JD Welsh Premier League
Friday 14th December (7:45p.m Kick Off)
Caernarfon Town v Aberystwyth Town 

Aberystwyth Town will look to move one step closer towards securing their place in the league's top six positions as they travel to face Caernarfon Town at The Oval on Friday evening. Aber enter the game on a magnificent run of form, unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions with six victories during that run, most recently securing their place in the JD Welsh Cup Fourth Round after victory at Cwmamman United last weekend. The Seasiders currently lie in fifth place in the JD Welsh Premier League table, four points ahead of seventh placed Caernarfon and just six points off the top of the table, and another positive result Friday evening will help solidify their place in the top half as they enter the festive period. 

Town manager Nev Powell watched his side battle to victory in the JD Welsh Cup last weekend in challenging conditions at Cwmamman United, with his team having to show a different side to their game compared to recent weeks. The Seasiders showed no signs of complacency against their Welsh League opponents, and were forced to show grit and determination to battle to victory on a challenging playing surface that hampered their usual flowing footballing style. "I'm pleased with the way the players acquitted themselves, because it was a proper battle, and I think that's prepared us well for Friday's game at Caernarfon", said Powell after victory last Saturday, as he prepares his side for another test of character at The Oval Friday evening. 

The Aber manager was also full of praise for striker Ash Ruane, who netted his first hat-trick for the Black and Greens at Grenig Park last weekend. Ruane has now scored five goals in his last four games in all competitions, and Powell commented "Ash probably deserved that hat-trick today because we told him at half time he needed to be more clinical, and that's exactly what he was in the second half". Town's supporters will hope to see the Aber striker add another goal to his tally this weekend as the Seasiders travel to face the in form Cofis. 

Friday's hosts Caernarfon are unbeaten in four games in all competitions, most recently claiming victory at Prestatyn in the JD Welsh Cup last weekend, and Sean Eardley's side have enjoyed a successful return to the JD Welsh Premier League after promotion from the Cymru Alliance last season. The Cofis currently lie in seventh place in the league table, but have top six aspirations themselves, lying just two points behind sixth placed Newtown. The reverse fixture between the sides ended goalless on a horrendous night of wind and rain at Park Avenue back in October, and Friday's clash is likely to be another hard fought affair. 

In what is another crunch clash for the Seasiders in their chase for a top six finish, kick off at The Oval is at 7:45 p.m, and Caernarfon Town's address is listed as The Oval, Marcus Street, Caernarfon, LL55 2HT. The Seasiders are unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions, and they'll look to extend that run with another positive result on Friday evening. 

JD Welsh Cup: Third Round 
Saturday 8th December
Cwmamman United 3  Aberystwyth Town 4

Aberystwyth Town secured their place in Monday's Fourth Round JD Welsh Cup draw as they battled to victory against a spirited Cwmmaman United side at Grenig Park on Saturday afternoon. Rio Ahmadi's (20) first half volley was cancelled out by James Bryan (37) as the sides went in level at the break, but a 13 minute second half hat-trick (47, 55, 61) from Ash Ruane put Aber in a commanding position, before the hosts pulled two goals (64, 90) back late on to give the Seasiders a scare in the final minutes.

Manager Nev Powell named an unchanged side from the one which drew 1-1 with Carmarthen last weekend, as Aber started the game on the front foot against their Welsh League opponents on a difficult playing surface. The first chance of the game fell to the visitors on 12 minutes as Ash Ruane rounded home 'keeper Chris Curtis before firing his shot wide from a narrow angle. Soon after, Declan Walker found space in the penalty area but was denied by a fantastic save from Curtis, as the Black and Greens upped the pressure. Then on 20 minutes, Town found the breakthrough as Mathew Jones whipped in a great cross for Rio Ahmadi who volleyed the ball into the roof of the net with a composed finish to make it 0-1. As the first half wore on, the visitors continued to stamp their authority on the game as Ryan Edwards went close after a neat one-two with Walker, before Ruane rounded 'keeper Curtis once more, only for his effort to be cleared off the goal line. Then, on 37 minutes the hosts equalised against the run of play after Terry McCormick produced a fine save from a corner kick, only for Cwmamman defender James Bryan to head the ball into the bottom corner on the rebound and make it 1-1.  Aber very nearly went into half time with an advantage after Ryan Edwards curled an effort inches over the crossbar, but it was to remain level at the break. 

