Aber Town's Manager Ian Hughes struck a defiant note, interviewed by Sgorio's Mike Davies after Sunday's home defeat to Port Talbot, underlining the fact that his Players will keep fighting for a Top Six place in next week's decide at home to Newtown. "(Has the defeat cost us a place in the top six?) We'll see. If we beat Newtown we go level on points with them and then it's down to goal difference. It'll be difficult but we won't stop until it's completely out of our hands." Reflecting on the game Hughes bemoaned the small mistakes which cost his side victory: "We created enough chances to win any game but if we give goals away like we did today we'll lose more than we win. We are creating the chances but we need to stop conceding silly goals." Finally Town's Manager pledged that he and his players would do everything they could to bring a positive result next week: "No one's smiling in the dressing room right now - but the Players, and myself, will work hard to turn it around." Assistant Manager Wyn Thomas conveyed the same messages in his post match interview with Mart Smith for Aber Town's Youtube Channel, who contrasted a disappointing result with his confidence in the Team's ability to get it right: "The performance today was better, but the result was disappointing. We are good going forward and we've got no issues with that." "We've got a squad that can win games and score goals, but we concede too many. We can't concede goals like we do, individual errors are costing us week in week out. " "There's enough experience in there and they know what to do." Watch Ian Hughes' interview with Mike Davies here, and Wyn Thomas' interview with Mart Smith on Aber Town's Youtube Channel here. The huge stakes hanging over Aber Town's Top Six decider at home to Newtown next Saturday have been underlined by the fact that S4C have chosen it as their match for live transmission, and kick off at Park Avenue with be at 5.15pm. Dafabet Welsh Premier League Sunday 10th January Aberystwyth Town 1 Port Talbot Town 3 Aberystwyth Town lost at home to a resolute Port Talbot Town on Sunday in a vital Dafabet Welsh Premier League tie played in heavy conditions. In an entertaining first half, goals from Jonathan Hood and Kostya Georgievsky on 17 and 22 minutes gave the Steelmen something to hang on to. The Black and Greens pummelled Steve Cann's goal in the second half, and Cledan Davies pulled a goal back with 19 minutes to go. Rhys Griffiths then had an injury time header disallowed for offside before Chris Jones broke down the other end and got a 94th minute clincher for the visitors. New signing Jonathan Evans went straight into the starting line up, and made a very positive impression. He had the first shot of the game from the left side,saved by Steve Cann, but then in a desperately open game the visitors went close as James Loveridge shot straight at Mike Lewis from a good position before Chris Jones fired a shot narrowly wide from distance. An excellent moved from Aber then led to Chris Venables attempting an audacious lob from 35 yards, which Cann just about tipped over the bar. Evans then burst through to lob the ball over Cann, but was called offside. Then alas came five minutes of madness which ultimately cost Aber the game. First Georgievsky sent over a left wing cross which feel for Hood at the far post, and his scuffed shot trickled fortunately just inside the post for the opener. Then Cann gathered the ball from an Aber corner, sent Georgievsky off down the right wing with an excellent kick, and the diminutive winger pushed on before slipping the ball into the net under Lewis for the killer second. The game continued to entertain however: Craig Williams' cross was headed just wide by RHys Griffiths from a good position, Hood fired wide, then Venables' free kick was scuffed off the line and played through to Evans who hot the post with a clever shot which, alas, rebounded to safety. Lewis had to parry another effort from Hood wide, and despite more late pressure Aber could not make the breakthrough before half time. Knowing this was a game they could not really afford to lose Aber came out firing in the second half with sub Cledan Davies prominent down the left flank, sending in dangerous crosses at will, one of which was headed agonizingly wide by Griffiths. Lewis made a brilliant save to deny Loveridge in a one on one, before Evans had a shot cleared off the line. Venables fired over and Antonio Corbisiero sent a shot wide by Port Talbot were defending stoutly and somehow managing to get bodies in the way time after time. Then finally, with 19 minutes to go a goal kick from Mike Lewis went straight through to Cledan Davies, who touched the ball past Steve Cann to reignite belief in the Black and Green camp. Lee Surman fired over from a promising position, then Geoff Kellaway sent in a brilliant right wing cross which was begging to be touched in, but to no avail. A cross ball fell for Jonathan Evans whose half volley cleared the cross bar, Venables and Evans had yet more attempts blocked, and finally in injury time Rhys Griffiths headed the ball in the net, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Then in the fourth minute of injury time Aber committed everyone forward, and Talbot broke through Chris Jones, who easily notched a third which gave the score a very unfair appearance. Aber were certainly unlucky yesterday evening and deserved a draw at the very least, but on the day Talbot defended better which probably earned them a slice or two of fortune. Ian Hughes' men now need to beat Newtown by two clear goals on Saturday to have any chance of making the Top Six, and the deciding game will be played at Park Avenue next Saturday with a 5.15pm kick off. The high profile game has been chosen by Sgorio for their live TV broadcast. Aberystwyth Town's crucial Dafabet WPL match at home to Port Talbot Town, postponed this afternoon, has been hastily rearranged for this Sunday 10th January, with a 2.30pm kick off time.
