Aberystwyth Town face arguably their most important game of the season to date on Saturday, as they host Europa League Play Off rivals Cardiff Met at Park Avenue in the JD Welsh Premier League. Aber suffered a disappointing defeat away at Cefn Druids last Friday evening, but had previously picked up four points from their opening two games to kick off Phase 2 of the league season, and will be keen to return to winning ways in a key clash this weekend against the Archers. 

Assistant Manager Gavin Allen took the positives from last weekend's defeat at the Rock, despite the 3-1 scoreline, stating; "The seventh placed league position is still up for grabs and we'll fight for it. We've produced another good performance tonight, but we're just lacking that little bit of confidence and letting ourselves down with split-second decisions in games at the moment". 

Indeed, Saturday provides the Seasiders with somewhat of a 'now or never' moment if they are to continue their chase for a seventh placed league finish and Play Off birth for Europa League qualification at the end of the season. Town currently lie five points behind Play Off Conference leaders Cardiff Met, with just seven league games remaining, and they must approach Saturday's clash with no fear as they return to action at Park Avenue. 

The Black and Greens need to look no further for inspiration than their last league clash with the Archers, when Ash Ruane completed a remarkable turnaround at Cyncoed Campus back in November to seal a 3-2 victory after trailing 2-0 at half time. They'll need to show similar fight and character at Park Avenue on Saturday if they are to prevail with an equally positive result. 

This weekend's visitors travel to Aber having found form recently themselves. Former Seasider Christian Edwards' side have won seven of their last eight games in all competitions, having won the Nathaniel MG Cup Final amidst that run. Their away form this season has been indifferent however, having won just one of their last eight JD Welsh Premier League fixtures on the road, with their sole victory coming against bottom outfit Llandudno. 

In what is another crunch clash, Aber will be seeking to get back on track with victory against the Archers as they continue their chase for that lucrative seventh placed finish. Kick off at Park Avenue on Saturday is at 2:30 p.m, and admission costs £8 adults, £5 concessions and £2 for u16's. With just four home games remaining this season, the Black and Greens need your support now more than ever as they enter the final stretch! 

The club would also like to announce the transfer of youngster Harri Rowe to Haverfordwest County, whilst retaining his youth registration with the Under 19's team, in order to enhance his career development. 

JD Welsh Premier
Friday 15th February
Cefn Druids 3 Aberystwyth Town 1

Cefn Druids came out on top after an open and entertaining JD Welsh Premier contest against the Black and Greens at The Rock last night. Dean Rittenberg opened the scoring for the hosts on 21 minutes, and just three minutes later Ryan Kershaw's delicate lob seemed to have settled the game. Aber fought back strongly and Marc Williams scored his first goal for Aber with a stunning strike twelve minutes from the break, but Druids sub Arkadiusz Piskorski replied on 56 minutes to complete the scoring.

The visitors started with an unchanged starting eleven after last week’s win at Llanelli, but Druids inevitably reserve their best form for matches against Aberystwyth Town Football Club, and so it was again last night with the hosts on top from the start. John Owen headed Naim Arsan’s cross wide early on, and Owen created a chance for himself soon afterwards only to scoop the ball just wide. Town’s Wes Baynes and Mattie Jones sent some useful crosses into the box, with Ryan Wollacott heading straight at keeper Michael Jones from Aber’s first attempt on goal. Geoff Kellaway then played in the industrious Williams for Aber, and his cute effort resulted in a diving save from Jones who shovelled the ball to safety. Declan Walker went inches wide with a free kick and Aber were on top in the game, only for double disaster to strike halfway through the half. First a defence splitting pass found Rittenberg who opened the scoring with a low drive, and minutes later Kershaw’s speculative lob beat Terry McCormick in Aber’s goal to give the scoreline a harsh outlook. With Town still attempting to play football the game remained alive and just past the half hour Williams found space to send in a volleyed snapshot which nestled into the corner of Jones’ net, and gave Aber hope. A lung bursting run from Matthew Jones lead to a cross for Williams to bring another save out of the home keeper, only for Druids to respond as Jack Kenny tapped home Owen’s cross, but from an offside position. The visitors kept on coming as Jones brought yet another save from his namesake, but then McCormick made a remarkable double save to deny Kenny at the other end. Walker again curled wide for Aber and Matty Owen’s lob was saved, and an open and breathless first half ended with the Druids possibly slightly fortunate to be ahead by two goals to one.

