JD Welsh Premier League
Saturday 16th December (2:30p.m Kick Off)
Aberystwyth Town v Prestatyn Town
 
Aberystwyth Town will look to continue their strong recent home form as they face Prestatyn Town in the JD Welsh Premier League at Park Avenue on Saturday afternoon.  Town have won three out of their last four home games in all competitions, after picking up league victories over Cefn Druids and Newtown, and a JD Welsh Cup victory against Bala Town two weeks ago. After falling to a heavy defeat away at Connah’s Quay last weekend, Aber will be looking to get back to winning ways at Park Avenue on Saturday afternoon.
 
Manager Nev Powell admitted that his side’s performance did not reach the levels of previous weeks at the Deeside Stadium last Friday night, in what were far-from ideal conditions for the seasiders. In an interview after the defeat, Powell commented; “A lot of our players only turned up (at Connah’s Quay) 30 minutes before kick off because of the weather conditions, but we can’t use too many excuses tonight”. Although the defeat appeared damaging, Powell was quick to turn his attentions to this weekend’s clash with Prestatyn, and urged his players to up their game in the final weeks before the league splits in January. Town’s manager went on to add; “Every game is like a cup final to us now, and we have to try and take maximum points from our next few games. If we keep attacking and going forwards the way we have been, we’ll be in a good position”. Indeed, Aber’s attacking flare and creativity has been evident in recent weeks after scoring eleven goals in their last five games in all competitions. One man rounding into goal scoring form is John Owen, who has netted four goals in his last six appearances. Aber will also hope to be boosted by the return to fitness of captain Jonny Spittle this weekend; who has missed the last two games through injury.
 
Visitors Prestatyn Town travel to Park Avenue having won just once in their last six games in all competitions, and having lost to Cymru Alliance outfit Ruthin Town in the JD Welsh Cup most recently. They have, however, notched notable victories at home to Bangor City and away at Carmarthen so far this season. Neil Gibson’s side currently lie in 10th place in the JD Welsh Premier League. In the reverse fixture between the sides earlier in the season, Aber ran out 2-1 victors thanks to a strong second half performance with goals from John Owen and Declan Walker.
 
In the clash of the seasiders on Saturday afternoon, it is sure to be another enthralling affair. Kick off is at 2:30p.m, and admission costs £7 for adults, £4 concessions and £1 for children. Come on down and see whether Town can continue to turn Park Avenue into a fortress! 
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Aberystwyth Town's numerous and vocal supporters in the Capital will be delighted to hear that the Black and Greens visit Cardiff Met's Cyncoed Campus twice in January.

Town's JD Welsh Premier League match away to the Students has been selected for Live coverage on S4C's Sgorio programme and will now be played on Saturday 6th January, with a 5.30pm kick off.

Aber were also drawn away to Met in the Welsh Cup Fourth Round, and the date for this match has been confirmed as Saturday 27th January, with a 2.30pm kick off.

Town's super South Wales supporter base was evident in August's away game at Barry when they made their presence known, and Aber are sure to bring another significant following to Cyncoed Campus for both games next month. 

JD Welsh Premier League
Friday 8th December
Connah’s Quay Nomads 5-1 Aberystwyth Town
 
Aberystwyth Town fell to a resounding 5-1 defeat at the hands of Connah’s Quay Nomads on a bitterly cold Friday evening at the Deeside Stadium. Michael Wilde nodded the hosts ahead after just 7 minutes, before John Owen levelled for Aber on 15 minutes. But soon after the hosts again went ahead through Michael Bakare (17), and goals from Wilde (44), Kai Edwards (70) and Melford Simpson (90) rounded off a deeply disappointing evening for Nev Powell’s side.
 
After Aber’s players and supporters had struggled to make it to Deeside due to the adverse weather conditions, the delayed kick off seemed to affect Town’s start to the game as the Nomads came out of the traps at full speed. The hosts earned a series of early corners thanks to tricky wing play from Michael Bakare, and on 7 minutes they found the breakthrough as Michael Wilde found space in the penalty area to head the ball over the line via the crossbar and make it 1-0. Aber responded well to going behind, as Craig Hobson almost found a way through to goal after a neat turn and Ryan Wade forced a couple of dangerous set piece opportunities. On 15 minutes, Aber found the equaliser as John Owen latched on to an inch-perfect through ball by Malcolm Melvin, before slotting the ball past John Danby into the top corner of the net to make it 1-1. The hardened away supporters who had made the epic journey to Deeside were suddenly in full voice. But just ninety seconds later, the hosts were back in front as Bakare cut inside on to his right foot before curling an effort beyond Chris Mullock and into the far corner of the net to make it 2-1. The Nomads continued to press and unsettle Aber’s rhythm on what was a difficult playing surface, and almost extended their lead on 29 minutes as right back Sean Smith hit the crossbar with an audacious effort. Despite being on the back-foot, Town continued to create openings as Hobson sent a shot wide of the post before Declan Walker forced a fine save from Danby with a long-range effort. However, on the stroke of half time the hosts landed another body blow as Wilde again rose highest to meet Matty Owen’s left footed corner and make it 3-1; a real sucker punch for Aber as the sides went in at the break.
 
