Aberystwyth Town 0 Cefn Druids 0: Match Report

Dafabet Welsh Premier League
Saturday 25th March
Aberystwyth Town 0 Cefn Druids 0

A much improved performance saw Aber Town gain a point with a goal less draw at Park Avenue this afternoon. The Black and Greens twice hit the cross bar in the second half and visiting midfielder Jordan Barrow was sent off in injury time, but the breakthrough just wouldn't come for Town. The clean sheet however will give big encouragement to Assistant Manager Wayne Jones and will the give the side a good foundation to build on ahead of their next match, at Llandudno in fifteen days time.

With Ryan Wollacott and Jack Rimmer returning to the starting XI Aber started with a high tempo and had a huge shout for a penalty rejected within the first minute, as Mark Jones appeared to be felled. Jones tested visiting keeper Michael Jones with a low shot but then just as the hosts seemed to be getting on top they had a big let off when Michael Pritchard’s header from the impressive Stuart Cook’s cross glanced inches wide of the far post. Aber continued to press and with Assistant Manager Wayne Jones encouraging them from the dug out they were looking good. Chris Mullock was called on to make a smart stop to deny Ellis Healing, and the follow up, only for Jones to set up Borrelli down the right who in turn brought a save from Jones at the other end. An exciting game saw left winger Naim Arsan send an effort off target, then Malcolm Melvin scooped the ball just over the bar having been set up by Geoff Kellaway. Borrelli played Jones in with a cross field ball and his shot skewed just wide, but despite both sides trying hard to score defences were on top at half time, with Sam Rodon and Wollacott and standing firm at the back for Town.

Town continued to battle hard after the break, and their rewards came with chance after chance falling their way. Borrelli’s lob was easy for Jones in Druids’ goal, as was another attempt soon after. Borrelli then scooped the ball just over the bar from Cledan Davies’ cross, before crossing himself for Jones to hit the crossbar with a header, and go inches wide with the rebound. Druids’ goal was living a charmed life, but Borrelli yet again denied by Jones who tapped his curling effort onto the crossbar for a spectacular save, and Jones headed wide from the resulting corner. A goal seemed inevitable with wave after wave of attacks, Rodon had a header saved then the luckless Borrelli was yet again denied by Jones before sending the rebound just wide. Druids had a few chances to exact the cruellest punishment on the unlucky hosts with a few late free kicks being boomed into the box but Aber’s defence held firm and when Jordan Barrow felled sub John Owen in the 93rd minute for a second yellow, a sending off was inevitable. However Druids’ equally well drilled defence repelled Davies’ ball in, and the game ended goal less.

Aber may not have got the result they deserved this afternoon but their performance was an impressive response to a difficult week, and if they repeat the hard work ethic and ability to craft out chances displayed today for their last three games of the season, Wayne Jones’ side can be confident of retaining their Dafabet Welsh Premier League status. Their next assignment comes two weeks tomorrow, away to Llandudnon on April 9th (ko 4.15pm).