There are few things in life more special than the bond between a father and son, writes Club Media Assistant Matthew Wallace. The invaluable blood relationship between family is a priceless and treasured gift to most on this planet. A father should teach his son about wisdom and the importance of hard work.

The Aberystwyth Town faithful eulogize the name Richard Jones. Having played for Town’s reserve side for a number of years, he earned himself a fearful reputation as a combative player that would leave everything out on the pitch. Although his playing days are now over, the legacy of the Jones family still hangs around Park Avenue. ‘Gas’ is still a regular attendee at the ground and can be seen cheering on the side from behind the barriers of the pitch.

However, this season, his influence extends onto the pitch as the figurative torch has been passed to the man playing number 17 for Aberystwyth Town: Matthew Jones, son of Richard Jones.

Having graduated from the very successful Shrewsbury Town Youth Academy, the former Penglais pupil signed for his hometown club over the summer after impressing the management staff with a series of assured and mature performances during the preseason.

With his proud dad watching from the sidelines, Jones is delighted to be continuing the family legacy in Black and Green: “Dad’s backing me all the way so I couldn’t ask for more really!”

It’s easy to forget that Jones is still in his teenage years. With grace and assured both with and without the ball, he reads the game superbly well, taking the jump into a tough and unforgiving league in his stride.

“As soon as I didn’t get approached by Shrewsbury, I was trying other places and to represent my home side. I just wanted to play for Aber,” Matthew told Aber Town's Youtube Channel after Friday night's match at home to TNS. 

A humble and hard working young man, the youngster has been highly impressive in the formative stages of his Town career. Having been brought into the club as a midfielder, a spate of circumstances including suspensions, injuries and players leaving for pastures new has seen the Commins Coch youngster slot into the left back role. It is a role that he has taken in his stride and one he enjoys. “I’ve played at left back before. I’ll play wherever I’m needed but I’ll always give it my all and try my hardest so that the team can get the result.”

It’s this attitude that has seen Jones become the toast of the Aberystwyth tifosi. With a continual thirst from supporters for local players to be included amongst the playing squad, Jones fits the bill in every criteria and has grown in stature over the past number of games, turning out his finest performance in Aberystwyth colours at home to league juggernauts TNS on Friday evening.

A man of the match performance saw him keep the extremely dangerous and lively Simon Spender at bay down the flanks as well as adding his own attacking flair into the equation saw Neville Powell’s men push the reigning champions all the way.

Assistant manager Wayne Jones was keen to credit the youngster following the completion of the full time whistle. “Full credit to him. He’s come in over the last three games and he’s been superb. He’s hard working, he’s local and he loves playing here. Against the best side in the league, he was exceptional.”

Jones took a philosophical view of Friday night’s proceedings, pointing out the positives but also sharing a similar view to all associated with Aberystwyth Town that they’d come so close to gaining a valuable and much deserved point.

“I thought we played really well. After going 1-0 I thought we played really well. They had a few chances but nothing that really troubled us other than Draper missing a good chance. We’re disappointed we haven’t taken anything away from it because we pushed them all the way.”

Nevertheless, despite an upturn in performances and results, Town still find themselves with work to do, especially given Prestatyn’s victory over Bangor. With Town visiting the former next Saturday, Powell and his men know that a positive result is a must if Aber want to catapult themselves up the table. But Jones knows that the dressing room is equipped for the task.

“The confidence is sky high at the moment especially given the run we’ve been on recently and taking the champions all the way. We’re confident and we know we can turn this around.”

The baton has definitely been passed onto the next generation of the Jones family. From his early performances, Town’s faithful can be confident that performances from all in a similar ilk of those of this father and son duo will see Town rise up the league once again.

Photos courtesy of Chris Howells

JD Welsh Premier League
Friday 20th October
Aberystwyth Town 1 The New Saints 2

Aberystwyth Town fell to a narrow defeat at the hands of JD Welsh Premier League Champions The New Saints on a wet and windy Friday night at Park Avenue. In what was another spirited performance, Aber deservedly took the lead on 16 minutes after Declan Walker converted Ryan Wade’s cross-come-shot, however the visitors equalised on 41 minutes thanks to Greg Draper. The Saints secured all three points in the second half as John McKenna deflected Jamie Mullan’s cross into his own goal on 48 minutes. 

Town started the game in a similar fashion to the way they ended last weekend's victory at Llandudno, imposing their high-pressing game on the current league champions and passing the bla  superbly. Ashley Young delivered a couple of early set pieces which came to no avail, as Aber battled against the fierce wind throughout the opening stages. The first shot on target came after 11 minutes, when Ryan Brobbel tested Chris Mullock in goal for Aber, but soon after came the opening goal that Town’s play deserved. A brilliant flowing move started with Ryan Wollacott and Matthew Jones at the back before Ryan Wade picked up the ball in midfield and ran at the Saints defence. Wade played a neat one-two with Luke Borrelli before firing a cross-come-shot across the penalty area where Declan Walker was on hand to prod home the opening goal for Nev Powell’s men to make it 1-0.  Town continued to press high up the field, with duo Ashley Young and Malcolm Melvin marshalling the midfield excellently. The Saints struggled to find their usual passing rhythm, but did have a golden opportunity on 29 minutes when Greg Draper dragged his shot wide of the post after being played clean through on goal. Aber survived another scare on 37 minutes as Matthew Jones cleared off the line from a corner, but the visitors found the equaliser on 41 minutes. Greg Draper pounced on a loose ball in Aber’s penalty area and after a fine save by Mullock, managed to convert the rebound to make it 1-1 on the stroke of half time.

