The New Saints v Aberystwyth Town: Match Preview

JD Welsh Premier League
Tuesday 11th September (7:45p.m Kick Off)
​The New Saints v Aberystwyth Town

Aberystwyth Town will look to build on their positive start to the season as they travel to face league champions The New Saints at Park Hall on Tuesday evening. Aber have taken six points from their opening four league games this season, most recently beating Llanelli 3-1 at Park Avenue 10 days ago with second half goals from Rio Ahmadi, Geoff Kellaway and Joe Phillips. The black and greens will now look to cause an upset by claiming a positive result as they travel to the home of the league champions on Tuesday evening. 

After Town's latest league victory over Llanelli, Director of Football Nev Powell was quick to emphasise the versatility of Aber's squad, highlighting the change in performance during the seond half in which the black and greens scored 3 goals after trailing at half time. Powell commented; "We changed a couple of things round at half time and it worked, we were a different side second half. It's all about changing things when you need to, and you could see when we put Rio (Ahmadi) up front with Ash (Ruane) in the second half we looked a real force". 

Aber will again look for that versatility and adaptability on Tuesday evening as they face league champions The New Saints. Town's defensive qualities will certainly be tested against a side who've won the league title 7 times consecutively since 2012. Nevertheless, Powell claimed his side will be ready for Tuesday's test, stating "In that second half against Llanelli we won every header in defence and every second ball in midfield, and when we're on our game we can be a difficult team to beat".

Tuesday's hosts The New Saints enter the game at the top of the JD Welsh Premier League, having won three of their opening four games - their only defeat coming away at Connah's Quay Nomads. They also crashed out of the IRN Bru Cup on Saturday evening with a surprise defeat on penalties to third-tier Scottish side Queens Park FC. They will no doubt be keen to get back to winning ways against Aber on Tuesday evening at Park Hall, and the black and greens will need to wary of a backlash following the Saints' weekend defeat. 

Tuesday also marks a historic occasion for Aberystwyth Town Football Club and referee Cheryl Foster, in what is her second appointment as referee in the JD Welsh Premier League - and is the first time a female referee has taken charge of a game involving the black and greens. Cheryl made her debut as an assistant referee two years ago in a fixture between TNS and Aber! The club welcomes Cheryl's appointment as a positive move for equality in football and the JD Welsh Premier League. 

In what is sure to be another stern test for the seasiders, kick off at Park Hall is at 7:45 p.m, and The New Saints address is listed as Park Hall, Whittington, Oswestry, SY11 4AS. Come along and cheer on the black and greens or follow Aber's Twitter Feed for live updates from Tuesday evening's game.