The new date has been nominated at short notice so that all Dafabet WPL Phase One fixtures can be completed simultaneously a week Saturday, 16th January. Aberystwyth Town v Port Talbot Town - Match Postponed
Aberystwyth Town FC regrets to announce the postponement of this evening's game at home to Port Talbot, due to a waterlogged pitch caused by unexpected heavy showers this afternoon. The game was called off in the presence of, and in consultation with the WPL Secretary. The Club apologises for any inconvenience caused, and in particular for sending out a message via twitter suggesting that no pitch inspections were planned. That was true at the time the message was sent, but by mid afternoon the weather had changed dramatically from that which had been forecast. The match will be rearranged for a date in the near future, which will be announced as soon as possible. Aberystwyth Town are delighted to announce the signing of forward Jonathan Evans from Penrhyncoch. 22 year old Jonathan has earned widespread acclaim for his performances up front for the Roosters this season and he signed this evening for a second spell with the Black and Greens. An Aberystwyth Town FC Academy product and son of Mid Wales Travel Supremo and Club Sponsor Mel Evans, Jonathan progressed to Cardiff City's Academy and whilst there he represented the Welsh Schoolboys and Under 16s sides, competing in the Victory Shield. Jonathan then signed for Accrington Stanley before signing for Aber during Alan Morgan's tenure in July 2011. He made 5 WPL Appearances in 2011/12 before moving on to Cae Baker. Manager Ian Hughes said: "I am delighted to have bolstered our Squad with Jonathan's signing. I'd like to place on record our sincere thanks to Gari Lewis, his staff and Penrhyncoch FC for their help in getting the move done, and in waiving the seven day notice period." Jonathan's signing is timely as Jamie Reed's Loan Period at the Club has come to an end, and he returns to The New Saints with best wishes from everyone at Park Avenue. Jonathan meanwhile will go straight into the Squad for tomorrow's Dafabet WPL Fixture at home to Port Talbot Town. Dafabet Welsh Premier League Friday 8th January (ko 7.45pm) Aberystwyth Town v Port Talbot Town Aberystwyth Town host Port Talbot Town on Friday night for a vital Welsh Premier game with their Top Six hopes rejuvenated by a series of favourable results elsewhere in the Dafabet WPL. Everything seemed as black as black last Friday when a late free kick earned Haverfordwest all three points at Park Avenue, but Aber’s immediate rivals Connah’s Quay, Newtown and Carmarthen have all lost in the intervening period, meaning that the Black and Greens’ fate is back in their own hands. Anything between four and six points could be enough, but Ian Hughes’ men must return to form this Friday to keep their hopes alive, and will be confident of doing so with such a tantalising reward beckoning. Top Six Qualification brings with it a guaranteed place in the UEFA Europa League Play Offs at the end of the season, and ten high profile matches against the best sides in the League. Visitors Port Talbot Town are on a difficult run of form at the moment but Andy Dyer’s men did encourage their loyal supporters last weekend with a decent performance at Carmarthen which earned a point in a 0-0 draw. Aber will be looking to 11 goal Top Scorer Chris Venables for inspiration in front of goal, with Geoff Kellaway’s trademark bursts of speed also likely to prove important. Rhys Griffiths and Luke Sherbon, if fit to return, will of course be powerful influences on any game they are involved in, although Ross Stephens looks doubtful after a hamstring injury last weekend. Antonio Corbisiero and Cledan Davies will also have roles to play in Midfield and Aber’s back four of Sion James, Stuart Jones, Lee Surman and Craig Williams will need to return to the excellent form they displayed until Boxing Day, and with Mike Lewis keeping the back door locked behind them Aber certainly have a talented squad which is fully capable of getting the results they need. New Club Media Assistant Owain Evans has recruited a Barmy Army from Penweddig’s Sixth Form to cheer the Black and Greens on from the Dias Stand, so it could be a lively evening! Aber could still finish the First Phase on a massive high, and the next two games will decide their fate, so don’t miss out on the First Instalment on Friday. Admission costs £6 for Adults, £4 Concession and £1 for Kids, and kick off is at 7.45pm. |
Gem Nesaf
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Ebost / Email: AberTownFC@live.co.uk
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