Dafabet Welsh Premier League
Saturday 11th February
Cefn Druids 2 Aberystwyth Town 1
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Aber succumbed to a disappointing defeat to Cefn Druids on a snowy day at the Rock, as goals from Nathan Peate (18 minutes) and Ashley Ruane (47 minutes) eclipsed John Owen’s 44th minute strike for the Black and Greens.

Manager Matthew Bishop named an unchanged side following last weeks’ win, but in truth the hosts started looking more purposeful. Ryan Wollacott headed Ruane’s goalbound lob clear, and Michael Pritchard and Jordan Barrow both saw shots deflected to safety. The effervescent Malcolm Melvin had the visitors’ first effort on target saved by Michael Jones, but then Corey Roper’s corner was headed home decisively by Peate to open the scoring. A tactical switch by Aber moving Owen up front heralded an impressive recovery before the break. Owen intercepted a wayward goal kick only to curl his shot wide. The quicksilver striker from Llanystumdwy then went on a superb weaving run to win a corner,  and saw two shots blocked in a period of Black and Green dominance which gladdened the hearts of loyal visiting supporters on a cold afternoon. Sam Rodon then saw a goalbound header deflected over and Jamie Crowther sent a free kick just over the bar. Dafydd Jones fired wide at the back post and Owen was blocked again, but he was not to be denied and when Luke Sherbon sent through a threatening ball down the middle Owen managed to nick in ahead of keeper Jones to slot home an equaliser which was fully deserved by Aber. Dafydd Jones drew another save from Michael Jones and a good response to conceding left the Seasiders in a positive mood going in 1-1 at half time.

Alas uncertainty at the back allowed Ruane to slot home ninety seconds into the second half, allowing the Druids to follow their preferred deep lying game plan, and although Town enjoyed plenty of possession after the break there appeared no way through the massed Black and White shirts – and indeed Druids created the better chances. The visitors had a huge let off when Roper fired wide at the back post after Mike Pritchard’s shot was saved, Ruane was denied by an excellent Mullock save in a one on one, and Matthew Eckersley fired wide from a good position. Owen sent an effort past the post for Aber at the other end but then Peate nodded another header just wide. In seven minutes of injury time Owen again went close with a snapshot from inside the box, but the Druids held on for a deserved win.

Cefn Druids move above Town into seventh place on goal difference but a win next Saturday at home to Llandudno will put Aber right back into a commanding position in the race for a seventh place finish. Kick off at Park Avenue is at 2pm. 

Dafabet Welsh Premier League Play Off Conference
Saturday 11th February (ko 2.30pm)
Cefn Druids v Aberystwyth Town

The Black and Greens continue their quest for a Fab Feb on Saturday with a Dafabet WPL visit to The Rock to face ninth placed Cefn Druids on Matchday 24.

Last Saturday's 1-0 win over Airbus was a massive boost to all at the club after a poor run, and with three debutants making positive starts, redoutable defending and purposeful attacking play on show, Town can now look forward with confidence to their trip North on Saturday.

Right back Dylan Rees, midfielders Dafydd Jones and Malcolm Melvin all impressed at Park Avenue and the return of Geoff Kellaway from injury was also a big boost. Luke Sherbon's determination to make up for a penalty miss in scoring the winner symbollised a bloody minded fixation on winning which Matthew Bishop's side will need to display again in 48 hours.

Druids have been intriguing opponents to Aber so far in 2016/7, playing well in a 3-0 defeat at the Rock in December before deservedly winning 1-0 at Park Avenue in January to extinguish Aber's Top Six hopes. Their counter attacking style will have been strengthened by the acquisition of Ashley Ruane up front and a tough game is anticipated.

Town Manager Matthew Bishop told Aber Town's Youtube Channel last week: "Cefn Druids as we know are a really good team and they are well organised so it's going to be a tough game for us, but the important thing is we got the result and the clean sheet (last week) to get our rhythm back."

The Supporters Coach will leave Park Avenue at 10.30am sharp. A return trip will cost just £10 which is a good deal in anyone's books. Rock Steady Supporters needed on board!

Aberystwyth Town FC are proud to congratulate Oliver Farebrother, Jack Rimmer and Harri Horwood, who have been selected in the final 18 man squad to represent the Welsh Under 18s Academy in two games against the Republic of Ireland later this month. 

The matches will be played at Bala Town FC on Tuesday 21st February (ko 7.30pm) and Newtown FC on Thursday 23rd February (ko 2pm).

Black and Greens Supporters are encouraged to attend these matches to encourage our young International Stars. 