Aber started the second half with good intent and Jones’ great cross found Walker who saw his shot blocked by the tenacious home defence. Town were again trying to play football in and around the final third but were then punished by a quick breakaway when a cross from the right found Piskorski, and his clinical finish against the run of play gave the Black and Greens a huge mountain to climb. The chances kept coming with Druids sitting deep and threatening on the break. Arsan brought a superb save from McCormick, Neil Ashton sent a free kick inches wide of the near post and Piskorski headed wide from a good position, but the visitors were also creating chances aplenty. Jones had another shot saved, Baynes scraped the top of the netting with an exciting screamer and Williams drew yet another stop from Jones. He saved again minutes later from Ryan Edwards’ low drive, but then McCormick needed to be alert to deny Kershaw, and Matty Owen went close with a volley. Walker and Kellaway sent in late efforts but somehow a breathless game stayed at 3-1.

In truth an Aber performance which lead to so many chances deserved a better outcome than a two goal defeat, but some clinical finishing from the hosts, plus a solid performance from their goalkeeper ensured a crucial victory for Huw Griffiths’ men. The Black and Greens will need to earn a better outcome next Saturday at home to Cardiff Met to keep their hopes of a UEFA Europa League Play Off alive (ko 2.30pm).

​Photo courtesy of Colin Ewart

JD Welsh Premier League
Friday 15th February (7:45 pm Kick Off)
Cefn Druids v Aberystwyth Town 

Aberystwyth Town will look to build on last weekend's victory away at Llanelli as they travel to face Cefn Druids at The Rock in the JD Welsh Premier League on Friday evening. After a disappointing festive period, Town have bounced back in February with a draw and a win in their two league fixtures this month, and will look to continue their push for an Europa League Play Off spot with a positive result once more on Friday. 

Aber Director of Football, Nev Powell, was full of praise for his players after last weekend's victory at Stebonheath, commenting; “The lads were superb ... We knew we had to come down and put on a performance because Llanelli are fighting for their lives and I thought we were outstanding all night ... tonight was a good entertaining game and thankfully we got the result.”

The Black and Greens visit another club in the relegation shake up on Friday in Cefn Druids, and they will travel in optimistic mood; “We’ll take every game as it comes,” said Powell, “It’ll be tough at Druids but there’s a bit of a spring back in the dressing room now and a bit of confidence.”

The Seasiders will know they must be on top of their game once more on Friday if they are to get a result against a Druids side languishing just six points above the relegation zone, tenth placed in the league table. Huw Griffiths' side have won just two league games since early November, but have strengthened their squad with the signings of Danny gusset, John Owen and Jack Kenny during the January transfer window. The sides have met twice already this season, with Druids winning both fixtures - a warning for the Black and Greens that they'll need to be on their game Friday in order to get a positive result. 

In what is another crunch clash in Aber's quest for a shot at European football next season, kick off at The Rock on Friday is at 7:45 pm, and Cefn Druids' postcode is listed as LL14 3YG. Your support makes all the difference to the playing squad, so come along and cheer on the Seasiders to another positive result! 

Aber Town Director of Football Neville Powell was full of praise for his players in his post match interview with Sgorio, following their crucial 4-2 win at Llanelli on Friday night.

“The lads were superb ... We knew we had to come down and put on a performance because Llanelli are fighting for their lives and I thought we were outstanding all night ... tonight was a good entertaining game and thankfully we got the result.”

The Black and Greens’ lethal six minute three goal salvo just before the break has been earning plaudits. Midfield enforcer Paolo Mendes repeated his trick of October last year by opening the scoring at Stebo with a back post header, only for Wes Baynes to stun the Steelmen with a second goal straight from a corner just minutes later. Geoff Kellaway’s stunning left footed third goal, coming in off the right wing not only earned him a place in Sgorio’s Team of the Week, but is also leading the way in the voting for Sgorio’s Goal of the Weekend. Evergreen Geoff’s second goal of the night, set up by the tireless Marc Williams, settled the contest in the visitors’ favour.

