Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Aberystwyth Town
JD Cymru Premier
Friday 30th April – 7.45pm KO
MATCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
 
Unbeaten in three matches, Aberystwyth Town head to the capital to take on Cardiff Metropolitan University on Friday night.
 
It is a role reversal from last Friday’s encounter, when it was the Seasiders turn to host, with goals from Owain Jones and Ollie Hulbert ensuring a share of the spoils. Jones was amongst the goals again on Tuesday night, as he hit a double in the Black & Greens 5-1 victory over Cefn Druids at Park Avenue.
 
Tuesday’s result means that Aber sit in 9th place, with 28 points from 28 games. As was the case ahead of last weeks game, Cardiff Met share an identical record, with both teams registering 7 wins and 7 draws so far this season. Met also won on Tuesday night, beating Haverfordwest County away from home 2-0.
 
Aber Town have a mixed record at Cyncoed Campus in recent seasons. The Phase One encounter earlier in this season ended in a 1-1 draw after an Ashton Gleed equaliser cancelled out Marc Williams opener. Last season, Aber registered a win and a loss at Cyncoed in the league and also triumphed in a League Cup tie in September 2019. 2018/19’s Phase One visit will long be remembered by the Black & Green Army, as Ashley Ruane’s 95th minute winner sealed a remarkable comeback from 2-0 down and this was then followed by a 1-0 defeat later in the season.
 
There are just three fixtures left after this one, as this, the most difficult season in memory for all involved in the Cymru Premier, draws to its conclusion. Next Tuesday sees the final action at Park Avenue, as Haverfordwest County visit, before Aber make the journey to Flint on Saturday 8th May, followed by the short trip to Mid-Wales rivals Newtown the following weekend.
 
There will be full coverage of Friday’s match on our Twitter feed as always, @AberystwythTown. Thank you for your excellent support!

​Aberystwyth Town 5-1 Cefn Druids
Tuesday 27th April 2021
 
Aberystwyth Town’s penultimate home match of the season came one week on from a 3-0 victory away to the same opposition, and four days after a 1-1 draw at home to Cardiff Metropolitan University.
 
Gavin Allen made a couple of changes coming into this match. Lee Jenkins returned from suspension and Owain Jones came into the starting 11 following his first goal in Black & Green on Friday night. Mathew Jones dropped out of the squad due to injury, whilst Jamie Reed started on the bench.
 
Cefn Druids were looking to stop a run of consecutive losses and started the brighter of the two teams. The Ancients 16 year old Centre Forward Bradley Knight did well to get on the end of a couple of crosses, with his headers narrowly going over the bar, whilst Lee Jenkins had to be at his best to clear off the line after 10 minutes from Josef Faux’s shot, after Knight had hit the bar.
 
On 20 minutes, Steven Hewitt, who has impressed in an unfamiliar right back role during the last three matches, took aim from 40 yards, but his ambitious shot went over Michael Jones crossbar.
 
Five minutes later, an excellent team move saw Aber take the lead. Jamie Veale found Marc Williams, and the Captains superb first time pass split the Druids defence and found Harry Franklin, who cut in on his right foot and found the far corner of the net. This was the Seasiders 4th goal against Druids in a week, and Marc Williams had contributed to all of them.
 
Aber had to make an enforced change in the aftermath of the game, as Lee Jenkins, who had earlier received treatment on an injury, was replaced by Ian Kearney who made his first appearance for the club.
 
On 35 minutes, it was Franklin who turned provider, setting up Owain Jones, who netted his second goal in as many games and gave Aber a 2-0 lead going into the break.
 
There were no changes for either side at half time and the second half started brightly, with both sides creating opportunities. Druids then found their way back into the match, as Josef Faux found Niall Flint who slotted home to half the deficit on 57 minutes.
 
The game continued at a good pace, but without any clear cut opportunities until 72 minutes when Marc Williams found Harry Franklin, who’s shot was blocked. Druids continued to push for the equaliser and Connor Roberts saved from Charley Edge on 79 minutes.
 
On 82 minutes, Aber regained their two goal lead as Harry Franklin’s shot rebounded to Owain Jones, who made no mistake to register his third goal in two games. Gavin Allen then made a triple sub as double goalscorer Jones, Jamie Veale and Jonathan Evans were replaced by Jack Rimmer, Jon Owen and Jamie Reed.
 
