Welsh Women’s League (WWL)
Sunday 17th September 2017
Briton Ferry Llansawel Ladies 1 Aberystwyth Town Ladies 1
 
Stephanie Land scored a second half equaliser for the second match in a row as Aber left Briton Ferry Llansawel with a well-earned point.

After a disappointing away draw at Penybont last weekend, Aber were determined to put in a strong performance against the league’s current leaders who had already scored 22 goals in their opening two games. The day didn’t get off to a great start for the away side as they were forced to make an early change when team captain, Ffiona Evans was unable to continue due to injury after just six minutes. Neither team were able to create any clear-cut chances in the early stages of the game. But eventually the deadlock was broken in the 36th minute. Megan Kearle with a well taken finish from just inside the box put the home side ahead after some nice link up play. Briton Ferry were on top and came close to doubling their lead a couple of times before the break but were unable to find that second goal.

Aber improved in the second half and were causing the home side’s defence some problems as they searched for that equaliser. Twenty minutes into the half Aberystwyth got the goal they needed when right-midfielder, Stephanie Land managed to lob the goalkeeper from the side of the penalty box to level the scores. Town were now looking full of confidence and Naomi Evans came extremely close to putting the Ceredigion side ahead, but her attempted lob fell narrowly wide. Neither team could find the winner and the match ended level.

Against very good opposition in Briton Ferry Aber can be proud of their performance and a decent result to boot. Next up is a home fixture against Newcastle Emlyn which has been moved to Penrhyncoch FC’s Cae Baker on Sunday 24th September. It will be a 2pm Kick Off.

Aberystwyth Town FC is proud to confirm that no fewer than five of the Club's Under 19s squad have been selected for the South Wales Under 18 Academy Representative Team.

Keeper Ollie Farebrother, defenders Tomos Evans and Lee Jenkins, and forwards Harri Horwood and Liam Doherty have been called up for the match against the Northern selection, which will take place at Newtown this Thursday, 21st September at 2.00p.m.

Aber's Under 19s have started 2017/8 on fire with three wins out of three to date against Cadiff Met, Carmarthen and Haverfordwest.

Manager Bari Morgan said: "It’s fantastic news that the five boys have been selected and it’s a testament to all their hard work which has now paid off with the selection to the South Wales under 18 Academy representative team. The hope is they can continue their progress and I wish them luck in their up and coming game against the North Wales under 18 Academy team.  It is also a great honour and recognition for Aberystwyth Town's Academy and credit to all the coaches that have been involved in their development from a young age."
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Everyone at the Club extends congratulations and best wishes to all five players ahead of the trial game. 

Saturday 16th September
JD Welsh Premier League
Newtown 4 Aberystwyth Town 0
 
Aberystwyth Town fell to a bitterly disappointing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Newtown on a gloomy Saturday afternoon at Latham Park, writes Club Media Assistant Adam Bitchell. The hosts took an early lead through Neil Mitchell, before a second half brace from Joe Kenton and a late Luke Boundford goal sealed the Robins’ victory.
 
Aber had started the game very brightly, with Declan Walker narrowly firing over a free kick after less than 60 seconds, and Craig Hobson earning a couple of dangerous free kicks in and around the Newtown penalty area that came to no avail. On 6 minutes however Newtown took the lead with their first meaningful spell of pressure. Neil Mitchell escaped his marker in the six yard box and nodded in with a free header at the back post from Craig Williams' corner. Aber stayed in the game well, however, and continued to dominate possession without creating any clear-cut chances, apart from one occasion when Geoff Kellaway wriggled round the back four only to find Dave Jones blocking his way to goal. Debutant Ryan Wade's trickery was a menace to the hosts who resorted to doubling up on him, and Hobson continued to provide a physical presence up front, forcing Jones into another save from distance and earning Aber another two free kicks in promising areas, but the Seasiders struggled to break down the hosts’ resolute defence. The final 15 minutes of the first half were largely scrappy, with neither side providing any major threats in the final third. Jamie Reed saw his free kick deflected past the post on 45 minutes, but Aber survived the following corner and indeed almost equalised when Kellaway headed wide from Walker's deep cross but Town went in at the break only one goal down.
 
