Flint Town United 0-0 Aberystwyth Town
JD Cymru Premier

Aberystwyth Town failed to make their numerical advantage count as they fought out a goalless draw against their nearest league rivals Flint Town United at the Essity Stadium. On a frustrating afternoon on the North East coast, Ben Amiss was dismissed for the hosts with seconds to go until the interval but the Seasiders were unable to make their advantage count over the course of the second half. 
 
With Wales experiencing some unseasonal weather in the build up to the game, the Deeside coast was battered by mother nature in the build-up to the game and full credit must go to the volunteers at the Silkmen for producing an excellent playing surface.
 
Aber started the game brightly and carved out two great openings in the first five minutes.  Firstly, Louis Bradford volleyed over the bar from close range before some brilliant work down the left from Harry Franklin teed up a cross for Jonathan Evans who’s goal bound header looked to have given the Seasiders the initiative. However, home stopper Jon Rushton had other ideas, pulling off a sumptuous save down low, pawing the ball away to safety.
 
After the two quick chances for Aber, Flint settled into the contest and began creating chances of their own. The home side saw strikes from Alex Jones and Callum Brately fall narrowly wide of the post before creating their best opportunity of the half with 23 minutes having elapsed. Great play down the right flank saw the ball land to Ross Weaver. His strike, via a deflection from Black and Green defender Ian Kearney forced Connor Roberts into a great stop.
 
Franklin was causing problems for the Silkmen and Aber’s most likely route towards victory looked to be coming down his wing. He had a glorious opportunity to give Aber the lead but couldn’t keep his effort under the crossbar. He did have the ball in the back of the net but an early flag from the linesman denied him his fourth of the season.
 
The game’s flashpoint came with just seconds to go until the break. A heavy tackle in midfield from Ben Amiss on Jamie Veale, sparking a 19-man melee in midfield and saw referee Bryn Markham Jones reach for his red card for the Flint Town United striker.
 
With Aber having a numerical advantage, they enjoyed more of the ball in the second stanza but could only create sporadic chances against a well drilled and organised back line. Mathew Jones saw a strike fall narrowly over the bar whilst Kearney’s header from a corner landed on the roof of the home net.
 
To their credit, Flint did look to gain a winner of their own and had spells of pressure but like their opponents, they couldn’t break down an organised Seasiders’ defence. The lively Jones for the hosts came closest with his header going wide of the far post.
 
Gavin Allen introduced Owain Jones and Marc Williams as well as Jamie Reed late on in search of the go ahead goal but despite the addition of additional fire power, there was to be no late drama which has plagued our season so far. Jon Owen saw a shot well stopped by Rushton whilst Jenkins tried to connect with a Jack Rimmer cross in the final minute but could only make connection with the home keeper, earning himself a yellow card in the process.
 
With one game to go, Aber will be hoping for a victory away at local rivals Newtown whilst hoping that Cardiff Met continue their good form with a victory over Flint Town to ensure we don’t finish in the bottom two of the league for the first time since the inception of the Super 12. We also hope that next Saturday’s game will be the last behind closed doors and that by the beginning of next season, the doors to the JD Cymru Premier will be wide open to all once again.
 

Flint Town United vs Aberystwyth Town
JD Cymru Premier
Saturday 8th May – 14.30 KO
MATCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
 
Having completed their home league campaign on Tuesday night, Gavin Allen’s Seasiders travel to North Wales for their penultimate match of the season against Flint Town United.
 
Only two points separate the two sides ahead of this game, as Flint climbed above Aber on Tuesday thanks to a 6-0 victory over Cefn Druids at The Rock, as Aber were drawing 2-2 with Haverfordwest County at Park Avenue.
 
Both clubs come into the match in a similar run of form, with two wins each from their last five, although Flint’s two have come in their last two matches. Aber have also drawn 2 of their last 5, compared to Flint’s single draw.
 
