The opening day of the football season is a day that’s met with excitement, hope and confidence by football supporters up and down the country prior to the inaugural blow of the referee’s whistle. For one afternoon, everyone is on a level playing field, hoping that this is their year to be the ones to lift the trophy at the end of the season or be the ones that exceed expectations come the business end of the season. Over the years, we have had both positives and negative results and as Neville Powell prepares to take us into our 26th successive season in the top flight in Wales, we take a look back at some of our more memorable opening day fixtures. 1) Cefn Druids 0-5 Aberystwyth Town 22nd August 2014 After the disappointment of Derry earlier in pre season, Town got off to a superb start to the season with an impressive away victory over new boys to the league, Cefn Druids. Hughes’ men made a fantastic start with Chris Venables heading home at the back post with the game just 8 minutes old. With the hosts up against it, referee Lee Evans sent off Adam Hesp for two bookable offences with the game a little over half an hour old. The ever-reliable Venables added his second from the penalty spot. With the extra man advantage, Town were imperious and ruthless in the second half, notching up three further goals in a dominant performance. Venables completed his hat trick in the 55th minute with a carbon copy of his opening goal before adding a fourth in the 77th minute with a cool finish past former Town stopper Dave Roberts. Luke Sherbon also got on the score sheet in the 60th minute with a sumptuous strike with the outside of his foot from 30 yards. 2) Rhyl 0-3 Aberystwyth Town 24th August 2013 In Ian Hughes’ maiden game at the helm, his side sent a huge statement of intent to the rest of the league with a commanding victory at Belle Vue. With many tipping us to struggle during the season, Town got off to the perfect start as skipper Stuart Jones rose highest in the penalty area to head home a corner after just five minutes and only a referee’s whistle stopped Jones doubling his and the side’s tally just minutes later. Aber’s cause was boosted later in the half as the hosts were reduced to ten men after just 34 minutes on the clock. Striker Mark Jones increased the lead just five minutes into the second half before Chris Venables volleyed home a third late in proceedings to round off a very memorable afternoon for the Seasiders on the North Wales coast. 3) Carmarthen Town 2-3 Aberystwyth Town 12th August 2010 The Black and Greens notched up their first victory under the new super 12 League Format thanks to goals from Stef Edwards and two goals in as many minutes from Ryan Marriott and Ricky Evans. In front of the Sgorio cameras, a crowd of 423 at Richmond Park were treated to a goalless first half. However, the second half was packed with action and the game truly came to life when the Old Gold broke the Seasiders resistance in the 63rd minute. Their lead was to be short lived as just a minute later, debutant Edwards headed home an equaliser. Aber took charge and found themselves 3-1 ahead just ten minutes later thanks to goals from fellow debutant Ryan Marriot as well as further strike from Ricky Evans. Craig Frater’s 78th minute strike for the home side ensured a nervy ending but Alan Morgan’s men were able to hang on and earn the important three points. 4) Aberystwyth 4-1 Total Network Solutions 20th August 1999 Town racked up a hugely impressive performance and three points with a commanding victory over the much-fancied Total Network Solution side. With the side narrowly missing out on a further soiree in the Intertoto cup against Florina, a squad which included lauded Aberystwyth Town legends such as Gari Lewis, Aneurin Thomas, Kevin Morrison and Glyndwr Hughes ensured that any heartbreak from that any hangover from the disappointment was put aside with a victory against the side that would eventually win the title that season. 5) Barry Town 1-2 Aberystwyth Town August 15th 2003 Gary Finley’s men returned to the Ceredigion coast with a victory over the 7 times Welsh champions thanks to a thoroughly professional performance. A tumultuous few years for the giants of Welsh Football saw them struggle during the 2003/4 campaign. With well-documented troubles off the field, their game against Aber proved to be the last time they played as a professional outfit and their last season, until this one, in the Welsh Premier League. Saturday’s game marks the first time since 2003 that Aber have visted Barry since this game, nearly 14 years to the day. Pre Season Friendly
Sunday 6th August Aberystwyth Town 1 Hull City Under 23 3 Aberystwyth Town fell to defeat in their final pre season friendly of 2017 to an extremely talented Hull City side. Liam Edwards opened the scoring for the Tigers on 27 minutes and Elliott Holmes doubled the lead a minute later. The outstanding Tyler Hamilton scored a third eight minutes into the second half but Joe Phillips' excellent consolation goal four minutes later was the least the Black and Greens deserved for a spirited performance against high level opponents. The hosts started the game sharply and dominated opening exchanges. Malcolm Melvin's corner was fired over by Jon Owen, and then Luke Borrelli found an inch to send the ball across the face of goal but no-one could convert. Declan Carroll showed some lovely tricks on the edge of the area before being disposessed and then a trialist brought a save out of visiting keeper Charlie Andrew. The