Aberystwyth Town Football Club are pleased to announce the signing of Jonathan Foligno from Penrhyncoch Football Club. A stalwart at Cae Baker for over 10 seasons, the vastly experienced centre-half and local businessman goes straight into Gavin Allen’s squad ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Deeside to face the league champion Connah’s Quay Nomads.

39-year-old Jonathan is a well-known and popular figure in local Ceredigion football, having led the Roosters’ backline for over a decade since joining from Penparcau in 2010. Known for his no-nonsense style of play and leadership qualities, Jonathan will provide a much-needed experienced head to a very young defensive unit that have held their own impressively thus far, especially 18-year-old Louis Bradley and 19-year-old Lee Jenkins. Following an injury to Sam Barnes in the warm-up away at Penybont, the Seasiders’ backline has often boasted an average age of 19.25!

Wave goodbye to your days on top of the van, Jonathan. Croeso i Goedlan y Parc!

​A superb strike from Jamie Veale was not quite enough for Gavin Allen’s men to register their first away win of the season on Friday night, as the Seasiders succumbed to an 85th minute equaliser at Latham Park.
 
The Black & Greens fielded an unchanged starting 11 following last week’s impressive 3-1 victory over Flint Town United, with the only change coming on the bench where new signing Jack Thorn was included against the side that he had a loan spell with last season.
 
Newtown, still looking for their first win of the season, had the better of the opening exchanges. Two early free kicks flew dangerously across the Aber box, but didn’t trouble Connor Roberts who was once again looking a commanding presence in goal following his return on loan last week. On 12 minutes long throw specialist Jake Phillips launched his first aerial attack, but the Aber defence dealt with it well.
 
Jamie Veale then had Aber’s first attempt on goal, a free kick from 20 yards which Dave Jones in the Newtown goal did well to hold. The home side then had the ball in the net through Nick Rushton, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
 
By this point, the game had started to open up into an entertaining and enjoyable spectacle, with both teams enjoying chances as the half progressed. Jamie Breese shot just wide for Newtown under pressure from Lee Jenkins, before a well measured ball forward from Louis Bradford almost found Jonathan Evans. However, Newtown keeper Jones was alert and headed clear from the edge of his box.
 
On 35 minutes, the game really sprang into life as Jack Rimmer burst down the right flank, finding Jonathan Evans in the box. Evans looked to get his shot away, but was blocked and instead found Jamie Veale, whose first time shot flew into the back of the Robins net to give Aber the lead. It was a tremendous strike from Veale for his first goal for the club, which capped another accomplished display from the midfielder.
 
A minute later, Aber almost doubled their lead through Jonathan Evans. His first shot was well saved by Jones in the Newtown goal, before he shot just wide with the follow up.
 
Aber were dominating the game now and on 39 minutes, a controversial moment occurred when Evans found Steff Davies, who managed to get himself goalside of Newtown’s James O’Neill, only to be pulled down by the centre half. Referee John Jones brandished a yellow card to the surprise of representatives from both sides, who thought the defender may well have denied Davies a clear goalscoring opportunity.
 
The Seasiders still continued to control the game for the remainder of the half, and just before the break a Harri Rowe made a surging run down the left, finding fellow full-back Jack Rimmer who took aim from the edge of the box. His shot looked like a certain goal, but Dave Jones pulled off a superb save to deny Rimmer his first goal since returning to Park Avenue in the summer. The half ended with Aber a goal to the good.
 
Newtown started to re-exert their influence on proceedings after half-time, with Jamie Breese hitting the side netting from a Ryan Edwards corner, and Jake Phillips’ throw causing concern once again.
 
On 55 minutes, Jack Thorn was introduced for his first appearance in a Black & Green shirt and he was soon involved in the action – receiving a yellow card just four minutes later for a challenge on Breese.
 
The home side were starting to take back control of the game and Roberts had to be at his best to deny both Breese and substitute Jordan Evans. He was assisted in defensive duties by the centre half pairing of Jenkins and Bradford, both only 18, who showed composure beyond their years all through the match and dealt well with the physical presence of the experienced Breese.
 
As the game neared its latter stages, Adam Davies & Ilan Hughes were introduced into the action; replacing Jonny Evans and Steff Davies who had both once again worked tirelessly throughout their time on the pitch. Lee Jenkins then cleared off the line on 82 minutes, before Roberts was cautioned for supposedly delaying the restart of play.
 
The home side’s pressure finally paid off on 85 minutes, as a deep cross from Jack Kelly was headed back across goal and Neil Mitchell pounced to make it 1-1. It was a cruel blow to the Black & Greens, who had up until this point managed the game well.
 
Newtown pressed for a winner following their goal, but Connor Roberts was once again more than a match for their efforts and saved well on a couple of occasions before referee Jones sounded the full time whistle.
 
Full Time: Newtown 1 -1 Aberystwyth Town
 
Gavin Allen, although frustrated at conceding a late goal, was full of praise for his team’s efforts:
 
“We had some great chances first half; I think their keeper kept them in the game to be honest, but that’s how football is. We’re a young squad – we’re going to learn from this, learn quickly and we’ll move on”.
 
