JD Cymru Premier
Tuesday 15th March
Aberystwyth Town 0 Haverfordwest County 6

Aber Town suffered a humiliating six goal defeat at home to Dyfed rivals Haverfordwest County, for whom authoritative Alhagi Touray Sisay scored a hat trick (15, 46, 63 mins). Aber’s Lee Jenkins was sent off conceding a penalty which Jordan Davies put away on 80 minutes, before late goals from Corey Shepherd (84) and sub Henry Jones (89 minutes) compounded the home misery.

The match started at a high pace with Haverfordwest looking slick. Home keeper Alex Pennock came out well to deny Sisay early one, and a useful free kick from Elliott Scotcher evaded everyone in the home area. Jordan Davies then found some space to feed the returning Sisay to open the scoring from close range, and County had first blood. Aber’s response was impressive: Matthew Jones set up Steff Davies, whose header brought a save out of Lee Idzi, Harry Franklin sent in a 30 yard volley which Idzi saved, Jamie Veale sent a shot wide, then Franklin fed Veale and his stupendous 25 yard volley smashed off the crossbar and somehow down into the grateful Idzi’s grasp, in a huge let off for the visitors. Sisay headed wide and with the game in the balance the chances kept coming. Veale had a low effort saved before Franklin fed Sam Phillips who lobbed over. Steff Davies then intercepted a pass but volleyed straight at Idzi, and having dominated the second half of the first half Aber were just not getting the rub of the green, with the one goal deficit rather harsh on the hosts.  

Unfortunately for Black and Green supporters the second half was a different story. Sisay somehow contrived to deflect Jack Wilson’s long throw into the net off the far post just after the restart, and then Shepherd headed over the bar. Aber tried gamely to get back into it but the visitors were breaking quickly and one such instance saw Jordan Davies feed Sisay, who score with a left footed volley to complete his hat trick. Town had a few free kicks from Veale blocked, and home fans thinking things couldn’t get much worse had a rude awakening ten minutes from time when Jenkins brought down Jordan Evans as last man, and conceded a penalty which Davies gleefully converted. Sisay crossed for Shepherd to notch the fifth, then Henry Jones’ free kick sneaked in at the near post right at the death for six, and mercifully the game was done.

After a very even first half Aberystwyth Town copped a hammering after the break last night, and there are few positives to be taken from such a heavy defeat. However the darkest hour comes before the dawn, and Antonio Corbisiero’s men have ten days to lick their wounds before the chance to put things right comes a week on Friday, at home to Barry Town (ko 8pm). 

Aberystwyth Town are delighted to congratulate young defensive starlet Lee Jenkins on his latest call up to the Cymru C squad!

Jenks has been a standout performer for Town since bursting onto the scene during the 2018/19 season. Still just 20 years old, he has made 90 first team appearances and has captained The Seasiders on a number of occasions.

It was recently announced that Cymru C and England C will meet for a third International Challenge Match at The Oval - home of Caernarfon Town - on Wednesday 30th March 2022, with a 7pm kick-off.

The two teams were scheduled to meet in March 2020 - a squad which Lee was included - but the game was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The last clash at the Peninsula Stadium in Salford in 2019 saw the two teams play out a 2-2 draw, while England earned a 3-2 victory at Barry Town United’s Jenner Park in 2018.

Mark Jones, who has taken charge of the previous two fixtures in the Cymru C hotseat, will once again oversee proceedings in Caernarfon. 
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Jones said: “After missing out on this occasion in 2020 due to the pandemic, we’re more excited than ever to be welcoming England C to The Oval. It will be a fantastic occasion in what will be a momentous week for Welsh football.”

Llongyfarchiadau mawr / Huge congratulations, Lee!

Aberystwyth Town vs Haverfordwest County
JD Cymru Premier
Tuesday 15th March
8pm KO
 
After over a month without a home match, The Black & Greens are back at Aberystwyth University Park Avenue for their second home outing within 4 days tomorrow night, as Haverfordwest County visit Ceredigion.
 
With only 8 matches remaining in this season’s JD Cymru Premier, this is a hugely important match for both sides ambitions of securing 7th position and an opportunity to compete for a place in next seasons Irn Bru Cup through the end of season playoffs.
 
The weekends results saw tomorrow nights visitors jump the Seasiders into 8th position, following a 6-1 home victory over Cefn Druids. This was the Bluebirds’ third win in a row after beating Barry Town United the previous weekend, and Cefn Druids on the 26th February in Phase One.
 
