JD Welsh Premier League
Friday 30th November (7:45 p.m Kick Off)
Aberystwyth Town v Carmarthen Town
 
Aberystwyth Town are back in JD Welsh Premier League action on Friday evening as they look to extend their 5-game winning run when they welcome Carmarthen Town to Park Avenue. The Seasiders are enjoying their finest run of form for over four years, and lie just four points off the top of the JD Welsh Premier League as they enter a crucial festive period of matches aiming to secure their place in the league’s top six by January.
 
Manager Nev Powell has been full of praise for his side’s spirit and determination in recent weeks, most notably after Town’s latest league victory at Bala a fortnight ago. After Declan Walker’s last minute winner at Maes Tegid, Powell commented; “We’ve deservedly taken another three points, and we’ve got great momentum at the moment which we want to take into the Carmarthen game. The lads carrying a few knocks will have had a chance to recover and we’ll be raring to go again on Friday.”
 
There does appear to be a fantastic buzz around the club at the moment, with the playing squad evidently high in confidence and the Green Army of supporters in full voice behind the side for every game. Assistant Manager, Gavin Allen added to Powell’s comments after the Bala victory, stating; “The dressing room is absolutely bouncing at the minute, and the character the boys are showing; we don’t know when we’re beaten at the moment”
 
The Seasiders will be keen to continue their current momentum on Friday evening as they welcome the Old Gold to Park Avenue, with their sights set on cementing their place in the league’s top six. Three of Aber’s next four league fixtures are at Park Avenue, and they’ll be keen to use that to their advantage as they aim to keep pace with the top teams in the league.
 
Friday’s visitors Carmarthen Town travel to Park Avenue on the back of an important away victory against Llandudno last time out, and held Aber to a 2-2 draw at Richmond Park in the reverse fixture earlier this season. The Old Gold side contains a number of former Seasiders including Lee Surman, Declan Carroll and Luke Bowen. They will, however, be without key midfielder Greg Walters for Friday’s clash through suspension.
 
In what is always a fiercely contested battle between the sides, kick off at Park Avenue is at 7:45 p.m. Admission costs £8 for adults, £5 for students and £2 for u16’s. Supporters are encouraged to visit the newly opened Club Shop underneath the TV Gantry for the latest ATFC stock as we enter the festive period.
 
We are also excited to be welcoming the Aberystwyth University Cheerleaders for a half time performance on Friday, and will proudly be supporting the Rainbow Laces Campaign 2018 as the club reinforces its stance on equality and inclusion with sport being everyone’s game. 

Welsh Women's League
Sunday 25th November 2018
Aberystwyth Town Ladies 3 Dafen Welfare Ladies 1

Aber returned to winning ways at Park Avenue thanks to goals from Naomi Evans, Kelly Thomas and Lisa Cowdy as the Black and Greens made it six consecutive league victories, writes Steven Brookes.

Following last weeks Welsh Cup exit, Aber's attentions turned back to the league with the hosts determined to pick up another three points. Following a quiet start, the match suddenly sparked into life in what was a crazy few minutes which began with the hosts breaking the deadlock. Ffiona Evans' cross was spilled by the visiting goalkeeper Caitlin Forrester and Naomi Evans was the quickest to react to give Aber the lead. That lead didn't last long at all though as straight from the restart Dafen went onto the attack and Stacey Webber found the back of the net with a fantastic strike from just inside the area. 46 seconds after conceding, the home side very nearly re-took the lead. Helen Evans' header looked to have found the net only to be denied by a brilliant save from Forrester. Despite not playing at their best it was the team in green who looked most likely to score the game's third goal: Helen Evans saw her long-range strike go narrowly over whilst Caroline Cooper hit the post directly from a corner.

Aber Town started the second half well and eighteen minutes in they were ahead once more when a Caroline Cooper corner was headed in by Kelly Thomas. Two soon became three when Lisa Cowdy found the net just four minutes after coming on as a substitute, firing the ball past the goalkeeper from near the penalty spot after Josie Pugh's superb long-range ball over the defence. Town were causing Dafen Welfare all sorts of problems as the hosts looked for a fourth. Tania Wylde, Naomi Evans and Cowdy were all denied by Forrester yet again whilst Dwynwen Davies had an effort cleared off the line.

