JD Cymru Premier
Friday 29th October
Aberystwyth Town 1 Flint Town United 2
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Aber Town suffered another gut wrenching defeat last night at home to second placed Flint Town, as an astonishingly harsh decision to disallow an injury time equaliser denied them what would have been a valuable point. Clinical Jack Kenny earned victory for the hosts with a double (29 and 69 mins) while Louis Bradford scored Aber’s goal after 65 mins.

Town started the match in the mood to make up for last week’s disappointing showing, though their resolute rivals were sharp in the tackle and challenge from the off, and it was clear that any result would be hard earned on the evening. Jack Kenny stabbed wide from the near post early on but with both sides defending doggedly chances were few and far between. The returning Jamie Veale was providing some good deliveries into the box and at the other end Ben Maher headed a free kick wide. The mesmerising Harry Franklin then sent in a superb 30 yard volley which Jon Rushton punched wide, before earning a corner for Matty Jones which Bradford headed past the post. Aber were pressing the visitors and playing some nice football, though Michael Wilde did miss a chance for Flint to remind Aber they were still dangerous opponents. This was borne out just before the half hour when Kenny pressed down the right and pounced on a defensive mix up to slot home, and the goal out of nothing underlined the harsh reality of this season’s JD Cymru Prem that errors will be punished. Aber tried hard to recover with Rhys Davies and Jack Rimmer both sending great balls in, and Matty Jones shooting just wide from distance, while Sam Hart sent a thunderbolt wide for Flint, and the half time score was nil one.

Aber responded in the second half with one of the best half performances of the season. Jack Thorns’ lob was easy for Rushton early, then Franklin sneaked in and had a shot saved by Rushton. Raul Correia was next to have a shot blocked, and Owain Jones headed wide. Jamie Veale had a long range attempt tipped over by man of the match Rushton, and he repeated the trick to deny Owain Jones minutes later. It was all Aber with Correia denied on the goal line, and finally Bradford earned a richly deserved equaliser, lobbing the ball back over Rushton’s head, so that it fell deliciously into the top corner! Now the game seemed set for the hosts to win but alas Kenny burst through on goal with twenty minutes to go and blasted the ball home for a killer second, completely against the run of play. Huge credit to Aber though who kept going, and Rimmer’s goal bound effort was saved by Rushton. Bradford headed at the goalie from Jones’ cross, and Franklin saw yet another goalbound volley punched wide. A rare Flint attack earned them a free kick near the penalty spot which Sam Hart sent over, and them back came the hosts, Veale had an effort blocked then Franklin was so unlucky to rattle the crossbar with a near post volley, before having another 30 yarder saved by Rushton, who was having a worldie. Finally in the 96th minute Rushton dropped the ball and super sub Steff Davies tapped home the deserved equaliser, only to be denied by the linesman’s flag, with the reasoning unclear to say the least, and Flint’s defence held out for the win. Aber’s brilliant performance in the second half however did earn the reward of warm applause from home supporters at full time.

So, despite the result, the Black and Greens gave an excellent performance to build on, and if Aber can dominate the second placed team in the league for long periods as they did last night, there is certainly hope going forward. The next step is for Antonio Corbisiero’s men to start converting their pressure into goals, and their next opportunity to do so comes away to Barry Town next Saturday afternoon, with a 2.30pm kick off. Come on Aber!

Aberystwyth Town vs Flint Town United
JD Cymru Premier
Friday 29th October
8pm KO
 
Loyal followers of ATFC will be hoping for a Black & Green Halloween this Friday as the Seasiders play host to high-flying Flint Town United.
 
After last week’s 3-0 reverse at home to Penybont, Antonio Corbisiero will be looking for a response from his players and getting a result against the 2nd placed North Walians would certainly be a statement from the team.
 
Flint have had a tremendous start to the campaign and have won 6 of their 10 league games so far. They currently sit on 19 points, equal with Newtown, but their superior goal difference courtesy of scoring two more goals than The Robins means they sit in 2nd, 7 points adrift of pacesetters The New Saints.
 
The catalyst for Flint’s success so far this season has been the signing of Michael Wilde. The Cymru Premier legend already has netted 9 times in 9 league games this season, whilst another summer signing Jack Kenny has netted 4 times in the same number of games.
 
Last time out, Neil Gibson’s side gained a respectable 1-1 draw at home to The New Saints in the battle of the top two. Previous to this, they had been victorious in back-to-back games at home to Barry Town United and away to Caernarfon Town and will certainly prove to be no easy task for any opponent in the league this season.
 
The reverse fixture in August saw the Seasiders suffer last minute heartbreak, as Alex Jones’ controversial 93rd minute winner denied them any reward for a resolute and solid defensive performance – although this was the fourth match in a row against this opposition that ATFC have drawn a blank in front of goal. The Black & Green Army will be hoping that this curse is reversed on Halloween Friday!
 
There’s nothing better than a Friday night under the lights at Aberystwyth University Park Avenue Stadium, so trick or treat yourself to a ticket (£7 for Adults / £4 for Concessions / Under 16’s free) and come and support the lads! They’ll be looking to put on a spooktacular performance and provide a ghoul-fest!