It did not take Jamie Reed long to get involved in the action, as he drove into the Druids box and was fouled for a penalty. Reed took responsibility himself and fired the ball past Michael Jones for his third goal against his former club in a week.
 
Reed was again involved moments later, as again he ran at the Druids defence before unselfishly setting up Jon Owen, who made it 5-1 just before the full time whistle sounded.
 
The win means Aber stay in 9th place in the Cymru Premier, on 28 points from 28 games going into the final four matches of the season.
 
Next up is a trip to the capital to take on Cardiff Metropolitan University on Friday night at Cyncoed Campus, followed by the visit of Haverfordwest County to Park Avenue next Tuesday (4th May).
 
Aberystwyth Town: Roberts, Hewitt, Bradford, Jenkins (Kearney), R. Davies, Thorn, Veale (Rimmer), Williams, Evans (J. Owen), O. Jones (Reed), Franklin.
 
Subs not used: Ricketts, Kellaway, Martha
 
Goals: Frankin (26’), O. Jones (35’, 82’), Reed (90’), J. Owen (94’)
 
Cefn Druids: Jones, Darlington, Phillips (Fuller), Flint (Williams), Faux, Smith, Wise, S. Edwards, Edge, Pritchard, Knight
 
Sub not used: B. Edwards
 
Goal: Flint (58’)

Aberystwyth Town vs Cefn Druids
JD Cymru Premier
Tuesday 27th April – 7.45pm KO
MATCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
 
Aberystwyth Town face two quick reunions with last weeks opposition this week; as Cefn Druids visit Park Avenue on Tuesday before the Black & Greens make the trip down to the capital to face Cardiff Met University on Friday night.
 
Gavin Allen’s men were denied a second victory in a row in stoppage time on Friday night, as Ollie Hulbert’s last gasp equaliser broke Black & Green hearts after Aber had looked to have done enough to secure all three points for the second time in four days, thanks to Owain Jones’ first goal in Black & Green.
 
We are now at the half way stage of the second phase and with five games to play, Aber sit on 25 points, eight points behind Newtown & Haverfordwest County. With 15 points to play for and each team to play again, there is still a slim chance of the playoffs, although the Seasiders would likely have to win all of their remaining games and hope that other results are favourable. However, this is Aberystwyth Town, and anything is possible!
 
Last weeks match at The Rock was an entertaining affair, with both teams playing attractive, attacking football. The opening period in particular could be described as end-to-end with as the two sides playing with freedom, creating a large number of opportunities for themselves. Goals from Marc Williams, played through superbly by Jamie Veale, and a double from Jamie Reed, both set up by Williams, ended the match in Aber’s favour.
 
Druids come into this game on the back of a 5-0 defeat at Latham Park on Saturday, although they were reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Iwan Cartwright. The Ancients will be keen to return to winning ways after a run of four without a win, and this should lead to another enjoyable game between the two sides.
 
This is Aber’s penultimate home game of the season, with the visit of Haverfordwest County next Tuesday (4th May) rounding off Park Avenue’s fixture for this, the most demanding and unusual of seasons. It has not been the same without the Black & Green Army, and we cannot wait to have you back supporting the team. Until then, you can follow all the action on our Twitter feed @AberystwythTown. Thank you for your continued support!
​

Aberystwyth Town Ladies fell to a narrow defeat against Briton Ferry Llansawel on the South Wales coast.
 
Sophie Topper’s finish minutes before the half time interval condemned the Black and Greens to defeat and saw them slip to 8th in the table in the process.
 
With the April sun bathing Old Road, both teams made a bright start in the opening quarter of an hour. Both sides were looking to attack but couldn’t muster clear goal scoring opportunities. Kelly Thomas was the liveliest attacking threat for Andy Evans’ side as she saw a deflected shot fail to trouble Courtney Young in the opposition goal whilst her header from a corner landed narrowly over the bar.
 
For the hosts, Georgia Howells and Alexise Clayton each saw strikes fly over the cross bar whilst Ffion Ashman had to be alert to smother well at the feet of Lucy Powell.
 
Half way into the opening stanza, the hosts began to assert their authority on the contest. They controlled the affair until the half time whistle as they created three good chances in ten minutes.
 
