Aberystwyth Town vs Haverfordwest County
Saturday 31st July – 2.30pm KO
Pre-Season Friendly
Supporters Welcome!
 
Preparations for the new season continue tomorrow at Aberystwyth University Park Avenue with the visit of fellow Cymru Premier side Haverfordwest County for a Pre-Season friendly match.
 
Having already added Sam Phillips & Owen Orford to his squad, Antonio Corbisiero is once again expected to take a look at a few trialists as he finalises his group ahead of the return of competitive action next weekend, when Penybont will be the visitors in the Nathaniel MG Cup.
 
Visitors Haverfordwest County have already played a number of games during pre-season; being beaten 2-1 by Barry Town United on 11th July before recording victories against Ammanford (2-1) and Goodwick Utd (4-0).
 
Wayne Jones looks to be building a strong squad ahead of the new campaign, following an impressive first season back in the Cymru Premier last time out. The Bluebirds have so far announced the signings of Henry Jones, Kyle Patten, Dylan Rees, Lee Idzi, Mason Jones-Thomas and Jack Serrant-Green and have also retained the services of last season’s impressive attacking duo Ben Fawcett & Jack Wilson.
 
The teams met four times during the course of 2020/21 with Haverfordwest taking maximum points at New Bridge Meadow with a 2-0 win in December and a 1-0 win in the Phase Two game in April. A last minute Lee Jenkins header gave Aber all three points in March, whilst the Phase Two game in May ended in a 2-2 draw.

A reminder that we have a limited number of early bird season tickets available for just £50 - that's just over £3 per game all season! Get yours HERE!

Supporters are encouraged to allow plenty of time for admission into the ground to complete necessary checks upon arrival and to allow for sufficient distancing in the queue. Entry is priced at £5 for adults £3 for concessions and £1 for U16s - we look forward to welcoming the Green Army back once again!

Aberystwyth Town Football Club are delighted to announce the double signing of defender Owen Orford and midfielder Sam Phillips ahead of the 2021/22 JD Cymru Premier season!

Hailing from Mountain Ash, 19-year-old Owen joins the Seasiders having completed a two-year scholarship at Forest Green Rovers in May 2020 following seven years at Cardiff City Academy. Predominantly a right-back, Owen is a versatile piece to Antonio Corbisiero’s puzzle who has shown his value to the squad already in pre-season as a trialist.

Owen said:
“I’m really pleased to be here and I’m looking forward to the upcoming season. My first impressions of the club have been very positive as I didn’t know much about the club given I’ve always played in the English Pyramid, but after speaking to Corbs and joining for preseason I’ve really enjoyed my time so far. It’s a club moving in the right direction with very good facilities so as soon as the offer was there I was delighted to accept.

My primary position is right back but I’m a very versatile player that can play anywhere across the back 4 & as a holding midfielder. I’m a quick player that likes to get up and down the pitch and support the play going forward, so I hope to bring a lot of assists and some goals to the team.

My ambition for the season is to play as much as I possibly can. I’m still young and always learning so playing in the Cymru Premier regularly will bring out the best in me. I’m hopeful we can push for a top 6 finish and that I can have a successful first season at the club.”

Manager Antonio Corbisiero said:
“Owen is a young lad at just 19-years-old who’s played a lot of games at Cardiff Academy and during his spell with Forest Green. He’s proven to be a versatile player that can contribute across the defence and midfield who’s a very hard-worker and grafter, keen to make an impression with us at the senior level."

22-year-old midfielder Sam joins Town with plenty of Cymru Premier experience having played for both Newtown and most recently Cefn Druids, totalling 48 league appearances across both clubs between 2018 and 2021.

A former Wolverhampton Wanderers youth player, Montgomeryshire-born Sam has also enjoyed a taste of football abroad having spent the end of the 2017/18 season with Swedish side IFK Ostersund before joining Newtown in 2018.

Sam commented:
“Aber have always been a club held in high regard by others within the league and once I heard of the interest it was a no-brainer. Corbs was instrumental in my decision to join as everything about the way he coaches and the way his team plays suits me perfectly, so I know he’ll get the best out of me along with the rest of the team.

I’d like to think I can bring something a bit different to what we already have at the club. I’ll try my best to excite the fans as I like to drive and commit opposition players when given the chance and who knows, a few goals along the way will do nicely!

I think it’s in everyone’s minds to make progress from last season. With the quality we have at the club we need to be pushing for the top 6 and securing a playoff place.”

Corbisiero commented:
“Sam is a young talent that we’ve admired for a long time as every time we’d faced him at Cefn Druids he was a real threat against us. He’s a player that the whole coaching staff was ecstatic to bring onboard. He’ll bring us pace, skill, and excitement, and hopefully he’ll be creating plenty of chances for us going forward and bagging himself a fair few goals this season too.”

These are two fantastic additions for us and we’re delighted to welcome them both – we’re still looking to add to the squad to make sure we’re challenging from the off as we welcome Barry Town to Park Avenue on the 14th."
 