“We haven’t lost in three games. I can’t ask for any more from a young side and at times again tonight we looked decent when we passed the football”
 
Aber can now look forward to a mouth-watering clash with reigning champions Connahs Quay Nomads on Wednesday. The match will be played at Deeside Stadium with a 7.45pm kick-off, but unfortunately there will be no admittance for spectators once again.
 
Aberystwyth Town: Roberts, Rimmer, Jenkins, Bradford, Rowe, Owen (Thorn), Veale, Evans (Hughes), M. Jones, Williams, S. Davies (A. Davies).
Subs Not Used: R. Davies, Saunders, Ricketts, G. Jones
Goalscorer: Veale
 
Newtown: Jones, Phillips, Kelly, McAllister (Evans), Mills-Evans, O’Neill, Mitchell, Rushton, Breese (Ofori), Edwards, Hughes.
Subs Not Used: Steventon, Davies, Williams
Goalscorer: Mitchell
 

Aberystwyth Town Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of Wrexham academy product Jack Thorn on a permanent basis. The Chester-born 19-year-old joins the Seasiders following a short loan spell at Latham Park with Newtown AFC last season.

After starting his career at Wrexham at the age of seven as a left-back, he progressed through the ranks at The Racecourse and was often deployed as a left winger, sometimes playing centrally.

Son of former Wimbledon Crazy Gang FA Cup winner Andy, Jack followed his father’s footsteps in the professional game and was named as an unused substitute in the FA Cup against Newport and FA Trophy against Boston in December 2018.

He made his first senior appearance during the 2018/19 campaign against Harrogate Town coming on as a late substitute for The Robins.

All at Park Avenue are excited to welcome Jack to our ranks, as he goes into the squad ahead of tonight's matchup with Newtown! Live commentary of the game will be provided by Rob Phillips and Andy Legg on BBC Radio Wales from 19:00 - kick-off at 19:45!

Newtown vs Aberystwyth Town
JD Cymru Premier
Friday 25th September
MATCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
 
Aberystwyth Town make the short journey east to Latham Park on Friday night, for what would in normal circumstances be an eagerly anticipated Mid Wales derby for both sets of supporters! This is the fixture that has been played more than any other in Cymru Premier history, with Aber & Newtown the only two clubs to remain ever-present throughout the league’s 29 seasons.
 
Unfortunately, the first meeting this season between these two famous Welsh clubs will have to be played behind closed doors, but the Black & Green Army will be hoping that the Seasiders can continue their impressive start to the new season, which so far saw them sit second in the league after Matchday Three (dropping to 3rd following Flint’s victory over Cefn Druids on Wednesday night) and top of the goalscoring charts as the only team to hit 6 goals so far this campaign.
 
Last week’s 3-1 victory over Flint Town United was a great example of what Gavin Allen is trying to build at Aberystwyth University Park Avenue Stadium. Not only were all three goalscorers Ceredigion natives, but his young side showed superb resilience to come back from a goal down to secure all three points; showcasing some excellent attractive attacking football alongside committed defending during the match as well.
 
The squad has been boosted by the return of Connor Roberts in goal (on loan from The New Saints until January) and Adam Davies, who made his first appearance of the season off the bench having recovered from an injury which had kept him sidelined for the opening two matches. Both made positive impacts in their respective roles last week.
 
Friday’s opponents come into the game still hunting for their first three points of the season. Having lost their opening two games, they will be keen to build on an impressive performance in front of the S4C cameras last Saturday at Haverfordwest, where a 2-2 draw was the least their efforts deserved.
 
Manager Chris Hughes has spent the summer reshaping his team in a bid for a third consecutive top six finish. There have so far been 8 new arrivals at Latham Park including the eye-catching signings of Jamie Breese, James Davies and Jordan Evans. Two opposition players who will be familiar to the Black & Green Army are Robins record appearance holder Craig Williams, who had a spell at Park Avenue under Alan Morgan between 2010 and 2012; and Ryan Edwards who made the switch to Latham Park in January after 18 months in Ceredigion.
 
A first away win of the season will see Aber return to the summit of the Cymru Premier until at least Saturday afternoon and whilst the Black & Green Army will be unable to attend the match, all the action will be relayed via our Twitter profile @AberystwythTown. It promises to be another exciting Friday night under the lights, as the Cymru Premier ever-presents go head to head once again

Great news for football in Aberystwyth today, as The Seasiders are celebrating receiving funding from the Premier League to help the restart of football.
 
The Matchday Support Fund grant will help put in place measures that will make our ground safer for the 2020/21 season given the challenges caused by COVID-19. This grant will allow the club to adhere to all safety precautions; regular sanitisation of our pitch and all touch areas, safely distanced away travel for our playing squad and staff and all necessary PPE and sanitary equipment within the ground.
 
The Matchday Support Fund is managed by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF), which is financed by the Premier League and supports non-league and Women’s Football Pyramid clubs with the cost of improvements to their grounds. The Matchday Support Fund follows the recent Pitch and Club Preparation Funds, which saw £8.7m in grants awarded by the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation to prepare the country’s playing surfaces and facilities for the return of football.
 
David Evans, ATFC Vice-Chairman said: “This grant from the Matchday Support Fund will assist us greatly as we continue to adapt to the current regulations and precautions in place. The safety of our players and staff is our foremost concern; this grant ensures we are able to continue our efforts to follow all measures set out by the FAW”