Sunday 22nd April 2018
Welsh Women's League Cup Semi Final
Aberystwyth Town Ladies 1 Briton Ferry Llansawel Ladies 2

An injury time wonder strike from Briton Ferry's Megan Kearle broke Aber's hearts and sent the visitors into the Welsh Women's League Cup Final, writes Steven Brookes.
Aberystwyth were hoping to reach a third final of the year after reaching both the CWFA Cup Final and Alun Evans Cup Final and the hosts got off to a positive start. 15 minutes in, the home side came close twice to taking the lead. Ffiona Evans got in behind the defence but the keeper was off her line very quick and was able to block the Aber's captain's shot. Moments later Hannah Pusey tried a cheeky back heel that went narrowly wide of the post, then at the other end Briton Ferry came extremely close to taking the lead when a long-range effort hit the top of the cross bar. With 23 minutes gone the away side broke the deadlock: Megan Kearle found herself one on one with the keeper after an excellent through ball and confidently slotted the ball past Ffion Ashman.

In a hard fought second half both teams pushed forward in search for the next goal. Both were getting balls into the box but were unable to put the ball into the back of the net. That was until the 87th minute when an excellent Caroline Cooper cross was headed in at the front post by Hannah Pusey. Just as everyone thought the match was heading into extra time, Briton Ferry got the winner, and what a goal it was! With three minutes of injury time gone, Megan Kearle cut the ball onto her right foot and her outstanding long-range strike gave Ffion Ashman no chance. It was goal worthy of a winning any match.

Aber will be disappointed to concede so late on but can be very proud of their efforts in what was an entertaining match. They may not be in the League Cup Final but they still have a chance to win some silverware when they play in the Alun Evans Cup Final against Penybont next weekend.

JD Welsh Premier League
Friday 20th April
Aberystwyth Town 1-1 Carmarthen Town
 
Aberystwyth Town extended their unbeaten run to three games in all competitions, as they battled to a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Carmarthen Town at Park Avenue on Friday evening – relegating the visitors from the JD Welsh Premier League in the process. The point mathematically secured Aber’s place in the league for next season, although the black and greens will still have one eye on an eighth placed finish in the table as they enter the final weekend of the campaign next Friday at home to Newtown.
 
Visitors Carmarthen travelled to Aber knowing that anything other than 3 points on a misty evening at Park Avenue would see them relegated from the JD Welsh Premier League. Aber’s starting line-up included one change from last Friday’s victory at Prestatyn, with Joe Phillips coming into the side for Ryan Wade. Prior to kick off, Bari Morgan’s under 19’s squad were awarded with their Welsh Premier Development Legaue South Winners trophy in front of the bumper crowd of 526 spectators at Park Avenue.
It was the hosts who started the game on the front foot, as Craig Hobson saw his 9th minute header sail wide of the post from Declan Walker’s pinpoint cross with Aber’s first real effort towards goal. As the thick layer of mist descended all around, the black and greens found it difficult to break down their resolute opponents, with clear-cut chances few and far between. But on 20 minutes, Aber found the early breakthrough they had been hoping for, as the ball fell to Malcolm Melvin on the edge of the box, who rolled a pass across for Tom Owens to rattle a laser-beam of a right-footed half volley into the top corner of the net and make it 1-0. Carmarthen suddenly faced an uphill battle to maintain their league status, and immediately pushed for an equaliser as Ceri Morgan struck the outside of the post on 28 minutes. But Aber looked in reasonable control of the game, and managed to restrict the visitors to very few goal-scoring opportunities. As half time approached, Declan Walker ventured forwards towards Carmarthen’s penalty area, and saw his deflected effort drop inches above the crossbar, almost catching Lee Idzi off guard in the visitors’ goal. But it remained 1-0 as the sides went in at the break, with Aber knowing that another 45 minutes of similar performance levels could see them climb the welsh premier league table by the end of the evening.
 
As they so often have in recent weeks, Aber started the second half in bright fashion and could very nearly have doubled their lead within seven minutes of the restart. Malcolm Melvin once again found himself in space outside the penalty area, and he dribbled into the box only to see his chipped effort bounce back agonisingly off the foot of the post. Soon after, the visitors failed to clear a corner kick and Joe Phillips saw his curling effort saved by Idzi in goal. Aber were applying the pressure and pushing for that crucial second goal, but on 57 minutes the game was turned on its head. Mark Jones flicked the ball on for strike partner Luke Bowen, who’s shot deflected twice inside the penalty area, wrong footing Chris Mullock before falling at the feet of Ceri Morgan who was presented with an open-goal tap in to make it 1-1. The visitors sensed this was their chance to throw all they had at Aber, and went in search of a second goal. On 65 minutes, the hosts had a lucky escape as Clayton Green headed against the crossbar before Lee Surman scuffed his effort over the crossbar when it seemed easier to score. But after weathering the brief storm, Aber regained control of the game, with Craig Hobson providing some brilliant hold up play as the lone striker. As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Aber had another chance to win the game, as John Owen cut inside before seeing his curling shot headed off the line by Kieran Lewis. Soon after, Malcolm Melvin fired his long-range effort just over the bar before substitute Kurt Sherlock saw his powerful effort palmed away by Idzi as Aber went for the kill.
As the evening mist gradually disappeared, so too did Carmarthen’s survival hopes, with 3 minutes of additional time being added on to the 90 minutes at the end of the game. Substitute Ryan Wade almost set up the game winner for Hobson in the dying seconds as the target man fell inches from connecting with the wing man’s cross, but the seasiders would have to settle for a draw as the full time whistle blew to sentence Carmarthen Town to the drop from the Welsh Premier League.
 