visitors were finding their feet however and took the lead when Hamilton slid Edwards in down the left wing, and he finished low into the far corner for the lead. A minute later Holmes smashed the ball into the roof of the net from ten yards to double the lead, and leave Aber feeling hard done by. Johnny Spittle headed wide from another Melvin corner, then Greg Lear squandered a great chance to put the game to bed when he curled wide from an excellent position. Borrelli brought two late saves from Andrew before the break, and a trialist headed just over the bar at the back post, and the visitors went in at the break with a rather flattering two goal lead. The game continued to entertain after the break with Borrelli denied for a third time before Chris Mullock thwarted Lear at the other end. Hull were not to be denied however and Hamilton raced seventy yards before dinking home a superb individual effort to put the game to bed. Credit to the Black and Greens however, they kept coming and when sub Joe Phillips was released down the left he unleashed a superb low drive from the edge of the area with virtually his first kick of the game, which snuck into the far corner off the post for a well deserved goal. Andrew once again denied a trialist (twice), and Phillips twice more, while Mullock at the other end managed to prevent Hamilton, William Annan, Benjamin Hinchcliffe and Brandon Flemming from adding to the scoreline, and a very entertaining game ended up at 3-1 to the talented visitors. This was certainly Aber's toughest test of pre season and despite the final score Neville Powell will take great heart from the attacking potential his side displayed on the day. Black and Green supporters applauded both sides from the field and have to wait only a week for the real thing, as Town's WPL Campaign kicks off next Sunday evening at Jenner Park, Barry (ko 5.15pm). The Coach leaves Aber at 10.30am. Don't miss it! Pre Season Friendly Sunday 6th August (ko 2pm) Aberystwyth Town v Hull City Under 23s Neville Powell's Black and Green revolution continues apace as Aber face their final pre season test at Park Avenue this Sunday in the form of Championship side Hull City's Under 23 side. In excess of 25 Players have appeared in Aber's pre season schedule to date, but the time is fast approaching when Powell will decide on his final Squad, and Sunday's mouth watering friendly offers him a final opportunity to run the rule over a number of promising trialists, as well as the impressive coterie of Players already signed. Last weekend was a successful one down South with a youthful Black and Greens side mostly comprising under 19s Players defeated Ynysygerwn on Friday night thanks to strikes from Steff Gittins and Harri Horwood, before a more senior selection bettered Briton Ferry by 2-1 the following day, after Ryan Wollacott and Jon Owen found the net. A night out in Swansea followed which will no doubt have fostered some team spirit, and this quality will no doubt be needed again come Sunday afternoon. The friendly was arranged by previous Town Manager Tony Pennock, who explained his links to Hull City thus: "I spent three years at Hull City as Academy Manager, and I then became First Team Coach with Mike Phelan last season. I brought (Under 23s Manager) John Beale to the Club, as well as Terry Boyle, who is also still there. It was an interesting three years as we were in the Premier League, relegated then came straight back up again! From the Academy we saw Players such as Jarrod Bowen, whom I brought up from Hereford, and Josh Tymon - who made 12 First Team appearances last year - come through to the First Team, with another four making their debuts in the League Cup. Hull City's Under 23s have a good pedigree. They finished second in the Professional Development League last season and only just lost to Sheffield Wednesday in the Play Offs. They will be of a similar level to the Swansea City Development side I brought up a few years ago. As our last friendly, we expect them to give us our hardest game of pre season and they see us as their hardest game too. It should be a great occasion!" Learn more about Hull City's Under 23 Squad via their website here. Early Bird Season Tickets and and Season Ticket Renewals will be available for £90 from Club Secretary Emyr James on Saturday. Admission will cost £4 for Adults and £2 for Kids and Kick off at Park Avenue is at 2pm. It's going to be a hull of a game! Sunday 30th July 2017 Pre-Season Friendly Abergavenny Ladies 3 Aberystwyth Town Ladies 0 In Aberystwyth’s first match of pre-season, three goals in the second third of the match was enough to see Welsh Premier Women’s League side Abergavenny take victory but result aside this was a positive performance from the Aber Ladies side, writes Steven Brookes. Abergavenny started the better side coming close on a few occasions and forcing Aber Ladies keeper Katie Christopher into a couple of good saves, whilst Tania Wylde had an effort on the edge of the box but was straight at the Abergavenny Keeper. The match was split into three 30 minutes and after the first 30 both teams were level. End of 1st Third: 0-0 The second third began in disappointing fashion for Aberystwyth and they conceded within the first minute. The ball was played across the Aber box and Kate Jeremiah was there to put the home side ahead. Town came close to levelling on a few occasions: Tania Wylde had another effort saved from close range whilst Charlotte Waters’ powerful effort from out wide nearly found the top