lt. Ceredig Ellis, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Lt. Oswald Robert John Green, Welsh Regiment 
L/Cpl. Richard Boycott Hinckesman, King Edwards Horse
Pte. James John Herbert Howard, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Capt, Evan Brindle Jones, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
L/Cpl. Leigh Richmond Roose MM, Royal Fusiliers
Pnr. Hugh Owen Rowe, Royal Engineers
2nd Lt Henry Smith, Queens Own Worcestershire Hussars
HEFYD YN YSTOD YR AIL RHYFEL BYD

1939-1945

ALSO DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR

L/Sjt. Brinley Edwards, Royal Horse Artillery 
Capt. Linus Evans, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

MEWN ANGOF NI CHANT FOD

JD Cymru Premier
Friday 8th November
Aberystwyth Town 0 Bala Town 5

Park Avenue’s highest crowd of the season – 587 – saw Aber endure a torrid evening last night as visitors Bala Town moved into the Top Three with a 5-0 win. Goals from Henry Jones (29 minutes) and Louis Robles (44) gave the visitors a flattering two goal lead at the break, but Bala dominated the second half and were good value for further strikes from Chris Venables (71 and 82 minutes), and Robles (77 mins).

The match was precede by a Club Showcase as each of Aber Town Academy’s age groups teams, plus their Ladies Development and Disability teams played on the pitch – which also hosted a “Huddle” to encourage girls to play. With almost 250 young players and their parents in attendance it was wonderful to see the 3G in full use, and an exciting pre match atmosphere was created. Manager Mathew Bishop named a rare unchanged team, but Bala started on fire, going close and forcing a couple of early corners. Aber then responded well, earning a couple of corners themselves before Captain Marc Williams dinked a sweet ball which Tom Price just failed to reach; Williams himself then scooped a shot wide. In a high paced game Aber’s Adam Hughes headed Wes Baynes’ free kick wide, and after a buccaneering run Lee Jenkins fed Mathew Jones on the left, whose cross found Joe Phillips, but visiting keeper Josh Tibbets saved his goalbound header at the back post. Sean Smith skewed a shot wide but with the hosts trying to play progressive football and creating chances they seemed to be in a good place. Robles however was menacing for Bala: Hughes had to make one vital clearance and Jones kneed another attempt over the bar. Then a swift Bala breakaway saw Venables feed Jones, and he slid the clinical Lakesiders into the lead. This set back did not deter the Seasiders who responded when Mathew Jones’ corner was headed goalwards by Marc Williams, only for Tibbets to pull out a miraculous point blank save onto the crossbar, which confusingly resulted in a goal kick. Tom Price sent in a dangerous cross which somehow evaded everyone, then Phillips’ trickery down the left won Aber a corner. Under pressure Tibbets dropped the ball but Aber couldn’t capitalise – but after the onslaught Venables broke well down the right, only to be denied by Connor Roberts, and Robles headed home from Nathan Burke’s corner to give the half time scoreline an exceedingly harsh tint from an Aber perspective.

Bala started well again in the second half and it was clear that the third goal would decide the final momentum of the match. Baynes crossed for Williams to bring another save from Tibbets, and then at the other end Venables scored with a header – but was adjudged to be offside. Joe Phillips fired wide from the edge of the area and with Baynes’ expert delivery causing consternation in Bala’s defence the match was still far from being decided. The visitors ended commandingly however. Connor Roberts twice saved from Jones, and despite Williams heading wide from Jones’ cross, a third Bala goal was coming: and Venables delivered the coup de grace with a stunning curled effort into the top corner which decided the game with twenty minutes yet to play. Robles made it four with a volley from the edge of the area and with Aber looking vulnerable Venables snaffled his second and Bala’s fifth from close range after the ball rebounded off the cross bar, with eight minutes left. Roberts saved late efforts from Steve Leslie and Mike Hayes and in truth the Black and Greens were glad to hear the final whistle.

Sharp and decisive Bala look every inch a Top Three side last night and despite a competitive first half performance, Aber faded badly in the second half, and will need to play an awful lot better next Friday if they are to get anything from an away trip to The New Saints. Despite the defeat the Black and Green remain in ninth place in the JD Cymru Premier. Keep the Faith!

Friday 8th November (ko 8pm)
JD Cymru Premier
Aberystwyth Town v Bala Town

With Aberystwyth Town bang on form, excitement is mounting ahead of another Fab Friday at Park Avenue, when a Club Showcase event, live TV Cameras and a short Remembrance ceremony will all add to the Big Match atmosphere, ahead of the Black and Greens' clash with Top Six chasing Bala Town FC, also on a good run of form.

An unbeaten run of six matches stretching back to the end of September, with two wins and eight goals scored in their last two games, has meant that Aber are now on thirteen points, and a win on Friday night would propel the Black and Greens to within two points of the Top Six. A huge crowd is expected to roar on Mathew Bishop's men as they have played themselves back into contention - now is the time to kick on, and with striker Luke Boundford set to return to a confident squad from injury, it's a good time to be Green.

Town's upsurge in form has not gone unnoticed. In the past month Keeper Connor Roberts has been named in 3 Sgorio Teams of the Week, Paulo Mendes was named in this week's side after his headed double up at the Airfield, Wes Baynes' free kick at Penybont was nominated for Goal of the Month, and the likes of Adam Hughes, Lee Jenkins, Joe Phillips and Matty Jones have also caught the eye.

Bala for their part have been scoring goals for fun and were the last side to beat the Black and Greens, 2-0 at Maes Tegid at the end of September. Their 4-0 win at home to Newtown was reportedly convincing so the Seasiders have a real challenge ahead.

The match will be preceded by a Club Showcase in which each one of the Club's sides, from Under 8s to Under 19s, Disability and Ladies Development sides, as well as a "Huddle", will play and be photographed on the 3G pitch prior to the main event.

Admission for this JD Cymru Premier clash will cost £7 for Adults, £4 for Concessions and just £1 for Kids. There is no where else to be on a Friday night!