JD Cymru Premier
Friday 29th November
Aberystwyth Town 1 Cefn Druids 3

Goals from Jamie Davies (27 mins), Dean Ashton (53) and Cody Ruberto (76) earned Cefn Druids a win at Park Avenue last night after Aber's Top Scorer Paulo Mendes had them a twentieth minute lead. The Seasiders battled hard to get back in the game but the Druids defended well and deserved the win which lifts them back into the Top Six, while the hosts remain in ninth place.  

On a chilly night by the Ceredigion Coast Aber dug out the first opportunity as Mendes forced Michael Jones into a save from Luke Boundford’s long throw, before Ruberto at the other end fired wide from the right channel. Mathew Jones sent in a great delivery for Aber but Marc Williams was offside, then another Jones ball in from the byline found Mendes, who cheekily tapped the ball home at the near post to give Aber what look like a crucial lead. The Black and Greens came within inches of doubling the lead when Mathew Jones’ free kick dropped just wide of the far post, and Mendes sent in a great cross which no one was able to convert. Then a suspiciously offside looking Jamie Davies beat the offside trap down the left before cutting inside to smash home an equaliser for the determined visitors. Aber continued to press with Tom Price volleying over, and they went even closer when a clearance cannoned off Williams and whizzed two inches past the far post: Lady luck had turned her back on Aber and was favouring Cefn instead. Ramirez Howarth did well to set up Davies who skewed wide, then at the other end Ryan Edwards saw a header tipped over and Price volleyed over again, to keep the scores level at the break.

Williams set up Mendes to fire over at the break and then Aber had a bit of luck as Druids had a goal disallowed for an innocuous handball. Howarth went wide for the visitors, who always looked a threat on the break, but their lead when it came was gift wrapped on Black Friday. Ashton’s soft free kick into the area caused a defensive mix up and alas, sailed innocently into the goal unhindered by home players. Back came Aber and Stuart Jones had a header cleared off the line, Lee Jenkins slotted just wide from inside the area and the game seemed to be ebbing away from the Black and Greens. This was confirmed when a right wing cross set up Ruberto to smash home Cefn’s third goal, and with the visitors determined and solid at the back, a comeback looked unlikely. Williams had a shot deflected over, Mendes brought another save from Jones with a header and Jenkins volleyed wide again. Then Jamie Davies brought a save from Connor Roberts, Aber's Adam Hughes sent a long distance volley fizzing over the crossbar. In injury time Roberts did well to tip over a miscued clearance, and Druids had a vital three points which took them up into the Top Six.

Despite Aber suffering bad luck at crucial times last night, Druids were strong, sharp and resolute enough last night to deserve their result, which was as significant for them as it was disappointing for Mathew Bishop’s men, and after a few bad League results the Seasiders will be glad of the return of the JD Welsh Cup next weekend, with a Third Round Tie at Park Avenue at home to Cymru North side Ruthin Town (ko 2.30pm).  

JD Cymru Premier
Friday 29th November (Ko 7.45pm)
Aberystwyth Town v Cefn Druids

Aber Town return to Park Avenue on Friday night after two consecutive awaydays, looking for a positive result against Cefn Druids to kick start their JD Cymru Premier campaign.

Black and Green supporters and Players alike were frustrated by Saturday’s Cup Semi Final defeat away to STM Sports. Ten minutes before the break and a Marc Williams goal to the good Aber were looking good as they had utterly dominated proceedings. However two goals on the break either side of half time did for Town. the visitors mounted a late siege and with 23 shots to seven against dominated the game, but Mathew Bishop’s men will be focused now on getting the positive result rather than a performance this time round. The good news is that Bishop has a full squad to choose from, with Luke Boundford now returned from injury, and Connor Roberts and Adam Hughes back following a week off for the TNS game.

Matchday 16 on Friday night marks the half way point of the season and the result will be important in assessing how Town’s season has gone so far. A win will have the Seasiders looking upwards and at least contemplating a good run which could put them in with a shout for Top Six.
 
Four wins in a row recently elevated previously inconsistent Druids into sixth place in the JD Cymru Premier, but Saturday’s defeat at Cardiff Met was costly, with Alex Mudimu and Mike Pritchard sent off and missing from Friday’s match along with Ryan Kershaw, red carded the previous week. Cefn do however have a good record at Park Avenue so Town know they’ll have to be at the best to get anything and enjoy a Fab Friday night.
 