right corner of the goal - but the Abergavenny keeper got a hand to it and pushed it out for a corner. With seven minutes left of the second third, the ball fell to full back Lucy Hughes. Her fantastic first-time strike went over the keeper’s head but unfortunately crashed the crossbar and bounced out. The Black and Greens were playing well and creating chances but it was Abergavenny who scored the next goal to double their lead. A brilliant through ball found Amy Thrupp who finished well. Then almost immediately afterwards, it was three. In a crowded penalty box, Becky Lane’s shot found the top corner of the net. End of 2nd Third: 3-0 The heat and large pitch was definitely playing its part for the away side and Aber struggled to create any clear-cut chances in the final thirty minutes. Arguably the most impressive player in the final third of the match was Katie Christopher in the Aberystwyth goal who pulled off some fantastic saves to keep the score at three. Full Time: 3-0 The match ended with a 3-0 defeat but there were still a lot of positives to take from the game. Assistant Manager Ray Hughes said afterwards, “It was a very good run out. We know we need to work on fitness but against an established Welsh Prem team, we did well.” With the season set to start for Aberystwyth Ladies, Goalkeeper Katie Christopher has said she ‘cannot wait to get back playing regularly’ again, writes Steven Brookes Katie is a highly rated young goalkeeper and despite being aged just 18 is already a regular starter at the club. “I first joined Aberystwyth at the start of the 2015/16 season but after a few games I didn't feel ready to play for a Welsh Premier Women's League Side, so I moved back to my local team Llandrindod Ladies. At the end of that season I had gained a lot of playing time and felt that I was ready for the Welsh Prem again, so signed in the 2016/17 season. I feel that I developed massively and quickly last season, being the only keeper in the squad I gained plenty of game time, playing every single minute of every game Aberystwyth played.” Last season the Club sadly suffered relegation from the Welsh Premier Women’s League but Aber did at least finish with some silverware, winning the Central Wales Cup for the fifth successive time. “Last season we were unlucky. I thought we had played so well for the majority of the season, just unfortunate not to score as many goals as we'd have liked. I do feel like we made up for the season by winning the CWFA Cup, and that was made even better by having the girls I coach at Llandrindod Junior Girls Football Club as mascots for the game. The coaches were great last season, they've been very flexible and understandable regarding the travelling to training. Having Bones and Steve there to help me with keeper training whilst Ray is coaching the outfield players has been a huge benefit, not many clubs get to have their own goalkeeper coach, and I have 2.” Even after Aber’s season had finished, Katie had no time to rest. “When the Ladies season finished, the Junior Girls season was still going, so I was flat out with coaching, as well as doing my A level exams. I had a total of 2 weeks where the season ended (for the girls) and pre-season started (for the ladies) so it's been non-stop as usual.” It looks like 2017-2018 will be a big season for the 18-year-old on and off the pitch. “Next season for me is going to be interesting, I am due to go to the University of Gloucestershire in September to study Physical Education and coaching. I am still going to play for Aberystwyth as much as I can, traveling to the away games shouldn't be too bad as they're all in South Wales. I hope we can go straight back up to the Welsh Premier Women's League, where we belong. This isn't only important for Aberystwyth, but for the whole of Central Wales, Aberystwyth are role models for the whole region, and we want to show what players can actually achieve by playing in the highest league in Wales.” The young Aber keeper still believes there is still things that need to be done to improve football in the local area. “I do lots of coaching within Central Wales, so I can see first-hand, the struggles of Female football in the area. CWFA have set up a committee which focuses on Women and Girls. I am lucky to be part of this committee. In Powys, there is a girl’s 'league' which is thriving and this produces players to go on to senior football, the problem here is there is a lack of senior women’s teams. Hopefully in a few months things will start to kick off again. The Aberystwyth area is slightly different, I believe their problem is the lack of a girl’s league, this means that the senior clubs struggle to recruit players as they have no feed clubs.” The new season will start soon for Aber and despite relegation, Katie is still enjoying life with the Aber Ladies team. “The best thing about playing for Aber in my opinion is the other players. I'm not local to Aberystwyth so it was quite hard for me to fit in but they are such a great bunch of girls and they made me feel so welcome, and include everyone in everything. I honestly cannot wait to get back playing regularly, I love the game, I don't know what I'd do without football. Playing with the Aber girls is so enjoyable too!” If you would like to join Aberystwyth Ladies please speak to one of the coaches at the club or email abertownlfc@outlook.com |
Gem Nesaf
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Ebost / Email: AberTownFC@live.co.uk
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