Aber started the second half attacking their loyal supporters who'd positioned themselves on the grass bank above the goal at the far end of the ground, and were back in front just two minutes after the restart when Mathew Jones delivered another inch perfect cross towards Ruane whose flicked header beat Curtis and made it 1-2. Soon after, the Seasiders extended their lead as they began to really put their foot on the gas; Ruane found himself in behind the home defence and cut inside, before unleashing a powerful strike that Curtis was unable to keep out, as the ball trickled over the line for 1-3. The Aber target man wasn't done there though, as just six minutes later he completed a perfect hat-trick (header, right foot, left foot) when he pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area and struck a left footed effort into the top corner of the net to make it 1-4. To their credit, Cwmamman continued to battle and fight, and pulled a goal back on 64 minutes when Christian Allen found space in the penalty area and directed a powerful header beyond McCormick to make it 2-4. As playing conditions worsened, Aber continued to play in  sensible fashion, turning the home defence with balls in behind for strike pair Ruane and Ahmadi to chase down. On 70 minutes, Jack Rimmer and Joe Phillips replaced Ryan Wollacott and Ahmadi, before Declan Walker almost added to his recent goal tally with a long range effort. The hosts continued to attack when they could, and Allen forced a fine save from McCormick on 85 minutes with a powerful strike inside the area, before right back Bryan ghosted in behind the Aber defence in the final minute of normal time and struck the ball beyond Aber's 'keeper to make it 3-4. Despite the scoreline, the Seasiders never panicked, and saw the four minutes of added time out without much difficulty, as they secured their sixth win in eight games and ensured their name will be in the hat for Monday's Fourth Round draw at 7p.m on S4C's Heno programme. 

It was a professional performance from Neville Powell's side to secure victory, but credit must also go to hosts Cwmamman United, who never gave in and provided a tough battle right to the final minutes. Town's attentions now return to JD Welsh Premier League action, as they travel to face Caernarfon Town next Friday evening at The Oval hoping to take one step closer towards securing their place in the league's top six.

​Photos courtesy of Colin Ewart 

Four games were played, eight goals were scored and four of those have been nominated. Now it's time to vote for your favourite in Aberystwyth Town Ladies' November Goal of the Month.

Thanks to a former Chelsea Ladies defender and current captain of FA WSL side West Ham United Women, we now have four goals to choose from!

It would be fair to say Gilly Flaherty has had a successful career so far. According to West Ham's official website Flaherty has won an impressive 22 career trophies during her time at Arsenal Ladies and Chelsea Ladies. This includes winning The FA Women's Cup, FA WSL and FA Women's National Premier League on numerous ocassions as well as many other competitions. Gilly was also part of the Arsenal team that lifted the UEFA Women's Cup (Now known as the UEFA Women's Champions League) in 2007, becoming the first and currently only English side to do so.

The four goals Gilly has chosen for November Goal of the Month are as follows:

Goal A - Tania Wylde vs Willows Ladies (1st Goal): Aber's current top scorer broke the deadlock with another impressive long range strike. Gilly also noticed the difficult pitch and weather conditions when choosing this goal.

Goal B - Sian Evans vs Merthyr Town Women: The Aber defender reacting quickly to give Aber the lead after Kelly Thomas's original strike was blocked on the line before hitting the post.

Goal C - Tania Wylde vs Merthyr Town Women: Gilly was also impressed with Tania's goal against Merthyr Town Women. "Marked tightly by a defender, a big distance away from goal but managed to get a great strike off again. Superb finish!"

Goal D - Lisa Cowdy vs Dafen Welfare Ladies: "A great assist" said the West Ham defender when mentioning Josie Pugh's long range pass. The WSL player also praised Lisa Cowdy for staying calm in front of goal.


Voting closes on Thursday 13th December 2018 at 6pm

JD Welsh Cup: Third Round 
Saturday 8th December (1:30p.m Kick Off)
Cwmamman United v Aberystwyth Town 

Aberystwyth Town begin their 2018/19 JD Welsh Cup campaign away at Welsh League outfit Cwmamman United on Saturday afternoon - a competition in which they reached the Final during the 2017/18 season. Town's fans will have fond memories of last season's Welsh Cup run which ultimately culminated in a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Connah's Quay Nomads back in May, and Nev Powell will be keen to guide his side one step further this time around. 

Aber have been in fine form of late, currently on a 7 game unbeaten run in the JD Welsh Premier League, and will enter Saturday's clash full of confidence. The Seasiders beat four Welsh Premier League sides on their way to last season's JD Welsh Cup Final, including away wins at Cardiff Met and Carmarthen before downing old enemy Newtown in the semi final at Bala's Maes Tegid. 

