JD Cymru Premier
Friday 17th March
Caernarfon Town 0 Aberystwyth Town 1

Aber Town bounced back from disappointment last week with a superb performance and a vital win away to Caernarfon Town last night. The Black and Greens travelled to the Oval under pressure but created dozens of chances before and after Niall Flint (right)’s 41st minute winner. Laurie Bell was sent off for the Cofis eight minutes after the restart and Town held firm for their first clean sheet of the season, to the delight of their loyal band of supporters.

On a drizzly night in the foothills of Snowdownia Matthew Turner saved a right wing cross from Caernarfon, then livewire Flint had a shot blocked before Louis Bradford headed Harry Arnison’s free kick over the bar. The hosts were definitely in the game however and Cymru C selectee Sion Bradley released Rhys Alun Williams down the right for a great chance, but the January signing from Porthmadog blasted over the bar. Turner was out well to grab another corner, then Bell fired wide at the back post. Joe Faux was looking tricky down the left and then a corner fell nicely for Danny Gossett to volley inches wide, with Aber hearts in mouths.  The visitors were still right in the game however – a cross from Cymru Premier Player of the Month Mark Cadwallader just evaded the sumptuous John Owen, then Arnison appeared to be chopped down on the edge of the area at full speed, but play on was the decision. Faux had a left wing shot gathered by Turner, then a series of Aber corners resulted in Flint volleying wide at the back post. A lovely move from Aber saw Liam Walsh feed Owen in the box, and his deft flick trickled just past the post – however with the Seasiders’ next move Flint danced on the edge of the area to find space before unleashing a left footed low drive to Josh Tibbets’ bottom corner, to gain a lead which delighted the visiting fans, and which at the break Aber deserved for a disciplined performance.

With a huge result within their grasp Aber knew that a huge 45 minutes awaited them, and they started the second half in incredible form. Owen was fouled on the edge of the area seconds into the half, and Arnison’s free kick was punched clear by Tibbets, before Owen’s effort was also turned away. Cadwallader volleyed just over the bar from Billy Kirkman’s corner, then Iwan Lewis was next to have an attempt just wide. Aber were really going for it: Cadwallader had another shot blocked and Owen had a shot saved by the overworked Tibbets, then Kirkman surged forward from left back on a lung busting run and rounded the keeper, but was so unlucky to see his cute effort  from a narrow angle rebound off the post into the lucky Tibbets’ grasp. Minutes later the Cofis shot themselves in the foot when Bell went in with his head to confront Flint, and received a straight red card, and Aber continued to press as Arnison’s free kicked was headed wide by Bradford. Despite all their pressure the lead was still a thin one and Town were delighted to see Turner get down well to deny Williams an equaliser from the left side.  With the hosts struggling to create chances Arnison was next to have a low attempt saved, and Aber were defending stoutly with Bradford and Thorn creating an unmoveable barrier at the back. As the game wore on the visitors started to use the extra space created by the extra man and kept the ball beautifully – then the industrious Jake Canavan saw a shot deflected for a corner and Arnison volleyed over at the back post. Turner did well to gather a Darren Thomas cross in a rare injury time foray by the hosts, and the Black and Greens saw the game out deep in Caernarfon’s half to seal a huge and confidence boosting result, with players and supporters celebrating together at the end.

Against a tough opponent this was possibly Aber’s most rounded away performance of the season and the display – not to mention the clean sheet - will surely give Anthony Williams’ side great confidence looking forward to the final five matches of the Cymru Premier season. Town’s next assignment comes at home to Flint Town United next Saturday at 2.30pm. Can’t wait!

Caernarfon Town vs Aberystwyth Town
JD Cymru Premier
Friday 17th March (KO 7.45pm)
 
Aber Town hit the road again tonight with The Oval the venue for the Seasiders St. Patricks Day outing, hoping that it is a Green night indeed!

Caernarfon have picked up 7 points so far in Phase 2, with Aber gaining 4 in the same time. The Cofis started the second phase with back to back victories against Haverfordwest and Airbus, before a draw with Flint and then a 1-0 reverse at Pontypridd last weekend.
 
This means that they currently sit in 8th place, one point behind Haverfordwest in 7th with both teams having played the same amount of games.
 
There are a couple of familiar faces in the Caernarfon squad this season. Ben Wynne spent the latter half of last season at Aberystwyth University Park Avenue before moving north in the summer, whilst Darren Thomas signed for Aber from Caernarfon back in 2015 during Ian Hughes’ tenure and had a six month spell in Black and Green before returning to The Oval.
 
Fidel O’Rourke was the teams top scorer in Phase 1, but after hitting 7 goals the loanee has since returned to parent club Liverpool before being loaned out again. Joe Faux and Darren Thomas have both netted 6, whilst Sion Bradley & Ben Wynne have 4 each.
 
