Aberystwyth Town made the journey to North East Wales looking to get back to winning ways after three consecutive narrow defeats in the first three matches of Phase Two. Manager Gavin Allen made a number of changes ahead of this game, with Steven Hewitt & Jonathan Evans replacing Jack Rimmer and Dan Cockerline, whilst Club Captain Marc Williams returned in place of the suspended Harry Franklin. Aber, lining up in their all-yellow away kit, were hoping to replicate their performance at this venue from Phase One, when they triumphed 4-0 back in October. The Seasiders started brightly, and after winning two corners in succession, Lee Jenkins offered the first effort on goal with his header just off target. Both sides contributed to an entertaining opening ten minutes. The game was being played at a good tempo, and the action was end to end with Naim Arsan shooting over for Druids before Lee Jenkins registered Aber’s first shot on target after a pull back from Jamie Reed, who was returning to the club that he started the current season with. Charley Edge then fired wide for Druids, before Jon Owen had Aber’s next opportunity, also shooting wide. Connor Roberts then had to be alert to deal with a back pass, under pressure from the Druids’ lively forward Niall Flint. The lively encounter continued with both teams playing good football and creating multiple opportunities. Jamie Reed was next to have an attempt on goal after some good link up play between Aber’s midfield and front line, before Mathew Jones put in an excellent block to deny Naim Arsan at the other end. Reed was again in action minutes later, forcing a good save from Michael Jones in the Druids goal, before Josef Faux shot over from around 20 yards for the hosts. As the half drew to a close, Aber took control as Marc Williams was played through one on one with Michael Jones and produced a good finish to give Aber the lead with a couple of minutes to play before the break. The Black & Greens lead was then doubled on the stroke of half time, with Williams again involved as his superb cross field pass found Jamie Reed, who steadied himself before firing past Jones to give Aber a two goal advantage at half time. The first action of the second half saw Jamie Reed go down with an injury, with the striker needing treatment for a couple of minutes before play resumed. Once play restarted, Reeds first involvement after returning to the action, was to put the ball in the back of the net with a typically cool finish to give Aber a 3-0 lead! This was the legendary marksman’s 100th goal in Cymru Premier football, 14 years after his 1st, which also came for Aber in the memorable 5-1 win against The New Saints in August 2007. Not content with just the two goals, Reed then went looking for his hat-trick, but was thwarted on the next occasion by some good defending from former Aberystwyth Town defender Steff Edwards, who did just enough to stop him from getting a clean shot on goal. Aber’s back line, who were excellent throughout the match, were then called into action on a couple of occasions as first Naim Arsan threatened to burst through, before Aaron Simpson headed over from a corner. Jamie Reed then cut in from the left, releasing a 20-yard shot that was deflected over for a corner, before Louis Bradford strode forward with a powerful run from defence and was unlucky to find his progress halted just outside the Druids box. Druids then had a period of around 10 minutes of sustained pressure, with Green attempting a half volley from the edge of the box, Arsan unleashing a left footed shot that was well held by Connor Roberts, before Green again tested Aber’s no. 1 from long range. On 82 minutes, iconic Aber Town forward Geoff Kellaway replaced Jonathan Evans for his 350th appearance in the Cymru Premier. 323 of these appearances have been for Aberystwyth Town, with the first coming back in the 2003/04 season. 16 came for Llanelli in 2012/13 and 11 for Carmarthen Town in 2013/14. During this time, Geoff has scored an impressive 80 goals with all but 4 coming in Black & Green. As the match drew to a conclusion, Gavin Allen made a couple of further changes with Owain Jones replacing Jamie Reed and Rhys Davies replacing Louis Bradford. There was just enough time for Jones to shoot narrowly over before the referee blew the full-time whistle and confirmed Aber’s climb back up to 9th in the league table. Next up for the Black & Greens is the visit of Christian Edwards’ Cardiff Metropolitan University to Park Avenue this coming Friday (23rd). Everyone at Aberystwyth Town would like to congratulate Geoff Kellaway and Jamie Reed on their respective achievements this evening. Llongyfarchiadau, both! ATFC: Roberts, Hewitt, Jenkins, Bradford (Davies 89’), M. Jones, Thorn, Veale, Evans (Kellaway 82’), Williams, J. Owen, Reed (O. Jones 75’). Subs not used: Pennock, G. Owen, Ricketts, Saunders Goals: Williams (43’), Reed (45’, 48’) Photo Credit: Mike Plunkett Cefn Druids vs Aberystwyth Town
JD Cymru Premier Tuesday 20th April – 7.45pm KO MATCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS It's another busy week ahead for Aberystwyth Town as Phase Two of the 2020/21 JD Cymru Premier continues. As with last week, there are two games coming up within the space of the next four days, beginning with a trip to North East Wales to take on Cefn Druids, before Cardiff Met Uni visit Park Avenue on Friday. ATFC have of course already played Druids this month, in the final game of Phase One, gaining all three points thanks to a 3-1 victory at Park Avenue on Good Friday. Goals from Jon Owen, Mathew Jones (P) and Louis Bradford had put Gavin Allen’s men in a commanding position, before Alex Darlington equalised with a follow up after his spot kick was saved by Connor Roberts. Roberts was then controversially shown a red card in the aftermath. Since that victory, the Black & Greens have suffered three narrow defeats and will be looking to get back to winning ways at The Rock – a ground where Aber are undefeated in the last two seasons; coming away with two wins and a draw from the last three visits including a 4-0 victory back in October. Cefn Druids have had a mixed start to Phase Two. An encouraging 2-1 victory at home to Haverfordwest was followed by a 5-0 defeat at