It was another strong performance from the black and greens and another game without defeat at Park Avenue. Aber will be somewhat relieved to mathematically secure their JD Welsh Premier League status for next season, and will now set their sights on 3 points in their final league game of the season next Friday evening at home to Newtown. 
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JD Welsh Premier League
Friday 20th April (8p.m Kick Off)
Aberystwyth Town v Carmarthen Town
 
Aberystwyth Town will look to climb up to ninth place in the JD Welsh Premier League, and extend their two game winning streak as they host Carmarthen Town at Park Avenue on Friday evening. Aber are just two points behind ninth placed Llandudno in the league table, and have the chance to jump above them should they pick up all three points against the Old Gold on Friday.
 
The black and greens have enjoyed a successful few weeks both on and off the field, after securing their domestic and European licenses for next season, as well as reaching the JD Welsh Cup Final and picking up a valuable victory away at Prestatyn last weekend. They will now be hopeful of ending their league campaign in style in front of their home supporters, as they face Carmarthen and Newtown in the space of 8 days at Park Avenue before their mammoth cup final clash with Connah’s Quay Nomads on May 6th.
 
Assistant manager Wayne Jones emphasised the need for the team to remain focused on their remaining league games before the cup final, stating “We’ve got two tough league games ahead of us and we’re not even thinking about the cup at the moment.” Indeed, he will be keen to see the seasiders end their league campaign on a high, especially at Park Avenue – a place that they have made somewhat of a fortress in recent months. Aber have lost just 3 times at home in all competitions since November, and have scored 23 goals in their last 8 games at Park Avenue. They will be keen to put in another two strong home performances that could propel them as high as 8th place in the JD Welsh Premier League table by the time the campaign is over.
 
Visitors Carmarthen travel to Park Avenue in fine form themselves, having won 3 out of their last 5 games in all competitions. They do, however, face the daunting prospect of relegation from the JD Welsh Premier League with anything other than victory on Friday evening. The last fixture between the sides saw the black and greens run out 3-1 victors in the JD Welsh Cup quarter final clash at Richmond Park just 5 weeks ago, as goals from Joe Phillips, John Owen and Malcolm Melvin sealed victory.
 
In what is sure to be a special occasion for Aber’s penultimate home game of the season, be a part of the bumper crowd and cheer on the black and greens to the result they need! Kick off at Park Avenue is at 8p.m, and admission costs £7 adults, £1 children and FREE OF CHARGE for students!
 
Entry to Friday night’s game is FREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS possessing an Abercard. In addition, Bari Morgan’s brilliant u19’s side will be receiving their JD Welsh Premier Development League South Champions trophy prior to kick off, which will certainly be worth coming down early for! Fans will also have the chance to buy player shirts near the tunnel area before the game for a bargain price of £20! 
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Sunday 15th April 2018
SWWGL Alun Evans Cup Semi-Final
​Aberystwyth Town Ladies 2 Barry Town United Ladies 0

After a disappointing result in the Central Wales FA Cup final on Friday, Aber Town Ladies bounced back with a very impressive performance against fellow Welsh Women's League side Barry Town United Ladies, as two goals from Caroline Cooper was enough to put Aber into their second Cup Final of the Season, writes Steven Brookes.

After Friday's disappointment, the Black and Greens were desperate to get back to winning ways and made a strong start to the match, seeing a lot of possession in the opposition half. The home side were getting plenty of balls into the box but were unable to force the keeper into making any important saves: however 37 minutes into the match Aber were awarded a penalty when wide midfielder Steph Land was brought down inside the area and Caroline Cooper converted the spot kick to give Aberystwyth a deserved lead.

Twelve minutes into the second half Aber came agonisingly close to doubling their lead when a fantastic strike from captain Ffiona Evans beat the Barry goalkeeper but smashed the post. Town continued to push for a second and with 14 minutes remaining they increased their lead, when Caroline Cooper's excellent first-time strike on the edge of the box rocketed past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net for Cooper's fifth goal of the season. The Black and Greens looked in control for the remainder of the match and thoroughly deserved the victory.

Aberystwyth Town Ladies will now play against Penybont in the SWWGL Alun Evans Cup Final.

Friday 13th April 2018
Central Wales Cup Final
Aberystwyth Town Ladies 2 Llanfair United Ladies 3

Aberystwyth were unable to make it a sixth successive Central Wales Cup win after a disappointing defeat to last season's runners up, Llanfair United Ladies, writes Steven Brookes.