The first came via an error from the visitors. Ashman’s clearance was intercepted by Renee Day. The attacker took the chance early, sensing the Aber stopper was off her line. However, Ashman atoned for her error, making a great diving stop to keep the scores deadlocked.
 
The home side kept hold of the ball well and forced two good chances in succession minutes later. The first fell to the dangerous Day who swivelled in the box but dragged her strike inches wide followed by a long-range effort from Anya Welch whose effort succumbed to a similar fate.  
 
But with just four minutes to go until the half time whistle, Briton Ferry Llansawel got their go-ahead goal. A cross field ball evaded everyone except Topper who calmly passed the ball past Ashman and into the bottom corner of the net.
 
Down but not dismayed, Aber did have an opportunity to level the scores before interval but Hannah Pusey couldn’t get a telling touch on a wicked delivery across the penalty area.
 
The ladies from Ceredigion started the second half brightly and showing more confidence than in the opening 45 minutes. Skipper Caroline Cooper and Flavia Jenkins both got shots from distance on target but failed to trouble Young.
 
Despite the bright start, Briton Ferry nearly doubled their advantage. A free kick was given twenty five yards out. Nia Davies’ curling effort evaded the wall and Ashman but cannoned off the crossbar and away to safety.
 
Minutes later, the ladies in red missed another guilt edged opportunity. The Aber defence failed to clear the danger from another free kick but Powell hooked the ball over the bar from six yards out.
 
Evans made a double change in the hope of reversing his sides fortunes with Bethan Roberts and Libby Isaac being introduced into the action. The former had a good opportunity following great work down the right by Emily Thomas but her heavy touch saw the ball trickle away from her at the critical moment.

A nasty looking head injury to Ferry captain Lowri Ridings held up play with a quarter of an hour left to play however, thankfully, she was able to leave the field of her own accord.
 
The Seasiders were pressing for an equaliser but were struggling to break down or through a resolute backline. Substitute Ffiona Evans tried her hand from outside the area but like all of the opportunities that presented themselves to Aber, failed to seriously trouble the opposition stopper.
 
Jenkins came closest to earning Aber a point with a long-range effort with five minutes of the contest to go. Her corner was cleared back out to her and she rifled a shot from the edge of the penalty area, stinging the palms of Young in the goal who pushed it around the post to keep their one goal lead.
 
Despite plenty of endeavour, there was to be no late drama for Evans’ side as the final whistle sparked jubilant scenes from the South Walians who go ahead of the Seasiders in the Orchard Ladies Welsh Premier League.
 
 
Ashman; K Thomas, Cooper ©, E Thomas, Gwilt, F Jenkins, Pugh, Pusey, Mathias, Chalmers, Duggan
 
Subs: Roberts, S Evans, F Evans, Walker, Isaac, Jenkins

A Ollie Hulbert goal seconds from time denied Aberystwyth Town a precious three points in the hunt for the 7th spot. 
 
Owain Jones’ header with ten minutes to go looked to have sealed the victory for Gavin Allen’s side but in added time, Hulbert, the man on loan from Bristol Rovers, lashed home an equaliser to earn a share of the spoils for the students from the capital.
 
The boss made two changes from Tuesday’s victory against Cefn Druids. There was a return to the starting XI for Harry Franklin having served a suspension and Rhys Davies lined up at centre back as a result of Lee Jenkins’ one match ban.
 
On a beautiful spring evening on the Cardigan coast, the first third of the affair passed by with little in the way of goal scoring opportunities. Smart defending from Matt Chubb and Jack Thorn prevented any chances developing in the area whilst Stephen Hewitt and former Seasider Dylan Rees had strikes from distance for their respective charges but failed to trouble the goal with their efforts.
 
At twenty minutes, Aber carved out the game’s first good opening. Sterling work by Jonathan Evans down the right hand side saw him deliver a well weighted cross into the area. Jamie Reed, a centurion on Tuesday night, was the man at the end of the cross but he couldn’t steer his header low enough to trouble Alex Lang.
 
Just minutes later, the Archers could have gone ahead with a strike that would have been in the running for goal of the season. A well worked corner evaded everyone bar Kyle McCarthy at the far corner of the box. The full back thundered a powerful first time volley which thankfully, cannoned off the inside of the post and bounced to safety.
 
The Archers were boosted by this piece of magic and ended the half the stronger of the two sides. They enjoyed the bulk of the ball and had the Black and Greens pinned back in their own half. Connor Roberts saved well one on one with Hulbert was as close as Christian Edwards' men got to taking the lead in a half that ended goalless.

