Cefn Druids 1-0 Aberystwyth Town: Match Report

JD Welsh Premier League
Friday 5th October
Cefn Druids 1-0 Aberystwyth Town

Aberystwyth Town fell to their second successive JD Welsh Premier League as they lost 1-0 at the hands of Cefn Druids on Friday evening, thanks to James Davies' 86th minute wonder strike at The Rock. The black and greens were on top for large periods throughout the game, but the one true moment of quality was produced by the hosts late on, as Davies curled the ball beyond Aber 'keeper Terry McCormick to take all three points. 

Aber made two changes to the starting line up from last weekend's defeat at home to Barry, as Terry McCormick replaced Leigh Jenkins in goal and Geoff Kellaway replaced Ryan Edwards. The seasiders got off to a bright start at The Rock as Wes Baynes tried his luck from range after 6 minutes, with his lob ending up on the roof of the net, before Matty Owen curled a left footed shot inches wide of the post for the hosts at the other end. On 14 minutes the hosts went close once more as Steff Edwards cleared Arkadiusz Piskorski's back post effort off the goal line, before Aber went up the other end as Baynes tried his luck once more - this time forcing an excellent save from home 'keeper Thompson down to his right. As the half wore on, the visitors grew in confidence, and earned a succession of free kicks in dangerous positions that Druids did well to deal with inside the six yard area. Rio Ahmadi went close on the stroke of half time as he cut inside before firing a shot into the side netting, whilst Piskorski crossed for Dean Wittenberg at the other end who's flicked effort went inches wide, but it was to remain 0-0 at the half. 

The second half was a more cagey and tense affair, with both sides struggling to create clear goalscoring opportunities early on. On 54 minutes, Paulo Mendes tried his luck with a right footed effort that was almost fumbled into his net by home 'keeper Thompson, before Naim Arsan shot well over with a long range left footed strike. Aber introduced Nash Blake and Joe Phillips in place of Geoff Kellaway and Rio Ahmadi seeking some added impetus, but struggled to create anything meaningful in front of goal as the game wore on. On 80 minutes, wingman Jordan Evans went close for the hosts as McCormick tired his long range strike on to the post, before Druids broke the deadlock on 86 minutes as James Davies cut inside and fired an unstoppable right footed shot into the far corner to make it 1-0. The visitors had little time to react, but did create a late flurry of opportunities as Mendes turned and fired wide in the penalty area before Ruan headed just wide at the death, but it wasn't to be as the seasiders left The Rock empty handed. 

It was a difficult defeat to take for Aber, in a game where they defended well but didn't create enough in front of goal to merit taking all three points. the seasiders will be keen to snap out of their recent dip in form as they welcome Caernarfon to Park Avenue next Friday evening in the JD Welsh Premier League. 

Teams:
Cefn Druids: Thompson, Arsan, Peate, Owen, Mudimu, Rittenberg, Evans, Cartwright, Hajdari (62), Piskorski (90), Ashton. Subs: Samassa, Davies (62), ap Gareth (90), Morris, Moutaud.

Aberystwyth Town: McCormick, Baynes, Wollacott, Goodall, S Edwards, Kellaway (69), Jones, Mendes, Walker, Ahmadi (81), Ruane. Subs: Rimmer, Rowe, Blake (69), Phillips (81), L Jenkins, Coleridge, R Edwards