Aber had got off to a fantastic start and opened the scoring after just eight minutes. An in-swinging corner from Caroline Cooper was poked in at the back post by Naomi Evans to put the Black and Greens ahead. The lead didn't last long though: just two minutes later Llanfair's Sarah Ellis flicked the ball past goalkeeper Ffion Ashman and smashed the ball into the net. Llanfair were on top and Sarah Ellis came close twice to getting her and her team's second. Eight minutes before half time last year's runners up were ahead, when Mary Griffiths' excellent strike from inside the box went over Ashman and into the net to give Llanfair a half time lead.

Aber started the second half strongly and very nearly got an equaliser just three minutes into the half. A corner taken by Cooper was headed just wide by Kelly Thomas. With 20 minutes to go the Black and Greens came close again to levelling. Thomas's header from another corner was blocked on the line and then Naomi Evans's effort went over the bar. Three minutes later things went from bad to worse for the Seasiders, when Sarah Ellis was fouled in the box and Mary Griffiths confidently converted the resulting penalty for 3-1. Aber did get a goal back with six minutes remaining. Naomi Evans did well to control the ball in the box and put the ball past the keeper for her second of the game but there was to be no comeback as Llanfair held on for a deserved victory to win the Central Wales Cup.

JD Welsh Premier League
Friday 13th April
Prestatyn Town 0-1 Aberystwyth Town
 
Aberystwyth Town battled to a crucial three points at Bastion Gardens on Friday evening, as Craig Hobson’s 4th minute strike was enough to see them to victory in a crunch JD Welsh Premier League clash on the North Wales coast. The win sees Aber climb to within just two points of Llandudno and three points of Newtown in the league table, and pulls them further clear of Carmarthen Town as they look to end their league campaign in style before their JD Welsh Cup final date with Connah’s Quay Nomads in May.
 
Town’s starting eleven saw one change from the line-up that beat Newtown in the cup semi-final last weekend, with midfielder Tom Owens coming in for Joe Phillips. On a tricky playing surface, the black and greens knew it was vital they got off to a good start in the game, and they did exactly that. On 4 minutes, Prestatyn’s attempt at a quick indirect free-kick went horribly wrong as they gifted possession to Ryan Wade, and in a flash he’d played the ball through for Craig Hobson, who ran 20 yards towards goal and fired a low shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Carl Jones to make it 1-0. It was the perfect start for the seasiders, whose travelling tifosi were yet again in full voice as they roared their team on from the stands. Town gained momentum from their early goal, and very nearly doubled their lead on 8 minutes when Malcolm Melvin’s chipped effort was headed off the goal line by Reece Fairhurst. Soon after, Aber’s midfield maestro was again in the thick of the action as his volley went inches over the crossbar, before super John Owen’s glancing header clipped the outside of the post. The visitors hoped they wouldn’t rue their host of missed chances as Prestatyn slowly grew into the game, with Oliver Buckley’s left footed strike going narrowly wide of the post on 25 minutes. Nevertheless, Town stood strong and saw out the first half with their lead intact, marshalled by defensive pairing Ashley Young and Ryan Wollacott who were immense once again.
 
The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with the hosts seeing more of the ball but the visitors creating the better goal scoring opportunities. On 54 minutes, Hobson who’d been a thorn in Prestatyn’s side all game, went close when his flicked header fizzed wide of the post. On 61 minutes Joe Phillips was introduced in place of Ryan Wade as Aber looked to add more speed and trickery to their attacking play, and on 68 minutes they very nearly doubled their lead as Declan Walker’s cross was met by Hobson with a firm header that somehow bounced the wrong side of the post and out for a goal kick. The missed chances were becoming a worry for the Green Army of travelling supporters, as they turned their volume up a notch to give their heroes one final push on to victory. On 77 minutes, Prestatyn created their first meaningful opportunity of the second half as Louis Irvine cut inside and hit a left footed shot inches wide of the post. It was a warning sign for Aber that they would have to battle and scrap for every single ball as the game entered the final 10 minutes. But on 82 minutes, the visitors were gifted a massive chance to finish the game, as Joe Phillips was chopped down in the area by Fairhust and awarded a penalty kick. Top goalscorer Declan Walker stepped up and placed his low spot kick to the right of the ‘keeper, but it was brilliantly tipped around the post by Carl Jones. Yet more drama for the supporters to endure, as their anxiety levels rose to an all time high with just five minutes remaining. Prestatyn tried as they might to find an equaliser, but it looked increasingly unlikely that they would get one as midfield trio Allen, Melvin and Owens fought for every second ball and the back five stood up to any attacking threat the hosts threw at them. Substitute Luke Borrelli almost sealed the victory with a curling left footed strike in added time, but it proved to be insignificant as Aber saw out the final minutes to earn a valuable three points.
 
A massive victory for the black and greens to follow up last Sunday’s Welsh Cup semi-final win, and Aber will be keen to build on this momentum as they head into two consecutive league games at fortress Park Avenue to end their league campaign. Town will face Carmarthen Town in their next fixture on Friday evening in an 8 o’clock kick off at Park Avenue. 
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