Flint Town United vs Aberystwyth Town: Match Preview

JD Cymru Premier 
Friday 6th January (KO 7.45pm)
Flint Town United vs Aberystwyth Town 

It's another away trip for Aberystwyth Town this Friday, as Anthony Williams side head to Flintshire for their 5th trip on the road in 6 games since the start of December.  This gruelling schedule has yielded little reward so far, but Aber will be looking to start the new year on the front foot and with Taff indicating that new signings are soon to be incoming to bolster the squad, there is reason to be optimistic as we start 2023. 
 
Friday’s opponents, Flint Town United, have a different look to the team that the Seasiders faced last season. Lee Fowler replaced Neil Gibson as Manager during the summer, and he was joined by former Llandudno manager Iwan Williams as Assistant. The new management team have recruited well, with a mix of experienced Cymru Premier players such as Anthony Stephens and James Owen joined by former EFL players Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro and Larnell Cole. They also announced the signing of former Barry Town United player Rhys Kavanagh on Tuesday evening. The forward, who joins Flint from Penybont, has already hit 5 goals in 12 games this season whilst in South Wales. 
 
Kavanagh will add firepower to a team who have hit only 18 goals in their 19 matches so far this season – Okera Simmonds currently the team’s top scorer with 4 goals so far this campaign. Their defensive record is impressive however, with only the top 3 and 5th placed Penybont having conceded less goals this season than Flint. The hosts currently sit in 9th place in the league with 5 wins and 20 points from 19 games played so far. Last time out, they held 2nd placed Connahs Quay to a 0-0 draw at home. 
 
Recent meetings between the two sides have been eventful to say the least. Back in October, Aber celebrated a 2-1 victory at Park Avenue thanks to a late penalty from Niall Flint, whilst last season both fixtures between the two teams were marred by controversial refereeing decisions which went against the Black & Greens. The fixture at Cae Y Castell in August 2021 saw Flint snatch all three points through a 93rd minute goal from Alex Jones, despite strong protests of a double handball. Aber then suffered another gut wrenching defeat in the return game at Park Avenue, as an astonishingly harsh decision to disallow an injury time equaliser denied Antonio Corbisiero’s side what would have been a valuable point as Flint triumphed 2-1. 
 
Flint’s website offers the following advice on travel to The Essity Stadium. The stadium sits on the banks of the Dee Estuary, a short walk away from Flint Castle. You’ll find a car park near the RNLI Lifeboat Station. Once that fills up, the Club asks you to be respectful about where you park. Try to consider those living locally and avoid blocking any driveways, streets or access roads. If you can, come on foot or on the train. It’ll make your journey home easier and give you some eco-credentials too. 
 
The postcode for your sat-nav is CH6 5PJ and tickets are priced at £8 for Adults, £5 for Seniors, £2 for Juniors and U11’s are free. Green Army … Aber Town's 2023 push up the table starts here!