The spoils were shared between the two teams in Phase 1. Caernarfon triumphed 2-1 at the Oval in October thanks to goals from O’Rourke and Marsh-Hughes, with Sam Litchfield replying for Aber. The scoreline was then replicated at Park Avenue in January with Aber the victors this time thanks to goals from Harry Arnison & Niall Flint, whilst Caernarfon’s reply came from Rhys Alun Williams.
 
The Oval can be found on Marcus Street, Caernarfon and the postcode for your sat-nav is LL55 2HT. Its time for another Friday night on the road with the Black and Greens!

JD Cymru Premier
Saturday 11th March
Aberystwyth Town 0 Haverfordwest County 1

In a tight, tight game at Park Avenue yesterday Haverfordwest got the break they needed to beat Aber Town 1-0, with Ioan Evans’ 51st minute strike enough to seal the deal. Aber created some great chances to equalise but County saw the game out on a disappointing afternoon for those of a Black and Green persuasion.

A wintry rainstorm prior to kick off did not deter the Park Avenue faithful, and the game started with both sides playing a cagey game, with chances few and far between. Matthew Turner in Aber’s goal did well to turn Jordan Davies’ low effort just round the post, but Aber defended well to repel a series of corners and long throws, with Louis Bradford in particular putting in some great challenges to keep County at bay. A free kick from Harry Arnsion drifted wide in Aber’s first effort, and then returning Leigh Jenkins, recently selected for the Wales C Squad, glanced a header past Matthew Turner’s post. Liam Walsh sent in a testing right wing cross which evaded everyone, and though Aber were working really hard to press the ball, they were finding it hard to create opportunities as County pressed hard in return. Billy Kirkman sent another free kick past the post, Jenkins headed wide at the other end again and then in injury time Niall Flint’s corner was headed against the post by Mark Cadwallader, and cleared to safety. A combined two attempts on target throughout the first half probably summed up a tight game!

Jordan Davies burst through after the break but sub Harri Horwood covered well and Turner saved from the pacey striker. A dangerous Arnsion free kick evaded everyone and then came the crucial moment. Henry Jones sent in a hopeful shot from distance which Turner parried, and Evans was in the right spot to fire the ball low into the far corner for a big goal. Jack Wilson brought another save from Turner, and then blasted wide from a good position with County looking to kill off Aber, but Town stayed in it and battled on. Horwood went on a buccaneering run down the left, played in Jon Owen, and his goalbound shot was brilliantly touched round the post by Zac Jones in County’s goal, with Thorn heading the resultant corner wide. Wilson volleyed over and then a dangerous cross from Owen appeared to strike the hand of a visiting defender, but frustrated Town had to settle for a corner, which was cleared. Turner parried a dangerous header to safety then right at the end of the ninety Steff Davies flicked on a ball, and Bradford’s close range effort was desperately scrambled to safety by Haverfordwest. Elliot Duggan fired wide at the other end and County saw out the win.

On the balance of play Haverfordwest probably just about deserved to win an ugly game, but on another day Anthony Williams’ hard working side would definitely have got something out of this game. With everything going against them at the moment Aber must lick their wounds this week ahead of their next game, away to Caernarfon Town on Friday evening (ko 7.45pm).

Photos courtesy of RB Photography

Aberystwyth Town vs Haverfordwest County
JD Cymru Premier
Saturday 11th March
2.30pm KO
 
After a two-week break, Aberystwyth Town return to action looking to build on the 7-1 win at Airbus on 24th February – a scoreline that equalled Aber’s best ever win in the Cymru Premier.
 
That result, which saw 6 different players register goals, gives Anthony Williams’ side plenty of hope going into the final 7 games of the season, and with 7th placed Caernarfon Town only 6 points ahead of the Black & Greens, a push for the last playoff spot may not be completely out of the question if Aber can put a string of wins together.
 
The visitors to Aberystwyth University Park Avenue this weekend are 8th placed Haverfordwest County, led by former Aber manager Tony Pennock. The Bluebirds currently sit on 30 points, 4 points better off than ATFC, and have 9 wins and 3 draws to their name so far this season, having played 25 matches.
 
They come into this match having won 2 and lost 3 of their last 5 games – including a 2-1 reverse at Pontypridd United last time out.
 
Jordan Davies is the Bluebirds top scorer so far this season, with 10 goals to his name so far. Ben Fawcett has 5, whilst Jack Wilson has 4.
 
In addition to Tony Pennock in the opposition dugout, there will be a number of familiar faces returning to Park Avenue on Saturday. Lee Jenkins swapped Ceredigion for Pembrokeshire last summer, having come through the ranks at ATFC to go on to become a reliable member of the back four and a fan favourite. Jamie Veale followed the same path after spending two seasons in Black & Green, netting a number of memorable goals in that time, whilst Ricky Watts & Dylan Rees both had brief spells at the club earlier in their careers.
 
The Green Army will be needed in full voice if Aber are to put a late charge for the playoffs together. Admission prices at Aberystwyth University Park Avenue Stadium this season are £8 for Adults, £5 for Concessions / Students, £2 for Secondary School age children and free entry for Primary School age children.