Tenovus Welsh Cup Quarter Final
Saturday 7th March Aberystwyth Town 1 v 1 Airbus UK Broughton a.e.t. (Airbus UK Broughton win 4-2 on penalties) Aberystwyth Town's Welsh Cup run came to an end in the cruellest of ways as they were defeated 4-2 on penalties by Airbus UK Broughton, after an evenly fought contest which saw both defences come out on top. The visitors started off strongest, producing the first effort of the game, which dribbled just wide of Mike Lewis' post. Aber gained a foothold in the game quickly with forward, Mark Jones, testing the Airbus keeper as he headed a long diagonal ball towards the goal. Pacy winger, Ryan Wignall surged down the right but his weak effort was well saved by Lewis in the one on one to keep the scores level. Airbus saw a penalty shout waved away by the referee moments before Geoff Kellaway broke free of the defence, but his shot only found the side netting. The biggest talking point of the game came after half an hour, Craig Williams turning and finding a shot which was deemed not to have crossed the line by the officials, much to the disappointment of the Dias Stand faithful. The second half was a drab affair, neither side really able to force a chance as the two teams continued to cancel each other out. As extra time loomed, Aberystwyth had a flurry of chances in the box blocked away before Airbus' Tom Field saw a header float a whisker wide in the final minute of the game. Extra time saw the match spring into life as fatigue became a factor. Some shaky defending from The Wingmakers opened up a chance for Luke Sherbon which was well saved by Airbus' James Coates. A breakthrough finally came in the 93rd as Craig Williams rifled into the bottom right corner to fire the Black and Greens into the lead. Airbus reacted well, Ryan Wignall heading in just 3 minutes later. Wignall was the centre of attention again seconds later as he was sent off following a second bookable offence. Aberystwyth saw another chance cleared off the line as an exciting first period of extra time came to an end. The second half provided just as much drama. Luke Sherbon was unlucky not to top off a fantastic performance with a looping volley that just dipped the wrong side of the crossbar. With 5 minutes to go until penalties, Airbus were awarded a penalty. Tom Field stepped up hoping to net his 10th penalty of the season but Mike Lewis sprang to his right to tip the effort over the bar with a thrilling save. The teams were inseparable after 120 minutes and so a penalty shootout was required. The penalty shoot-out ended in disappointment for Aber as misses from Rhydian Davies and Luke Sherbon saw them knocked out of the cup at the quarter final stage. Aberystwyth will now focus on achieving a good finish in the league, and Town's next game comes next Friday 13th against Port Talbot at Park Avenue, with a 7.45pm kick off. Fab Fridays are back this week! Report by Tomos Ings Tenovus Welsh Cup Quarter Final
Saturday 7th March (ko 2.30pm) Aberystwyth Town v Airbus UK Broughton Cup Fever returns to Aberystwyth this weekend as the Black and Greens welcome Corbettsports Welsh Premier League rivals Airbus UK Broughton to Park Avenue, with a Semi Final place up for grabs. Town fans will need no reminding of Ian Hughes' side's Welsh Cup heroics last year, and on their route to the Final they beat Caersws at home in a close Quarter Final one year ago by two goals to one, thanks to strikes from Antonio Corbisiero and a rare header from Geoff Kellaway. Another close game is likely on Saturday. Aber and Airbus have played three times this season, with results entirely even to date. In the first phase Aber edged things, winning 2-1 at home, then the sides drew 1-1 up on Deeside in January. Airbus needed a fortunate injury time penalty to beat Aber 3-2 on Valentines Day, so it is hard to get a proverbial cigarette paper between the two sides. Town are bouncing after a super second half at Bala last Friday saw them claim a 3-3 draw, and Ian Hughes reports no major injury woes for Saturday's game. Winger Steff Williams has been allowed to return to Haverfordwest County, leaving with the best wishes from everyone at the Club, so Rhydian Davies has been recalled from his second loan spell at Rhayader Town with immediate effect. Airbus are licking their wounds after succumbing 2-0 at TNS on Sunday - though it has to be said they played well that day. Their Manager Andy Preece is banned from the touchline for this game, but he will be hoping his side's good fortune continues - Airbus have had more penalties than any other side in the WPL this season, with Tom Field alone scoring nine. The match will be played to a finish, including extra time and penalties if necessary, so the scene is set for a dramatic game, and Admission Costs for this Cup Classic remain at £5 for Adults, £3 Concessions and £1 for Children. You won't get better value anywhere this weekend - see you for kick off at 2.30pm. Geoff Kellaway's superb 30 yard volley at Bala on Friday night, which brought Aber back into the game and set them up for a significant result at Maes Tegid, has been selected for the shortlist of Sgorio's Gol Y Mis ('Goal of the Month') competition for February 2015. Welsh international striker, Gwennan Harries, will choose the February 2015 Goal of the Month winner during the live game between Carmarthen and Rhyl in the Welsh Cup on Sunday on S4C. To view Geoff's goal, and the five other contenders, visit Sgorio's website here. Winger Geoff Kellaway was the toast of the Green Army as he bagged three goals in a six goal 3-3 thriller at Maes Tegid on Friday evening, writes Matthew Wallace. Kellaway, who’s currently in his third spell with his home town club, opened his account in the 27th minute with a fantastic strike that left pundits and supporters purring.