Aber came out for the second half with the wind at their backs looking to build on an encouraging first half performance, but their confidence took an early blow as The New Saints made it 2-1 on 48 minutes.  Winger Jamie Mullan went on a weaving run down Aber’s right flank before fizzing a low cross across the six-yard box where John McKenna was placed to unfortunately deflect the ball into his own net.  The visitors almost added a third goal soon after, as Chris Seargeant sent a free kick towards the top corner only to be denied by a great save by Chris Mullock. Aber battled their way back into the game and continued to cause problems, with Ryan Wade shooting straight at ‘keeper Paul Harrison and standout youngster Matthew Jones providing excellent width down the left flank. Striker Craig Hobson was introduced in place of Borrelli on 74 minutes as Town pushed for an equaliser, and on 82 minutes they almost found one as Declan Walker stormed in at the far post only to head John Owen’s cross agonisingly over the crossbar. Ashley Young again tried his best to create an opening for Town in the dying seconds, as he launched a couple of long throws towards the penalty area, but the visitors stood strong and held out for victory as champions often do.

A slightly cruel result for Nev Powell’s men after what was another encouraging Aber performance in front of the Park Avenue crowd. Town will be able to take many positives from their performance against the current JD Welsh Premier League champions and only full-time side in the league, and must now carry those positives forwards into next Saturday’s clash away to Prestatyn Town. 

​JD Welsh Premier League
Saturday 14th October
Llandudno 2 Aberystwyth Town 3

Aberystwyth Town earned their first league victory of the season in dramatic fashion on Saturday afternoon, as captain Jonny Spittle's late header stole all three points for Nev Powell's side at the Giant Hospitality Stadium, writes Adam Bitchell. In an engrossing game, Declan Walker gave Aber a 52nd minute lead, only for quickfire goals from Toby Jones (59) and Danny Taylor (62) to put Llandudno within sight of all three points. However, an 84th minute own goal from Danny Shaw set things up for Spittle to leap like a salmon to claim a 90th minute winner and send the travelling supporters into raptures. The win means Town have now picked up five points from three games and confirms a welcome upsurge in results for Nev Powell's team.

The game started at a frantic pace, with Llandudno striker Marc Williams missing two golden opportunities in the opening minutes. Shortly afterwards, Toby Jones fired over from close range for the hosts, but after 15 minutes Aber got a grip on the game and had a chance of their own as Ryan Wade shot narrowly wide. Wade continued to be a thorn in Llandudno's side as he thrived in the number 10 role behind front man Luke Borrelli. Aber continued to grow into the game as Joe Phillips and John Owen both delivered dangerous crosses into the penalty area, but the first half ended goalless.

As the second half got underway, it was evident that Aber had upped the tempo, and on 52 minutes they found the goal they deserved. Ashley Young's deep corner kick was brilliantly headed into the roof of the net by Declan Walker, who sprinted towards the touchline in celebration and was greeted by the jubilant away supporters. However, Aber's lead was short-lived as on 59 minutes Llandudno winger Toby Jones found space on the edge of the penalty area, and fired a low shot into the bottom corner for the equaliser. This gave the hosts momentum, and indeed they built on that momentum almost instantly as Danny Taylor followed up after a good save by Aber goalie Chris Mullock to put Llandudno 2-1 up. Town looked stunned, and struggled to get themselves back into the game, as Craig Hobson was introduced to try and add some physicality up front. As the game headed into the final ten minutes, Aber sensed it was time to pull out all the stops as they began to push for an equaliser. On 84 minutes, they got their just rewards as Mathew Jones sent a deep cross over to Ryan Wade, who brought the ball down superbly and drilled an undefendable ball across the six yard box, where defender Danny Shaw was on hand to deflect the ball into his own goal. Aber grew in confidence and went searching for a late winner, as Luke Borrelli shot straight at home 'keeper Dave Roberts. Then, as the game entered stoppage time Aber were awarded a free kick about 30 yards from goal. Ashley Young lofted the ball into the box, and after a deflection looped the ball high into the air, captain Jonny Spittle rose highest to nod home the winner in dramatic fashion.

It was evident how much the victory meant to Aber's players and management team at full time, and the win now extends Town's unbeaten league run to three games. Manager Nev Powell will be delighted with the desire and perseverance shown by his team, and will be looking for more of the same next Friday night as Town welcome The New Saints to Park Avenue.