Aberystwyth Town Football Club have received a major boost ahead of the new season with the news that central defender Ryan Wollacott has re-signed for the 2018/19 campaign. Ryan joined the club from Stourport Swifts in July 2016, and has formed a key part of the black and greens' defence over the last two seasons. Still just 23 years old, he's now played more than 60 games in the JD Welsh Premier League and has become more of a focal point in the seasiders' defensive line each season. Ryan has been one of Aber's most consistent and reliable players over the past two years, contributing towards the club's magnificent run to the JD Welsh Cup Final back in May. He also produced a number of standout performances in Town's excellent run of form throughout the second half of last season, which saw them climb up to a 9th placed finish in the JD Welsh Premier League table. Aber's fans will perhaps remember Ryan most fondly for his warrior-like performance away at Cardiff Met back in January, where he was desperate to continue playing despite having a Terry Butcher-esc gash across his eyebrow after a nasty clash of heads - a testament to his steely and determined character. Everyone at the club will be delighted to have seen Ryan back in action during Aber's pre-season friendly with Halesowen Town yesterday afternoon, and will no doubt be excited to see him becoming a commanding presence in the team's back line this season. Aberystwyth Town's players earned some much-needed match practice as they played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with Evo-Stik South Premier Division Central side Halesowen Town at Park Avenue on Saturday afternoon. In a game of few clearcut chances, Rio Ahmadi gave Aber the lead on 9 minutes, before Jordan Goddard equalised for the visitors within 60 seconds of the second half restarting.
Aber's new youthful and exuberant looking side started the game on the front foot, with attacking midfielder Paulo Mendes going close within the opening five minutes as his curling effort sailed narrowly over the crossbar. But soon after, the black and greens got themselves ahead as Steff Edwards went on a marauding run down the left flank before providing an inch perfect cross for new striker Rio Ahmadi to poke in at the front post and make it 1-0. It was the early lead that Aber's vibrant play deserved, as the seasiders sprayed the ball around with an impressive confidence and swagger. The visitors struggled to get any rhythm going in their play, as Aber's midfield duo of Mathew Jones and Jack Rimmer stamped their authority on the game, dominating possession and pressing the ball in energetic fashion. The back four of Wes Baynes, Lee Jenkins, Ryan Wollacott and Steff Edwards looked steady and solid, giving Yeltz striker Roland Agbor very few chances to use his pace and run in behind the back line. As half time approached, Aber continued to look the more likely side to get the second goal, as Joe Phillips and Alec Williams threatened with pace and trickery down either flank, whilst goalkeeper Leigh Jenkins provided a commanding presence in the penalty area, dealing expertly with any crosses and corner kicks that came his way. Town went into the break with a slender, but much deserved advantage much to the joy of the home supporters. Visitors Halesowen started the second half in much brighter fashion, and within 60 seconds of the restart they were level, as Jordan Goddard unleashed a swerving effort into the bottom corner of the net from 25 yards, giving their vocal travelling supporters something more to shout about. Unfazed, Aber maintained their composure and continued to pass and move the ball at a high tempo. Substitutes Nashawn Blake, Liam Berner, Tom Evans and Harri Rowe were all introduced, and certainly provided some added impetus, but the visitors to their credit, began to grow into the game themselves. As the second half wore on, both sides evidently began to tire as they so often do in early pre-season friendlies, but it was the hosts who went closest to winning the game - twice hitting the woodwork in the closing stages. It wasn't to be however, as both sides took a share of the spoils with the game ending 1-1. An excellent pre-season effort from a new look Aber side, who played some football that Town's supporters will have enjoyed watching, and will be hoping to see more of in the coming weeks leading up to the JD Welsh Premier League kick-off against Llandudno on August 10th. Aber's next fixture see's them take on AFC Telford United in a pre-season friendly next Friday evening at Park Avenue. Aberystwyth Town start their preparations for the 2018/19 JD Welsh Premier League season on Saturday afternoon, as they face Evo-Stik South Premier Division Central side Halesowen Town in a pre-season friendly at Park Avenue. It will be a mixture of new and familiar faces for Town's supporters on Saturday afternoon, as new signings Steff Edwards, Wes Baynes, Alec Williams, Rio Ahmadi, Paulo Mendes, Leigh Jenkins and Nashawn Blake will all hope to play a part and give the fans a first glimpse of what they have to offer ahead of the new season. Combine that with the experience and familiarity of last season's squad, with Declan Walker, Chris Mullock, Mathew Jones, Jack Rimmer and Geoff Kellaway already having committed their futures at Park Avenue next season, and there is an exciting look to the newly formed black and greens' squad. Newly named First Team Coach Gavin Allen will join the rest of the coaching team for first first game back in the Park Avenue dugouts as a coach rather than a player. Saturday's visitors Halesowen