Dafabet Welsh Premier League
Friday 14th April (ko 7.45pm)
Aberystwyth Town v Rhyl

In form Aberystwyth Town end their home season on Friday night and can do so on a high, knowing that a win against Rhyl will guarantee their WPL status for next season.

Town's last two games have seen a big upsurge in form with two clean sheets at home to Cefn Druids and away to Llandudno the basis for four excellent points gained. The Players' reaction to Wayne Jones and then Tony Pennock taking over the reins has been excellent and they have barely conceded a serious shot on target over the past two games. Town's super six at the back Chris Mullock, Cledan Davies, Sam Rodon, Ryan Wollacott, Pip Baker and Dan Alfei have been in excellent form and will hopefully continue that trend on Friday night.

Saturday's televised win at Llandudno was a huge shot in the arm to Town's season. Jack Rimmer was strong in midfield with the impeccable Malcolm Melvin and Luke Borrelli, Geoff Kellaway and of course Mark Jones up front were clinical enough to make the most of the chances that came their way. The three subs Jamie Crowther, Jon Owen and Sion Ewart were also commended by the Manager, and in a further boost to the Squad Club Captain Luke Sherbon returns from suspension for Friday night's game.

​New Club Assistant Manager Tony Pennock heaped praise on his players after Sunday's win: "The lads were outstanding. Wayne has spoke highly of them all week and they showed that to me today. (They did what we asked them to) and more. They are a good bunch of boys - even in the warm up I could see the quality they've got. As a group the entire team, including the 3 subs did well, they dug in and did the jobs they were asked to do and it was a full team effort."

Looking forward to Friday night's game Pennock added: "Friday was always going to be a massive game. Going into the game against Rhyl now we'll work hard this week and be prepared for Friday night. I hope the fans will come in to support the Boys and then we can look forward to next season."

The Match will be preceded by Aber Town's Annual Club Photo and all Academy, Youth, Womens and Disability Team Players and Staff are invited. We are sure that many of them will chose to remain at Park Avenue to support the Black and Greens.

The scene is set for a Park Avenue classic and admission for Friday night's unmissable game will cost £6 for Adults, £4 Concessions and £1 for Kids. Help us turn Good Friday into a Great Friday by coming along to support the Black and Greens. It's not the same without you!

Aber Town's Annual Club Photo will be taken by Club Photographer Chris Howells on Friday evening at 6pm, prior to the Dafabet WPL game against Rhyl.

All Academy, Youth, Womens and Disability Team Players and Staff are invited and we hope that many of you chose to remain at Park Avenue free of charge to support the Black and Greens in their vital match against the Lillywhites.

​A full match preview for the game will be posted tomorrow.

New Club Assistant Manager Tony Pennock heaped praise on his players in conversation with Aber Town's Youtube Channel after Sunday's 2-0 win at Llandudno.

"The lads were outstanding today. Wayne has spoke highly of them all week and they showed that to me today. (They did what we asked them to) and more. They are a good bunch of boys - even in the warm up I could see the quality they've got."

A high pressure must win scenario for the Black and Greens unfolded in the face of some testing atmospheric conditions on the North Wales Coast but Town held firm to earn a famous victory:

"(Despite the) difficult conditions - the wind in the first half was very strong and blustery, but we dealt with that well and to be 1-0 up at half time against the wind was great. We dug in in the second half against a good Llandudno team, came stronger in the end and got the second goal. I feel we deserved the win. I can't remember Chris Mullock having to make any top saves, although what he had to do he did very well, his distribution was excellent and he came for crosses when he needed to. But they didn't have many clear cut chances."

In a game in which all players contributed meaningfully to a strong team performance Pennock refused to pick out any outfield individuals, noting rather that:

"As a group the entire team, including the 3 subs did well, they dug in and did the jobs they were asked to do and it was a full team effort."

Attention now turns to Friday night, as Rhyl make the long journey south to Park Avenue..

"Friday was always going to be a massive game. We've done ourselves justice by getting the three points today; going into the game against Rhyl now we'll work hard this week and be prepared for Friday night."

Pennock hopes now that the unique Park Avenue Friday night atmosphere will inspire the Team to a big result: 

"I have experienced the Friday night atmosphere a few times as a Player. It was always a lively place to play on a Friday night! I hope the fans will come in to support the Boys and then we can look forward to next season."