Flint Town United and a 2-1 reverse at home to Cardiff Met last Saturday. They currently sit in 12th position, with 16 points from 25 games. The Seasiders will be lining up against a familiar face in Druids left-back Steff Edwards, who has had two spells at Park Avenue (from 2010-11 and 2018-20), whilst current Cefn Druids Academy Coach Jamie Reed will line up for Aber against the team who he started this current season with. Unfortunately, supporters still cannot be admitted into Cymru Premier grounds, however if ever a reminder was needed about how special the bond with supporters is in this league, it surely came this week with the news about the European Super League proposal, brought about by owners of clubs to whom fans are just an afterthought. This surely is a stark reminder to remember what we have at Park Avenue, and what will be waiting for supporters when the gates open again. A club absolutely immersed in the local community, with excellent facilities and a proud unbroken membership of our national league, all made possible thanks to the passion and commitment of our Board of Directors, Volunteers and Management Team, who continue to work tirelessly to bring success to Aberystwyth Town FC. We hope to have you back with us soon, but until then you can follow all the action on our Twitter feed @AberystwythTown. Aberystwyth Town 0-1 Flint Town United – Match Report
Following a mid-week 1-0 defeat at Haverfordwest County, Aberystwyth Town returned to Park Avenue hoping to reignite the home form that had been them gain 7 points from three games in March. Unusually, Aber lined up in their yellow away strip at home, whilst Flint wore their own green change colours. Gavin Allen made a number of changes from Tuesday, as Connor Roberts returned in goal following suspension, whilst Dan Cockerline and Jamie Reed started in the front line in place of Marc Williams and Jonathan Evans. Local lad Lee Jenkins took over the Captain’s armband for a second time. Under a typically beautiful Aberystwyth sunset, the game began quietly with very little action in the opening ten minutes. After this, Harry Franklin fired wide before captain for the evening Lee Jenkins did well to clear off the line following a shot from Flint’s Mark Cadwallader. Aber then had the better of the next ten minutes, with Dan Cockerline shooting wide before Mathew Jones swung in a free-kick which Louis Bradford met with a diving header which was held well by Flint goalkeeper Rushton. Connor Roberts then once again showed why he is so highly thought of in this league, saving well from Joshua Amis before pulling off another excellent stop from Bratley, whilst Mathew Jones put in a strong challenge to thwart another Flint attack. In the second half, Aber started the brighter of the two teams, with Lee Jenkins flashing a header wide and Jack Thorns throw causing issues for the Flint back line. Jamie Reed and Jon Owen linked well, but to no avail, before Ben Maher fired Flint’s first real opportunity of the half over the bar from a free kick. The visitors then took control of the game, with their captain Richie Foulkes getting his head to a free-kick under pressure from Lee Jenkins, before Joshua Amis latched onto a through ball and fired past Connor Roberts to give The Silkmen the lead. Aber looked to get back on level terms as soon as possible and started to put the visitors under some pressure. Harry Franklin almost got on the end of a Jamie Reed flick, whilst Jonathan Evans had a shot saved by Rushton following some Aber appeals for a penalty. Harry Franklin then fired wide from 20 yards and there was just enough time for Lee Jenkins to get on the end of a Jack Rimmer cross, before the referee sounded the full time whistle and condemned Aber to their third defeat in a row. Next up for the Black & Greens is a trip to The Rock to face Cefn Druids on Tuesday night, which Town will see as a good opportunity to reverse the current run of form since the start of Phase Two, and return to the excellent performances that were shown during March. Aberystwyth Town vs Flint Town United
JD Cymru Premier Friday 16th April – 7.45pm KO MATCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS Phase Two of the 2020/21 JD Cymru Premier continues for Aberystwyth Town with the visit of Flint Town United to Park Avenue. Both teams have had contrasting fortunes since the split at the start of the month, with Flint winning both of their games, whilst Aber have suffered two defeats in a row following a promising run of form prior to the start of Phase Two. Flint arrive in Ceredigion boasting a 100% record in Phase Two, with zero goals conceded. Their most recent result was a 5-0 demolition of 12th placed Cefn Druids, who Aber face next Tuesday at The Rock. This has lifted The Silkmen to 10th place, above Cardiff Metropolitan Uni and level with the Black & Greens on 21 points. Mark Cadwallader & Connor Harwood were on target against Druids, and both now sit as Flint’s joint top goal scorers on 5 goals apiece for the season, from 20 games each. Gavin Allen’s Seasiders will be looking to bounce back from two narrow defeats in the last week; to Newtown last at home last Friday then away to Haverfordwest County on Tuesday night. The Black & Greens have been impressive at home since football returned in early March, with The Robins being the only side to leave Ceredigion with all three points this year, thanks to Jordan Evans stoppage time strike, and supporters will be hoping that Park Avenue will become a fortress once again for the remainder of the season, starting tomorrow night. There was plenty of goals between these two sides in Phase One. Back in September, Aber came back from 1-0 down to win 3-1 at Park Avenue thanks to goals from Jonathan Evans, Mathew Jones and Lee Jenkins; whilst in December, Flint triumphed 3-0 at Cae Y Castell on the day that lockdown was announced across Wales. It's another Friday night under the lights at Park Avenue and although supporters still cannot be admitted into the ground, you can still follow all the action on our Twitter feed @AberystwythTown. Thank you for your continued support! Aberystwyth Town are delighted to confirm they have earned both the UEFA License and FAW Tier 1 License for the forthcoming season.