This will be the fourth meeting between the two teams this season, with Flint securing two victories so far to Aber’s one. Goals from Jonathan Evans, Mathew Jones & Lee Jenkins secured the three points for the Seasiders back in September, whilst Flint won the return Phase One match 3-0 in December. The most recent meeting came on 16th April at Park Avenue, with Flint winning 1-0 thanks to a Joshua Amis goal.
 
Amis is Flint’s top scorer so far this season, netting 6 goals in 13 appearances, as well as contributing 4 assists. Mark Cadwallader has hit 5 goals, whilst also contributing 3 assists. Connor Harwood is on 5 goals too and has provided 2 assists.
 
An interesting fact is that Flint have been involved in the least amount of draws this season, only one (0-0 at Haverfordwest on 24th April) out of 30 matches played, whilst Aber have been involved in the most (8). However, none of the three matches between the 3 have been draws, so this should be an interesting and certainly unpredictable game to follow!
 
Aber will wrap up the season at Latham Park next Saturday as this most unusual season finally comes to a close against Newtown, who may well have secured 7th place and a spot in the end of season playoffs depending on results this weekend.
 
The match at Cae Y Castell is behind closed doors but you can follow all the action on our Twitter feed as usual @AberystwythTown. Thanks for your continued support and we hope to see you all soon.

Aberystwyth Town 2-2 Haverfordwest County
JD Cymru Premier

Aberystwyth Town ended their 2020/21 home campaign on Tuesday night as the Black & Greens welcomed Wayne Jones' Bluebirds to Park Avenue. On a particularly blustery evening in West Wales, it was a frantic first half that saw the action as the sides took home a point apiece, with Owain Jones and Jamie Reed finding the net.

The game began in the air with the winds playing havoc with both sides' attacking intents, but it didn't take long for Aber get a nose in front as ever-impressive Louis Bradford found a ball down the left channel to Owain Jones on 9 minutes. The winger accelerated towards goal, spotting keeper Wojciech Gadja off his line and chipping confidently from 30 yards, collecting his fourth goal in as many matches.

County looked to answer with a pair of dangerous crosses to the Town box but Connor Roberts was equal to both, before Owain Jones and skipper Marc Williams couldn't quite find each other at the other end to create a chance to double the lead. The pressure from visitors built on 30 minutes as another long-range free-kick was delivered to the six-yard box for Roberts to claim, though his clean sheet was dirtied two minutes later. The pacey attackers Williams and Wilson connected as the latter latched onto a low-cross to find the bottom corner and bring the score level.

However, Town responded quickly as Jamie Reed fired wide on 34 minutes before Harry Franklin did well to get a touch to a loose ball before a County defender who brought the young man down in the area for a penalty. After some brief penalty-taking discussion, it was the veteran Jamie Reed who stepped up and fired down the middle to restore Town's lead.

As half-time loomed, Aber looked well-placed for a lead at the half, but Danny Williams had other plans as he dropped a shoulder or two to create some space from the left and fire confidently to the far post, leaving Roberts with no chance. The first half had one more trick up its sleeve as a corner for Town in the 45+5th minute caused mayhem in the box and almost another lead for the home side but the eventual shot was fired wide, thus ending an exciting first 45.

The second half was a cagier affair as temperatures dropped and winds continued with clear-cut chances fewer and further between than the opening half - Jonathan Evans replacing Owain Jones at the break. A County counter attack evaded a final touch on 57 mins before Town did the same 5 minutes later as Reed couldn't get a foot to the cross. On 65 mins Louis Bradford made a fantastic goal line tackle to keep the scores level before a trio of chances for Town with Marc Williams and Harry Franklin firing wide from distance. 

Aber's best chance of the half came on 77 mins when Jamie Veale delivered a perfect free kick from 35 yards to find Marc Williams who glanced his header towards the far post, only for Gadja to save brilliantly.

Jon Owen and Steff Davies were introduced late on but to no avail as this tightly contested match came to a close, as did this unprecedented season at Park Avenue.

