Aberystwyth Town v Connah's Quay Nomads: Match Preview

JD Welsh Premier League
Saturday 13thJanuary (5:15p.m Kick Off)
Aberystwyth Town v Connah’s Quay Nomads
 
Aberystwyth Town will look to build on their excellent draw away from home against Cardiff Met last weekend, as they welcome Connah’s Quay Nomads to Park Avenue in the final round of JD Welsh Premier League fixtures before the league splits into two halves comprised of the top and bottom six teams. Ashley Young’s in-swinging second half free kick earned Aber a point last weekend at Cyncoed Campus, and the seasiders will now be looking to return to winning ways at home in the league, after defeat to Carmarthen Town last time out at Park Avenue.
 
After Saturday’s battling 1-1 draw at Cardiff Met, manager Nev Powell emphasised how pleased he was to see his side back to playing near their best after a dip in form during the festive period. Powell commented “Collectively our performances weren’t good enough over Christmas and we find ourselves towards the wrong end of the table, but if we put in more performances with the same work rate and effort that we showed tonight, then we’ll climb up the table” In addition, Town’s manager was full of praise for his midfield trio of Malcolm Melvin, Tom Owens and most notably goal scorer Ashley Young last Saturday evening, stating “Ashley is a winner, and he was excellent tonight in picking up a lot of second balls and enabling us to play the football we wanted to”.  Indeed, Young has been one of Aber’s most consistent performers so far this season, but admitted after last weekend’s game that the team still has a lot of work to do as the second half of the season approaches. In an interview with Sgorio, Young commented “There’s still lots of work to be done this season, and we’d played really well up until the Christmas period, but we know that we’re good enough and if we continue to play like we did today then we’ll do well in the second half of the season.” Town must now ensure that they are able to turn out performances like they showed last weekend on a consistent basis if they are to attain their goal of reaching 7th place in the JD Welsh Premier League table and a Europa League play off spot.
Manager Nev Powell will be hopeful of having a near full squad to choose from ahead of this weekend’s clash with the Nomads, with Ryan Wollacott being the only fitness doubt due to the severity of the head injury he suffered last Saturday.
 
Visitors Connah’s Quay Nomads enter Saturday’s clash in a rich vein of form, unbeaten in their last four JD Welsh Premier League games, winning three and drawing one. Andy Morrison’s side currently lie in second place in the league table, and won the reverse fixture earlier in the season as they ran out comfortable 5-1 victors against Nev Powell’s side.
 
In what promises to be another entertaining clash at Park Avenue, kick off is at 5:15p.m and admission costs £7 adults, £4 concessions and £1 for children. In addition, Saturday’s game marks a celebration of Aberystwyth Junior League’s 50th year anniversary, and the club is pleased to announce that Saturday’s game will be officially sponsored by the Junior League itself. So come on down and get involved in the celebrations as Aber look to make it a day to remember at Park Avenue! 
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