Friday 29th September
JD Welsh Premier League
Bala Town 1-1 Aberystwyth Town

Aberystwyth Town earned a well-deserved point at Maes Tegid on Friday night as they held Welsh Cup holders Bala Town to a 1-1 draw with a spirited performance. Nathan Burke opened the scoring for the lakesiders in the 28th minute, but Aber captain Jonny Spittle equalised deep into stoppage time at the end of the first half, to earn Aber another point on their travels this season. 


Aber were unchanged from last weekend’s defeat to Bangor, but were unable to find any early rhythm as Bala imposed their high-pressing game on Nev Powell’s men. On 7 minutes, Bala winger Nathan Burke dragged a shot wide before Aber’s Declan Walker was on hand to clear an effort off the line shortly afterwards. Town tried their hardest to get the ball down and pass it, but Bala’s intensity and direct play was proving to be a problem. On 19 minutes Geoff Kellaway made way for Mathew Jones due to injury, with the talented youngster going over to the play on the left wing. On 28 minutes, Bala found the breakthrough as goalkeeper Ashley Morris launched the ball downfield, and after Ian Sheridan was put through on goal Chris Mullock pulled off an excellent save, but Nathan Burke was on hand to put away the rebound for the hosts.  Aber reacted well to the goal with the tandem of Ryan Wade, Mathew Jones, Joe Phillips and Luke Borrelli providing some slick movement across the front line. Both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances, and on 42 minutes there was a lengthy stoppage in play due to a nasty clash of heads with John McKenna and Ian Sheridan; the Aber centre half coming out of it with a Terry Butcher-esque bandage wrapped around his head. This led to 5 minutes of additional time being added on at the end of the first half, and deep into that stoppage time Aber got their equaliser. Cledan Davies whipped in a dangerous corner kick and Ashley Young rose highest to head the ball back into the six-yard box, where Jonny Spittle was on hand to hook the ball into the roof of the net. 


Aber came out for the second half like a team possessed, and started on the front foot with some free-flowing attacking play. Luke Borrelli fired a shot over the bar, and on 51 minutes Joe Phillips forced a fine save from Bala ‘keeper Ashley Morris as his left foot shot was destined for the bottom corner.  Bala themselves had chances of their own soon after, Les Davies wasting a good opportunity and Andrei Jones coming close to latching on to a through ball.  But as the game entered the final 30 minutes Aber were on top, and striving for that winning goal. Ryan Wade and Declan Walker both headed good chances just over the bar, before Joe Phillips again came close with a long-range effort after cutting inside with a weaving run. As the game entered second half stoppage time, Aber thought they would have one more golden opportunity as Luke Borrelli latched on to a through ball from Declan Walker, but he was flagged offside, much to the dismay of the vocal travelling support. 


As the referee blew the full time whistle, Aber had to settle for a point, but one senses there were a few slightly disappointed faces in the visitors’ dressing room after the game knowing that on another night, Town could so easily have been taking all three points with them back down the A487. Nevertheless, it was another spirited performance from Nev Powell’s men, who praised his team’s efforts and style of play after the game.


Town will now face two home games as they host Airbus UK Broughton in the Nathaniel MG Cup on Tuesday night, followed by the JD Welsh Premier League clash with Barry Town United next Saturday. Keep the faith
​

JD Welsh Premier League
Friday 29th September (7:45 p.m Kick Off)
Bala Town v Aberystwyth Town

Aberystwyth Town will travel to Bala Town on Friday evening, seeking their first away league victory of the season. Despite falling to a last-gasp defeat at home to Bangor City last weekend, Town will travel to Maes Tegid in high spirits after what was arguably their best performance of the season against the Citizens.

Manager Nev Powell admitted his side need to improve defensively after shipping another three goals at home last Saturday, but also urged Town’s players and fans to remain positive in conversation with Aber Town's Youtube Channel after the game: “We’ve just got to keep going, start again next weekend at Bala and believe that things will turn for us”. Indeed, Aber will also be boosted by the fact that frontman John Owen is back to full fitness, whilst Luke Borrelli provided some much needed spark with a stunning opening goal against Bangor last weekend. Joe Culshaw will serve the third and final game of his suspension.

Town will face a Bala side also suffering a downturn in fortunes after two defeats against Carmarthen Town (4-0) and Cefn Druids (3-0). The Lakesiders currently lie in 10th place in the JD Welsh Premier League, just two places above Aber. Former Seasider and talisman Chris Venables will also miss Friday evening’s clash due to suspension.

An enticing match awaits, and kick off at Maes Tegid is at 7:45 p.m. Bala Town’s address is listed as Bala Town Football Club, Castle Street, Bala, LL23 7UY. The Black and Greens need your vocal support now more than ever!

Saturday 23rd September
JD Welsh Premier League
Aberystwyth Town 2-3 Bangor City
 
Steven Hewitt broke Aberystwyth Town hearts with a 93rd minute strike to snatch all three points for Bangor City in a thrilling finale at Park Avenue on Saturday evening, writes club Media Assistant Adam Bitchell. Town had taken a deserved second-half lead, thanks to a Luke Borelli wonder-goal, before Bangor scored twice through Gary Taylor Fletcher (65) and Brayden Shaw (86) to make it 2-1. Craig Hobson equalised on 90 minutes to make it 2-2, but Hewitt’s late strike meant that the visitors left Park Avenue with all three points.
 