Admission for this JD Cymru Premier clash will cost £7 for Adults, £4 for Concessions and just £1 for Kids. Don’t turn your back on Aber as they face Cefn!

MG Nathaniel Cup Semi Final
Saturday 23rd November
STM Sports 2 Aberystwyth Town 1

​Aber Town’s League Cup hoodoo continued as they fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat away to Cymru South contenders STM Sports in this season’s MG Nathaniel Cup Semi Final. Marc Williams’ diving header on 27 minutes had Aber dreaming of a first ever Final appearance but goals from Callum Bateman (pen, 38 minutes) and Josh Graham (55 minutes) put STM ahead. Aber laid siege to Sports’ goal from then on but the hosts held on to progress into the Final in the Black and Greens’ place.

On a rainy day in the Capital Aber started well and confidently, passing the ball around with their hosts sitting deep. Adam Hughes lobbed over the bar after a few seconds, then glanced a header over the bar from Wes Baynes’ corner minutes later. Tom Price sent a volley wide before Lee Jenkins surged through and just missed the target from distance. Joe Phillips then curled an effort past the post, and a Mathew Jones cross also swept past the post. Paulo Mendes had a shot saved before unleashing another from 30 yards, which was saved. A howitzer from Mathew Jones fizzed wide and then Aber had a warning when on a rare break Lamin Conteh fired over from an excellent position. Phillips had yet another attempt cleared off the line so Aber’s lead when it came was richly deserved. Tom Price sent in a deep cross from the right which was headed back by the influential Jenkins, and Williams dived to head home from ten yards to delight the super travelling support. Joey Evans hit Connor Roberts from ten yards, and that looked a costly miss as Aber threatened to put the game to bed. Phillips drifted across the box and sent an attempt past the far post, and with Aber defending well, including from dangerous free kicks they seemed in control. However in a trice Conteh drifted across the back line and Roberts was adjudged to have fouled him in the area, for a penalty, which Bateman sneaked in despite Roberts’ best efforts. Mendes had an effort saved from 8 yards before a penalty shout, and Price hit the side netting after a great cross from Phillips, so despite the visitors being well ahead on points, at the break the score remained 1-1.

Into the second half, Hughes played in Price bearing in on goal, but the Swansea loanee couldn’t quite get the ball under control. Then with STM Sports settling, Graham drifted into a pocket down the left and sneaked in to finish well into the far corner to give the hosts an unlikely lead. Roberts then did well to deny Batemen, and Geoff Kellaway and Luke Boundford were thrust on for the final thirty, soon followed by Alex Boss. The subs gave Aber added impetus and with STM tiring Aber dominated the final stages. Boss set up Williams for a volley from the edge of the area which was saved, and with another downpour starting Matthew Jones was so unlucky to see his cross cannon off the crossbar. Hughes sent in another decent cross but Williams headed wide; Boundford knocked on a header for Kellaway to test home keeper Benjamin Boyer, and then had another shot cleared for a corner. Chance after chance came but it was just not Aber’s day: Lee Jenkins saw a goalbound header tipped over the bar by Boyer, and although Graham chipped wide at the other end almost all the action was in STM’s penalty box. Price’s super shot from outside the area brought the save of the day from Boyer to protect STM’s lead, and then Baynes’ excellent cross from the right was headed agonizingly wide at the back post by Boundford. Lee Jenkins fired an injury time effort over the bar and to the visitors’ dismay, the win was STM Sports’.

Aber had 23 attempts on goal today against seven by the hosts, and although the result has to be judged a harsh one on the balance of play, there is no getting away from the fact that the Black and Greens missed a great opportunity to make a Cup Final this afternoon. Everyone at Aberystwyth Town Football Club congratulates STM Sports on a magnificent achievement and somewhat of a footballing fairytale in reaching their first national Cup Final. Aber will now have to lick their wounds and aim to make good for today’s defeat at home to Cefn Druids in the JD Cymru Premier on Friday evening (ko 7.45pm).

​Photo courtesy of Colin Ewart

MG Nathaniel Cup Semi Final
Saturday 23rd November (ko 2.30pm)
STM Sports v Aberystwyth Town

​Excitement is mounting in Ceredigion and Cardiff of Aberystwyth Town’s first League Cup Semi Final in nine years – and a first ever Final place is the aim for Mathew Bishop’s men as they travel to the Capital to face JD Cymru South title contenders STM Sports at the Cardiff University Playing Fields in Llanrumney.