Aber Town Ladies now have two big away games coming up, including a trip to face Barry Town United Ladies on 9th December. But before then they will hope make it seven league victories in-a-row when they travel to the capital once more to face Splott Albion on Sunday 2nd December.

For Match Highlights please click here

FAW Women's Cup Second Round
Sunday 18th November 2018
Llandudno Ladies 4 Aberystwyth Town Ladies 0

Aber were unable to cause a second round cup upset as their hope of a long cup run came to an end against top tier side, Llandudno Ladies, writes Steven Brookes.

The seasiders were heading into the match on the back of six successive victories, confidence was high and Aber, the second tier side made a bright start. Naomi Evans created a couple of opportunities for herself in the opening few minutes - but it was the hosts who broke the deadlock. The Black and Greens failed to clear an in-swinging corner which was eventually poked in by Fflur Williams. The Welsh Prem side then doubled their lead when an excellent counter-attack was finished off by Kelsey Davies. Llandudno then came very close to making it three, but much to Aber's relief, the long range attempt hit the crossbar instead of the net. The team in green were not out of the cup yet and had opportunities to get back into the game: Lisa Cowdy used her pace to get on the end of Tania Wylde's pass but the keeper was equal to the shot, whilst Ffiona Evans' left footed strike from inside the area went agonisingly wide of the post.

The next goal was going to be crucial and both teams were creating chances. Llandudno were denied by some fantastic goalkeeping from Ffion Ashman whilst Naomi Evans' strike was well saved. Aber were then three goals behind when an excellent header from Fflur Williams for her second goal of the match, and Mari Gibbard later finished the game off with Llandudno's fourth, calmly slotting the ball past Ashman and into the net to seal the Welsh Premier League side's place in the next round.

Llandudno showed their Welsh Premier League quality and were clinical on the day but the scoreine was arguably a bit harsh on the away side who played some good football and created chances of their own. Aber now have some crucial league games ahead as they continue their push for promotion.

Match Highlights: Click here

Aberystwyth Town will visit the Amman Valley to face Welsh League Division One side Cwmamman United in December's JD Welsh Cup Third Round. It is believed to be the first time the two sides have ever met.

The Blues confirmed their place in Round Three by beating Blaenrhondda 2-1 at their home ground of Grenig Park on Saturday afternoon. Cwmamman are currently sixth in this season's Welsh League Division One table, with sixteen points from their eight games to date.

Cwmamman's home ground, Grenig Park is on Penpound Lane, Glanaman and the listed postcode is SA18 2AW. The ground is currently being developed to encompass 250 seats in order to comply with FAW Tier 1 Licensing Requirements.

​The Third Round tie is expected to take place on Saturday 8th December, with a 1.30pm kick off.

JD Welsh Premier League 
Saturday 17th November 
Bala Town 2-3 Aberystwyth Town 

Aberystwyth Town secured their fifth straight JD Welsh Premier League victory as Declan Walker's injury time header secured a phenomenal 3-2 win at  Maes Tegid on Saturday afternoon. The hosts had taken a first half lead through Steven Tames (28), before the Seasiders turned the game on its head with goals from substitute Geoff Kellaway (58) and Ash Ruane (64). Tames (77) got Bala back on level terms once more, before Rio Ahmadi chipped an inch perfect cross to the back post where Declan Walker was on hand to power home a 93rd minute winner and secure another mammoth away win for the Black and Greens. 

There were three changes to the Aber starting line up that beat Cardiff Met last weekend, with Alan Goodall, Paulo Mendes and Ash Ruane replacing Lee Jenkins, Geoff Kellaway and Rio Ahmadi. Neither side were able to stamp their authority on the opening stages of the game, with clear cut chances at a minimum in the first 15 minutes. On 21 minutes, Aber created their first opening as Mathew Jones’ whipped corner kick was headed wide by Declan Walker. At the other end, Henry Jones wasted a good opportunity for Bala as his scuffed effort struck the post, before Steven Tames gave the hosts the lead on 28 minutes when he converted Evan Horwood's free kick at the back post to make it 1-0. The visitors struggled to find their usual creativity in the final third, as Ryan Edwards tried his luck from range but saw his effort fly over the crossbar. On the stroke of half time, Aber went close to finding an equaliser as Paulo Mendes flicked the ball on for Ash Ruane, who saw his header bounce just wide of the post and the hosts would enter the break with a slender advantage. 