Aber's final home game of 2016/7 against Rhyl takes place this Friday 14th April with a 7.45pm kick off. Help us turn Good Friday into a Great Friday by coming along to support the Black and Greens!

Following the installation of a TigerTurf 3G pitch at Aberystwyth Town FC’s Park Avenue Stadium in September 2016 by GEO Turf Consulting and McArdle Sport Tec, it was recently announced that the facility has been shortlisted in the Community Award category at The Stadium Business Awards 2017, to be held at Croke Park, Dublin on 22 June.
 
During a complex 3-year project, Aberystwyth Town FC worked closely with Jonathan Smith of GEO Turf Consulting to overcome substantial challenges, including contaminated ground, risk of total settlement and high construction costs.
 
The development and launch of Ecocept, an innovative, environmentally-friendly new base layer, provided a solution for these challenges and allowed the project to finally progress and be completed.
 
The new facility has already brought added value and new benefits to the club. Through having an all-weather, 3G pitch, Aberystwyth Town FC has been able to increase playing hours available at the stadium, opening the pitch up to teams throughout the club as well as to the wider community. In addition, with no reason to cancel games due to poor weather, the club has seen increased attendances at their First Team fixtures, bringing in additional match-day revenue.
 
The Stadium Business Awards received their highest number of award entries from around the world this year. The recognition and acknowledgement from the judging panel to include Aberystwyth Town FC on the Community Award shortlist alongside some of the largest football and sports clubs in the world reaffirms the impact that the 3G pitch has had for the club and local community.
 
Paul Langford, Managing Director at TigerTurf, said: “We are extremely proud to have been able to help deliver a solution for the project at Aberystwyth Town FC. And, we are delighted that the pitch has created new opportunities for the club and community which have been recognised by The Stadium Business Awards.”
 
Thomas Crockett, Club Marketing Director at Aberystwyth Town FC added: “We are delighted with our new state of the art 3G surface, which has transformed us from a semi-professional football club to a full-time business open seven days a week. Almost 1200 supporters attended the Official Opening of the 3G pitch and, since its opening, it has been extensively used by the First Team, Youth, Ladies, Disability, Academy and supporters’ sides, as well as by local community and university football leagues and individual clubs. Even the local rugby club signed up and came down to train in the snow!”
 
The Stadium Business Awards
Launched in 2010, The Stadium Business Awards are the first industry awards for the stadium sector, by the stadium sector. Ian Nuttall, Founder of The Stadium Business, said: “The Stadium Business Awards is about recognising leadership, innovation and achievement in the delivery, operation and management of sports facilities globally. Since 2010, we have given awards to some of the top venues from around the world and this year will be no exception. Our expert panel have come up with an amazing shortlist of nominees for each category.”
 
COMMUNITY AWARD (2017 Shortlist. Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel)

• Fort Bragg Field ballpark for Independence Day and beyond (MLB/US Military/Populous), US
• Albion in the Community (AITC) at AmEx Stadium (Brighton & Hove Albion FC), UK
• Sons of the West Men’s Health Program (Western Bulldogs Community Foundation), Australia
• Augmented Reality for Disabled Supporters at Allianz Arena (Bayern Munich FC), Germany
• Community Events at Everbank Field (Jacksonville Jaguars), USA
• Open Camp at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Spain
• Bespoke tours and visitor experiences for the Chinese market at Old Trafford (Manchester United FC), UK
• #ClubGOTM community video programme (Cardiff City FC), UK
• Community Teams on 3G Pitch at Park Avenue Stadium (Aberystwyth Town FC), UK

 

Dafabet Welsh Premier League
Sunday 9th April
Llandudno 0 Aberystwyth Town 2

Goals from Mark Jones and Sgorio Man of the Match Malcolm Melvin earned Aber Town a huge win at Maesdu Park this afternoon, ensuring that new Assistant Manager Tony Pennock opened his account with a much needed three points.