Sunday 24th October 2021
Adran Premier
Aberystwyth Town Women 4 (F. Jenkins 18', 75', 77', F. Evans 89')
Port Talbot Town 2 (Denscombe 9', 67')

JD Cymru Premier
Friday 22nd October
Aberystwyth Town 0 Penybont 3

Aber Town suffered a really bad night at the office as goals from James Waite (16 and 49 minutes) and Keane Watts (33 mins) condemned them to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Penybont FC. The visitors were the beneficiaries of some very generous defending as individual mistakes lead directly to all three goals, to leave a sour taste in the mouth for those of a Black and Green persuasion feeling sick as a parrot.

After two morale boosting wins in four days away to Cefn Druids and Saltney Town the Black and Greens were looking to continue their positive momentum, and the game kicked off at a high pace. Jonathan Evans had a flicked volley blocked and then Penybont’s Nathan Wood went on a trademark mazy run, but his cross evaded everyone. Jack Rimmer burst forward before playing in Evans but once again his shot hit a blue barrier, then at the other end a mix up allowed Waite to burst through the backline and lob home goalie Gregor Zabret to put the Bont a goal to the good. Back came Aber and Owain Jones’ goalbound corner was punched clear by Ashley Morris, and Harry Franklin shot over the bar. Sam Snaith saw a header saved by Zabret, then Louis Bradford shot over for Aber, and then came the killer second, when Zabret’s clearance freakishly found the belly of Keane Watts and deflected back 30 yards into the goal for two-nil. With Penybont attacking and pressing with pace and sharpness, Aber were forced back and looked second best, and although Bradford again went close with a header from Rimmer’s diagonal cross the visitors were good value for a two goal lead at half time.

The hosts made a determined start to the second half with Bradford again heading wide from a corner, but then another mix up allowed Waite to nick in at pace and chip the ball over Zabret to kill the game with 40 minutes left  to play. Mael Davies had a shot saved by Zabret, who then denied the livewire Waite a hat trick. Franklin was looking Aber’s best chance of a score and he sent an attempt wide, Evans sent a backheader goalwards but Morris saved easily, and sub Matty Jones sent in some testing balls, but it was just not happening for disappointing Aber. Raul Correia couldn’t convert Rhys Davies’ ball in, Nathan Wood had a shot deflected back to Zabret and then Aber’s match was summed up in injury time when Matty’s Jones free kick from the edge of the area sailed over the bar, to ensure the score remained at 0-3.

Aber have bemoaned some bad luck in tight matches so far this season but last night’s was a comprehensive defeat and the Black and Greens will now know that any defensive frailties will be cruelly punished at this level. Manager Antonio Corbisiero will be expecting a huge response from his side when Flint Town United come to town next Friday evening (ko 8pm). Better days lie ahead!

Aberystwyth Town vs Penybont
JD Cymru Premier
Friday 22nd October
8pm Kick-Off
 
After back-to-back wins against Cefn Druids in the league and Saltney Town in the Welsh Cup, the Black & Greens return home looking to continue this promising run of form against 7th placed Penybont.
 
The victory at The Rock on 13th October means Antonio Corbisiero’s men are only 5 points outside the all-important Top 6, and with just under two thirds of the First Phase still to be played out, there is plenty to play for and it could be quite an exciting winter for all followers of ATFC.
 
Penybont are having an unusual season by the fact that they have drawn over 50% of their league matches so far. They currently sit just outside the Top 6, having won 2, drawn 5 and lost only two of their 9 games – the defeats coming away to Cardiff Met & Newtown.
 
James Waite is their current Cymru Premier top scorer with three goals, whilst the always dangerous Sam Snaith has two to his name also.
 
Rhys Griffiths’ side progressed in the Welsh Cup last week – beating Caernarfon Town on penalties, a result which means that they also come into this match following back-to-back victories after beating Haverfordwest County in the League on 12th October.
 
They have already visited Aberystwyth University Park Avenue Stadium this season in the Nathaniel MG Cup. Mathew Jones late penalty that night ensured that the tie went to penalties and after Alex Pennock saved from Dan Jefferies, Owain Jones scored the decisive spot kick for the Seasiders.
 
There are some recognisable faces in the visitors line up in Kane Owen & Kostya Georgievsky, who both had brief spells at Park Avenue in 2016, and Ceredigion native Mael Davies, who was a teammate to some current Seasiders in Junior football.
 
This is the first of two Friday night matches in a row at Park Avenue as Flint Town United visit next week (29th). The action tomorrow night starts at 8pm and tickets are priced at £7 for Adults / £4 for Concessions / Under 16’s free. Please come down and show your support as Cymru Premier football under the lights finally returns to Ceredigion!

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In accordance with the FAW Return to Play Protocols for Alert Level 0 Regulations, published in August 2021, please do not enter the ground if
 
You have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 28 days
 
You have been or are currently a contact of a COVID-19 case or a suspected case
 
You are currently self-isolating
 
You are feeling unwell
 
You have a cough, throat pain, muscle pain, unusual weakness, short of breath, chest pain, any palpitations (abnormal heart rate), diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, a loss of taste or smell or any other signs or symptoms of COVID-19
 
Please refer to HSE guidelines (https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/index.htm) on how you should proceed should any of these conditions apply to you
 
If you are in any doubt please do not attend the fixture
 
The Board of Directors, Aberystwyth Town Football Club