At half time, manager Nev Powell and assistant Gavin Allen opted for a change in formation as Rio Ahmadi replaced Mendes and went to play through the middle with Ruane. There was an instant improvement from the Seasiders as they began to force the play with an increased tempo and intensity. On 53 minutes, Ruane darted into the penalty area before seeing his dangerous cross well cleared by Danny Gossett. Soon after, the visitors made their second substitution as Geoff Kellaway replaced Joe Phillips, and no more than 60 seconds later the Aber wingman was in the thick of the action. In the 58th minute, Steff Edwards surged down the left flank before curling an inviting ball into the penalty area where the Kellaway Express was waiting at the back post to volley home and make it 1-1. The goal sparked great celebrations with the players and travelling supporters, who suddenly sensed something special could be happening at Maes Tegid once more. No sooner than 6 minutes later, the Seasiders took the lead as Wes Baynes swung in a right footed free kick towards Ruane, who looped a brilliant header over Bala ‘keeper Morris and into the far corner to make it 1-2. Suddenly, the visitors were dominant as the hosts began to bombard Terry McCormick’s box with long balls and throw ins. On 77 minutes, Bala's sustained pressure told as Mike Hayes played in Sean Smith, who’s low cross found it’s way to the back post where Tames was on hand once more to tap home for 2-2. It was cruel on Aber who’d deservedly gone in front after an excellent second half performance. The Seasiders could easily have sat back and began to hang on for what would have been a creditable point, but instead they continued to press forward with courage and purpose. Henry Jones wasted another good opportunity for the hosts on 86 minutes, as his header bounced wide of the post, before the fourth official indicated a minimum of 4 minutes added time. In the third of those four minutes, Rio Ahmadi held the ball up superbly in the channel before skipping beyond Stuart Jones. The Aber number 9 surged into the penalty area before teeing up an inch perfect cross to the back post where Declan Walker rose highest to power the ball into the net and send the away supporters into raptures and make it 2-3. 

It was another fantastic victory for Nev Powell's side, who enjoyed their celebrations once more with their supporters at full time. The victory lifts Aber up to fifth place in the JD Welsh Premier League table, level with Bala and just three points off the top of the table. The Seasiders now enjoy a 2 week break before they return to action against Carmarthen at Park Avenue in another crunch clash on Friday 30th November. 

Teams:
Bala Town : Morris, Burns, S Jones, S.J. Jones, S Smith, Horwood (46), Gossett (67), Burke, Venables, H Jones, Tames. Subs: Hayes (67) Sheridan, K Smith (46), Miley, Charles, J Jones, Edwards. 

Aberystwyth Town: McCormick, Baynes (90), Wollacott, Goodall, S Edwards, Phillips (56), Walker, Jones, Mendes (46), R Edwards, Ruane. Subs: Rimmer (90), Kellaway (56), Ahmadi (46), Jenkins, Blake, Rowe, Morgan 

Attendance: 309 

With 60% of the vote, Aber's Kelly Thomas has won October's Aber Town Ladies goal of the month competition thanks to her impressive goal against Willows Ladies at Park Avenue on 7th October 2018.

Sgorio's Nicky John was the person deciding on which four goals would make the shortlist. When choosing the midfielders goal she said, "The Kelly Thomas goal was not just a great strike but also great build-up play from the team. So a nice team goal!"

Watch the video below to see the winning goal.

Here are the results from the vote:
Kelly Thomas (vs Willows Ladies) - 60%
Naomi Evans (vs Merthyr Town Women) - 16.47%
Caroline Cooper (vs Willows Ladies) - 15.29%
Lisa Cowdy (vs Merthyr Town Ladies) - 8.24%

A big thank you to Nicky John for choosing October's shortlist.