 Friday 29th July
Pre Season Friendly Penrhyncoch 0 Aberystwyth Town 2 A stunning swerving strike from ex Penrhyn hero Jonathan Evans, and a late salvo from super sub Kostya Georgievsky saw Aber through a testing pre-season friendly at Cae Baker last night, leaving Manager Matthew Bishop with a pleasing four wins out of four from Aber's pre-season schedule to date. On a very pleasant sunny summer’s evening Aber kicked off with new signings Dom Richards and Kurtis March making starts, and as in all their previous games their football was easy on the eye and very pleasing to watch. They dominated possession for virtually the whole of the first half, but to give credit to Penrhyncoch they were denied space in the crucial final third which limited the chances created. Jonathan Evans fired high and wide from a narrow angle early on, Ricky Watts showed some very promising runs down the right and Geoff Kellaway sent in a testing cross which no one connected with. Will Bell headed a March corner over but finally on the half hour Aber got the ball their positive brand of football had deserved. Evans was found down the right flank and after delaying for a second he sent in a swerving swinger of a shot which completely deceived home keeper Lee Jenkins and found the far corner: a brilliant strike. Next trialist striker Lewis Coyle headed over for Town, and then at the other end Jon Foligno forced Richards into a save with a header from Mark Gornall’s cross. Kellaway hit the post from an impossibly tight angle and referee Aled Jones ended the half at 1-0 to the visitors. It has to be said that playing down the slope Penrhyn came much more into things after the break, and as Bishop took the opportunity to make seven substitutions to give his whole squad game time, Aber’s domination lessened. Kellaway saw a lot shot gathered, and then Green Legend Sion James brought another save out of Richards with a powerful header for Penrhyn. Carl Lamb saw a shot deflected to safety and at the other end sub Gareth Mansell fired wide, and Antonio Corbisiero went close with an overhead volley as Penrhyn threatened to level the scores. However Aber survived the onslaught and in the 89th minute Jenkins missed a free kick and Georgievsky nicked in to poach a second with a low strike into the bottom corner to seal a good evening's work. Aber supporters watching their side for the first time this evening will have gone home impressed by their stylish brand of football and also by the side’s strong defensive qualities more on display in the second half. One more pre-season friendly awaits, away at Afan Lido on Friday evening, before the Big WPL Kick off in 15 days at The New Saints. Things are looking up for the Black and Greens!  Pre Season Friendly
Friday 29th July (ko 7.30pm) Penrhyncoch v Aberystwyth Town Black and Greens manager Matthew Bishop is keenly looking forward to Friday night's local derby at Cae Baker as Penrhyncoch host his new look side which has impressed to date with 3 wins out of 3. "At the moment the team has gelled very quickly, and if I'm honest we're probably a bit ahead of where we thought we'd be. The team spirit and cameraderie has been really good, and there's more to come. We're not quite where we want to get to yet although we have played some good stuff so far." Aber were able to announce five new signings this week and Friday night will give supporters an opportunity to cast an eye over Carl Lamb, Joshua Bull, Dominic Richards, Kurtis March and Ryan Woolacott. Local Players Liam Jaques and Tom Jones have also re-signed this week which means Aber will retain a local presence in Bishop's squad. "A priority during pre season was to get the fitness levels up but the results have gone well too. We've tried a few different systems and formations which has been pleasing and we've scored some good goals, nine in three games so far, so that's a positive too." "As for Friday, of course it's a local derby, especially for me as I live in the village! It's the first match between the two teams for a while so there's going to be a bit of spice there. Neither team will want to lose and both teams have players with a point to prove as they try to make the starting elevens. It's going to be a good game, competitive but in the right way, and we're expecting a big crowd. Our supporters will get a rare opportunity to see us close up, and for the Players it's an opportunity to challenge themselves on a good pitch against a good Club, as we prepare for the TNS game on August 14th." Penrhyn have set admission for the game at a bargain £2 for Adults and £1 Concessions, and the turnstiles are likely to be clicking with a bumper crowd expected. Kick off is at 7.30pm - don't be late! Aberystwyth Town have received notification from the FAW of some fixture changes for the upcoming season, as follows:
Bangor City v Aberystwyth Town will now be played on Saturday 3rd September (ko 2.30pm), and not on Sunday 4th. Aberystwyth Town v Carmarthen Town, to be played at Newtown on Saturday 10th September will now kick off at 2.30pm, and not 5.15pm as previously advertised. Aberystwyth Town v Bala Town has moved from Tuesday 11th October to Sunday 13th November, with a 2.30pm kick off. This means that the Black and Greens' first match on the new 3G pitch will be on Friday 14th October, at home to Rhyl with a 7.45pm kick off. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.  Aberystwyth Town are delighted to announce three further signings to bolster Matthew Bishop's first team squad with just eighteen days to go until the Big WPL Kick Off, namely midfielder Kurtis March from Port Talbot Town, defender Ryan Wollacott and goalkeeper Dominic Richards, both from Stourport Swifts. 23 year old Kurtis March caught the eye with some wholehearted performances in defence and midfield for Port Talbot Town last season, having previously been on Swansea City's books and a regular in their Under 21 side. In his debut WPL season Kurtis proved indispensable to the Steelmen with 26 (+4 sub) WPL appearances, also appearing in a Welsh Cup Semi Final. He has appeared in all of Aber's pre season friendlies to date, and has done enough to earn a place in Matthew Bishop's squad for 2016/7.  Ryan Wollacott, 20, has also featured in Aber's friendly games and scored Town's first half opener at Caersws (see photo, left). A 6ft 1in Central defender, he caught Matthew Bishop's eye as part of the Stourport Swifts side which beat Hereford FC last August, and he went on to make 54 starts for the Midland League Premier Division side, scoring twice and earning 8 Man of the Match nominations. His previous clubs include Causeway United, Worcester Academy and Stourbridge Youth and Ryan is currently studying Business and Finance at Worcester University.  Goalkeeper Dominic Richards, 20 also signs from Stourport Swifts having starred in the Midland League Premier Division last season. Like Ryan Wollacott he was an ever present for the Swifts in 2015/6, making 54 appearances and gaining 7 Man of the Match nominations. Dominic made his Town debut as a trialist at Porthmadog in July 2016, and is a commanding 6ft 3in tall, weighing 13st 4lb. He has also represented Dudley Sports and is a Sports student at Worcester University.