The Black and Greens travel in good spirits after a plucky defensive showing last weekend away to TNS, and Bishop’s squad will be bolstered by the return of Connor Roberts and Adam Hughes, who were unable to face their parent Club at Park Hall last time round. Aber are likely to have a full squad to choose from and will be hoping that the talismanic League Cup Lucky Charm that is Mathew Jones can repeat his trick of scoring the winning goal in each of Aber’s previous three League Cup ties, away to Cambrian & Clydach, Cardiff Met and Carmarthen Town!

STM Sports’ rise to prominence has not gone unnoticed and they lie in fourth place in their first ever season at Level Two of the pyramid. They are known for playing good football and for their swift attacking breaks and have some Welsh Prem experience in Manager Nana Baah, who once scored against Aber for Grange Quins and since coached Caerau Ely to a Welsh League winning title a few years ago, plus players such as Marcus Jones, who was with Barry Town last season. Jones however is suspended for Saturday’s match, as is Riccardo Mackenzie and Diop Hamady. More info on STM Sports can be found on their website here.

STM Sports play on Mendip Road, Llanrumney at the Cardiff University Sports Ground. It can be accessed via the B4487 Cardiff to Newport Road and is signposted from the Eastern Leisure Centre in Llanrumney. Limited parking is available at the ground and we advise supporters to allow some extra time to find their bearings. The ground’s postcode is CF3 4JN.

Supporters wishing to use public transport can use the Cardiff Bus 50 service to the appropriately named Ball Lane stop, which is five minutes’ walk from the ground via Hartland Road and Mendip Road. Buses leave Cardiff City Centre every twenty minutes and a return fare costs £4 (“Day To Go” ticket). Buses return every twenty minutes after the game.

The Seasiders' support is likely to be boosted a good walk up from Capital dwelling Aber Fans, and admission will cost £5. The Semi Final promises to be a memorable occasion and unmissable for those of a Black and Green persuasion. See you there! 

JD Cymru Premier
Friday 15th November
The New Saints 2 Aberystwyth Town 0

​A disciplined defensive performance from the Black and Greens restricted the JD Cymru Premier Champions to remarkably few chances at Park Hall last night, but the clinical Saints struck twice to gain the three points through Keston Davies, who opened the scoring on three minutes, and Ryan Brobbell who completed the goalscoring three minutes before the break.

Aber looked up against it from the start last night, after their ten goal mauling at Park Avenue earlier in the season. Bereft of Conor Roberts and Adam Hughes (both on loan from TNS), Alex Pennock and Stuart Jones came in to fill the gap, but Town were behind early on when a deep right wing cross rebounded kindly for Davies to tap home from a narrow angle. On a cold clear evening TNS dominated possession but Aber were taking an intelligent defensive shape which restricted the danger, and making attempts to break on occasions with some pleasing passing moves. Wes Baynes and Paulo Mendes sent in dangerous balls from the right but they were cleared. Dan Redmond had a shot blocked for the hosts but then back came Aber as Mathew Jones’ free kick dropped inches wide of the post. Redmond again failed to finish from a good position, and another free kick from Jones somehow evaded everyone in TNS’ box and flew behind to safety.  Jon Routledge had a shot deflected over, then Josh Nembhard fired over but Pennock had barely had a save to make and Town were growing in confidence. Edmilson Vaz dispossessed his right back before bearing in on goal and firing into the side netting, and Lee Jenkins set up Ryan Edwards, but his shot was blocked in turn. Then just before the break Aber lost possession high up the pitch and the hosts broke down the middle, allowing Brobbell to round Pennock to double the lead, which was harsh on the balance of chances if not possession. Greg Draper tried a cheeky attempt from the touchline in injury time but Pennock reacted well to snaffle the ball and the half ended at 2-0.

The second half began following a similar pattern to the first, with Aber’s defensive shape and discipline demonstrating pride in their performance. Mendes headed wide from a Baynes corner, Joe Phillips bore down the left wing but his shot was saved. Brobell saw his brilliant 30 yard free kick crash off the crossbar, and Aber had a let off, but then sub Geoff Kellaway slid into the area and skidded a shot wide with Aber threatening an unlikely comeback. Draper brought a rare save from Pennock with a right wing cross and then the ball dropped nicely 30 yards out for Alex Boss, but his volley flew over the crossbar. Phillips set up Tom Price for another blocked attempt on goal, and then Boss played in Mendes down the right, and his powerful shot went just wide to ensure that the visitors would not score on the evening, and the hosts would win 2-0.