The two teams have similar records this season – both having won 7 out of 24 league matches and both scoring 26 league goals in that time. Haverfordwest have drawn 2 more matches than Aber, but Aber have conceded one less league goal, so it promises to be an entertaining and hard-fought contest tomorrow night!
 
This will be the third meeting between the two sides in the last 6 weeks, as both Phase One matches were played in early February. The Black & Greens took all three points at Park Avenue on 1st Feb with goals from Sam Phillips and Matty Jones securing a 2-0 victory on the night the club celebrated 1000 Cyrmu Premier matches, whilst the reverse fixture 10 days later ended in a 0-0 draw at Bridge Meadow.
 
Both squads will be well acquainted by now but one very familiar face in the Haverfordwest ranks is Alhagi Touray Sisay, who spent 3 months at Park Avenue back in 2020 and netted 4 goals in 5 league games before a move to then EFL League Two side Grimsby Town. Alhagi has netted 8 times for The Bluebirds this season and is their top scorer, closely followed by Ben Fawcett who has 7.

It's back to Tuesday nights under the lights at Park Avenue! Tickets are priced at £7 for Adults, £4 for Concessions & Under 16’s are free.

The club is pleased to announce a bucket collection will take place throughout the game in aid of the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. For more information, or if you are unable to attend the game, visit the DEC's website to donate: DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

JD Cymru Premier
Saturday 12th March
Aberystwyth Town 0 Cardiff Met 2

Aber Town suffered a disappointing home defeat to Cardiff Met on Saturday afternoon, as an extremely tight JD Cymru Premier game was decided by two goals in three minutes from Emlyn Lewis (72) and Harry Owen (75 minutes) in the visitors favour.
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An encouraging start from Aber saw Sam Phillips test visiting keeper Alex Lang with a low shot, before Louis Bradford did likewise with a backwards header from Jack Thorn’s long throw. Met’s Owen tapped wide at the near post from Chris Baker’s cross, and then back in front of the Dias Stand Lee Jenkins glances over from Phillips’ cross. Alex Pennock collected Kyle McCarthy’s cross before Lewis Rees fired wide for Met, but with the likes of Bradford, Jenkins and Alex Darlington keeping a tight lid on Aber’s defence, the hosts were also able to threaten: Steff Davies’s goalbound header was saved by Lang and then Owain Jones appeared to be bundled over in the box, but the referee was unimpressed by home appeals. Owen saw a low volley palmed wide by Pennock, and a half which was quite low in obvious goal scoring chances ended predictably at nil nil.

After the break, a hitherto even game edged towards the Met’s favour, who benefitted from a strongly gusting wind and enjoyed periods of possession without really testing Aber’s back line. Tom Price’s deflected effort was easy for Pennock to collect and then Met enjoyed a let off when Jack Rimmer’s deep free kick was nodded on by Harry Franklin, and Bradford was inches wide with a headed attempt at goal – agonising for the Black and Green supporters. Owain Jones lobbed over for Aber, then Price the livewire was again denied by Pennock. Then, an utterly bizarre moment swung the game decisively as Emlyn Lewis’ ball forward bounced into the area, over Pennock’s head and incredibly into the net. The disaster was doubled minutes later when Price’s free kick was parried by Pennock and Owen snaffled up the chance at the back post to double the lead. Met from here in shut the door at the back and although Darlington’s cute near post snapshot again brought Lang into action, and Pennock denied Owen a second, a thoroughly miserable last quarter of the game ended with Met victorious by two goals to nil.

For long periods of Saturday afternoon this game had nil nil written all over it, but a three minute salvo proved crucial and left Aber experiencing the sour taste of JD Cymru defeat for the first time since mid January. The good news is that Antonio Corbisiero’s men have the perfect chance to bounce back on Tuesday evening when Haverfordwest County come to Town for an 8pm kick off.  See you down the Park.

Aberystwyth Town vs Cardiff Metropolitan University
JD Cymru Premier
Saturday 12th March
2.30pm KO
 
Aberystwyth Town take to the hallowed turf of Park Avenue for the first time in over a month this Saturday, as Cardiff Met visit for the first home game of Phase Two.
 
Antonio Corbisiero’s side are currently enjoying a 5-match unbeaten run in the Cymru Premier – their longest of the season so far – and only table topping The New Saints can boast a better points return during that five match period.
 
Saturday’s visitors are on an unbeaten run of their own at the moment, which currently stands at 9 matches and stretches all the way back to November. However, they have not picked up maximum points since beating Barry Town United in January and have drawn their last five league matches.
 