They start this season's campaign away at Welsh League 1 side Cwmamman United, in a fixture that manager Nev Powell insists his side will be fully prepared for. Speaking after last weekend's 1-1 draw with Carmarthen, Powell commented; "Our hopes and expectations are no different than any other season. I've traditionally had a great time in the Welsh Cup throughout my career. Yes, we're travelling to a lower league side, but they're going really well in their league and we're going to have to prepare properly because it's a big competition that we want to do well in." 

Indeed, Aber's manager reached four consecutive Welsh Cup Finals with Bangor City during his reign between 2007 and 2011, winning 22 consecutive cup games whilst he was at Farrar Road. He certainly takes the magic of the cup wherever he goes, having previously led Connah's Quay Nomads to a final appearance, and of course taking the Seasiders to last season's JD Welsh Cup Final at Latham Park. 

Saturday's hosts Cwmamman are on an excellent run of form themselves, having won six consecutive games in league and cup, and they currently lie in 6th place in the Welsh League 1 table. Their most recent victory came away at pre-season title favourites Haverfordwest County, which indicates the strength of their squad and the test that lies ahead for the Seasiders this weekend. 

In what is sure to be a good old fashioned cup tie, kick off at Grenig Park is at 1:30p.m, and supporters are urged to park at the Club Headquarters, which has the postcode SA18 1EJ and is a 5 minute walk  from Grenig Park. There will be a Supporters Coach for the game leaving Park Avenue at 10 a.m (£10 per person) and fans are urged to contact Adam on atfc.fans@outlook.com to reserve their space before Saturday.

*Supporters are also urged to note that with a gloomy weather forecast for the remainder of the week, a postponement would result in the tie being played on Saturday 15th December, also resulting in Aber's away JD Welsh Premier League fixture at Caernarfon being moved to Tuesday 18th December. Please follow our Social Media accounts for the latest updates ahead of Saturday's game. 

JD Welsh Premier League
Friday 30th November
Aberystwyth Town 1-1 Carmarthen Town 

Aberystwyth Town had to settle for a hard earned point as they extended their unbeaten run to seven games against a well organised Carmarthen Town side at Park Avenue on Friday evening. Declan Walker's 10th minute header had put the Seasiders firmly in control, but a failure to further capitalise on their first half dominance allowed the visitors back into the game through a Liam Thomas penalty (55), as both sides settled for a hard earned point. 

Aber made one change to the starting eleven that beat Bala Town at Maes Tegid last time out, as Rio Ahmadi replaced Joe Phillips, joining strike partner Ash Ruane as a central striker. It was the visitors who started the game the brightest, with Terry McCormick forced into two fine saves within the opening five minutes. The Aber 'keeper parried Luke Cummings' palm-stinger away from goal, before producing a great reaction save with his right foot to deny Mael Davies. Aber slowly began to find their feet as Mathew Jones and Paulo Mendes took control in midfield, and they took the lead with their first meaningful attack of the game. Mendes won the ball in the heart of midfield and played in Wes Baynes on the right flank, who delivered a whipped cross on a sixpence for Declan Walker to produce an excellent header into the bottom right corner of Lee Idzi's net to make it 1-0. The goal gave the hosts a surge of confidence as they began to utterly dominate all over the field. On 21 minutes, they could have doubled their lead as Ash Ruane harried Dave Vincent off the ball and struck a half volley destined for the top corner, only for Idzi to produce a fine save. Soon after, Alan Goodall almost made it two as he turned and volleyed a left footed effort inches wide of the post, before Baynes found Paulo Mendes in the area only for his header to loop agonisingly over the crossbar. It looked like a matter of 'when' rather than 'if' Aber would double their lead as Jones, Walker and Mendes continued to win the midfield battle with Ryan Edwards causing havoc on the left flank. On the stroke of half time, Mendes found himself in behind the visitors back line once more but was denied by a fantastic last ditch tackle by Ceri Morgan, and Aber would enter the half time break with a slender advantage. 

