​Aberystwyth Town vs Flint Town United
JD Cymru Premier
Friday 16th April – 7.45pm KO
MATCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
 
Phase Two of the 2020/21 JD Cymru Premier continues for Aberystwyth Town with the visit of Flint Town United to Park Avenue.
 
Both teams have had contrasting fortunes since the split at the start of the month, with Flint winning both of their games, whilst Aber have suffered two defeats in a row following a promising run of form prior to the start of Phase Two.
 
Flint arrive in Ceredigion boasting a 100% record in Phase Two, with zero goals conceded. Their most recent result was a 5-0 demolition of 12th placed Cefn Druids, who Aber face next Tuesday at The Rock. This has lifted The Silkmen to 10th place, above Cardiff Metropolitan Uni and level with the Black & Greens on 21 points.
 
Mark Cadwallader & Connor Harwood were on target against Druids, and both now sit as Flint’s joint top goal scorers on 5 goals apiece for the season, from 20 games each.
 
Gavin Allen’s Seasiders will be looking to bounce back from two narrow defeats in the last week; to Newtown last at home last Friday then away to Haverfordwest County on Tuesday night. The Black & Greens have been impressive at home since football returned in early March, with The Robins being the only side to leave Ceredigion with all three points this year, thanks to Jordan Evans stoppage time strike, and supporters will be hoping that Park Avenue will become a fortress once again for the remainder of the season, starting tomorrow night.
 
There was plenty of goals between these two sides in Phase One. Back in September, Aber came back from 1-0 down to win 3-1 at Park Avenue thanks to goals from Jonathan Evans, Mathew Jones and Lee Jenkins; whilst in December, Flint triumphed 3-0 at Cae Y Castell on the day that lockdown was announced across Wales.
 
It's another Friday night under the lights at Park Avenue and although supporters still cannot be admitted into the ground, you can still follow all the action on our Twitter feed @AberystwythTown. Thank you for your continued support!
 

Aberystwyth Town are delighted to confirm they have earned both the UEFA License and FAW Tier 1 License for the forthcoming season.
 
The Club Licensing system aims to assist the continual improvement and development of football clubs at the top level within Wales The domestic Licence allows us to play in the Cymru Premier for 2021/22 and the European Licence allows us to compete in the European Play Offs at the end of the season if we finish 7th come Matchday 32.
 
The Seasiders boast a proud record of having been granted the respective licenses each season the first time of asking since the system was first introduced which covers areas such as Club Infrastructure, Personnel, Finance, Legal and Sporting Criteria.
 
Licensing Director Thomas Crockett stated, "These Licences accredit hundreds of hours of work carried out by Club Officials - in particular this year I would like to thank Megan Meredith, Gwion Pugh Jones and Dr Dafydd Edwards for their work on the Player Medicals, Jimmy Edwards for coordinating some crucial infrastructure work within Park Avenue, Tony Bates for administering the Academy reporting and Rob Gray for producing the Club's annual accounts".
 
In addition, it was a double celebration in Ceredigion as Aberystwyth Town Ladies Team were successful in gaining the FAW Tier 1 License for the 2021/22 season on the first time of asking. The Ladies, who currently sit in 7th in the Welsh domestic top flight, have secured the license for the second season in a row thanks to the countless hours of work and dedication from club secretary Lucie Gwilt alongside many other volunteers. 

In a game where there was very little to separate the sides, a brisk counter attack early in the second half condemned Aber to a second successive defeat in Phase Two of the JD Cymru Premier.
 
In a tight and well matched affair, Ben Fawcett rolled the ball home after some sterling work down the right flank from Danny Williams to ensure the Bluebirds won the battle of the West Walians on a glorious Spring evening in Pembrokeshire.
 
Both sides had opportunities to open the scoring in a first half of limited goal scoring opportunities. The combination of a Matthew Jones corner and Marc Williams header which produced Friday’s goal nearly came good again but this time, the skipper’s header was well stopped by Gajda in the home goal. Harry Franklin and Williams combined well down the left hand side to tee up the returning Jamie Veale but the former Merthyr man’s curling shot was narrowly over the bar.
 
Haverfordwest County had chances of their own and their best chances fell to ex Cambrian & Clydach man Cameron Keetch. The industrious forward broke down the left hand side twice and on both occasions, could only drag his shots narrowly wide of Alex Pennock’s right hand post. The Bluebirds looked to exploit the middle of the park but the impressive Lee Jenkins and Louis Bradford coupled up Pennock’s superb command of his penalty area ensured the scores remained deadlocked at the interval.  
 
The second stanza started in much the same way as the first played out with very few clear cut goal scoring chances. Jon Owen saw a shot well stopped by the feet of Gajda after 48 minutes in a rare clear site of goal for either side.
 
