Newtown 0 Aberystwyth Town 0

Dafabet Welsh Premier League
Saturday 10th October
Newtown 0 Aberystwyth Town 0

On a historic day for Welsh Football, Aberystwyth Town showed defensive grit to earn a valuable away point at Newtown with a goalless draw which extends their unbeaten run to six games, and safeguards a spot in the WPL Top Five for another week.

Manager Ian Hughes named an unchanged outfield after Tuesday night’s heroics at Bala, with Mike Lewis coming back for Chris Mullock in goal, but the hosts definitely started the game better, creating a number of early opportunities to take the lead. Luke Boundford failed to connect with an excellent cross from Craig Williams, and then drew a save from Lewis. The unfortunate Boundford then headed over a Jamie Price cross, and it was Aber’s turn. Darren Thomas scraped the near post with a cute right footed shot, Jamie Reed was inches wide with a controlled effort created by the imperious Rhys Griffiths, before Reed returned the favour by back flicking Griffiths in for a blocked effort on goal. Geoff Kellaway had a header saved by Dave Jones, Boundford was again off target with a back post header and Reed brought another save out of Jones before a fairly even half ended goalless.

Although neither side looked entirely convincing in the second half, the chances kept coming. Griffiths had an attempt cleared off the line from the restart before Jason Oswell missed the target, the second time glaringly from another Williams cross. He then drew a save from Lewis before trying an acrobatic effort which was blocked, and back came Aber again. Luke Sherbon’s deep cross from out on the right was perfect for Reed, and he connected beautifully with the ball only to be denied by Jones. Mike Lewis in Aber’s goal then came out strongly three times in a row to block the hosts’ aspirations, and when Matty Owen headed over from a brilliant position with ten minutes to go the home groans indicated that it was not to be Newtown’s day. Sensing a late winner, Griffiths won a corner for Aber and from the resulting move Ross Stephens flashed a shot just over the bar. Mike Lewis got down well to block Keiron Mills-Evans’ injury time header, and that was that.

While Aber were not at their absolute best yesterday, it is churlish to complain when the side has now taken 12 points out of the last 6 games over a tough three week period, conceding a mere four goals in that brilliant run. Ian Hughes’ men now stand in fifth place and in their current run of form can’t wait for Saturday’s visit to Gap Connah’s Quay (ko 2.30pm). The Coach will leave Park Avenue at 9.30am.