Match Preview: ATFC vs Haverfordwest County

JD Cymru Premier MD10
Aberystwyth Town vs Haverfordwest County
Friday 14th October (8pm KO)
Aberystwyth University Park Avenue Stadium

After brief hiatus to indulge in the JD Welsh Cup. a return to top-flight domestic action awaits Aberystwyth Town this Friday night as Haverfordwest County make the short trip north to face the Seasiders. 

Players and fans will show their support to Hate Crime Awareness Week before the match.

The event will feature an official announcement before kick-off, a pitch side banner raising awareness of HCAW 2022, an information stand in the club house before kick-off and during half time. In addition to this, support and information will be available from Victim Support and the Cohesion Team, as well as a pledge wall where players, match officials and supporters will be encouraged to leave their messages promising to be allies with victims of Hate Crime and to never tolerate racism or hate in sport.

This is one of several initiatives and events promoting and supporting Hate Crime Awareness Week, and the engagement event is supported by several partner agencies including Aberystwyth Town FC, Aberystwyth Town Council, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth University Student Union, Ceredigion County Council, Dyfed Powys-Police, Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, Haverfordwest County AFC, Hywel Dda University Health Board, and The Wales Hate Support Centre at Victim Support.
 
Anthony Williams’ men will be looking to make it three home wins on the spin following excellent results against Connah’s Quay Nomads and Airbus Broughton UK in our previous 180 minutes of football at Aberystwyth University Park Avenue.  
 
Tonight’s visitors are managed by a familiar face to the Aberystwyth Town faithful. Ex-boss Tony Pennock, will be in the visiting dugout after his appointment in the summer following a number of seasons at Hull City. The father of former Town stopper Alex, Pennock managed Aber to survival for a brief stint at the end of the 2016-17 season before taking up a position as first team coach at Hull City in the English Championship. 
 
Much like Wrexham have been revolutionised with a take over from outside the area, the input of new chairman Rob Edwards has transformed the Pembrokeshire based Bluebirds on and off the field since their promotion back into the top flight in 2020. A YouTube documentary about County’s term in 21-22 has raised interest in the side over the past months and with heavy investment in the playing squad, club infrastructure and facilities, Haverfordwest come into the game as one of the best-equipped teams in the league. 
 
The Green Army will be familiar with a number of the playing squad who swapped Park Avenue for Bridge Meadow in the summer months. Youth product Lee Jenkins, who became one of the youngest captains in our club’s history when he took the armband against Druids in 2021, will be returning to the Cambrian coast for the first time. He was instrumental in the success of the Under 19s and became a mainstay in the starting line up from a young age.
 
The other familiar face is influential attacking midfielder Jamie Veale. The former Methyr man spent two terms in Ceredigion before being released in the summer where he linked up with Nicky Hayen’s side before the latter departed back to his home country prior to the beginning of the campaign.  
 
Only two points and two positions separate the two clubs going into the fixture. Both Aber and County have won three of their opening fixtures however, the visitors have picked up two points from respectable draws.  
 
Haverfordwest will be keen to return to league action following their disappointing exit at the hands of Trethomas Bluebirds of the third-tier last week whilst Aber now have a mouth-watering clash with local Mid-Wales rivals Newtown to look forward to following a penalty victory over Pencoed Athletic in Bridgend. 

Admission prices at Aberystwyth University Park Avenue Stadium are £8 for Adults, £5 for Concessions, £2 for Secondary School age children and free entry for Primary School age children.