The home side took the lead with a lightning quick counter attack just before the hour mark. Aber’s attacking throw in on the edge of the area was well defended and cleared to the busy Williams. The former Cardiff City man took off on a mazy run, hitting the byline before cutting the ball back gratefully to Fawcett who had the simple task of rolling the ball into the back of the net.
 
Gavin Allen introduced Dan Cockerline and Owain Jones in search of an equaliser and it was the former who had the Black and Green’s best opportunities to get back on level terms.
 
The striker showed excellent feet on the edge of the box to dance his way past two defenders but could only curl his shot over the bar.
 
Then seconds later, the former FC United man was agonisingly close to getting his head onto a sumptuous ball into the box from Franklin, however, the ball was inches away from making connection with the Aber man in the six yard area.
 
Despite the late introductions of Stephen Hewitt and Geoff Kellaway to push for an equaliser, it was to no avail as Wayne Jones’ men held out firmly to secure the all important win and put a huge dent in Aber’s hopes for a 7th place finish.
 
After two consecutive defeats, the men from Ceredigion have the opportunity to put these disappointments behind them with a Friday night game under the home lights of Park Avenue against Flint Town United. With the Silkmen winning 5-0 this evening and Aber looking to get back to winning ways, it’s sure to be a mouth-watering clash!

​Haverfordwest County vs Aberystwyth Town
Tuesday 13th April, 7.45pm KO
JD Cymru Premier
MATCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
 
Aberystwyth Town’s JD Cymru Premier Phase Two continues tonight in Pembrokeshire as Gavin Allen’s men travel south to face Haverfordwest County.
 
The Black & Greens are still in with a chance of the coveted 7th spot, currently occupied by Tuesday’s hosts, despite Friday’s last-minute defeat to Mid Wales rivals Newtown. 8 points separate Aber from the all-important final playoff place, with 9 games still to play.
 
Haverfordwest, led by former ATFC Assistant Manager Wayne Jones, have had an excellent first season back in the Cymru Premier. They came extremely close to gaining a place in the top six following the first phase, losing out on the final matchday before the split and many would agree that is a shame that licencing criteria will prevent them from competing in the playoffs should they finish in 7th place.
 
Like Aber, The Bluebirds will be looking to bounce back from a last-minute defeat last weekend (away to Cefn Druids) and in Danny Williams and Jack Wilson they have two of the biggest threats in the league. Williams has hit 9 goals this season, whilst Wilson has 8. Ben Fawcett has added an additional 5.
 
For the Seasiders, the games keep coming thick and fast after this one, with Flint Town United next up at Park Avenue on Friday evening followed by a trip to Cefn Druids a week tonight, before the visit of Cardiff Met Uni to Ceredigion on Friday 23rd. It should prove to be an exciting few weeks for the Black & Green Army!
 
Twelve years ago this week, Aber Town recorded one of the most famous results in the club’s history at tonight’s venue, in the Semi-Final of the 2009 Welsh Cup. A Geoff Kellaway double and a header from Aneurin Thomas in extra time against Carmarthen Town sent the Seasiders into the Welsh Cup Final for the first time in 109 years. Tonight’s match may not carry the same importance as that famous afternoon, but if it starts off a run that propels the Black & Greens into the playoffs it could well be another night that is talked about in years to come!
 
As per all games so far this season, no supporters will be admitted into Bridge Meadow for this evening’s match, but you can keep up to date with all the action on our Twitter feed @AberystwythTown.

Jordan Evans’ 93rd minute winner dented Aber’s hopes of earning the coveted 7th spot in the Playoff Conference as the Robins left Mid Wales with the bragging rights and the share of the spoils.
 
The  first game in Phase Two looked to be heading towards a 1-1 draw following goals from Marc Williams and Tyrone Ofori apiece until substitute Evans intercepted the ball in midfield and rifled the ball past Alex Pennock in the home goal.
 
The game was preceded with a minute silence in honour of the Duke of Edinburgh who’d died earlier that afternoon. When the game got going, there were two changes in the starting XI from last week and both were forced from suspension. Pennock started between the sticks in place of Connor Roberts who was red carded late on during last week's victory against Druids whilst there was a return for skipper Marc Williams in place of Jamie Veale who missed out as a result of yellow cards accumulation.
 
With a famous Aberystwyth sunset forming a sumptuous spring backdrop for the evening’s entertainment, both teams started the contest well and the game. The first chance of the night fell to Aber winger Owain Jones, who cut inside his man but could only drag his shot wide whilst at the other end, Callum Roberts forced a smart stop from Pennock, making his first appearance since late November.
 
