 Pre Season Friendly
Saturday 16th July Aberystwyth Town 3 Guilsfield 3 Aber Town and Cymru North front runners Guilsfield fought out an entertaining six goal draw on a balmy summer’s afternoon at Park Avenue, as Anthony Williams’ pre season preparations continued apace. The Black and Greens started on top form with a stunner from Charley Edge (15 mins) and a strike from Sam Phillips (23 minutes) putting them in control. However two penalties from Iwan Matthews (41 and 63 mins), and a 75th minute lob from Jamie Hyne seemed to have snatched a win for the visitors, only for Niall Flint to snaffle up a debut equaliser with six minutes to go. This also means that all five of Aber’s pre season goals to date have been scored by players signed from Cefn Druids! New signing Flint came straight into midfield, with Jon Owen returning to the front line, and Town dominated the early stages with a confident display of attacking football. Phillips had an early shot saved, and then sent a free kick off target, before Edge fired over. Phillips then crossed for Sam Litchfield to head over, Trialist B volleyed wide from close range, before Owen played a cheeky one two but couldn’t keep his shot on target. The hosts then took the lead when Trialist B found Edge in space 25 yards out, and he turned and volleyed into the top far corner with a sumptuous goal, alas not caught on camera. Phillips then had two attempts saved, Owen had an attempt parried and with the Black and Greens playing at a great tempo, Flint crossed from the right and Phillips scored at the near post for a thoroughly deserved two goal lead. Soon afterwards Edge picked out Phillips with a beautiful pass but his shot was off target. Towards the end of the half the visitors came into the game: Joe Haycock had a shot deflected for a corner, Jojo Harries had an attempt saved and then Guilsfield were awarded a penalty for a push in the back of Iwan Matthews, and he stepped up to score. Jake Cook then saw a header saved, Hyne volleyed over, and an entertaining half ended with Aber 2-1 up. In the first action of the second half influential Iwan Lewis went on a swashbuckling run down the left and into the box but was denied at the last by keeper Robbie Williams, then Harry Horwood had a shot deflected to safety and Charley Edge clipped an effort just over, but Guils also looked dangerous with Hyne twice volleying over the bar. They then gained a slightly fortuitous second penalty, with Matthews again doing the business from the spot to equalise. Steff Davies went on up front on the hour, and Flint released him down the right channel, only for his low shot to skew just wide of the far post. Then at the other end Hyne beat the offside trap down the right and lobbed the keeper for a 2-3 lead. Chris Cathrall had a shot punched to safety, but then back came Aber with Jack Thorn picking out Flint down the right, and he surged into the box before smashing the ball high into the net for an equaliser. There was still time for plenty of goalmouth action at both ends: Matthews shot over the bar, Haycock hit the crossbar and Callum Bromley had an effort cleared off the line for the visitors, while Aber’s Lewis was denied by Williams, Alex Darlington’s free kick was blocked to safety and sub Cameron Allen lobbed just over, and the game ended all square. Aber’s performance for the first 35 minutes was extremely promising and bodes well for the forthcoming season, however their redoubtable visitors came back into the contest and Guilsfield’s strong recovery ensured that Anthony Williams’ side was given a valuable challenge in their pre season schedule. In the end a draw was probably a fair reflection and everyone at Park Avenue wishes the Guils well for the forthcoming season. The Seasiders' pre season preparations continue with the visit of Cardiff Met next Saturday, with a 2pm kick off. Football + sunshine = great times! Comments are closed.
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Gem Nesaf
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