A point for each team seemed a fair result as we look forward to a final two fixtures in this season's JD Cymru Premier campaign, first to Flint then to Newtown. Thank you to all the supporters who have backed the team all term, showing great initiative to get a glimpse of the action at Park Avenue despite the extremely difficult circumstances we have all faced. We cannot wait to welcome the Green Amy back through the turnstiles in the near future. Diolch yn fawr!

Aberystwyth Town vs Haverfordwest County
JD Cymru Premier
Tuesday 4th May – 7.45pm KO
MATCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
 
Aberystwyth Town’s home campaign for 2020/21 comes to an end with the visit of Haverfordwest County Tuesday night.
 
The Seasiders have had a mixed campaign at Park Avenue this term, although results at Park Avenue have overall been better than those on the road. From the 15 matches played at home so far this season, Aber have won 5, drawn 3 and lost 7 meaning that 18 of a total 28 points have been won on home soil.
 
Highlights of the home campaign have included back-to-back home victories over Haverfordwest & Newtown when football returned in March, the recent 5-1 victory over Cefn Druids (the largest win of the season) and a thrilling 2-2 draw with The New Saints back in October when many locally based players impressed against the title contenders.
 
Both Aber and Haverfordwest have not had the results that either side would have wanted since the league split in early April. Haverfordwest have drawn one and lost 4 of their 5, whilst Aber have two wins, a draw and two defeats to show from theirs. Both sides come into this game on the back of a defeat – Haverfordwest going down 2-0 at Cae Y Castell against Flint Town United on Saturday, whilst Aber suffered a 5-1 reverse at Cardiff Met University on Friday night.
 
The last meeting between the two clubs came on 13th April, when a Ben Fawcett goal was the difference in a tightly contested match. Haverfordwest have won both matches at Bridge Meadow between the two sides so far this season, whilst Aber won the previous match at Park Avenue back in March thanks to a stoppage time Lee Jenkins goal.
 
There are still two matches left for the Black & Greens after this one – both away from home – against Flint Town United on Saturday before a trip to Latham Park to take on Playoff chasing Newtown the following weekend (15th May).
 
It has not been a season that anyone would wish to see repeated, thanks to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, and the Black & Green Army have been sorely missed at Park Avenue. Your support has still been felt and appreciated by all at the club, and we hope that when the new season kicks off in the autumn, it will be with the Park Avenue gates open again and with our fans back inside this famous old ground.
 
Hopefully, this is the last Cymru Premier match that is played behind closed doors at Park Avenue, but for now you can follow all the action on our Twitter feed @AberystwythTown, which will be active again following this weekend’s social media boycott. It has not been the same at Park Avenue without the Black & Green Army and we cannot wait to see you all! Until then, thank you for your continued support!

Just 96 hours removed from a resounding 5-1 victory, the Seasiders were on the reverse end of the same score line as the students from the capital turned in a sublime performance to leapfrog Aberystwyth Town in the JD Cymru Premier standings.
 
Despite Matthew Jones’ stunning free kick four minutes from time, a brace from Ollie Hulbert and goals apiece for Emlyn Lewis, Elliot Evans and Liam Warman condemned the Black and Green’s to their heaviest defeat of the season.
 
Pre match, Gavin Allen had some selection issues to contend with as first choice centre back partnership Louis Bradford and Lee Jenkins were both out injured. Rhys Davies shifted over to centre back to pair with Ian Kearney who made his first start for Aber. Full back Jones returned to the starting line up after missing Tuesday’s win against Cefn Druids.
 
Despite making a bright start to the game, Aber were behind after just six minutes. A rapid counter attack down the right flank was worked well across the field to Evans. The winger didn't need a second invitation to rock the men from Ceredigion, cutting inside onto his right foot and curling a beautiful shot past Connor Roberts into the back of the net.
 
Minutes later, the Archers nearly doubled their advantage. The Seasiders failed to clear the danger from the edge of the area and the loose ball landed at the feet of Hulbert. The man on loan from Bristol Rovers, a thorn in Aber’s side in every contest with Aber this season, turned well but his shot whistled narrowly past the post.
 