Aber made three changes to the starting line-up after last weekend’s defeat at Newtown, with Luke Borrelli, Joe Phillips and Cledan Davies replacing Mathew Jones, Jack Rimmer and Craig Hobson, and they started brightly with Phillips causing problems down Bangor’s left hand side. On 23 minutes came the game’s first real chance, with Jonny Spittle doing well to block Anderson Cayola’s low shot for the visitors. Shortly afterwards, Aber came close, as Bangor keeper Connor Roberts parried Declan Waker’s deflected effort and did well to collect the rebound ahead of Borrelli. Town continued to press as Geoff Kellaway and Ryan Wade delivered dangerous low crosses from the by-line, whilst Ryan Wollacott saw his effort on goal blocked by Bangor captain Anthony Miley. Dan Nardiello went close for the visitors at the other end, with his low shit fizzing just wide, whilst Declan Walker pulled a free-kick just wide for Aber, as the first half ended in a stalemate.
 
The second half proved to be a thrilling contest, with Aber again starting the half by attacking with pace and intensity. Jonny Spittle headed over from a corner whilst Geoff Kellaway delivered a tantalising ball across the six-yard box after an intricate one-two with Ryan Wade. Then, On 62 minutes came the breakthrough that Aber’s courageous play deserved. Ryan Wollacott won the ball in central midfield and charged forward before clipping an inch-perfect pass with his weaker left foot towards the back post, where Luke Borelli was waiting to volley home a sensational strike; certainly an early contender for goal of the season. But, after the introduction of talisman Gary Taylor-Fletcher from the bench, Bangor were level within just 3 minutes. Taylor-Fletcher peeled off his marker at the far post and finished expertly past Chris Mullock to make it 1-1 on 65 minutes. Town continued to battle superbly and after escaping a couple of Brayden Shaw efforts, were unlucky not to re-take the lead when Borelli swivelled and shot over the bar on 80 minutes. Cue the final minutes of madness at Park Avenue: on 86 minutes, Bangor made it 2-1 after Shaw’s magnificent back-post header, but just four minutes later Aber found the equaliser. Luke Borelli turned his marker inside the box and drilled a low ball across the penalty area for substitute Craig Hobson to bundle home, with what must have been one of his very first touches after coming on in the 87th minute. But the late drama did not end there, as Bangor claimed all three points when Steven Hewitt fired home a 25-yard strike in the 3rd minute of additional time to leave Town’s players and fans disappointed.
 
This was a very cruel end to what was arguably Aber’s best performance of the season, and manager Nev Powell will certainly be able to take many positives from the game, as Town now look ahead to next Friday night’s trip away to Bala Town. 

Aber Cards at the ready - A warm welcome back to Aberystwyth University Students with FREE entry to Park Avenue

It's the Big Welcome Weekend at Aberystwyth University with over 2,000 new students arriving into halls, and thousands more returning back after a summer away.  What a great time to be a student here in Aberystwyth with the news today that Aberystwyth has been ranked top in the UK for Teaching Quality (https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/news/archive/2017/09/title-206783-en.html). 

Our partnership with the University continues to go from strength to strength and we're delighted to offer FREE entry to all students who show their Aber Card at the gate to celebrate the Big Welcome Weekend.  Kick off at Park Avenue for our game against Bangor City is at 17.15, Saturday 23rd September. 

Sea Sea Seasiders!!!

JD Welsh Premier League
Saturday 23rd September (Kick Off 5:15 p.m)
Aberystwyth Town v Bangor City
 
Aberystwyth Town will face old enemy Bangor City on Saturday looking for a big performance and even bigger 3 points live in front of the Sgorio TV cameras. Nev Powell will come up against his former employers for the first time since leaving the Citizens in 2016, with his Black and Greens desperately seeking their first league victory of the season to lift them off the bottom of the JD Welsh Premier League.
 
Town fell to a disappointing 4-0 defeat away at Mid-Wales rivals Newtown last Saturday, and they will be looking for a vocal home crowd to help galvanise them to an inspired performance against an in-form Bangor City. Town’s sole victory this season came against another team in blue, Caersws FC in the Nathaniel MG Cup, and Nev Powell will be looking for some of the grit and determination that earned his side victory that evening in late August. New signing Ryan Wade will be hoping to make his home debut a memorable one at fortress Park Avenue after an encouraging first performance in green last weekend, while Joe Culshaw remains suspended and John Owen an injury doubt.
 
Bangor City currently lie in 5th place in the JD Welsh Premier League, after victories against The New Saints, Prestatyn and Carmarthen, their only defeat coming away to Cardiff Met.
 
An exciting match awaits, and kick off at Park Avenue is at 5:15 p.m. Admission costs £7 for Adults, £4 Concessions and £1 for Children. Come on down and help cheer on the Black and Greens to get the result they need. Freshers More than Welcome!