Town will make their debut trip to Park Avenue, as they continue their own preparations for the start of the Evo-Stik South Premier Division Central in just under a month's time. The Yeltz finished 23rd in the Evo-Stik Premier Division last season, but will start the 2018/19 season in the Central Division of the Southern League as part of the restructuring of the non-league pyramid. Abe's fans will undoubtedly recognise Halesowen's main striker, Lee Hughes, who scored 114 goals in 281 appearances for West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City in the Premier League and The Championship between 1998 and 2004. In what is sure to be a stern test, but excellent preparation for the black and greens, kick off at Park Avenue on Saturday afternoon is at 2:30p.m. Visiting supporters can find Park Avenue with the Postcode SY23 1PG. Admission costs £5 for adults, £3 concessions and £1 for u16's - we look forward to seeing you at Park Avenue for the build up to the new season! Aberystwyth Town Football club are delighted to announce that black and greens' legend Gavin Allen has been appointed as part of the club's coaching staff for the 2018/19 season. Gavin, who possesses an A-license Coaching Qualification, has been appointed to the role of First Team Coach, and his experience will be a welcome addition to the current squad and coaching staff at Park Avenue. Gavin enjoyed a successful playing career with the seasiders - joining Meirion Appleton's Aber side in 1996 after his release from Tranmere Rovers, and he made a huge impression with 53 Welsh Premier League goals in his first two seasons at the Club. A Wales Under 21 International and prolific striker who created a brilliant partnership with Ryan Nicholls up front, Gavin went on to make a total of 238 appearances, scoring 113 goals in three spells at the club over a nine year period, and also played for Bangor City, Barry Town and Carmarthen Town. After settling in the Town, Deiniolen born Gavin went on to serve as Assistant Manager with Penrhyncoch, before working as a coach with Aberystwyth University. He has also worked in coaching roles with Aber's Academy Squads, as well as Shrewsbury Town's Academy. Everyone at the club would like to welcome Gavin back to Park Avenue, and look forward to seeing his coaching contribution have a positive impact on the field in Aber's first pre-season friendly of the season against Halesowen Town on Saturday Aberystwyth Town Football Club are delighted to announce the signings of three more players ahead of the 2018/19 JD Welsh Premier League season. Iranian-born Porya Ahmadi is a clinical and mobile striker with previous Welsh Premier League experience; after spending spells with Bangor City and Rhyl between 2015 and 2017. He was Bangor's top goal scorer in the 2015/16 season - netting 8 goals in 29 appearances, and started his footballing career with Sheffield United's Academy. Porya, or 'Rio' as he's also known, has also spent time playing for Chorley, Droylsden, New Mills, and most notably Salford City, where he scored hat-tricks in consecutive games back in 2014. Leigh Jenkins and Nashawn Blake have also joined the club from local Huws Gray Alliance outfit Penrhyncoch, after making significant contributions to Gari Lewis' squad last season. Leigh has been the regular first-team goalkeeper at the roosters since they were promoted into the Huws Gray Alliance, and has played for his hometown club throughout his career up until this point. He was voted Penrhyn's Supporters Player of the Season in 2016 and 2017. Nashawn is a pacey and energetic striker, who spent a brief spell with the black and greens when he joined from Aberystwyth University back in 2016, and has since played for Llanfair United and Penrhyncoch in the Huws Gray Alliance. He's most fondly remembered for his brilliant goal against Rhyl at Cae Baker last season, and he'll be looking for a similar impact upon joining the squad at Park Avenue. Everyone at the club would like to welcome all three players to Park Avenue, and Town fans will be able to see all three in action along with fellow new signings Alec Williams and Paulo Mendes in Aber's pre-season friendly against Halesowen Town on Saturday. Aberystwyth Town Football Club are delighted to announce that left winger Alec Williams has joined the club from Prestatyn Town. Left-sided midfielder Alec will be a familiar face to Town's supporters, after playing four times against the black and greens for Prestatyn Town last season. Alec moved to Prestatyn from Rhyl in the summer of 2008, and spent six seasons at Bastion Gardens, with a brief spell at Denbigh Town in between. He's another experienced Welsh Premier League player to join the squad - with 5 goals in 46 appearances in the league so far. He brings additional pace an energy to the team, and is also known for his versatility after making appearances at left back, left midfield and central midfield for Prestatyn last season. Alec's wonder strike against Connah's Quay Nomads last season was nominated for November's Goal of the Month competition, and you can view it here. Everyone at the club would like to wish Alec a warm welcome to Park Avenue and we look forward to seeing him in action in Aber's first pre-season friendly of the summer against Halesowen Town on Saturday afternoon. |
Gem Nesaf
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Ebost / Email: AberTownFC@live.co.uk
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Cyfeiriad / Address: ATFC Ltd, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, SY23 1PG.
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