Welsh Cup Fever Returns to Park Avenue 21 Months On!

​JD Welsh Cup Third Round
Saturday 3rd December (ko 1.30pm)
Aberystwyth Town v Holywell Town

JD Welsh Cup Fever returns to Ceredigion this weekend as Park Avenue hosts its first Welsh Cup tie since Aber's Quarter Final defeat, on penalties, to Airbus in March 2015. The Black and Greens earned that tie by beating Holywell Town, also on pens, at Halkyn Road in the previous round, and the Cymru Alliance outfit are Aber's opponents again on Saturday. 

Even before that tie the two sides contested a momentous Welsh Cup Semi Final in April 2014, which Ian Hughes' Seasiders won 3-1 to earn a first ever UEFA Europa League spot, thanks to moments of magic from Craig Williams, Chris Venables and Geoff Kellaway, so the Wellmen could be forgiven for groaning when the Third Round draw was made last month.

Ambitious Holywell currently lie 7th in the Cymru Alliance having been defeated 3-2 by Caernarfon Town in their last game. Their squad includes Players with WPL experience such as keeper John Rushton, defender Gareth Sudlow and striker Lee Healey. Sadly for Holywell their top scorer Shaun Tuck is suspended for Saturday's game and midfielder Tony Roebuck left the Club this week. A well supported side, the Wellmen are bringing a Supporters Coach down to Aberystwyth so a good Cup atmosphere at Park Avenue is likely!

Only three of Aber's playing Squad remain from the two previous ties with Holywell so their influence is likely to be more meaningful for supporters than for the Players. Nevertheless a good Cup run will be a big bonus for Matthew Bishop's men as they strive for a Top Six berth in the Dafabet WPL over Christmas.

Bishop told atfc.org.uk last week: "Our Welsh Cup game against Holywell will be a tough challenge". He will be looking for the Players to repeat an improved showing after the break last Friday night: "We’ve got to be better over the 90 minutes. (In the) second half we got hold of the ball, we passed it and did the things we did well. We moved with the ball and broke with pace.  We had a few chances."

Kick off at Park Avenue on Saturday is at the earlier time of 1.30pm to allow for extra time and penalties should they be needed, and admission costs £6 for Adults, £4 Concessions and £1 for Kids. Don't be late!

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