The Club Licensing system aims to assist the continual improvement and development of football clubs at the top level within Wales The domestic Licence allows us to play in the Cymru Premier for 2021/22 and the European Licence allows us to compete in the European Play Offs at the end of the season if we finish 7th come Matchday 32. The Seasiders boast a proud record of having been granted the respective licenses each season the first time of asking since the system was first introduced which covers areas such as Club Infrastructure, Personnel, Finance, Legal and Sporting Criteria. Licensing Director Thomas Crockett stated, "These Licences accredit hundreds of hours of work carried out by Club Officials - in particular this year I would like to thank Megan Meredith, Gwion Pugh Jones and Dr Dafydd Edwards for their work on the Player Medicals, Jimmy Edwards for coordinating some crucial infrastructure work within Park Avenue, Tony Bates for administering the Academy reporting and Rob Gray for producing the Club's annual accounts". In addition, it was a double celebration in Ceredigion as Aberystwyth Town Ladies Team were successful in gaining the FAW Tier 1 License for the 2021/22 season on the first time of asking. The Ladies, who currently sit in 7th in the Welsh domestic top flight, have secured the license for the second season in a row thanks to the countless hours of work and dedication from club secretary Lucie Gwilt alongside many other volunteers. In a game where there was very little to separate the sides, a brisk counter attack early in the second half condemned Aber to a second successive defeat in Phase Two of the JD Cymru Premier.
In a tight and well matched affair, Ben Fawcett rolled the ball home after some sterling work down the right flank from Danny Williams to ensure the Bluebirds won the battle of the West Walians on a glorious Spring evening in Pembrokeshire. Both sides had opportunities to open the scoring in a first half of limited goal scoring opportunities. The combination of a Matthew Jones corner and Marc Williams header which produced Friday’s goal nearly came good again but this time, the skipper’s header was well stopped by Gajda in the home goal. Harry Franklin and Williams combined well down the left hand side to tee up the returning Jamie Veale but the former Merthyr man’s curling shot was narrowly over the bar. Haverfordwest County had chances of their own and their best chances fell to ex Cambrian & Clydach man Cameron Keetch. The industrious forward broke down the left hand side twice and on both occasions, could only drag his shots narrowly wide of Alex Pennock’s right hand post. The Bluebirds looked to exploit the middle of the park but the impressive Lee Jenkins and Louis Bradford coupled up Pennock’s superb command of his penalty area ensured the scores remained deadlocked at the interval. The second stanza started in much the same way as the first played out with very few clear cut goal scoring chances. Jon Owen saw a shot well stopped by the feet of Gajda after 48 minutes in a rare clear site of goal for either side. The home side took the lead with a lightning quick counter attack just before the hour mark. Aber’s attacking throw in on the edge of the area was well defended and cleared to the busy Williams. The former Cardiff City man took off on a mazy run, hitting the byline before cutting the ball back gratefully to Fawcett who had the simple task of rolling the ball into the back of the net. Gavin Allen introduced Dan Cockerline and Owain Jones in search of an equaliser and it was the former who had the Black and Green’s best opportunities to get back on level terms. The striker showed excellent feet on the edge of the box to dance his way past two defenders but could only curl his shot over the bar. Then seconds later, the former FC United man was agonisingly close to getting his head onto a sumptuous ball into the box from Franklin, however, the ball was inches away from making connection with the Aber man in the six yard area. Despite the late introductions of Stephen Hewitt and Geoff Kellaway to push for an equaliser, it was to no avail as Wayne Jones’ men held out firmly to secure the all important win and put a huge dent in Aber’s hopes for a 7th place finish. After two consecutive defeats, the men from Ceredigion have the opportunity to put these disappointments behind them with a Friday night game under the home lights of Park Avenue against Flint Town United. With the Silkmen winning 5-0 this evening and Aber looking to get back to winning ways, it’s sure to be a mouth-watering clash! |
Gem Nesaf
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Ebost / Email: AberTownFC@live.co.uk
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© 2023 Aberystwyth Town Football Club. All Rights Reserved
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Cyfeiriad / Address: ATFC Ltd, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, SY23 1PG.
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