Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Aberystwyth Town
Saturday 1st October
JD Cymru Premier
2.30pm KO
 
So …. we meet again! For the 4th time in as many months, Anthony Williams’ Aberystwyth Town face his old club Cardiff Met this Saturday.
 
ATFC come into the match on the back of two wins from the last three league games and spirits will be high following Tuesday night’s battling performance which resulted in a 2-1 win at home to Airbus UK Broughton, despite the Seasiders having to play the last 21 minutes with only 10 men.
 
This means Aber currently sit in 9th place, 3 points off the all-important 6th place which is currently occupied by Cardiff Met.
 
Met themselves have suffered a downturn in form since football resumed following the week-long break around the time of the Queens passing. Having won 4 of their first 5 games, Ryan Jenkins’ side have since suffered three consecutive defeats, albeit two of these were to last season’s top two: The New Saints & Bala Town. Their most recent match was a 1-0 defeat at Haverfordwest County.
 
Sam Jones is the students top goalscorer this season and has netted 6 times in the league so far, bettered only by Newtown’s Aaron Williams and The New Saints’ Declan McManus who have 7. The ever-reliable Eliot Evans has 3 for Met, whilst Lewis Rees has 2.
 
This is match number 10 between the two teams, in little over a year. So far this season, Aber have been victorious in a pre-season friendly at Park Avenue (1-0), before Met won 4-0 on their return visit in the league and then won on penalties following a 2-2 draw at Cyncoed in the Nathaniel MG Cup. Last season, Met were victorious on 4 occasions (including one pre-season friendly), Aber winning one and the other resulting in a draw.
 
Cyncoed Campus can be found on Cyncoed Road, Cardiff and the postcode is CF23 6XD. Parking is available on campus in the form of a Pay & Display car park. Tickets are priced at £7 for Adults, £4 for Concessions & £3 for Students (£2 for Students of Cardiff Met Uni)

JD Cymru Premier
Tuesday 27th September
Aberystwyth Town 2 Airbus UK Broughton 1

Aber Town battled to a huge win last night at home to Airbus UK Broughton which moves Anthony Williams’ team up to ninth in the JD Cymru Premier, with eight games played in the first two months of the season. In front of a healthy turnout of 342 boosted by a Student promotion, Aber took the lead thanks to Iwan Lewis’ diving header on 15 minutes, and when Louis Bradford doubled the lead with another header ten minutes into the second half things were looking good. However Bradford was then sent off in conceding a penalty, and although Lewis Webb brilliantly saved Jake Eyre’s spot kick, Airbus’ lively right winger redeemed himself by scoring three minutes later, and ten men Aber endured a nervous 21 minutes plus four injury time, eventually holding on for a crucial victory.
An Autumnal evening started well for the visitors, as it had done up in Airbus in 30 degree temperatures six weeks ago. Beau Cornish’s shot from distance was parried to safety by Webb, and George Peers nodded Jo Palmer’s free kick just past the post; however Aber came into things with Sam Phillips touching a cross from Sam Litchfield wide, and Harry Arnison seeing a shot blocked. Then came a crucial opener as the effervescent Niall Flint found space down the right, knocked the ball back for Jack Rimmer to send in a super cross which Lewis converted with a classy diving header, to delight the Dias Stand. Flint and Phillips sent in further dangerous balls to no avail, while at the other end Webb punched clear Owen Payne’s effort, before gathering another free kick from Palmer, and making another stop from an effort down on the left, with the visitors threatening a riposte. Aber’s back four however, personified by the excellent Harri Horwood, were defending strongly to keep Aber ahead at the break.

Long throw providers Jack Thorn for Aber and Jake Phillips for Airbus were called on early in the second half to no avail, and then Rimmer had to nick in for a last second clearance to prevent a goal. Cornish burst through but scooped the ball wide for Airbus, then a series of corners for Aber lead to Flint sending in a tasty ball which Bradford nodded home joyously, and suddenly the Seasiders were two goals to the good! Rimmer almost made it three to end a lovely move but Lewis Dutton deflected his low shot for a corner, and John Owen came on for the hard working Steff Davies. The game then turned on one incident as Mamudo Dabo rounded Webb and seemed set to score when he was impeded by Bradford, who was shown a straight red card. Webb then pulled off a breath taking penalty save to his left to deny Eyre, but three minutes later Ryan Edwards sent in a deep ball to Eyre, who volleyed the ball dramatically into the top corner at the second attempt, to put the game right on a knife edge. Litchfield headed wide for ten man Aber, but for the most part the hosts were sitting deep and repelling corners, free kicks and balls into the box like their lives depended on it. Peers skimmed a shot wide, then in injury time Webb made a brilliant double save to deny Edwards and Stephen Tomassen; Edwards and then finally Owen Payne volleyed wide, and to relief all around a tense Aberystwyth University Stadium, the job was done.

Airbus certainly did not play like a side rooted to the bottom of the Cymru Premier last night and the Black and Greens had to work extremely hard, and to defend like Trojans to get over the line. The victory will gladden home supporters’ hearts and hopefully persuade some first time visitors to return to Park Ave, with Town now potentially on the threshold of an awesome Autumn. Their next match is away to Cardiff Met on Saturday, with a 2.30pm kick off. In the words of the Cardiff-based Aber Sole Crew, It’s Time for Aber Town!  

Photos courtesy of Rhys Barron 

​A brace from Dani Staley and one for Chantelle Tears means that Aber are now second from bottom of the table.

And matters weren't helped when captain Kel Thomas was forced off at half-time through injury.

"We're gutted today," said the skipper afterwards. "We need to put the ball in the back of the net, we aren't, and we didn't really look like scoring for the majority of the game today, so it's just getting the balance right, trying to work out the best combination for our XI and then making it gel."