A very warm welcome to both - the new season is fast approaching! 

Pre Season Friendly
Saturday 17th July
Penybont 1 Aberystwyth Town 1
​
Aberystwyth Town overcame a lengthy absentee list and a heatwave to emerge with a draw away to Cymru Premier Fourth placed Penybont yesterday afternoon, and although this was Town’s third consecutive 1-1 draw with their hosts, and the fourth in six meetings between the two sides, Town Manager Antonio Corbisiero will be happy with the outcome in trying circumstances.

The Black and Greens travelled to Bridgend without the injured Lee Jenkins, and Jamie Veale and Rhys Davies were also unable to travel, so Jack Rimmer filled in at centre half, with Owain Jones and Jon Owen leading the line. Trialists Owen Orford and Sam Phillips combined down the right side, and indeed livewire Phillips it was who created Aber’s second minute opener, surging down to the byline before crossing expertly for evergreen Jonathan Evans to blast home from inside the box. With the Return to Spectating regulations updated on the day, it was great to hear the Bont Bank signing, and the homesters were soon into their rhythm with Nathan Wood curling wide, and drawing a good save from Alex Pennock. An Ian Traylor effort scooted across the goal line but didn’t drop in, but the Blues equalised on 14 minutes when the ball rebounded to Lewis Harling, who fired home with customary gusto. Matty Jones headed a Kane Owen effort off the line, and Mael Davies was also denied by Pennock. A water break helped the visitors regain some strength after a strong rearguard action and Phillips nearly created a second goal, picking out Owain Jones who couldn’t quite finish off a nice move. Rimmer headed wide from a Matty Jones corner, but after a first half when the hosts were on top Aber were glad to go in level at the break.

Bont started the second half strongly and Owen found Pennock again with a free kick. Owain Jones then burst through the home defence and earned a corner from a one on one with home keeper Ashley Morris. Pennock then denied a home trialist from close range and Ian Traylor hit the crossbar in the ensuing mayhem, but Aber held firm. Harry Franklin and Jon Owen then combined in a thrilling move but the former couldn’t quite reach the latter’s deep cross, then back came the hosts with Mael Davies bringing yet another save from Pennock, and Lewis Clutton finding the woodwork, and once again the water break came at a good time for Aber. Academy products Joseph Saunders, Richie Ricketts and Lucien Evans were all thrown into the fray and all contributed to an impressive defensive performance in which Jack Rimmer particularly stood out. Franklin headed wide from Matty Jones’ corner with Aber still threatening on occasions, then at the other end Owen crossed and Harling headed wide. Franklin had another shot blocked, and in injury time Town repelled yet another Owen ball into the box, and as the full time whistle went Aber could reflect on a job well done.

It is often said that results in friendlies do not matter, but the Black and Greens worked really hard to earn a draw on a baking hot day in South Wales, and the players deserve credit for a solid performance. Moving forward Antonio Corbisiero’s men will have a training session next weekend before welcoming Haverfordwest County to Park Avenue on July 31st, with the season officially kicking off the weekend of August 7th with a Nathaniel Cup Second Round tie, still to be decided.

Aber Town: Pennock, Orford, trialist (Saunders ht), Rimmer, M Jones, Phillips, Franklin, Thorn, J Evans (Ricketts 70), O Jones (L Evans 70), Owen. 

Penybont vs Aberystwyth Town
Saturday 17th July – 2.30pm KO
Pre-Season Friendly
SDM Glass Stadium – Supporters Welcome!
 
Aberystwyth Town take to the road tomorrow for the second friendly of Pre-Season 2021, as the Seasiders visit fellow Cymru Premier side Penybont.
 
Antonio Corbisiero is expected to run the rule over a number of trialists again as he looks to complete his squad ahead of the first league fixture on 14th August.
 
Both teams were in action last weekend, with Penybont 5-3 victors at Cambrian & Clydach, whilst Aber suffered a 2-0 reverse at home to Cardiff Met – a match which was notable for the return of supporters to Park Avenue for the first time since February 2020.
 
Penybont are also welcoming supporters back to the SDM Glass Stadium for this match. Tickets can be purchased on the day or from Wayne Anderson ([email protected]) and are priced at £5 for Adults, £3 for Concessions and £1 for Under 16’s.
 
The two sides were evenly matched last season, with both fixtures ending in 1-1 draws, and will meet again in the Cymru Premier on 22nd October at Park Avenue and 21st January in Bridgend.
 
Aber currently have one other pre-season friendly scheduled, which is at home to Haverfordwest County on Saturday 31st July (Kick-off TBC).
 
Kick-off at SDM Glass Stadium is at 2.30pm on Saturday and we can’t wait to see the travelling Black & Green Army back and in full voice

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
Aberystwyth Town 0-2 Cardiff Metropolitan University
Saturday 10th July 2021
 
After 16 long months, the gates to Aberystwyth University Park Avenue Stadium were finally opened yesterday, and fans of ATFC were allowed to see their beloved team live once again.
 