Carmarthen shuffled the pack at the break with Sean Hanbury replacing Ceri Morgan, and the change seemed to spark them into life somewhat. The first chance of the second half did fall to the Seasiders though, as Baynes delivered yet another superb cross to Ruane, who was unable to direct his header towards goal after finding space in the area. Then, on 55 minutes the game was turned on its head as Carmarthen were awarded a penalty kick after Luke Bowen smashed the ball against the hand of Steff Edwards from close range, and referee Iwan Griffith pointed to the spot. Liam Thomas stepped up and converted the spot kick to McCormick's right to make it 1-1. The equaliser gave the visitors a lift, as they began to push more players forward, and very nearly fashioned another opportunity as Luke Bowen was denied by some superb defending from Ryan Wollacott. Aber introduced Joe Phillips and Geoff Kellaway in place of Ahmadi and Mendes on 70 minutes, but continued to struggle to find a way past the visitors' defence as they had done on multiple occasions in the first half. As the game entered the final 10 minutes, it became a scrappy affair with neither side able to produce any flowing football; Declan Carroll coming closest to finding a winner as he forced McCormick into a good save from a long range effort. Town's supporters sensed there may be one last opportunity to notch their third stoppage time winner in a row, but it wasn't to be as the visitors defended staunchly and both sides would have to settle for a point. 

The draw keeps Aber in fifth place in the JD Welsh Premier League, just three points off the top of the table and five points clear of seventh placed Caernarfon as they look to confirm their place in the top six. Next weekend sees the return of the JD Welsh Cup as Aber travel to Welsh League outfit Cwmamman United for their third round tie in a 1:30p.m kick off, before a crunch JD Welsh Premier League clash away at Caernarfon in a fortnight's time. 

Teams
Aberystwyth Town: McCormick, Baynes, Goodall, Wollacott, S Edwards, Jones, Mendes (70), Walker, R Edwards, Ahmadi (70), Ruane. Subs: Rimmer, Kellaway (70), Jenkins, Blake, Rowe, Coleridge, Phillips (70)

Carmarthen Town: Idzi, Davies, Vincent, Surman, Knott, Cummings, Morgan (45), Vickers (75), Carroll, L Thomas, Bowen. Subs: Woodford, Hanford (75), D Thomas, Hanbury (45), Baldwin

Attendance: 374

JD Welsh Premier League
Friday 30th November (7:45 p.m Kick Off)
Aberystwyth Town v Carmarthen Town
 
Aberystwyth Town are back in JD Welsh Premier League action on Friday evening as they look to extend their 5-game winning run when they welcome Carmarthen Town to Park Avenue. The Seasiders are enjoying their finest run of form for over four years, and lie just four points off the top of the JD Welsh Premier League as they enter a crucial festive period of matches aiming to secure their place in the league’s top six by January.
 
Manager Nev Powell has been full of praise for his side’s spirit and determination in recent weeks, most notably after Town’s latest league victory at Bala a fortnight ago. After Declan Walker’s last minute winner at Maes Tegid, Powell commented; “We’ve deservedly taken another three points, and we’ve got great momentum at the moment which we want to take into the Carmarthen game. The lads carrying a few knocks will have had a chance to recover and we’ll be raring to go again on Friday.”
 
There does appear to be a fantastic buzz around the club at the moment, with the playing squad evidently high in confidence and the Green Army of supporters in full voice behind the side for every game. Assistant Manager, Gavin Allen added to Powell’s comments after the Bala victory, stating; “The dressing room is absolutely bouncing at the minute, and the character the boys are showing; we don’t know when we’re beaten at the moment”
 
The Seasiders will be keen to continue their current momentum on Friday evening as they welcome the Old Gold to Park Avenue, with their sights set on cementing their place in the league’s top six. Three of Aber’s next four league fixtures are at Park Avenue, and they’ll be keen to use that to their advantage as they aim to keep pace with the top teams in the league.
 
Friday’s visitors Carmarthen Town travel to Park Avenue on the back of an important away victory against Llandudno last time out, and held Aber to a 2-2 draw at Richmond Park in the reverse fixture earlier this season. The Old Gold side contains a number of former Seasiders including Lee Surman, Declan Carroll and Luke Bowen. They will, however, be without key midfielder Greg Walters for Friday’s clash through suspension.
 
In what is always a fiercely contested battle between the sides, kick off at Park Avenue is at 7:45 p.m. Admission costs £8 for adults, £5 for students and £2 for u16’s. Supporters are encouraged to visit the newly opened Club Shop underneath the TV Gantry for the latest ATFC stock as we enter the festive period.
 
We are also excited to be welcoming the Aberystwyth University Cheerleaders for a half time performance on Friday, and will proudly be supporting the Rainbow Laces Campaign 2018 as the club reinforces its stance on equality and inclusion with sport being everyone’s game.