Nathaniel MG Cup Quarter Final
Tuesday 29th October
Carmarthen Town 0 Aberystwyth Town 3
Aberystwyth Town thrilled their fans with a thoroughly dominant performance at Parc Waundew on Tuesday evening, which earned them a 3-0 win and a place in the Nathaniel MG Cup Semi Finals for the first time in nine years. Matthew Jones got the decisive goal for the third round running with a 42nd minute penalty, and second half goals from Greg Walters (own goal, 50 minutes) and Joe Phillips (66 minutes) sealed a morale boosting and handsome victory for the men in green.
On a chilly night Aber started well, looking composed and enjoying most of the possession. Paulo Mendes put in a good cross but the returning Geoff Kellaway couldn’t quite connect, and minutes later Kellaway unleashed a super shot from the edge of the area, but Lee Idzi brought out a big save in Carmarthen’s goal. Edmilson was the next to threaten for Aber, sending a shot past the post, and at the other end Liam Thomas hit the post from an offside position. With Wes Baynes, Lee Jenkins and Adam Hughes all impressing with solid defending Town had a strong base to work from, and Mendes was next to fire in from 30 yards, but Idzi saved again. Phillips was denied by Idzi after unleashing a low drive, and for Carmarthen Declan Carroll fired over after a strong run. The Seasiders finally got the lead they deserved when Lee Jenkins played Baynes into the box, and his run was blocked by Chris Jones, to earn a penalty. As he had done so thrillingly on Friday night, Jones once again smashed home the spot kick to put Aber in control at the break.
After the break Carroll again threatened with a shot with flashed over Aber’s bar, but normal service was resumed as Jones’ cross played in livewire Alex Boss who snuck in at the near post to win a corner. Soon afterwards Baynes got another assist as his ball in to the box from the right was deflected past his own keeper by the unfortunate Walters, and the visitors were in control. Keeper Connor Roberts came out swiftly to deny Liam Thomas a response, and protect Aber’s second clean sheet in three matches. Jenkins then went on a buccaneering run down the middle before feeding Boss who drifted a shot narrowly over, and Kellaway set up Phillips whose effort was again saved by Idzi. Then three quarters through the game quarterback Ryan Edwards picked out Phillips with a brilliant through ball, and he homed in before nudging the ball sweetly past Idzi for Aber’s third goal, and game, set and match. Chris Jones volleyed a rare Carmarthen attempt wide and Roberts denied an own goal with another great stop after Carroll’s cross, but with Aber bossing possession and in complete control, final chances came to sub Richy Ricketts and Alex Boss, and the visitors were delighted to end with a thoroughly deserved 3-0 win.
This victory caps an unbeaten October for Aber, and the players deserve huge credit for a series of consistent performances culminating in a Semi Final to look forward to. Town will now face either STM Sports, Bala Town or Connah’s Quay Nomads in the Nathaniel MG Cup Semi Finals, which will be one-off matches hosted by the side drawn first. The draw is expected on Thursday evening, with the games to be played the weekend of November 22/23rd. Don’t make any other plans for that weekend!
Tuesday 29th October
Carmarthen Town 0 Aberystwyth Town 3
Aberystwyth Town thrilled their fans with a thoroughly dominant performance at Parc Waundew on Tuesday evening, which earned them a 3-0 win and a place in the Nathaniel MG Cup Semi Finals for the first time in nine years. Matthew Jones got the decisive goal for the third round running with a 42nd minute penalty, and second half goals from Greg Walters (own goal, 50 minutes) and Joe Phillips (66 minutes) sealed a morale boosting and handsome victory for the men in green.
On a chilly night Aber started well, looking composed and enjoying most of the possession. Paulo Mendes put in a good cross but the returning Geoff Kellaway couldn’t quite connect, and minutes later Kellaway unleashed a super shot from the edge of the area, but Lee Idzi brought out a big save in Carmarthen’s goal. Edmilson was the next to threaten for Aber, sending a shot past the post, and at the other end Liam Thomas hit the post from an offside position. With Wes Baynes, Lee Jenkins and Adam Hughes all impressing with solid defending Town had a strong base to work from, and Mendes was next to fire in from 30 yards, but Idzi saved again. Phillips was denied by Idzi after unleashing a low drive, and for Carmarthen Declan Carroll fired over after a strong run. The Seasiders finally got the lead they deserved when Lee Jenkins played Baynes into the box, and his run was blocked by Chris Jones, to earn a penalty. As he had done so thrillingly on Friday night, Jones once again smashed home the spot kick to put Aber in control at the break.
After the break Carroll again threatened with a shot with flashed over Aber’s bar, but normal service was resumed as Jones’ cross played in livewire Alex Boss who snuck in at the near post to win a corner. Soon afterwards Baynes got another assist as his ball in to the box from the right was deflected past his own keeper by the unfortunate Walters, and the visitors were in control. Keeper Connor Roberts came out swiftly to deny Liam Thomas a response, and protect Aber’s second clean sheet in three matches. Jenkins then went on a buccaneering run down the middle before feeding Boss who drifted a shot narrowly over, and Kellaway set up Phillips whose effort was again saved by Idzi. Then three quarters through the game quarterback Ryan Edwards picked out Phillips with a brilliant through ball, and he homed in before nudging the ball sweetly past Idzi for Aber’s third goal, and game, set and match. Chris Jones volleyed a rare Carmarthen attempt wide and Roberts denied an own goal with another great stop after Carroll’s cross, but with Aber bossing possession and in complete control, final chances came to sub Richy Ricketts and Alex Boss, and the visitors were delighted to end with a thoroughly deserved 3-0 win.
This victory caps an unbeaten October for Aber, and the players deserve huge credit for a series of consistent performances culminating in a Semi Final to look forward to. Town will now face either STM Sports, Bala Town or Connah’s Quay Nomads in the Nathaniel MG Cup Semi Finals, which will be one-off matches hosted by the side drawn first. The draw is expected on Thursday evening, with the games to be played the weekend of November 22/23rd. Don’t make any other plans for that weekend!