A whole season’s worth of football has come and gone since the last home match that spectators were allowed to attend – a 1-0 defeat to Penybont back on Friday 21st February 2020. The matches played in the intervening period just were not the same for those inside or outside the ground, and hopefully this moment represents a big step back on the road to normality, and a full and vibrant Park Avenue.
 
Yesterday’s match was also significant as it was the first match for Antonio Corbisiero as First Team Manager, following his appointment in May.
 
Corbisiero’s first line up included some familiar faces for the returning fans, with locals Alex Pennock, Jack Rimmer, Mathew Jones and Jonathan Evans included in the starting line up. Supporters also had their first opportunity to view Rhys Davies, Jamie Veale, Jack Thorn, Harry Franklin & Owain Jones – who all joined last season whilst matches were being played behind closed doors. Two trialists completed the starting eleven.
 
Both teams lined up in their away kits; Aber in yellow with Met in Blue & Lime Green. The match started slowly, with neither goalkeeper tested in the opening fifteen minutes. Harry Franklin had Aber’s first chance on 19 minutes with a header which went narrowly over, following a great cross from Jack Rimmer.
 
On 26 minutes, a Rhys Davies strike from 30 yards was met with a collective “oooh!” from the returning fans, as Met’s goalkeeper did well to tip it just over the bar. The visitors then had a couple of chances of their own – the best falling to Eliot Evans who shot wide from inside the box.
 
As the referee blew his whistle for half time, supporters retreated to the John Charles Lounge for a half time pint, or for a hot dog and cup of tea from Ruth’s Kitchen, whilst discussing the first half action – important traditions which have been much missed for the last 16 months.
 
Both sides would make a number of changes early on in the second half, with Aber’s substitutes including some more trialists being given an opportunity to impress, in addition to the familiar faces of John Owen and Richy Ricketts.
 
It was Met who opened the scoring however, as Eliot Evans struck on 51 minutes. As the second half progressed, there was little chances for both sides, although Harry Franklin and John Owen combined on 69 minutes to test Met’s keeper with a looping shot which went narrowly wide.
 
On 79 minutes, Met were awarded a penalty and Myles Corson converted to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.
 
The game then filtered out with no further major action, but the main talking point from today will certainly be the return of fans to Park Avenue. The Black & Green Army are back!
 
Next up for Aber is a trip to Bridgend to take on Penybont next Saturday (17th) before Haverfordwest County visit Park Avenue on 31st July ahead of the first league action on 14th August, when Barry Town United will be the visitors.
 
Aberystwyth Town FC would like to thank all supporters who attend yesterdays match for their exemplary behaviour and adherence to the protocols in place. It was great to have you back in the ground and we will look forward to seeing you again soon!

Aberystwyth Town are delighted to confirm the retention of impressive midfield duo Jamie Veale and Harry Franklin for the 2021/22 JD Cymru Premier season!

24-year-old Jamie is a tenacious midfielder who joined Cardiff City at a young age and worked his way through the City Academy. He signed a professional contract at the age of 17, spending four years as a professional, captaining Cardiff City’s Under-23 team before moving to his hometown club Merthyr Town in January 2019.

Jamie joined the Seasiders in June 2020, making 29 appearances, finding the net twice and providing seven assists. The most memorable of his two strikes of course coming at The Oval with a peach of a free kick in the final minute of the game to secure an invaluable away point. Highlights of that game can be seen HERE!

Manager Antonio Corbisiero commented:
“We’re very pleased to retain Jamie – he’s an exciting player with exceptional energy levels and a great character in and around the dressing room. His talent is incredible – his passing into the final third for our attackers was excellent last season and he’s the one who really makes us tick. I’m delighted to have him back onboard!”

Born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, 21-year-old Harry plied his trade from youth to senior level with Hereford FC of the National League North, spending time on loan at Merthyr Town. Departing the Bulls in 2018, a season and a half at Redditch United followed before Harry joined county rivals Evesham United in October 2019 where he quickly impressed at Jubilee Stadium. Harry was put on contract terms in February 2020 as he went on to make 22 appearances, scoring thrice before season curtailment in March 2020.

Joining Town on Deadline Day in January 2021, Harry immediately impressed once play was resumed in March, amassing 15 appearances, finding the net on four occasions and providing two assists. An excellent finisher, Harry’s finest effort was a chipped winner vs Newtown at Park Avenue, which won the club’s Goal of the Month for March following a fan vote. Re-live that deft finish HERE!

Manager Antonio Corbisiero commented:
“We’re extremely lucky to get Harry back given a lot of clubs were after him following his move to us in January. He’s a very exciting young talent who’s energetic, physically strong, and a great finisher – shown by the vital goals he scored for us last term. He’s another important character in our dressing room so we’re delighted to welcome him back!”

Harry told us:
​“Last season was difficult without fans, but we finished positively and we’re looking to build on that next season!​

I enjoyed my short time here last season and so I want to stay on and help the club finish as high as possible, as well as hitting personal goal and assist targets.”

A very warm welcome back to both!