JD Welsh Cup Fourth Round: Aberystwyth Town v Cardiff Met

JD Welsh Cup: Fourth Round
Saturday 26th January (2:30p.m Kick Off)
Aberystwyth Town v Cardiff Met 

Aberystwyth Town will look to repeat their Welsh Cup heroics of last season as they face Cardiff Met yet again at the fourth round stage, but this time at Park Avenue on Saturday afternoon. Malcolm Melvin's deft header helped Town secure a fantastic victory at Cyncoed Campus at the same stage of the competition last season, and Aber will hope for the same outcome this time around as they seek a place in the last 16 for the second successive season. 

Manager Nev Powell admitted it was a case of the same old story after Town's last game, as the Seasiders fell to defeat at the hands of Barry Town at Jenner Park. "We're giving teams a head start in games by conceding early, and at this level you can't afford to do that". The Aber manager will be keen to see his side start on the front foot this weekend as they return to Park Avenue, and will hope for a similar performance to that shown in the second half at Jenner Park where the Seasiders found themselves unlucky not to come away with a point; "Overall it was another good away performance, and we bossed large parts of the game, we just need to learn that we can't start games as slowly as we have been lately". 

Powell has a rich history in the JD Welsh Cup, reaching four consecutive finals in his time as Bangor City manager between 2008 and 2011 - lifting the trophy on three occasions. And of course, more recently he guided the Black and Greens to last season's JD Welsh Cup Final at Latham Park, where it was one step too far as Aber were well beaten by Connah's Quay Nomads. Town progressed into the fourth round of the JD Welsh Cup after a battling performance away at Cwmamman United in the third round, and will need similar spirit and desire to get past the Archers on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday's visitors enter the game after lifting the Nathaniel MG Cup last weekend, defeating Cambrian & Clydach BGC in the Final at Jenner Park thanks to an Adam Roscrow brace. Met have endured a tumultuous season thus far, after finishing in the JD Welsh Premier League's bottom six places at the split, along with Aber, and currently lie 3 points above the Seasiders in the table. The sides have already clashed twice so far this season, with the Archers strolling to a 4-1 win at Park Avenue in August, before a stunning second half comeback secured Aber a 3-2 victory at Cyncoed in November. 

Saturday's clash is sure to be another hard fought battle, and kick off at Park Avenue is at 2:30p.m. Admission costs £8 adults, £5 concessions and £2 for u16's. Come along and see whether Aber can discover the magic of the Welsh Cup once more and continue their onwards journey in this season's competition!