Dafabet Welsh Premier League
Saturday 4th February
​Aberystwyth Town 1 Airbus UK Broughton 0

​A much improved performance from a Black and Greens side containing three debutants was crowned by Captain Luke Sherbon's 50th Minute winner, as he slotted the ball home from a narrow angle inside the box. The team defended excellently throughout and were good value for a vital win which keeps Aber right in the fight for a UEFA Europa League Play Off spot come the end of the season.

Aber started the game in desperate need of a response after last weeks’ performance, and Manager Matthew Bishop made four changes, bringing in debutants Dylan Rees, Malcolm Melvin and Dafydd Jones plus the return of Jon Owen. In a cagey start the visitors missed a great chance early on when Glen Rule’s corner created a point blank opening for Steve Tomassson which the visiting defender contrived to blast wide. On a pleasant sunny day Aber’s first chance came as Rees dropped a lovely ball into the box for Dafydd Jones, and his superb first time volley flew agonizingly wide. Jones sent in a great left wing cross which evaded everyone before the impressive Melvin’s cultured goalbound ball just evaded hard working Luke Borrelli. At the other end Obi Anoruo was a threat for Airbus and he hit the side netting from the left flank, before Borrelli almost returned the favour by setting up Melvin, but in vain. Overall Aber were playing much better than last week with the debutants doing well, and the half ended goalless with the hosts ahead on points.

​Minutes after the break Town had another lay off when Anoruo created a gilt edged chance for Liam O’Neill, who straight through look certain to score before failing to unleash a shot. Three minutes after the break the unfortunate Bailey Jackson hauled down Borrelli to give Aber a dream chance, but Sherbon’s penalty hit the crossbar to the bar to the despair of the home faithful. A good player will not be denied however and just two minutes later the selfsame Sherbon turned in the area and unleashed a low shot which sneaked in at the far post to finally earn a vital lead in a tight game. Keen to put the game to bed Town pushed on and Owen picked out Borrelli’s run, and his low shot found the side netting. Airbus of course now had a spell of pressure but with the home defence imperious in the air, inspired by the wonderful Ryan Wollacott, their chances were very limited. Tony Gray fired a shot over from outside the area and James Murphy aimed a long distance fizzer just past the post, while at the other end Owen went close with a long range effort and sub Chris Jones brought a save from Shaun Pearson with a late curler, and the Black and Greens held on for a hugely important result.

Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the game to the Management was that Aber’s committed defending meant that Airbus failed to register a single shot on target in the entire game, and if Town can replicate this level of performance over the next nine games the season could yet finish on a high. Matchday number 24 comes next Saturday away to Cefn Druids with a 2.30pm kick off. You’re never short of intrigue with Aber Town!

Dafabet Welsh Premier League Play Off Conference
Saturday 4th February (ko 2pm)
Aberystwyth Town v Airbus UK Broughton

Aberystwyth Town go into Saturday’s Play Off Conference opener at home to Airbus in need of a good result to add some impetus to their season after a Jittery January.

Opponents Airbus have had a very tough season but boosted themselves with a home win over Bangor City on MatchDay 22 and a friendly victory over Flint last weekend. They will feel they have strengthened their squad having added the likes of keeper Shaun Pearson, defenders Leon Clowes and Steve Tomasson, midfielders Ryan Edwards and Glenn Rule, and striker Obi Anoruo,  as they aim to achieve the Great Escape from the bottom two.

Three home defeats for the Black and Greens culminating with a devastating loss to Prestatyn in the Welsh Cup last Saturday certainly does not represent an ideal start to 2017, however Manager Matthew Bishop does at least have many more options up his sleeve than he did back around Christmas time. Very few of last weekend’s starters will have played well enough to feel sure of retaining their shirts this time out, so predicting Bishop’s starting eleven is nay on impossible. Returning to the Squad are wingers Geoff Kellaway and Jon Owen, while three further Players have been added to the roster this week in Dylan Rees, Malcolm Melvin and Dafydd Jones. Intriguing!

Encouraging news for Aber is they had by far the best record in Opening Phase matches against the bottom six, earning 20 of their 23 points against Play Off Conference rivals, compared to Cefn (15 points), Llandudno (14), Rhyl (12), Newtown (11) and Airbus (7). If Town are able to replicate this form over the next 10 games their Season could yet end up on a high.

​Admission on Saturday costs £6 for Adults, £4 Concessions and £1 for Kids, and the game will start at the slightly earlier time of 2pm as Park Avenue’s floodlights are still awaiting full repair. Will Jittery January be followed by a Fab Feb? There’s only one way to find out!