Aber started the second half with purpose, as Hobson earned a couple of free kicks in dangerous positions and Ashley Young sent a dangerous long throw into the penalty area which came to no avail. On 55 minutes, Declan Walker again tried his luck with a long-range free kick, which clipped the wall and sailed over the crossbar before Hobson saw his left-footed volley go wide of the post. The visitors tried as they might but were unable to find a way past the resolute Nomads defence. On 70 minutes, the hosts well and truly put the game to bed as Kai Edwards was left unmarked at the far post to tap the ball into an empty net from Matty Owen’s precise pass and make it 4-1. Aber looked deflated, and made a couple of substitutions to try and find some form of consolation as Luke Borrelli and Geoff Kellaway replaced Joe Phillips and Malcolm Melvin. The hosts managed the game well, and looked the more likely to score again as the game entered its final stages. And indeed, on 90 minutes, the Nomads rubbed salt into the wound as Callum Morris crossed the ball for substitute Melford Simpson to tap in from close range and make it 5-1.
 
A thoroughly disappointing evening for Aber after what had been a string of excellent performances in recent weeks. Even Nomads manager Andy Morrison admitted after the game that the score-line flattered the hosts, although no one can deny their victory was certainly deserved. Town must now turn their attentions to next Saturday’s vital home game against Prestatyn Town, where Nev Powell’s men will look to make it three consecutive victories in all competitions at Park Avenue. 
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JD Welsh Premier League
Friday 8th December (7:45p.m Kick Off)
Connah’s Quay Nomads v Aberystwyth Town
 
Aberystwyth Town will look to extend their recent winning streak as they travel north to face Connah’s Quay Nomads at the Deeside Stadium on Friday evening.  Town enter Friday’s game having scored seven goals in their last two games, keeping two clean sheets in the process. Nev Powell’s men most recently swept away Bala Town last weekend in the JD Welsh Cup thanks to goals from Declan Walker, John Owen, Joe Phillips and Luke Borrelli. Aber will now look to carry that form into the JD Welsh Premier League as they maintain their hopes of making the league’s top six at the split in January.
 
Manager Powell was delighted with his side’s performance against the Welsh Cup holders last weekend and called for more of the same as his side enter a crucial run of fixtures through December. After last weekend’s 4-0 victory, Powell stated “The way the lads applied themselves, winning every 50-50 challenge and playing some great football, they’re full of confidence and enjoying their football now”. His players will look to build on those confidence levels yet again this weekend as they face another tough fixture against a current top six side, before facing Prestatyn Town, The New Saints and Carmarthen Town twice over the festive period. One factor Aber’s manager will be satisfied with is the current state of fitness within his squad, with John Owen and Luke Borrelli notching a goal each on their returns last week, and Geoff Kellaway continuing to build on his sharpness as he returns from a lengthy lay-off.
 
Another player brimming with confidence in recent weeks is winger Joe Phillips, who appears to be hitting top form for Town after earning a place in the starting line-up. Along with two superb assists in the last two games, Phillips grabbed his first competitive goal for the seasiders last weekend and spoke of his relief to get off the mark in an interview with Aber’s Youtube channel after the game. Phillips commented; “It’s a fantastic feeling to score my first goal and it’s been a long time coming. At the start of the season it took a while for us to gel as a squad but now you can see that it’s all starting to come together and the last few performances have been brilliant”. Town’s supporters will hope to see those levels of brilliance continue in the coming weeks.
 
Friday’s hosts enter the game having failed to win any of their previous three JD Welsh Premier League matches, picking up two draws away at Bala and Cardiff Met, and losing at home to Bangor City. The Nomads currently lie in 4th place in the league table, and will be missing two notable figures on and off the pitch this weekend in George Horan who’s serving a four game suspension, as well as manager Andy Morrison who serves a two game suspension. In addition, Aber’s assistant manager Wayne Jones will start a two game suspension on Friday evening.
 
Kick off at the Deeside Stadium is at 7:45 p.m, and Connah’s Quay Nomads’ address is listed as Deeside Stadium, Kelserton Road, Connah’s Quay, Deeside, CH5 4BR. On what promises to be a chilly night off the field, it’s sure to heat up on the field as Aber look to build on their momentum. 

Aberystwyth Town FC expresses its sincere condolences with the family of Club Stalwart Brian Edwards, who sadly passed away last week.

Brian was a stalwart of the Club and a Member of the Matchday Committee for a number of years. As a volunteer he would turn his hand to anything to ensure the Club's success - from painting the facilities to manning the gates.

Aberystwyth Town's success would be impossible without the loyal contribution of volunteers like Brian, supported of course by their spouses - in Brian's case his late wife Olga.

In recent years Brian was sadly unable to be present on matchdays, however his interest in the Club did not wane. It was therefore fitting that a number of Brian's family were able to be present for Saturday's minute silence prior to the Welsh Cup match versus Bala - and the Club hopes to host a wake for Brian in the near future.

Everyone at Aberystwyth Town FC express their sincere condolences with Jane, Gareth and the family at this difficult time.