Despite the scoreline this was an excellent performance from Aber who restricted the Champions to a handful of chances, and resisted the temptation to hoof the ball forward, trying instead to break progressively. Sadly they were unable to convert from a number of chances last night and the clinical Champions won the game, but honour was definitely restored to the Black and Green cause at Park Hall and Aber retain their ninth place in the JD Cymru Premier. Next weekend is Semi Final Saturday as the Seasiders travel to Llanrumney, Cardiff to face STM Sports in the MG Nathaniel Cup Semi Final (ko 2.30pm). Unmissable!

Gifted goalie is latest recipient of Aber Town Football Club Scholarship

Talented goalkeeper Alex Pennock has been awarded the Aberystwyth University and Aber Town Football Club Scholarship. Eighteen year old Alex from Aberystwyth is a first year student studying a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences. 

Whilst studying for his degree, Alex will play for Aberystwyth Town Football Club in the Welsh Premier League and also the Aberystwyth University BUCS (British Universities & Colleges Sport) football team.

The Aberystwyth University and Aber Town Football Club Scholarship is worth £4,000 a year, with a range of additional benefits including Platinum membership of the University Sports Centre, football coaching development opportunities, medical insurance, access to physiotherapy, match and training kits.

The scholarship is jointly funded by Aberystwyth Town FC and the University’s Aber Fund, which receives donations from Aberystwyth University alumni all over the world.

“Being awarded the opportunity to have a place on this scholarship scheme is something that my family and I are very proud of,”  Alex said. “To be able to play football whilst also getting a university education is great. So far I’m really enjoying my time at the University, as I am finding my course really interesting and have met plenty of new people who have already become good friends. I’m really looking forward to seeing what the next three years hold, both academically and with my football.”

Aberystwyth Town Football Club Chairman Donald Kane, who is an alumnus of the University, said: “I warmly congratulate Alex on being awarded the prestigious Aber Town FC Scholarship.  A home-grown talent, Alex played for the Under 16s and was part of Aberystwyth Town's Under 19s side which retained the Welsh Premier League Development Trophy at Newtown in May 2019.  He now plays for the first team, where one of his teammates is fellow Scholarship holder, Mathew Jones.

“Since being awarded the scholarship in 2018, Mathew has been almost ever-present in the first team.  He has been selected as Vice-Captain and was picked for the Wales Semi Pro squad which drew with England at Salford City FC in March 2019.  He also captained Aberystwyth University's side when it played against Bangor University in Varsity 2019 at Park Avenue in front of 1,500 people.”

Aberystwyth University is the principal sponsor of Aberystwyth Town Football Club for the 2019-20 season.

At the team’s match against Bala Town FC on Friday 8 November, Professor Tim Woods, Pro Vice-Chancellor Learning Teaching and Student Experience, accepted a framed first team kit on behalf of the University, as a token of appreciation from Aberystwyth Town FC.

Professor Woods said: “Aberystwyth Town Football Club was established in 1884, just eight years after the University first opened its doors to students.  Ever since then students and staff from the University have supported or played for the ‘Seasiders’, and the sponsorship and scholarship builds on this long-standing relationship, whilst also opening up opportunities to sport and higher education.”

The closing date for applications for the Aberystwyth University and Aber Town Football Club scholarship is 15 July 2020.  Full details and the online application form can be found at: www.aber.ac.uk/scholarships.  

Applicants are also welcome to contact Aber Town FC to discuss suitability: [email protected]

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Gôl-geidwad talentog yw’r diweddaraf i dderbyn Ysgoloriaeth Clwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth

Dyfarnwyd Ysgoloriaeth Prifysgol Aberystwyth a Chlwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth i’r gôl-geidwad talentog, Alex Pennock. Mae Alex, sy’n ddeunaw oed ac yn dod o Aberystwyth, yn fyfyriwr yn y flwyddyn gyntaf yn astudio BSc mewn Gwyddor Chwaraeon ac Ymarfer Corff yn Athrofa’r Gwyddorau Biolegol, Amgylcheddol a Gwledig. Tra bo’n astudio ar gyfer ei radd, bydd Alex yn chwarae i Glwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth yn Uwch Gynghrair Cymru a hefyd i dîm pêl-droed Chwaraeon Prifysgolion a Cholegau Cymru (BUCS).