“I drifted over to the left hand side. I play of the right so I drifted over to the other wing to cut in on my right foot. I just went for it and it caught the keeper unaware and luckily it went in.” Trailing 2-1 at the interval two further goals from Kellaway looked to have set Town on course for victory , but football again proved how cruel it can be as Bala scored an equaliser in the very last minute to earn a share of the spoils. “It’s definitely two points dropped. We dominated the second half. To get the goal and then to get in front in the second half and to concede from a corner in the 90th minute, it’s heart-breaking to be honest. But we’re already looking forward to putting that right next week.” Despite the obvious disappointment, the former Melbourne Victory star was keen to praise his teammates and the spirit within the dressing room, a message that’s also been supported by manager Ian Hughes in recent weeks. “The boys all work hard. We’ve got a group of lads. We all put our bodies on the line for each another. Unfortunately we didn’t get the three points. Mike’s a top keeper. When we need him, he pulls off great saves and the midfield run around, tackling and passing to make my job a lot easier. “ From a personal perspective, it was a night to remember for Kellaway.“I’m very pleased. I haven’t been on the score sheet in a while so to get one is usually nice but to bag a hat trick, I’m very happy.” Town return to action next week in the 5th round of the Welsh Cup. The draw has paired them with Airbus UK who currently sit in second position in the league. With Aberystwyth enjoying home advantage, it should be another classic for the ages. Just a few weeks ago, Town were desperately unlucky not to return from Broughton with all three points conceding two goals late goals in a 3-2 defeat. A chance at revenge albeit in a different competition is something that’s motivating the dressing room. “We’re looking to put a few wrongs right from our away trip there a couple of weeks back. To concede those two goals like we did, late goals on, we’ll be looking to put that right and hopefully I can be on the score sheet again." Saturday's Welsh Cup Quarter Final at home to Airbus kicks off at 2.30pm. Corbettsports Welsh Premier League
Friday 27th February Bala Town 3 Aberystwyth Town 3 Geoff Kellaway's stunning hat trick enabled Aber Town to get an excellent result at Maes Tegid last night, in a game the Black and Greens came within four minutes of winning. The positive result means Aber's Final league position this season is now likely to be decided by games at Park Avenue, as main rivals Bala and Airbus still have to visit Ceredigion before April 26th. On a chilly, drizzly night in Gwynedd Bala started stronger and were in the lead within nine minutes, when a defensive clearance inadvertently fell for the unmarked Lee Hunt in the box, and the veteran WPL Goal Magnet made no mistake from close range. Both sides struggled to cope with a heavy pitch, and Bala nearly doubled their lead when Ian Sheridan cut inside from the left flank and curled a shot in, which brought an excellent diving save fom Mike Lewis. Minutes later Lewis again denied Sheridan, this time with his heel, and the value of these two vital saves was underlined on 27 minutes when Kellaway curled a right footed worldie into the top corner of Ashley Morris' goal, from an unaccustomed position on the left side, to equalise and bring the visiting supporters to their feet. Bala however underlined the balance of play two minutes later when Mark Jones curled in a similar effort, from the right, for a super second and a 2-1 lead. Aber hung on a bit for the remainder of the half as Hunt was denied by Chris Davies' excellent challenge, Sheridan yet again cut inside and yet again found Lewis in the way, before Sheridan and Hunt again went close, but after a disappointing first half the visitors were delighted to still be in the game at half time, with the score at 2-1. The second half was a completely different story, as Aber dominated proceedings and came close to winning the game. A tactical switch saw Luke Sherbon moved to attacking midfield at half time, a position he has always enjoyed, and he was a key player in Town's second half revival. True, Lewis once again had to deny Sheridan after Mark Connolly sent a good ball into the box, but from then on Aber looked a real threat. They equalised on 57 minutes when half time substitute Stephen Wright marauded forward and picked out Sherbon on the right hand edge of the area, and his super ball in to the box picked out Kellaway perfectly, for the Felinfach Flier to notch his second clinically. With Aber now looking much more purposeful, particularly down the flanks, a bit of good fortune saw them take the lead with seventeen minutes left. Craig Williams' ball into the box looked speculative at best, but Morris came for, and dropped the ball, and when it fell to Kellaway twenty yards out, he fired home to claim a brilliant hat trick to bring the prospect of a huge victory into view. Sherbon narrowly failed to head a free kick goal bound, but then back came the hosts, with Connolly and Sheridan both heading over from close range. Then in the eighty ninth minute a Bala corner out on their right found unmarked Centre Half Will Bell, and he headed home purposefully to snatch a draw in a pulsating game. Lewis had to tip over a shot from Connolly in injury time, and the final whistle finally blew on a game which illustrated perfectly why this year's thrilling race for second place in the WPL will go right to the wire. Aberystwyth's super second half fightback last night could prove to be a huge influence on the remainder of the season, and wins in their three remaining home games, against Port Talbot Town, Airbus and Bala Town would put them well on the way to a best ever WPL position, bringing with it a first ever UEFA Europa League Qualification via the League. However, the Welsh Cup Quarter Final is up next Saturday as Airbus visit Park Avenue for a 2.30pm kick off. Don't miss it! |
Gem Nesaf
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Ebost / Email: AberTownFC@live.co.uk
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