 Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 30th July Aberystwyth Town vs Merthyr Town Aberystwyth University Park Avenue Stadium KO 1.30pm Aberystwyth Town play their final Pre-Season Friendly of 2022 on Saturday as Merthyr Town visit Aberystwyth University Park Avenue Stadium. Unbeaten in three friendlies so far, including a 1-0 win over fellow Cymru Premier side Cardiff Met last week, new Manager Anthony Williams and his team will be full of confidence as the season fast approaches, and this confidence will have been boosted earlier this week with the arrival of goalkeeper Lewis Webb on loan from Swansea City - whom the Swans signed from The Martyrs! Webb joins fellow new arrivals Phillip Perry, Sam Litchfield, Iwan Lewis, Niall Flint & Charley Edge and returnees Leigh Jenkins & Harri Horwood in what is a refreshed and reinvigorated Aberystwyth Town squad for 2022/23. They will face their first competitive test next weekend, with the visit of Mid-Wales neighbours Llanidloes Town to Ceredigion, for a 2nd Round Nathaniel MG Cup tie. Cymru Premier action starts a week later with a Friday night trip to newly promoted Airbus UK Broughton. This weekend’s visitors, Merthyr Town, were formed from the ashes of the former Merthyr Tydfil FC, who were liquidated in 2010. They currently play in the Southern League Premier Division South – the third level of English non-league football. Although they finished in 21st position last season, they were given a reprieve from relegation following the withdrawal from the league of Walton Casuals. The Martyrs also have a new man at the helm for 2022/23 as former Yate Town manager Paul Michael was appointed in April. They have been in pre-season action since the beginning of July and so far, have registered victories against Bristol Manor Farm, Treharris Athletic, City of Liverpool FC & Abertillery Bluebirds, a draw against Carlton Town, and defeats to Llanelli Town & Cardiff Met. There will be some familiar faces to fans of the Cymru Premier in The Martyrs squad, as goalkeeper Will Fuller spent 10 years at Cardiff Met where he worked with Anthony Williams, whilst Rhys Kavanagh featured for Barry Town United in recent years. Veteran defender Ismail Yakubu also spent a season in the league, turning out for Penybont during the behind-closed-doors 2020/21 season. Kick off for this fixture will be at 1.30pm. Entry is £5 for adults and is cash only. There will be full selection of club merchandise - including our new replica jerseys - available in the club shop before the match and at half time. A strong following is expected from the travelling Martyrs - as always, a warm welcome awaits all at Aberystwyth University Park Avenue Stadium! Aberystwyth Town are delighted to announce the loan signing of Swansea City and Wales U21 international goalkeeper Lewis Webb until January 2023!
Hailing from Newport, 20-year-old Lewis came through the youth ranks at both Cardiff City and Newport County before joining Merthyr Town in the summer of 2018. Spending one season at Penydarren Park, Lewis was soon snapped up by Championship side Swansea City on scholarship terms where he impressed at U18 level, earning his first professional deal in the summer of 2019. Soon after, Lewis gained a spot with the Swans' U23 side and became a regular First Team squad member towards the end of the 2019/20 season, retaining his spot into the following campaign. His progress was again rewarded with a long-term contract on Christmas Eve 2020, securing his future with the Swans until 2024 with the option of a further year. In January 2022, Lewis joined League of Ireland Premier Division side Shelbourne until the end of the 2021/22 season - managed by former Premier League winger Damien Duff - where he made seven starts for the side. On the international stage, Lewis made six starts for the U18 side before his ascension to U21 level, where he has made two starts to date, including the team's most recent game - a 2-0 victory over Gibraltar in a Euro U21 Championship qualifier. Lewis now joins the Black & Greens to further his experiences in the senior game. Lewis told us: "I'm really excited to meet the boys, the staff, and fans at Park Avenue and getting going with the season. I want to make the most of the opportunity for game time and continue my development. The season is just around the corner so I'm eager to hit the ground running and help Aberystwyth make a good start under Taff!" Manager Anthony Williams commented: "Lewis is an exceptional goalkeeper who has trained with the First-Team for over two years now, which is evidence of his quality and the high regard in which he is held at Swansea City. I spoke with Damien Duff - a teammate of mine at Blackburn over many years - who had nothing but praise for him after his spell at Shelbourne last season. I understand first-hand there are varying journeys goalkeepers take in their careers - I hope that we can be an influential step in Lewis' journey to achieving his full potential". We extend our thanks to Swansea City for their assistance in completing this deal. Croeso cynnes i Geredigion, Lewis! Statement from Club Chairman, Donald Kane:
It has come to the Club Officials' notice that youths are continually entering our ground without permission, booking, or prior approval of any kind. Take note that until now a verbal warning has been issued each time to the individuals involved - warnings that are now being ignored. CCTV is in place around the ground and trespassing is a serious matter. Tougher measures will follow if this continues. Statement ends.  Aber’s third pre-season game saw the visit of manager Anthony Williams' former club - fellow Cymru Premier side Cardiff Metropolitan University, now managed by Ryan Jenkins following former Seasider Christian Edwards’ decision to step down at the end of last season.
