Aberystwyth Town v Barry Town United: Match Preview

JD Welsh Premier League
Saturday 29th September (2:30 pm Kick Off)
Aberystwyth Town v Barry Town United

Aberystwyth Town will look to continue their fine form at Park Avenue as they welcome Barry Town in the JD Welsh Premier League on Saturday afternoon. Aber have taken maximum points from their last two home league games, after victories against Llanelli and Bala, scoring six goals in the process, and will be keen to extend that winning run on Saturday afternoon.

It’s been an action-packed week for the seasiders, picking up a valuable point on the road away at Carmarthen Town last Saturday, despite being 2-0 down at half time, before falling to defeat at Cambrian & Clydach in the Nathaniel MG Cup on Tuesday evening. Nevertheless, Director of Football, Neville Powell, will be pleased with his side’s start to the league campaign as the black and greens sit in 7th place in the table, just three points off third placed Barry Town United.

After salvaging a point at Richmond Park last weekend, Powell admitted his side need to start games on the front foot but also admitted he was impressed with the character his side showed to earn a point. He commented; “The first half wasn’t really acceptable, we were slow and half a yard off the pace, and we’ve got to make sure we prepare properly moving forwards. To be fair to the players, they took what we had to say on board at half time, and it says a lot about their character the way they performed in that second half.”

One element that’s certainly been evident so far this season is the character and togetherness within the Aber squad – holding on to victory against Llandudno with striker Rio Ahmadi having to play in goal and producing a second half fightback to beat Llanelli 3-1 at Park Avenue three weeks ago. It’s a factor Powell believes will favour his side moving forwards this season; “There’s a great mentality and team spirit within the squad and we’re finishing games strongly which is pleasing. What we’ve now got to do is find that consistency where we’re able to put those types of performances in over the course of the game, but I’m pleased with the team and hopefully we can continue to improve.”

Saturday’s fixture poses another difficult test for the black and greens, as they face a Barry Town side who’ve started the season in excellent form. The Dragons currently lie in third place in the JD Welsh Premier League table, having already beaten the likes of Bala and Connah’s Quay at Jenner Park this season. Their away form has been a slight worry in the opening weeks, having lost away at Llandudno and The New Saints and snatching a last-minute draw away at Llanelli, before beating Caernarfon at the Oval two weeks ago. Gavin Chesterfield’s side will undoubtedly be targeting a top six finish this season, after suffering heartbreak in last season’s Europa League play-off semi-final at Cardiff Met.

Aber failed to beat the Jenner Park outfit in four attempts last season, but they will be keen to put that right on Saturday as they aim to make Park Avenue a fortress once more. Kick off is at 2:30p.m and admission costs £8 for adults, £5 concessions and £2 for u16’s. The black and greens could climb as high as third in the league table with victory!

Thousands of Aberystwyth University Students have arrived back into the town over the past couple of weeks and the club are delighted to confirm that this weekend's fixture will be FREE of charge for all Students. A very warm welcome awaits at Park Avenue, simply show your Aber Card at the gate and join the Green Army!