The second half again saw Aber start brightly, with Cledan Davies replacing John McKenna and providing some dangerous early crosses from the left flank. On 55 minutes, Aber created what was arguably their best chance of the game, with Declan Walker forcing a fingertip save from Newtown goalkeeper Dave Jones. The hosts immediately went down the other end with Chris Mullock making a fine save from Joe Kenton’s shot. On 67 minutes came the game’s major turning point. With Aber pressing for an equaliser which appeared on the cards they gained a series of corner kicks. Cledan Davies whipped in a corner from the left hand side and after a scramble in the penalty area, Declan Walker headeed past Dave Jones but to Aber’s dismay, referee Rob Jenkins blew his whistle for a foul, adjudged to have been committed by Jonny Spittle. Within 60 seconds, Newtown were on the attack and after a 60 yard sprint towards goal, Joe Kenton was able to score a second goal for the hosts.  Soon after, on 74 minutes Newtown made it 3-0, with Kenton again firing low past Chris Mullock. Aber tried their best to rally, with the introductions of Joe Phillips and Luke Borelli, but it just wasn’t to be Town’s day. On 77 minutes Kenton almost grabbed his hat trick with a fine effort, but on 85 minutes Luke Boundford stooped to head home from another Williams cross to make it 4-0 to the hosts and to put a cap on Aber's misery.

Town's dismal start to 2017/8 has seen them gain one point from their first five games, and they now find themselves at the foot of the JD Welsh Premier League. The Black and Greens are in serious need of a pick me up and will be desperate to provide this to their supporters at home to Bangor City, in next Saturday's televised match (ko 5.15pm). 

Aberystwyth Town are delighted to announce the signing of one of Welsh Premier League's standout wingers, Ryan Wade.

Ryan, known as "Keyo," became one of the most admired players in the League during four seasons at Airbus which coincided with the Broughton side's peak in domestic football terms, and he represented them six times in the UEFA Europa League between 2013-5. 

Wade's stunning wingplay and dazzling runs from deep became a trademark and earned him Sgorio's Goal of the Month Award for February 2015 (view here), and a nomination in September 2012 (view here).

29 year old Ryan played in the English system prior to joining Airbus for Skelmersdale United, Vauxhall Motors, Burscough, Runcorn, Prescot Cables and Northwich Victoria. After leaving the Airfield Ryan spent last season with Bala Town, and represented them in this season's Europa League before making the switch to Park Avenue.

Ryan has made a total of 129 WPL appearances, scoring 25 goals over five hugely successful seasons and he is looking forward to more success with the Black and Greens. Ryan goes straight into the Squad for tomorrow's game at Newtown and will wear his customary number 14 shirt. 

JD Welsh Premier League
Saturday 16th September (ko 2.30pm)
Newtown v Aberystwyth Town

Neville Powell's Black and Greens travel to Newtown for a mid Wales derby on Saturday knowing that a positive result is sorely needed to boost confidence after three consecutive 2-0 defeats have left Town in the bottom two of the nascent JD Welsh Premier League.

Town faced a huge uphill task at home to Cardiff Met last Saturday after Joe Culshaw's early dismissal, and Aber's left back begins a three match suspension this weekend. They were the better side until a soft own goal swung the tie the way of Cardiff Met. Another own goal settled the tie on a day when the Gods seemed to conspiring against Town, and the match ended in a defeat compounded by the withdrawal of John Owen to injury five minutes before time. Powell will hope that keeping eleven players on the pitch on Saturday will give his side a fighting chance of a good result, and they must take heart from their early dominance with ten men last week.

Newtown are three points ahead of Town having enjoyed a win and draw at home to Carmarthen and Druids, and two defeats to Bala and Barry away from home. Their side contains a number of ex Town players such as Jamie Reed, Craig Williams, Craig Williams and Gavin Cadwallader who is now First Team Coach. 

An intriguing match awaits, and kick off at Latham Park is at 2.30pm. Bring your voices - your support will help the Black and Greens get the result they need.