The visitors enjoyed the majority of the ball whilst Aber’s midfield of Jack Thorn, Harry Franklin and Marc Williams were industrious with their work rate in the middle. They disrupted the flow of the visitors game and helped Aber look dangerous on the counter attack but they couldn't quite muster that final ball in the attacking third.
 
After half an hour, the visitors had the best opportunity of the half. Former Seasider Craig Williams’ cross from the right hand side was met by a glancing header from Nick Rushton but thankfully, the experienced JD Cymru Premier talisman was unable to get his effort low enough as the ball landed narrowly over the bar.
 
With just seconds left to play in the first period, Aber took the lead. Matthew Jones’ corner from the left hand side was met superbly by Williams who powered his header into the far corner of the goal.
 
If Chris Hughes’ side were feeling sorry for themselves at going in behind at the interval, it didn’t show as they came out after half time in a calm and composed manner. The visitors were comfortable with the ball which they enjoyed for huge sums of the second stanza and pressured the Aber goal throughout the half.
 
Ofori, Roberts and Alex Fletcher all went close for the visitors but could not get the goal they were so desperately seeking thanks to staunch defensive work from the home side, marshalled impressively by Louis Bradford and Lee Jenkins.
 
Aber’s main attacking threat was coming through long balls and with the experience of Shane Sutton and Kieran Mills-Evans to contend with, Jonathan Evans did well to continue to ensure Gavin Allen’s men still had some sort of chance at doubling the lead. In fact, the Seasiders’ best chance of the second half fell to the former Penrhyncoch man but he could only curl his shot wide.
 
With the game progressing into the final quarter of an hour, the Robins’ pressure finally relented when Ofori, who’d been busy throughout, beat Pennock with a close finish to level the contest.
 
A draw suited neither side and both sides were desperate for three points to keep the pressure on Haverfordwest County in 7th and both sides had chances to get the victory. Pennock tipped a Jamie Breeze header superbly onto his crossbar, Thorn heroically blocked an Evans shot to keep the scores level. For Aber, a freekick was pumped into the box but the visitors were able to deal with the set piece well.
 
But with seconds to go, the Robins earned the three points and the bragging rights. A slack pass inside the Aber half was pounced upon by Evans. He drove at the Black and Greens defence before unleashing a powerful drive into the back of the net; sparking jubilant scenes from the men in red around Park Avenue.
 
A first home defeat since mid-December will be tough to stomach for the Seasiders but with a trip on Tuesday to 7th place County to come on Tuesday and a home tie against Flint Town United next Friday, there are plenty of opportunities to build another run in the relentless pursuit of a 7th place finish.

Aberystwyth Town vs Newtown
JD Cymru Premier
Friday 9th April – 7.45pm KO
MATCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
 
The second phase of Cymru Premier fixtures kicks off on Friday with Newtown making a quick return to Ceredigion, having visited only three weeks ago in the first phase.
 
On that occasion, Harry Franklin’s excellent solo goal was enough to win both the game in question, and March’s Goal of the Month competition, although Aber also had Connor Roberts to thank late on as he saved Alex Fletcher’s penalty to secure the three points.
 
Roberts is unfortunately facing a suspension ahead of this match, following his dismissal against Cefn Druids last weekend. Local lad Alex Pennock will once again be called upon, and he has already shown what he is capable of at home this season, with an excellent performance when deputising against The New Saints back in October.
 
Newtown were one of the form sides following the restart in early March, with three wins in their first four matches and despite losing their last three, they have managed to pull well clear of the lower places in the league during this period. Currently in 9th position with 20 points, they will no doubt be eyeing up a late charge for 7th place and a shot at a European place through the playoffs.
 
The same can be said for Gavin Allen’s Seasiders, who have been superb since play restarted last month. Losing only once in six games, the Black & Greens have remained unbeaten at home during this time and have taken 11 points from these matches – more than doubling their tally for the season. In the last five league outings, only top of the table Connah’s Quay Nomads can better Aber’s return of 10 points.
 
This upturn in form means that Aber finish the first phase in 8th place, with 21 points from 22 games. The fixtures for the second phase have been released and all Cymru Premier teams face a busy six weeks, with the league scheduled to finish in mid-May. All of Aber’s matches in April will be played on Friday and Tuesday evenings, with two away Saturday fixtures, including a final day trip to Latham Park to face this Friday’s opponents to finish the season.
 
Government guidance still means that no spectators can be admitted into Park Avenue to watch the match, but as always, your support is greatly appreciated by the players and Aberystwyth Town FC cannot wait for the day that fans are allowed back into the ground. For the time being, you can follow all the action on our Twitter @AberystwythTown. Come on you Black & Greens!