Powell continued: “They were difficult conditions but we adapted well, played some good stuff, got goals at the right time and the lads put a right shift in. It’s a massive three points for the Club.”

Aber’s performance certainly pleased the massed ranks of Black and Greens followers on Friday who showed their appreciation by signing throughout the game, and there are signs that the hwyl which characterised Aber’s performances earlier in the season is returning.

The Black and Greens visit another Club in the relegation shake up on Friday in Cefn Druids, and they will travel in optimistic mood.

“We’ll take every game as it comes,” said Powell, “It’ll be tough at Druids but there’s a bit of a spring back in the dressing room now and a bit of confidence.”

With Aberystwyth Town looking upwards rather than downwards in the table and a positive vibe returning to the Club, a full match preview for the Cefn Druids v Aberystwyth Town match will be published on atfc.org.uk tomorrow.

JD Welsh Premier League
Friday 8th February
Llanelli Town 2 Aberystwyth Town 4

​Aber Town’s season swung upwards last night at Stebonheath Park as a devastating three goal blitz in six minutes at the end of the first half put the Black and Greens in an unassailable position, and earned them their first League win since November. Goals from Paolo Mendes (41 mins), Wes Baynes (43 mins) and two from the evergreen Geoff Kellaway (45+2 and 62) saw Town to the Top of the Play Off Conference with Joe Clarke (57 mins) and Joe Hunt (64 mins) responding for the Reds of Llanelli in vain.

After eight games without a win the magnitude of this match was huge for Aber and on a cold and blustery evening the home groundsmen had done a superb job to get the game on. The Ceredigion men started well with Declan Walker and Wes Baynes putting dangerous balls into the box, and Ash Ruane having a shot blocked. The hosts were also creating chances though as Chris Jones’ effort from a James Loveridge pass was saved. Mattie Jones’ superb left wing cross then saw Ruane straight through but home keeper Scott Coughlan pulled off a great save to deny the Green Goal Getter. Further quality crosses from Baynes and Jones caused consternation and then Ryan Wollacott, who was superb all night at the back for Town, brought another save from Coughlan with a header. Loveridge curled a shot narrowly wide for Llanelli but then Baynes went even closer at the other end with a cross shot. Then a series of corners turned the game, and maybe even Aber’s entire season. First Jones’ corner reached Mendes at the back stick to head home. Ruane’s shot was then deflected over for another corner, and Baynes’ cute delivery curled right into the top corner. Four minutes later Aber were in dreamland as Kellaway found the bottom corner with a superb strike from the right hand side, and with the visiting fans signing for joy clinical Aber went in three goals to the good.

Playing against the wind in the second half the visitors continued to press without really creating too many openings. However, two former Black and Green players combined as Chris Jones crossed for Clarke to head Llanelli back into the game. The next goal appeared crucial as the game opened up and Jones just failed to find Loveridge with a cut back which would surely have caused huge problems for Aber. As it happens the hard working Marc Williams found the bye line at the other end and cut back for Kellaway to stab home a killer fourth, and surely the game was over? However with the next move Joe Hunt’s free kick curled right into the corner of Terry McCormick’s net and it was 4-2. A hugely open game continued apace and Aber’s Superb Singing Fans inspired their team forward. Kellaway burst through down the left but was denied a hat trick by Coughlan, and then Ryan “The Rock” Wollacott cleared off the line with the hosts threatening a comeback. With five minutes of injury time indicated sub Joe Dyer sent a great chance over for Llanelli, and Aber held on for a priceless win.

This result could become a season defining victory if Town now manage to retain the seventh placed berth they earned at Stebo which would lead at the end of the season to a UEFA Europa League Play Off Spot. The Seasiders have certainly earned the right to look upwards for the remainder of the season and positive results at Cefn Druids next Friday, and at home to Cardiff Met on Saturday 23rd would ensure a Fab February for all in Black and Green. Enjoy and savour your victory this weekend!