Met currently sit top of the Playoff Conference, having amassed 28 points from 23 games. Although they have only hit 21 goals during that time, the second lowest in the league, they have the joint-third best defence record and exactly the same goal difference as the Black & Greens. Adam Roscrow is their top goalscorer with 5 league goals, whilst Harry Owen has hit 3.
 
Both teams were involved in draws last weekend. Met’s home encounter with Connahs Quay Nomads ended goalless, whilst Aber’s strong team spirit was evident at The Rock as the boys produced a very late rally to rescue a 3-3 draw against Cefn Druids – Owain Jones netting the equalising goal with almost the last kick of the ball after Ben Wynne had made it 3-2 on 89 minutes. Harry Franklin had earlier opened the scoring on the 10th minute.
 
There have been three meetings between the two sides so far this season. The away side won both league encounters – a deflected Emlyn Lewis strike giving Met the victory at Park Avenue back in September, whilst a John Owen header secured the points for Aber at Cyncoed Campus in November. Met also were also victorious at Park Avenue in the 3rd Round of the Nathaniel MG Cup.
 
Tickets for this eagerly anticipated return home are priced at £7 for Adults, £4 for Concessions with Under 16’s free. Come down and support the lads as they look to kick-start Phase Two and push for a place in the Playoffs for the Scottish Challenge Cup!

JD Cymru Premier
Friday 4th March
Cefn Druids 3 Aberystwyth Town 3

Owain Jones’ injury time equaliser at Cefn Druids last night ensured that Aber Town emerged from a topsy turvey game with a point which keeps them within striking distance of a Scottish League Cup Play Off spot at the top of the JD Cymru Play Off Conference. The impeccable Harry Franklin gave Aber the lead on 11 minutes, only for Phil Mooney (19), Liam Thomas (68) and Niall Flint (81 mins) to turn the game and put the Druids on the verge of their first win of the season. However the Black and Greens’ subs again made an impact with Ben Wynne smashing home his first Aber goal on 86 minutes, and Jones nodding home on 92 minutes to restore parity.

Antonio Corbisiero’s men started their Phase II campaign on fire with a blistering start. Franklin had an early shot saved by Mike Jones in the Druids goal, before playing in Steff Davies who curled an effort just past then post. Jon Owen was denied and Louis Bradford sent a header past the post before Franklin found space and scored with a low volley from a narrow angle out on the left for a deserved lead. Aber kept coming and Sam Phillips was next to be denied by Jones, then Steff Davies did well to create space down the right before crossing for Alex Darlington to tap home – but alas the goal was disallowed for offside. Within a minute Ioan Evans’ corner was nodded home by Mooney and the whole balance of the match swung dramatically. Tyler Garratt volleyed wide for the hosts, Taylor Thain had a shot saved by Alex Pennock, the tricky Liam Thomas saw an effort blocked and cleared and Garratt headed wide from a right wing cross with the improving hosts on top. Jamie Veale played a nice one two just before the break but missed the target with his effort and the half time scoreline of 1-1 was a fair reflection of a half of two halves.

Aber again started the second half well, determined to retake the lead. Darlington sent a low volley inches wide after a nice move, Franklin’s hard work earned a chance for Veale who went close, Steff Davies sent in a volley which Jones just held and Jack Rimmer had a good chance saved once again by Jones. Phillips found space, cut inside and fired a right footer just over the box in a frustrating watch for visiting fans – and then disaster stuck as Druids broke down the right and worked the ball across to Thomas on the left who finished low down to sneak the hosts into the lead. Now Druids were keeping the ball well and Aber were facing devastation when Niall Flint was picked out and scored under Pennock for a three one lead. Credit to Aber though who kept going, and six minutes after coming on Wynne on his return to The Rock danced around and found space in the box to smash home a thunderous volley from the right flank into the top corner of the net and breathe hope back into the Black and Greens. The visitors knew a chance would come in the four minutes of injury time and indeed it did when Bradford won a crucial ball in midfield, Franklin sent in a super ball from deep and Jones nicked in to nod the ball past Jones and earn what could be a crucial point for Aber come the end of the season.

The Black and Greens were left with mixed emotions at the end, having come back at the death to earn a point in a match they could have won handsomely on chances created. The good news is that with nine matches remaining Aber Town know that a win at home to Cardiff Met in their next game will put them top of the Play Off Conference, so an intriguing match awaits next Saturday at Park Avenue (ko 2.30pm). It won’t be boring!