On a windy and overcast afternoon the only change for Aber came as Pip Baker returned to the side to replace Dylan Rees, who was allowed to transfer to a side in Sweden last week. A vociferous travelling support encouraged the visitors to a positive start against the wind and Jones had curled an effort just wide in the opening few minutes. Then with the sun threatening to creep through the clouds Aber captain Dan Alfei sent a ball into the box from the right side which Jones controlled and turned into the net for 1-0 after just thirteen minutes, to crown a perfect start for Pennock's men. Truth be told the Seasiders were playing the conditions much better than their hosts who failed to register more than a handful of meaningful efforts on goal. Sam Hart's free kick was easy for Chris Mullock before Danny Shaw drew a clearance from Jones before heading over a Ben Jago cross, but with Sam Rodon and Baker imperious at the back behind the impeccable Ryan Wollacott Town never looked in serious danger of conceding. Back came Aber with Geoff Kellaway going on a 50 yard dash before bringing a save from Dave Roberts with a right wing cross, then Danny Hughes sent an effort wildly over the bar for Llandudno, and the visitors looked comfortable with their one goal half time deficit.

​After the break Kellaway again burst down the right only to find Roberts thwarting his efforts to find a colleague, then at the other end Alfei blocked off Lee Thomas and Mike Williams tapped over the bar from Hart's cross. Alfei then sent in another brilliant cross which Jones again converted, only to be denied by the linesmans' 55th minute flag, apparently denoting an offside infringement by Luke Borrelli. Thomas become the next Llandudno player to sky a goalbound effort and Alfei went close with a shot at the other end. Jack Rimmer, who had linked up well with midfield colleague Melvin, was replaced by Jamie Crowther and Aber continued to press with Kellaway just failing to convert a Borrelli cross. Then on 76 minutes Mark Jones powered down the middle, and the ball broke to the galloping Melvin who found space down the left flank to slot the ball under Roberts for a second goal which brought about exuberant celebrations from long suffering Town supporters. With the sun peeping out again the game was won. Mullock denied Owain Jones well and then young Sion Ewart came on for Baker, and he had a shot blocked before setting up Jon Owen, whose low drive failed to trouble Roberts unduly. Aber held on comfortably through four minutes of injury time before ref Lee Evans' final whistle confirmed an important win for Town.

Four points and two clean sheets from their last two games has completely changed the mood in the Black and Green camp and with the side showing an impressive determination and solidity, Tony Pennock's men are now looking forward to their next test on Friday at home to Rhyl (ko 7.45pm). See you there!   

FAW Trophy Cup Final
Chrirk AAA v Penlan Club
Saturday, 8 April 2017
Park Avenue, Aberystwyth
Kick off: 2:30pm

Chirk AAA and Penlan Club will battle it out for silverware as the FAW Trophy Final takes centre stage on Saturday (2.30pm).

The two clubs go head to head at Aberystwyth’s Park Avenue as another of the country’s domestic finals takes place. Chirk are currently fifth in the Welsh National League Premier Division and are competing in the final for the second time in three years. Penlan, meanwhile, are enjoying a strong season in the Swansea Senior League, sitting third and just three points off league leaders Team Swansea.

Both clubs were given a bye in the opening round of this year’s FAW Trophy, but there were goals aplenty en route to Saturday’s final.

Chirk notched up consecutive 5-1 wins in round two and three as they knocked out Rhydymwyn and AFC Brynford, before they also saw off the challenge of Radnor Valley, Llanrwst United and Corwen to seal a semi-final berth. Mark Holmes’ men then beat Llangefni Town 1-0 in a tight game to secure the club’s second FAW Trophy final appearance, the last of which came in 2014 when they suffered defeat against Llanrug United.

Penlan, meanwhile, comfortably beat Seaside AFC 4-0 in round two before wins over Baglan Red Dragons, Ton & Gelli Boys Club, STM Sports and Trefelin saw them earn a place in the last four. They then edged past Sully Sports 1-0 in a tightly-contested semi-final clash in Port Talbot, and Kevin Crabb’s side will be looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow Swansea-based clubs who have an affiliation with the competition.

Ragged School and West End have both flown the flag for Swansea in the FAW Trophy, winning it five times between them, while Penlan will be appearing in their first final.

Admission to Park Avenue is £4 for adults and £1 for children and OAP’s.

Article appears courtesy of www.faw.cymru.