 Everyone at Aberystwyth Town FC would like to congratulate talismanic midfielder Chris Venables for creating a new Club Goalscoring Record last Friday night.
Chris' goal against Bala, a diving header at the back post from a deep Wyn Thomas cross, was his 28th goal of the season - an incredible return for an attacking midfielder. This goal took him past Gavin Allen's previous record of 27 Welsh Premier League goals in a season, which had stood since 1997/98. Manager Ian Hughes told atfc.org.uk: "Chris' goal return over the past eighteen months has been astonishing really - but it is no surprise to anyone within the Club as Chris works harder than anyone on the training pitch to get things right on match day. He has made a point of practising his finishing over the past two seasons and that has born fruit." Venables is certain to win the WPL Golden Boot for the second season running, as he currently stands 10 full goals ahead of nearest rivals Jason Oswell of Newtown, and Martin Rose who he will face at Port Talbot on Sunday lunchtime. Congratulations Venners on another superb achievement!  Last weekend’s results confirmed the Black and Greens’ participation in the UEFA Europa League Play Offs in May, and Aber are guaranteed a home draw in the Semi Finals at least.
The Semi Finals are likely to take place on Saturday May 9th (ko 2.30pm) and Sunday May 10th (ko 12.45pm), the latter game to be televised by Sgorio. The precise date of Aber’s Semi Final will be known once Sgorio have chosen their live game. If TNS win the Welsh Cup Final on May 2nd, the Play Off Semi Finals will be as follows: Aberystwyth Town (4) v Rhyl/Gap Connah’s Quay/Carmarthen (7) Port Talbot Town (5) v Newtown (6) If Newtown win the Welsh Cup, the Semi Finals will be as follows: Bala Town/Airbus(3) v Rhyl/Gap Connah’s Quay/Carmarthen (7) Aberystwyth Town (4) v Port Talbot Town (5) The Play Off Final will take place on Sunday May 17th (ko likely to be 12.45pm) and will be hosted by the highest placed participant. The 3rd and 7th placed entrants will be confirmed after Sunday’s final round of WPL matches, when Aber travel to Port Talbot for a 1pm kick off.  As the curtain came down on another regular season at Park Avenue, Town boss Ian Hughes was keen to reflect on the positives of the campaign, writes Matthew Wallace.
“There’s been progression. We finished third from bottom and stayed up by a point when I came in and now we’re a Top Four club. The way the players have changed and the outlook of the club. In two years, we’ve gone from nearly dropping out of the league to nearly qualifying for Europe every season and the players deserve all that credit. They came together and united together and they want to do well for this club, as do I. So disappointing tonight but the outlook of it all is to make sure this Club is a Top 4 Club so they deserve full credit. We’ve got one game to go now. In terms of the season, recently it’s not been great but as a season I’ve been content.” The disappointment that Hughes was talking about was the 2-1 reverse against current second place Bala Town on Friday night. Top scorer Chris Venables had put the Seasiders in the driving seat but two late goals ensured that there would be no winning finale for Town in their final home soiree in the league. “It’s a tough one to take today as we played very well in terms of the chances we created and ball possession. We’re playing against the second best team in the league and perhaps we should have won the game which shows that we’re moving in the right direction. We dominated the first hour but we should have got the second goal. We had chances to make it 2-0. But then we got done by a sucker punch. We gave two goals away late on. It’s happened before this season but it’s something we need to address now because its becoming every game now.” The defeat, coupled with Airbus’ shock victory against the previously unbeaten TNS has confirmed Aber’s fourth place finish, the highest since the inception of the Super 12. Although this is a positive, Hughes is slightly aggrieved that his side couldn’t take the opportunity to finish higher. “It’s very disappointing. We wanted to take it to the last game of the season to get the third spot, that doesn’t seem likely but we’re definitely a top four side. We need to remember that. We’re currently 10 points ahead of Port Talbot and Newtown so we’re comfortably fourth place which again shows how far we’ve come.” With just one game left away at 5th place Port Talbot next week, Hughes is relishing the opportunity to create history for the club. “It was the first time this club has qualified for Europe. I know they did it in the Intertoto cup but last year was the first time they’ve got Coefficient points from Champions League or Europa League. That’s only happened once in over a 100 years of history but to do it twice, back to back, is going to be tough. We’ve given ourselves a great chance and if the players do that, then they deserve great credit. History is against us as traditionally, this club doesn’t qualify for Europe. So to be in this position is a great thing so now we’ve got to take the opportunity“ But even with the potential of a European campaign on the horizon, Hughes maintains that he is already looking to next season and to go one better. “We want to keep progressing its important that we don’t stand still. It would be criminal to stand still. We want to keep progressing and bringing in better players to make sure we’re challenging near the top of the league again next season.” Watch Martin Smith's full post match interviews with Ian Hughes via Town's YouTube Channel by clicking on the "Videos" tab here. Corbettsports Welsh Premier League