With only one goal in it, Aber sensed a way back into the game and a golden opportunity presented itself to the in-form Owain Jones with twenty minutes on the clock. The former Merthyr man closed down Lewis well in the Met backline, forcing him into a mistake. With the angle narrowing, he  charged into the box. His shot forced a great stop from the returning Will Fuller in the Met goal.
 
The chance rejuvenated the hosts as they controlled the possession and the chances until the end of the half. Brad Woolridge’s header ought to have troubled the scoring but the men in red didn’t have to wait long until they did get their second.
 
Full back Matt Chubb found space down the right hand side before crossing to Hulbert. Like last week’s draw, his quick feet made space for him and again, like last week's draw, found the back of the net with a low drive.
 
The Seasiders were dealt a blow going into the second half as Stephen Hewitt was forced off with an injury. Jack Rimmer was his replacement.
 
In the past, trailing at Cyncoed has been a lucky omen with Aber coming from behind on two previous occasions to claim all three points at the University.

But any chance of another famous turn around were extinguished with five minutes of the second half having elapsed. Messy defending from the visitors allowed the ball to land at the feet of Tregaron native Lewis who’s deflected shot increased the hosts’ advantage.
 
Both sides created chances throughout the second half with Harry Franklin and Davies spurning half chances for Aber. Chubb, Warman and Hulbert all went close for the home side but couldn’t find a way past Roberts.
 
Met got their fourth of the evening with eight minutes to go. Hulbert got his reward for an excellent evening’s work, finishing low one on one to bag his sixth goal in just four games.
 
Jones offered Aber some positivity on a difficult evening minutes later. His curling free kick from twenty five yards out beat Fuller at the far post to deny the students a clean sheet for their evening’s work.
 
Met nearly grabbed a fifth when Evans beat the offside trap but smashed his shot against the upright but they didn’t have to wait too long for their final goal of the evening. Warman was the man on the scoresheet as he finished off an excellent solo run to rub salt into the Black and Green wounds.
 
A bitterly disappointing evening in the capital with Met running out deserved winners however, there is no time to rest on our laurels or feel sorry for ourselves. With three games to go, Aber will hope to finish the season as strongly as possible, starting this Tuesday in our final home game of this difficult season against Wayne Jones’ Haverfordwest County.

​Photo Credit: Carl Robertson

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Aberystwyth Town
JD Cymru Premier
Friday 30th April – 7.45pm KO
MATCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
 
Unbeaten in three matches, Aberystwyth Town head to the capital to take on Cardiff Metropolitan University on Friday night.
 
It is a role reversal from last Friday’s encounter, when it was the Seasiders turn to host, with goals from Owain Jones and Ollie Hulbert ensuring a share of the spoils. Jones was amongst the goals again on Tuesday night, as he hit a double in the Black & Greens 5-1 victory over Cefn Druids at Park Avenue.
 
Tuesday’s result means that Aber sit in 9th place, with 28 points from 28 games. As was the case ahead of last weeks game, Cardiff Met share an identical record, with both teams registering 7 wins and 7 draws so far this season. Met also won on Tuesday night, beating Haverfordwest County away from home 2-0.
 
Aber Town have a mixed record at Cyncoed Campus in recent seasons. The Phase One encounter earlier in this season ended in a 1-1 draw after an Ashton Gleed equaliser cancelled out Marc Williams opener. Last season, Aber registered a win and a loss at Cyncoed in the league and also triumphed in a League Cup tie in September 2019. 2018/19’s Phase One visit will long be remembered by the Black & Green Army, as Ashley Ruane’s 95th minute winner sealed a remarkable comeback from 2-0 down and this was then followed by a 1-0 defeat later in the season.
 
There are just three fixtures left after this one, as this, the most difficult season in memory for all involved in the Cymru Premier, draws to its conclusion. Next Tuesday sees the final action at Park Avenue, as Haverfordwest County visit, before Aber make the journey to Flint on Saturday 8th May, followed by the short trip to Mid-Wales rivals Newtown the following weekend.
 
There will be full coverage of Friday’s match on our Twitter feed as always, @AberystwythTown. Thank you for your excellent support!