Match Review: Aberystwyth Town 2 Market Drayton Town 0

Saturday 5th September
Pre Season Friendly
Aberystwyth Town 2 Market Drayton Town 0

Aberystwyth Town welcomed Market Drayton Town to Ceredigion this afternoon for the final friendly ahead of next week’s Cymru Premier opener against Cardiff Metropolitan University. The visitors, in their red & white checked shirts, travelled from their Shropshire base ahead of an FA Cup Qualifying tie next week, before they start their Northern Premier League South East campaign.

Aber started the game in a dominant fashion, and had a couple of good chances to take the lead within the first 10 minutes. Jonathan Evans hit the bar on 6 minutes – connecting with an excellent cross from the left by Harri Rowe and then four minutes later, Jamie Veale intercepted well in the midfield and his chipped cross was headed towards goal by Marc Williams, which led to a good save by the Market Drayton keeper.

Aber continued to control the first half with Marc Williams, Jamie Veale and new signing Gwion Owen orchestrating things in central midfield. On 17 minutes, a defence splitting pass from Veale after good work from Owain Jones on the left, set up Jonathan Evans who fired just wide. Evans had another chance a couple of minutes later after a low cross from Harri Rowe before Market Drayton had their first real opportunity when a ball from deep was headed wide – with their forward eventually being ruled offside.

After half an hour, Aber’s dominance finally paid off. A Harri Rowe corner was punched clear by goalkeeper Agius, however Jamie Veale flicked the ball back from the edge of the box and Steff Davies put Aber 1-0 up with a header from 6 yards. Market Drayton could have been back on level terms immediately, as a mistake in Aber’s midfield gave Drayton’s No. 8 a chance from the edge of the box – but he fired wide. Drayton had another opportunity a couple of minutes later, with the lively No. 8 bursting down Aber’s right side but Lee Jenkins did well to shepherd the ball out for a goal kick.

On 40 minutes it was 2-0 to the home side, as Steff Davies was set up by Jonathan Evans, whose shot was too powerful for the Drayton keeper to hold. Drayton had another chance to get one back before half time, but Marc Williams did well to intercept on the edge of the box, and the half time score was 2-0 to Aber.

There was one change at the break with Matty Jones replacing Owain Jones.

Aber had a couple of chances early on in the second half. A free kick from Harri Rowe saw Steff Davies challenge the Market Drayton keeper, who held well, before a Gwion Owen cross was headed just wide by Matty Jones.
A variety of changes were made by both sides early in the second half – with Alex Pennock, Ilan Hughes, Richie Ricketts and a number of trialists introduced for the home side. Following the changes, both teams had chances with Marc Williams just failing to connect with a Matty Jones cross that flashed across the box and Drayton’s No.4 firing over from 20 yards.

Aber had the ball in the net on 65 minutes through Matty Jones, following a through ball from Richie Ricketts, although Jones was ruled to be offside. The game then entered a quieter period for around 15 minutes, before a few chances for both sides in the final ten. On 80 minutes, the lively Ricketts fired just wide from twenty yards, before both no. 8 and no. 4 for Drayton saw shots saved by Pennock.

At the other end, Drayton’s keeper pulled off a good double save from both an Aber trialist and Marc Williams, before good work again from Richie Ricketts saw a header from a different trialist cleared off the goal line. There was just time for Ilan Hughes and Drayton’s No. 4 to register shots before the full-time whistle sounded, with the score line 2-0 to the hosts.

Another game in the bank for Gavin Allen’s men as we ramp up preparations ahead of the JD Cymru Premier opener vs Cardiff Met next Saturday. Thank you to all the Market Drayton staff and players for making the trip to the Ceredigion coast – best of luck to you this season!