The hosts started the second half stronger and had two great opportunities with just five minutes played.  A long throw by Thorn was met by the head of Louis Bradford. The ball cannoned off the bar then onto the post and was cleared away for a corner.

From the resulting corner, Marc Williams met the delivery which looked certain to open the scoring. However, a superb clearance off the line kept the scores deadlocked but had Aber's confidence up.
 
Minutes later, Met had a great chance of their own. Former Aber man Tom Price broke the offside trap but couldn’t muster a way past the imperious Roberts protecting the home goal.
 
Incredulously, last ditch defending came to the Archers' rescue again. A deep cross from stand in centre back Davies evaded everyone in both red and green bar one defender on the line who was able to hook the ball away before it could find it’s home in the bottom corner.
 
The game was played at a quick tempo with both sides looking to play attractive football. Reed was replaced by Jones with twenty minutes to go as the Black and Greens hunted for a go ahead goal.
 
And with ten minutes to go, the substitution paid dividends. A long ball from Thorn wasn’t dealt with by Lang or Brad Woolridge in the Met defence and Jones nicked in front of the both of them to head home his first in Aber colours.
 
The visitors were frustrated but sensed that there was still something in the game for them. Just seconds after the goal, Roberts again was required to save well; this time down low to his left from Hulbert.
 
With the game hurtling towards its conclusion, Aber looked to hit the corners whilst the opposition were throwing everything at the Seasiders and in the third minute of stoppage time, they got their reward.
 
A freekick inside the Aber half was played into the area. The half clearance found Hulbert who swivelled in the area before rifling a shot past a helpless Roberts in goal to break the hearts of the men from Ceredigion.
 
 
A point  doesn't end our 7th place ambitions but does make it an even more difficult ask. Both sides resume hostilities with each other next Friday night at Cyncoed. But before then, Aber have a date with the Ancients of Cefn Druids to look forward to taking place this Tuesday night at Park Avenue.

Aberystwyth Town vs Cardiff Metropolitan University
JD Cymru Premier
Friday 23rd April – 7.45pm KO
MATCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
 
Aber Town return to Park Avenue on the back of an excellent performance at The Rock, where Gavin Allen’s men beat Cefn Druids 3-0 in an entertaining game of football on Tuesday night.
 
Captain Marc Williams was at the heart of all three of Aber’s goals, scoring one after a superb through ball from Jamie Veale, before setting up Jamie Reed for the two others. It was a good all-round performance from the Black & Greens, although special praise could also be given to Steven Hewitt playing in an unfamiliar right back position, in which he excelled, and Louis Bradford & Lee Jenkins who were immense at the heart of the back line once again.
 
It was a memorable occasion for two fan favourites also. Jamie Reed, now in his third spell with the club, netted his 100th Cymru Premier goal, whilst Geoff Kellaway made his 350th Cymru Premier appearance – the majority of which have been in Black & Green.
 
Cardiff Met had an entertaining evening themselves – beating Haverfordwest County 6-1 with all six of their goals coming in the first half! This was a second win in a row for Christian Edwards’ side, who had previously not won since football returned in early March but are now unbeaten in three having also shared a 2-2 draw with Newtown on April 13th.
 
Met now sit 10th in the league and have an identical record to ATFC with 6 wins and 6 draws from 26 games. They have scored 28 compared to Aber’s 34, although have conceded slightly fewer (41 against 44). In Elliot Evans and Ollie Hulbert, they have two dangerous marksmen, who have both scored eight goals this season, and hit 5 of the 6 goals between them on Tuesday night – Hulbert with a hat-trick and Evans with 2.
 
It has been a while since these two teams faced off against each other; Marc Williams and Ashton Gleed scoring the goals in a 1-1 draw way back on 13th November, whilst the reverse fixture ended 3-2 to Cardiff Met back on the opening weekend of the season in September.
 
It will not be too long before ATFC face Met again, with the return Phase Two fixture coming next Friday (30th) after Gavin Allen’s men take on Tuesday’s opponents Cefn Druids again this coming Tuesday, this time at Park Avenue.
 
Supporters still cannot be admitted into the ground for tonight’s match, but you can follow all the action on our Twitter feed @AberystwythTown. Thank you for your support!