Players and fans alike would have been pleased that the game was played in much cooler temperatures than those experienced throughout the country earlier in the week with conditions at Park Avenue comfortable at kick off. Aber started the match with two trialists - one in goal and one at centre back. The familiar faces of Jack Rimmer, Jack Thorn, Sam Phillips and Steff Davies also began the match and new signings Sam Litchfield, Phil Perry, Iwan Lewis, Niall Flint & Charley Edge completed the line up. The first half was largely uneventful with neither side having any clear cut chances during the opening half hour. On 42 mins, a long throw from Jack Thorn caused problems in the Met box which resulted in a handball. Summer signing Niall Flint stepped up to take the resulting penalty and netted with a firm shot to the keepers left. Anthony Williams made no changes at the break and the second half continued much the same as the first, with both sides working hard and passing the ball well, but largely cancelling each other out. Met got themselves in some dangerous positions as the half progressed, with Sam Litchfield and Jack Thorn doing well to block long range shots. With around ten minutes to go, there were loud claims from Met’s players for a penalty, in similar circumstances to that that led to Aber’s in the first half, but these were waved away by the officials. On 83 minutes, Met made eight changes to their team, but one of these substitutions would only be involved in the action for three minutes as he received a straight red card on 86 minutes - presumably for dissent. Harri Horwood, Jonathan Evans, Dan Owen & Jamie Jones all made appearances off the bench during the second half and Evans came close to doubling Aber’s lead with a couple of minutes to go - his header going narrowly over. Next up for Aber is the visit of Merthyr Town to Park Avenue next Saturday, for the final pre-season friendly of 2022. The competitive action starts the following week with a Nathaniel MG Cup tie - the draw for which is this coming Monday (25th). Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 23rd July 2022 Aberystwyth Town vs Cardiff Metropolitan University Aberystwyth University Park Avenue Stadium KO 2pm Anthony Williams faces his sternest test preseason test to date in the Aberystwyth Town dugout as his old employers, Cardiff Met, visit Aberystwyth University Park Avenue Stadium on Saturday. In our penultimate preseason fixture ahead of our 2nd Round MG Nathaniel Cars match on August 6th, fellow JD Cymru Premier outfit Met visit the Ceredigion coast in a repeat of last season’s preseason preparations. With yesterday’s announcement of the signing of Philip Perry, ‘Taff’s’ squad is beginning to take shape ahead of the new season. With only one more game to follow after this fixture, a number of triallists and youth team members will be doing their utmost to force their way into the first team fold. Our visitors, The Archers, had a successful term last season, finishing one place ahead of Antonio Corbisiero’s men in 7th place. The Black and Green’s faced off against the students from the capital 6 times during the 2021/22 season. The Archers won four of those encounters, with Aber winning 1 and one ending in a tie. However, both sides will have new men in the dugout as Ryan Jenkins taking charge at Met following the resignation of legendary boss Christian Edwards following last season. Jenkins is joined in the dugout by imperious goalscorer Eliot Evans. A new face in the lineup for this term will be former Haverfordwest County centre half Alaric Jones who recently made the move across South Wales. Kick off for this fixture will be at 14:00. Entry is £5 for adults. There will be replica jerseys on sale in the club shop before the match and at half time. A warm welcome awaits all - what better way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon!  Aberystwyth Town are delighted to announce the signing of left-back Philip Perry for the 2022/23 season following a successful trial period with the club. 19-year-old Warrington-born Phil began his footballing career at the age of seven with Liverpool before joining Wrexham AFC at age nine. Rising through the ranks at The Racecourse, Phil joined the Dragons' youth team at 15 playing in the Youth Alliance, facing several JD Cymru Premier and JD Cymru North teams in friendly matches during this spell. At 17, Phil gained a football scholarship with Salford City playing a part in the club's EFL Youth Alliance winning side, during which time he received coaching from members of the infamous 'Class of 92' as owners of the club. Last year, Phil gained a scholarship in the USA and enjoyed a full season stateside before returning home seeking opportunities to further his development. The youngster was invited on trial at Park Avenue and impressed in last week's draw with Guilsfield, providing an assist for Town's opening goal to Charley Edge. Phil told us: "I am well aware of the quality of the teams and players in the Cymru Premier as I have faced them at both Wrexham and Salford City. During my brief time at the club and by spending time around the town, I have felt a strong sense of community and I am looking forward to being a part of it." On his playstyle: "I am a high pressing left back that loves nothing more than a hard tackle and getting an assist for the boys up front. I was delighted to get one on my opening game for the club last week!" On his discussions with Taff: "Throughout all of my dealings with the gaffer, I have found a coach that is honest and wants to work with young players to help them improve - something he has great experience with. The Gaffer wants to play a style of football that suits me and with our mix of young and more experienced players, the season should be an exciting one for players and fans alike." On the Green Army: "I have watched many Aber games online and have heard the passionate fans in the background supporting the team always. I have spoken to Thorny - a former teammate at Wrexham - and he has told me that the supporters are fantastic here, so I hope to develop a good relationship with them. I am a player that will always give 100% for the club and with your support I hope to achieve success for us all!" First Team Manager Anthony Williams commented: "Phil has impressed in his short time with us to date, so I'm delighted to add him to the squad as we keep building toward the start of the season. He's a technical and pacey player for our left side who will only improve with more and more senior football." Croeso i'r clwb, Phil! / Welcome to the club, Phil!  |
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