Everyone at Aberystwyth Town FC welcome Kurtis, Ryan and Dominic to Park Avenue and look forward to following their progress with the Black and Greens in 2016/7.  Aberystwyth Town FC are delighted to announce the double signing of strikers Carl Lamb and Joshua Bull, following successful pre season trial periods. Carl confidently scored important goals both at Caernarfon and Porthmadog last week, while Joshua notched his first goal in Black and Green at Caersws on Wednesday night. 31 year old Carl arrives for a second spell in Black and Green having made one WPL Cup appearance for Alan Morgan’s side of 2011/12. He went on to play for Rhyl in January 2015 having had a spell Chesterfield in the Football League in September 2014. Lamb started his WPL career with Bangor after joining from Cammell Laird at the beginning of March 2005 and scored on his debut at Welshpool Town. He transferred to Cefn Druids in the 2006 close season and went on to spend fifteen months with The New Saints in 2007/8 before joining Blue Square North outfit Droylsden. Released in August 2009, he returned to the Welsh Premier with Welshpool but left for Witton Albion in November. Lamb then made a return to the Welsh Premier with Aberystwyth Town in January 2012 but stayed only a few weeks before joining Buckley Town and, after a spell in Australia, made the switch to Chesterfield. Lamb scored once from seven starts and four substitute appearances in Rhyl towards an impressive career total of 26 goals from 75 (+30) WPL appearances.  23 year old Joshua, from Blaenavon, was top scorer in the entire Welsh League last season with an amazing 32 strikes for Cwmbran Celtic. A cultured, speedy and nippy left footed player he came through Celtic’s Academy, and made his first team debut in 2012/3. He has also played for Abertillery Bluebirds, Blaenavon Blues, Monmouth Town and Goytre but rejoined Celtic in 2015/6 to devastating effect. Everyone at Aberystwyth Town FC welcome Carl and Josh to the Club and look forward to them replicating their promising pre season form throughout 2016/7.  Pre Season Friendly
Saturday 23rd July Porthmadog 1 Aberystwyth Town 3 Matthew Bishop’s new look Aber Town side made it three away wins out of three in their pre season programme with another well earned victory at The Traeth, Porthmadog thanks to goals from trialists Lewis Coyle, Carl Lamb and central midfield maestro Joe Clarke. Aber once again changed their formation and personnel this afternoon, starting the game with two trialists. Once into their stride the Black and Greens dominated the first half as they had at the Oval last weekend, and Geoff Kellaway put an early opportunity past the post. The in the sixth minute Cledan Davies played a brilliant ball down the left channel for Kellaway, and his cool cross was snaffled up at the near post by Coyle for 1-0. The same player saw two more headers saved soon afterwards, and Luke Borelli fired over too. Griff Williams sent a speculative shot wide for the hosts but Aber were generally well in control, managing possession well and it was no surprise when they doubled their lead on 31 minutes. Ricky Watts was fouled on the edge of the area and from the resultant free kick Borelli found Clarke who buried the ball into the net with a low volley. Kostya Georgievsky then saw a shot well saved only for Kellaway to his the post with the rebound, and Centre Back Will Bell got in on the act too, send an acrobatic effort wide. Aber’s optimistic brand of football continued with Sam Roden heading just over from a Borelli corner, and Kellaway again going close, and once home captain Iddon Price’s tame shot had been easily saved by Aber’s keeper, the half time whistle blew at 0-2. The second half was inevitably punctuated by thirteen substitutions, and Port made a game of it on 48 minutes when Jamie McDaid’s free kick skidded low into the bottom corner of the net to halve the arrears. The hosts went on to enjoy their best quarter of the game with Asa Hamilton being denied with their best opportunity. Nevertheless Aber’s disciplined defensive shape off the ball restricted Porthmadog to very few outright chances, and moving into the final quarter Aber regained their momentum. Borelli saw a left footed strike from distance fly just over the bar and then with eleven minutes left Clarke lofted a ball into the path of Carl Lamb and his sweet volley ended in the far corner to end the scoring at 1-3. Ywain Gwynedd saw a shot blocked for Port and at the other end Luke Sherbon fizzed a snap volley over the bar, before the final whistle brought proceedings to a most satisfactory conclusion for those of a Black and Green persuasion. Three wins in a week away to Cymru Alliance contenders have encouraged a certain amount of quiet optimism and positivity amongst Town supporters and Aber fans will not have to travel far to watch their next pre season friendly, away to Penrhyncoch at Cae Baker this Friday evening (ko 7.30pm). More of the same will go down very nicely! Photo courtesy of Tomos Ings |
Gem Nesaf
|
