Aberystwyth Town defender Ricky Watts has been released to return to Haverfordwest County.

Promising young right back Watts joined the Black and Greens back in the summer and had impressed supporters with his pace and buccaneering runs in the seventeen Dafabet WPL matches he played for Matthew Bishop's side. However a recent family bereavement has made the significant travelling commitment difficult to maintain so the Club and Ricky have mutually agreed to the move.

Watts commented on his twitter account "Thank you to @Aberystwythtown for everything great club with great support! Wish managament and players all the best for rest of the season."

Everyone at the Club thanks Ricky for his time at Park Avenue and we wish him all the best for the future. 

Dafabet Welsh Premier League
Saturday 14th January
Aberystwyth Town 0 Cardiff Met 2

Two goals in an eight minute spell either side of half time swung a tight contest the way of Cardiff Met this evening, with goals from Adam Roscrow and Kyle McCarthy confirming the Students' Top Six berth, while Aber end the First Phase in eighth place. 

On a cold and rainy evening the hosts started the game promisingly, pressing Met well and looking to play the ball around with confidence. They did need Chris Mullock to excellently deny Roscrow early on, but then at the other end a spell of pressure in front of the Dias Stand lead to Luke Borrelli swivelling on a sixpence and sending in a low shot which unluckily bounced off a post to safety. A tighte game between two committed sides was a good watch without producing too many chances, and Mullock again denied Met, this time stopping Jordan Lam's save from close range. A series of Aber corners were cleared and then Borrelli tried an audacious lob from 40 yards but his effort was blown of course by a Mistral from Cardigan Bay. Aber were denied a crucial chance when Kostya Georgievsky was surely fouled in the Archers' area, but instead of earning a penalty the young flier was himself penalised, and then  Jon Owen earned a good chance with an interception but was denied at the last minute. Town had grounds for optimism as the game entered injury time, but then up popped Roscrow down the right flank to blast home a cruel opener for Cardiff Met.

Small margins decide tight games and after Mullock had tipped over Elliot Evans' free kick Met got a key break eight minutes into the second half when Lam was felled in the area, and Kyle McCarthy converted the spot kick to double the lead. From this point on the visitors' confidence visibly grew with Roscrow firing over after a good combination with Charlie Corsby before heading a right wing cross wide soon afterwards. Aber were finding it hard to create coherent chances but they did pressurise Met. Jack Rimmer had a shot blocked and Captain Ryan Wollacott sliced wide from a corner. Borrelli had a shot blocked before Luke Sherbon brought a save from Will Fuller with a header. Chris Jones was next to be denied by a block before Sam Rodon was stymied by Fuller, and try as they might the Black and Greens could not break Met's strong defensive shape. Emlyn Lewis headed Evans' cross wide, and Mullock had to deny Evans twice more in the closing stages. Chris Jones was last to curl a shot over the bar for Aber and the game was won, justifiably on the basis of the 90 minutes, by Cardiff Met.

Aber Manager Matthew Bishop will be disappointed with two home defeats over the last seven days which have stopped a good run of results around Christmas time, and his side must content themselves with a 23 point haul from their opening twenty two games which does mean a Seventh Placed finish is still within their grasp. Aberystwyth Town FC also congratulate Christian Edwards' Cardiff Met squad for a terrific achievement in reaching the Top Six in their first ever season in the Dafabet WPL.

Behind the scenes Guided Tours of Park Avenue Stadium are also on offer, bringing out the stories created by the Club's 85 years continuous use of the ground, while the John Charles Lounge will host face painting and Xbox games to keep everyone entertained. We are delighted to confirm that a Soft Play area will also be available for those with young babies. 

This all acts as a build up to the Main Event, a Dafabet Welsh Premier League match against Cardiff Met, and those attending the Family Fun Day are of course allowed to remain within the ground free of charge to watch it.

The kick off time for this game is at 5.15pm and the Family Fun Day begins at 1.45pm. Please keep an eye on Town's website atfc.org.uk, twitter @aberystwythtown, Youtube Channel, "Green Army" Facebook page or the local press for more details closer to the event.
 
The way our Black and Greens are playing at the moment, Park Avenue is an exciting place to be. Bring your family along on January 14th to experience the thrills and spills of live football: we look forward to meeting you!

Dafabet Welsh Premier League
Saturday 14th January (ko 5.15pm)
Aberystwyth Town v Cardiff Met

Aberystwyth Town begin their quest for a Seventh Placed finish in the Dafabet Welsh Premier League, bringing with it a UEFA Europa League Play Off spot, as they host Cardiff Met on Saturday (ko 5.15pm). Town’s hopes of a Top Six finish were extinguished by last weekend’s defeat to Cefn Druids, so Saturday’s game will be all about getting a win which will enable Matthew Bishop’s men to match last season’s 26 point haul from the first Phase of the WPL.

Bishop is using the transfer window to develop his Squad for the future, and exciting young signings Elliot Scotcher, Jon Owen and Jamie Crowther will again get a look in on Saturday. Unfortunately Aber will be without Lee Healey who was sensationally jailed in the week, but the Black and Greens should otherwise be at full strength as they prepare to face a side guaranteed a Top Six finish bar a mathematical miracle.

The links between Aber and Cardiff Met are numerous, the most obvious being that the Students’ Manager Christian Edwards cut his teeth at Park Avenue during a spell as Caretaker Manager in October 2009. He managed Town to six wins in his first six matches and has since achieved something of a footballing miracle by elevating Met from Welsh League Division Three to the Welsh Prem in five seasons.

A key part of Met’s side is Aber Academy Product Emlyn Lewis from Pennant near Aberaeron, who played with distinction for both the Black and Greens’ Under 19s side, and Penrhyncoch before enrolling in the Capital. Edwards’ men won a surprisingly low key Match at Cyncoed back in September by 1-0, so revenge will be on the cards for Aber, as well as a last opportunity to beat a Top Five side this season.

The Match will be preceded by a FREE Family Fun Day from 1.45pm, and those who attend the Day are of course welcome to remain for the game, which kicks off at the later time of 5.15pm to facilitate TV Coverage of all six decisive games in the WPL. Admission after the Fun Day will cost £6 for Adults, £4 Concessions and £1 for Kids. You'd be mad to miss out!

Aberystwyth Town FC Officials were shocked to discover yesterday evening via Media Reports that our Player Lee Healey has been jailed for twelve weeks.

Lee was detained by Police after last Saturday's game to assist them with some enquiries, leading to his arrest and conviction on Monday.

The Club signed Lee Healey on a non contract basis on December 31st and did so in good faith. The Board will make a decision on Lee's future in due course but are naturally concerned by any actvities which bring the Club into disprepute.

Statement Ends