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Aberystwyth Town continued their pre-season preparations as they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of National League North outfit AFC Telford United in a highly competitive friendly match at Park Avenue on Friday evening. James McQuilkin's 59th minute goal was enough to see the Bucks to victory, in a game where the black and greens gained themselves more quality game-time ahead of the start of the JD Welsh Premier League season on the 10th of August.
The visitors started the game the brightest, setting a high tempo from the word go with Henry Cowans and James McQuilkin both looking lively in the final third of the pitch. Abe slowly began to find their feet in the game, with midfield trio Declan Walker, Jack Rimmer and Paulo Mendes breaking through the lines to earn the home side a succession of corners that were well defended by the Bucks. The first meaningful chance of the game fell to former Newtown defender Shane Sutton (now captain of AFC Telford), who's powerful header was cleared off the line by Declan Walker. Soon after, Aber goalkeeper Leigh Jenkins was forced into action as he saved smartly with his right foot to deny Daniel Udoh's low strike. The visitors continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession, but Aber stood firm - looking organised and cohesive in defence with Ryan Wollacott standing out once more. On 27 minutes, Andre Brown saw his left-footed strike go inches wide of the far post for the visitors, before Aber created their first meaningful chance when Paulo Mendes' flicked header sailed narrowly wide of the Bucks' goal. Aber started the second half in brighter fashion, with Chris Mullock and Lee Jenkins being introduced, and immediately carved themselves an opening after Paulo Mendes was tripped on the edge of the penalty area; only for the resulting free kick to be struck over the crossbar by Declan Walker. On 58 minutes, the visitors created their best chance of the game as Cowans cut into the penalty area before curling his effort narrowly over the crossbar. However, they were soon ahead in the game as James McQuilkin latched on to a loose ball in the penalty area before side footing the ball beyond Mullock to make it 0-1. As we so often see in friendly matches, a host of substitutions were to follow, with both sides making wholesale changes. The black and greens continued to search for an opening as Nashawn Blake threatened from the right flank whilst Joe Phillips began to see more of the ball after moving into the number 10 position. But the visitors stood strong, with goalkeeper Wycherley only being called into action once with a fine low save to his right hand side. Telford almost doubled their lead as the game entered additional time, with Cowley inches away from getting on the end of Morgan-Smith's cross, but McQuilkin's strike would remain the only one separating the sides in an entertaining match at Park Avenue. It was a stern test for Aber's ever-progressing side against the National League North outfit, who certainly had more game sharpness than the black and greens; with their season starting in 7 days' time on 4th August. Town will be pleased to get more match fitness under their belts and will now turn their attentions to this afternoon's pre-season friendly with Haverfordwest County before facing Brickfield Rangers on Tuesday evening. Comments are closed.
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Gem Nesaf
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