"It's a very disappointing result," said manager Gav Allen. "It's very difficult to comprehend our performance, conceding two minutes before half-time and two minutes after half-time.

"Unfortunately bad mistakes cost us the goals and cost us the game. There's no point dwelling on it, we've got to move on - and move on quickly."

The fixture list doesn't get any easier - next Sunday (2nd October) the Seasiders host  six-time top-flight champions Cardiff Met at Park Avenue (kick-off 2pm).

"We've made it difficult for ourselves against the big teams," admitted Allen. "We need to go and get some points otherwise we'll be looking at the bottom half of the league."

Aberystwyth Town vs Airbus UK Broughton
JD Cymru Premier
Tuesday 27th September (KO 8pm)
 
Aber Town are back in action tomorrow night against newly promoted Airbus UK Broughton, looking to produce a home performance similar to the last one, when much fancied Connahs Quay Nomads were defeated 2-1 at Aberystwyth University Park Avenue.

As a welcome gesture, all Aberystwyth University Students holding an Aber Card will be admitted for FREE!
 
The intervening games have not produced the results that the raucous Green Army following would have wanted, but those who travelled to Cardiff Met and Penybont would agree that the players performances merited more than the scorelines would suggest and indeed the players were awarded for their efforts by being cheered off the field in South Wales on Friday night, which should raise confidence within the camp.
 
Airbus have found it tough on their return to the Cymru Premier and currently sit in 12th place after 7 games. They have of course been without the services of last seasons Cymru North top goalscorer Adam Davies, who spent a year at Park Avenue between 2020 and 2021, and is currently recovering from a serious leg injury.
 
The Wingmakers picked up their first point of the season on Friday night at home to Newtown and were only denied their first win by an 89th minute free-kick from former Seasider Mathew Jones, which gained the Robins a share of the spoils in a 4-4 draw.
 
They have since parted company with Manager Steve O’Shaughnessy, with Assistant Manager Mark Allen taking caretaker charge for the next two games alongside Jamie Crowther, who had a brief spell at Park Avenue in 2017.
 
The two teams have already met once this season, when on a blisteringly hot opening night, the Black and Greens secured victory thanks to Alex Darlington’s 76th minute winner, volleyed home with his first touch. Aber had earlier taken the lead through Joseph Palmer’s own goal before Airbus equalised through George Peers with 19 minutes to go.

Admission prices at Aberystwyth University Park Avenue Stadium tomorrow night are £8 for Adults, £5 for Concessions, Free for AU Students with Aber Cards, £2 for Secondary School age children and free entry for Primary School age children.

The Seasiders had the bulk of possession and chances at Park Avenue on Sunday afternoon, but couldn't convert. Only Tania Wylde managed to get on the scoresheet for the hosts - and that was courtesy of a penalty.
"We created so many chances without taking some fantastic opportunities to win the game," said boss Allen afterwards. ​

JD Cymru Premier
Friday 23rd September
Penybont 3 Aberystwyth Town 1
​
Despite a spirited performance, Aber Town fell to defeat at high flying Penybont last night, amid a great atmosphere at the SDM Glass Stadium and a crowd of 506. Billy Borge gave the hosts the lead on 26 minutes, but Niall Flint equalised for the visitors from the penalty spot eight minutes later to delight the Seasiders’ superb singing supporters. Nathan Wood regained the lead for Bont six minutes before half time, again from the penalty spot, and Kane Owen’s 84th minute free kick settled matters late on.

Black and Green supporters turned out on force for this one and cheered their team onto the field for a tough challenge. Mael Davies blasted over early for Penybont, but then Harry Arnison volleyed wide for Aber. The prominent Arnison slid another volley over the bar soon after, while Dan Jefferies headed over from Owen’s corner, and Rhys Kavanagh was twice denied by Lewis Webb in an exciting game. Aber’s Sam Phillips had an attempt from half way saved by Kelland Absalom, but then Kai Whitmore found space down the left to send in a devilish cross, which Borge tapped in from close range for the lead. Kavanagh volleyed wide but then back came the Seasiders, and they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Iwan Lewis minutes later. The impressive Niall Flint stepped up and converted the pen confidently to send the visiting fans into a disco dancing delirium. Sadly within five minutes Penybont were awarded a penalty of their own, and Wood regained the lead in front of a throng of young home supporters. The visitors finished strongly with Flint’s shot from the left pushed out for a corner, and Steff Davies sent in a goalbound header which Absalom held on to, so that an exciting half ended with Penybont 2-1 up.

Roared on by their fans Aber continued to press after the break with a series of free kicks sent in by the dangerous Sam Phillips. Arnsion headed wide, and then Aber were denied delight as Harry Arnison tapped in a back header from close range, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Some desperate defending from Penybont denied Steff Davies from close range, Phillips had a shot blocked and sub Jack Rimmer sent in a dangerous ball which was saved, with Aber pressing hard for a vital equaliser. Davies volleyed over again, and the sub Jon Owen saw a low shot deflected back to the keeper and safety. The hosts then enjoyed a spell of pressure and possession, with Aber defending stoutly, and Webb did well to gather a cheeky chip from Wood. Then with seven minutes to go the game was decided by a free kick from close range for a back pass, and Owen joyously blasted home the killer third into the far corner to break Aber hearts. Penybont saw the remaining minutes of the game out and came away with a win which takes them into second place.

Aber’s two goal defeat in such a close game was decidedly harsh, with the footballing gods not smiling on Anthony Williams’ team last night. They competed well, created a number of chances and the fact that the team was cheered off the field by the away supporters should give the team great confidence ahead of Tuesday’s JD Cymru Premier meeting with Airbus UK Broughton, at Park Avenue (ko 8pm). The football fun just keeps on coming – see you in three days for your next instalment!