Friday 17th April Aberystwyth Town 1 Bala Town 2 Park Avenue's biggest crowd of the season, boosted by a pre match Club Photo, saw Aber concede two goals in the last quarter of this game to Europe bound Bala, on a night when a decent performance from the home side deserved a draw at least on the balance of play. The game started with both sides showing attacking intent but defending stoutly. Lee Hunt screwed a header just wide for Bala, and Ian Sheridan grazed the crossbar with a header, but Aber responded well. Luke Sherbon's shot certainly hit a Bala defenders' hand but no penalty was awarded, and minutes later Sherbon again was a touch away from glory. Chris Davies sent an excellent cross in from the right which eluded everyone, then on 34 minutes the breakthrough came as Wyn Thomas' deep cross found Chris Venables at the back post, who nodded home his 28th League goal of the season, and a tight half ended 1-0 to the homesters. Town started the second half confidently, searching for the killer second goal as they attacked the Dias Stand. Mike Lewis sprinted off his line to deny Sheridan, and Wyn Thomas and Stuart Jones made some crucial tackles and blocks, then at the other end Mark Jones headed Craig Williams' cross agonizingly wide. Williams then drew a save from Ashley Morris in the Bala goal before a Sherbon chip was miraculously cleared off the line. Antonio Corbisiero went down in the box, again to no avail, but then on 73 minutes clinical Bala scored from a rare breakaway as Lee Hunt sneaked in at the near post to equalise from a left wing cross. Lewis had to deny Hunt who was clean through minutes later, and with Aber pushing vainly for a vital winner, the visitors broke in the 90th minute through Sheridan down the left channel, and he scored a crucial winner. There was still time for Sherbon again to be denied from 4 yards out, but it was not to be and Bala celebrated wildly at the final whistle, knowing that the result had probably clinched them a place in next season's UEFA Europa League. Aber's regular WPL Season ends next Sunday with a trip to Port Talbot (ko 1pm). The Black and Greens now know for sure that they will finish fourth, and will contest the UEFA Europa League Play Offs in May. Town are certain to be at home in the Semi Finals on Sunday May 10th (to Port Talbot if Newtown win the Welsh Cup, or to the 7th placed side (Rhyl/Carmarthen/Connah's Quay) if TNS win the Cup. The Final will follow a week later - and the potential opponents will be known after the Welsh Cup Final. Aberystwyth Town FC are delighted to confirm that this season's Aber Digs Aberystwyth Town Cup Final, between Toke City FC and CPD Y Geltaidd will be played at Park Avenue, on Friday May 1st (ko TBC).
The first fifty students through the gates for tomorrow night's game against Bala (ko 7.45pm) will receive exclusive free tickets for the Final. The DIGS League Committee have been proactive in promoting the Black and Greens' home games to their member Clubs this season, and in recognition of this support the Club will host the Cup Final on Mayday. Toke City beat AUFC Freshers 6-5 on penalties to reach the Final, coming back from 2-0 down in the process, in a game where Toke Keeper Jon Wethers took the Man of the Match award. Geltaidd also came from behind to beat Inter Yournan 4-1 in the other Semi Final, with Man of the Match Matthew Evans scoring twice. Aberystwyth Town FC look forward to a sizeable support from DIGS League Clubs tomorrow evening for our vital game against Bala Town.  Corbettsports Welsh Premier League
Friday 17th April (ko 7.45pm) Aberystwyth Town v Bala Town Aber Town face their last home League game of a dizzying season knowing that a win at home to Second Place Bala Town will ensure that their Top Three dream is still alive. Town's best ever WPL finish was third in the Leagues first season of 1992/3, and they know that it is still possible for them to equal that achievement, with two wins in their last two WPL games. 2014/5 has been a tremendous season for the Black and Greens, from the Europa League ties with Derry City to the 5-0 opening day win at Cefn Druids, the astonishing 4-0 win over Bala in September to the ten man victory over Airbus in October. A Halloween win over Newtown in the rain thanks to stand in keeper Cledan Davies' remarkable save, a draw at TNS and a 4-2 triumph at Connah's Quay from behind led Aber to a Christmas double over Carmarthen which sewed up their Top Six berth. Incredible comebacks have become Town's trademark since the split, gaining improbable results at home to Newtown and Port Talbot, and away to Bala, Newtown and most astonishingly, TNS last week. That result in particular must surely now give the team real confidence and belief that anything is still possible. Chris Venables is once again the League's top scorer with a 27 goal haul to date, Luke Sherbon was named the WPL Player of the Month for March and Mark Jones showed what a class front man he can be at TNS last Friday with two super strikes. Friday's opponents Bala are of course not only a class act off the field but a superb outfit on it, and with Senior WPL Big Hitters such as Lee Hunt, Mark Connolly, Ian Sheridan and Mark Jones to choose from going forward they will always be a threat. Ex Aber player Conall Murtagh also pulls the strings in Central Midfield. The three games between the sides to date have been classics, with Aber winning 4-0 at home and losing 4-0 away before a topsy turvy 3-3 draw at Maes Tegid six weeks ago left the race for the Top Three wide open. Goals, it would seem, are guaranteed in Friday's match! The game against Bala will be preceded by a Club Photo featuring all Aberystwyth Town's sides from the First Team and the Under 19s through the Academy age groups, the Ladies and Disability teams. Admission for this vital game stays at £5 for Adults, £3 Concessions and £1 for Kids, and Town Manager Ian Hughes believes your support, and a raucous Dias Stand, is crucial in turning draws into victories. Kick off is at 7.45pm - don't pass on your last chance to Cheer on the Black and Green History Boys! |
Gem Nesaf
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