Mae Ysgoloriaeth Prifysgol Aberystwyth a Chlwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth yn werth £4,000 y flwyddyn, a cheir ystod o fanteision eraill yn cynnwys aelodaeth Blatinwm o Ganolfan Chwaraeon y Brifysgol, cyfleoedd datblygu hyfforddiant pêl-droed, yswiriant meddygol, gwasanaeth ffisiotherapi, a chit ar gyfer gemau ac ymarfer.

Ariennir yr ysgoloriaeth ar y cyd gan Glwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth a Chronfa Aber y Brifysgol, sy’n derbyn rhoddion gan gyn-fyfyrwyr Prifysgol Aberystwyth o bob cwr o’r byd.

“Mae cael lle ar y cynllun ysgoloriaeth hwn yn rhywbeth yr wyf i a fy nheulu yn falch iawn ohono,” meddai Alex. “Mae gallu chwarae pêl-droed a chael addysg prifysgol yn wych. Hyd yn hyn, rwy’n mwynhau fy amser yn y Brifysgol yn fawr, gan fod fy nghwrs mor ddiddorol ac rwyf wedi cwrdd â llawer o bobl newydd sydd eisoes yn ffrindiau da. Rwy’n edrych ymlaen at yr hyn fydd gan y tair blynedd nesaf i’w gynnig, yn academaidd ac o ran y pêl-droed.”

Dywedodd Cadeirydd Clwb Pêl-droed Tref, Donald Kane, sy’n gyn-fyfyriwr o’r Brifysgol: “Llongyfarchiadau calonnog i Alex ar ennill Ysgoloriaeth fawr ei bri Clwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth. Mae Alex yn fachgen lleol a fu’n chwarae dan 16 oed ac roedd yn aelod o dîm dan 19 Tref Aberystwyth a enillodd Gwpan Datblygu Uwch Gynghrair Cymru am yr ail flwyddyn yn olynol yn y Drenewydd ym mis Mai 2019. Mae ef bellach yn chwarae i’r Tîm Cyntaf, ac un o’i gyd-chwaraewyr yn y tîm yw deiliad arall yr Ysgoloriaeth, Mathew Jones.

“Ers iddo ennill yr ysgoloriaeth yn 2018, mae Mathew wedi chwarae bron yn ddi-dor i’r tîm cyntaf. Cafodd ei enwi’n Is-Gapten a’i ddewis ar gyfer carfan Rannol Broffesiynol Cymru a gafodd gêm gyfartal yn erbyn Lloegr yng Nghlwb Pêl-droed Dinas Salford ym mis Mawrth 2019. Ef hefyd oedd capten tîm Prifysgol Aberystwyth pan chwaraeodd yn erbyn Prifysgol Bangor yng nghystadleuaeth ryng-golegol 2019 yng Nghoedlan y Parc o flaen 1,500 o bobl.”

Prifysgol Aberystwyth yw prif noddwr Clwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth ar gyfer tymor 2019-20.

Yng ngêm y tîm yn erbyn Clwb Pêl-droed y Bala nos Wener 8 Tachwedd, derbyniodd yr Athro Tim Woods, Dirprwy Is-Ganghellor Dysgu, Addysgu a Phrofiad Myfyrwyr, git y tîm cyntaf mewn ffrâm ar ran y Brifysgol, fel arwydd o ddiolch gan Glwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth.

Dywedodd yr Athro Woods: “Sefydlwyd Clwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth yn 1884, wyth mlynedd yn unig ar ôl i’r Brifysgol agor ei drysau hithau i fyfyrwyr. Ers hynny mae myfyrwyr a staff o’r Brifysgol wedi cefnogi’r ‘Seasiders’, neu chwarae iddynt, ac mae’r nawdd a’r ysgoloriaeth yn adeiladu ar y berthynas hirdymor hon, ac yn agor cyfleoedd i chwaraeon ac addysg uwch.”

Y dyddiad cau ar gyfer ceisiadau am Ysgoloriaeth Prifysgol Aberystwyth a Chlwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth yw 15 Gorffennaf 2020. Gellir cael hyd i fanylion llawn a’r ffurflen gais ar-lein ar: www.aber.ac.uk/ysgoloriaethau.  

Gall ymgeiswyr hefyd gysylltu â Chlwb Pêl-droed Tref Aberystwyth i drafod eu haddasrwydd: [email protected]