With the eyes of the Welsh footballing world fixed on the South Wales coast as Barry Town, the former giants of Welsh football made their eagerly awaited and long overdue return to the top flight, Town ensured that they earned a share of the spoils with a hard fought but deserved draw thanks to Jonny Spittle’s 82nd minute equaliser cancelling out Ryan Newman’s opener for the hosts.
Neville Powell, managing his first competitive game for the Seasiders, was pleased with the outcome from his side’s trip to the seven time Welsh Champions. “We’ll take the positives from today. The subs looked lively when they came on, we created chances and the back four were outstanding again today and are getting some real communication going between them." He told atfc.org.uk after the game. “An Aberystwyth Team of the past would have folded at a goal down but not today. Through the spine of the team we looked really solid. We’re all really pleased with the performance.” There was a carnival atmosphere on the South Wales Riviera on Sunday afternoon. After years of bleak and dismal problems on and off the field, Barry were returning to a league where they’ve previously been dominant. With the Sgorio cameras beaming the game around the world, it was to be a stern test for the visitors in green. “Before the game we’d have settled for a point. With it being Barry’s first game in the Welsh Premier League, we knew it was going to be difficult and we they were going to come at us at 100 miles an hour.” Despite this, Aber started well before conceding with just a little under half an hour played although the boss was pleased with the resolve and recovery his side showed afterwards. “We started the game well, managed it well and all of a sudden we found ourselves a goal down off our own attack. We struggled for ten minutes to get a foothold in the game but for the last ten minutes of the half, we started to control the game and created a couple of good half chances where we should have taken at least one of them and we didn’t want the half time whistle to come. "I told the lads at half time to keep the energy levels up as Barry can’t play like they did first half for 90 minutes and so it proved. We’ll settle for a point but the lads are a bit disappointed in there that we only got the one.” Although few in the ground could argue that Aber deserved a share of the spoils given their superiority in the second half, the manner in which it came from was somewhat controversial with question marks raised on whether the ball had crossed the line. But to Aber’s good fortune, the linesman deemed Spittle’s strike to be a goal, the least they deserved given the chances created throughout the game. Powell was pleased that his team got their rewards for their efforts. “The goal was the least we deserved to be fair. Some decisions go with you some don’t. The linesman’s made the decision and we’ll go with it. It’s a good point, we’re disappointed not to get all three but it’s something to build on" You can hear the full interview with Neville Powell on our Youtube channel. JD Welsh Premier League
Sunday 13th August Barry Town United 1 Aberystwyth Town 1 A spirited Aber Town performance delighted a vocal away following at Barry this evening and gained the Black and Greens a precious away point which on the balance of play they certainly deserved. Jonny Spittle's 81st minute equaliser ensured parity on a pleasant evening in the Vale of Glamorgan after Ryan Newman had opened the scoring on 27 minutes. Neville Powell's new look Aber Town featured no fewer than six debutants, yet started in determined fashion with central midfielder Ashley Young imposing himself early on. They earned a series of free kicks which came to nothing, and then at the other end Kayne McLaggon's deflected shot was stopped by Chris Mullock in Aber's goal. Declan Walker then unleashed a howitzer which flashed just past the post, before visiting centre back John McKenna pulled off a brilliant block to deny Chris Hugh. With Aber defending set pieces very well, the hosts opened the scoring from open play when McLaggon's shot was saved by Mullock, only to drop perfectly for Newman to open the scoring. This scoreline was harsh on the Black and Greens and back they came with John Owen setting up Luke Borrelli for a headed chance saved by Mike Lewis, before Declan Carroll played in the languid Owen whose shot flew over. Owen then performed a superb Cruyff turn to play himself in but his shot was saved, before almost setting Malcolm Melvin up with a back header. Yolung did well to block another McLaggon effort and then in injury time Lewis pulled off an outstanding save to deny Borrelli, and Aber went in most unfortunate to be trailing. Aber kept on coming after the break with Owen again showing some great touches, and Melvin seeing a shot blocked. Carroll brought the ball down skilfully and unleashed a snap volley which flew narrowly wide, before McKenna headed over from a deep cross. Looking solid at the back with Ryan Wollacott strong at left back was giving the visitors confidence and subs Joe Phillips and Christian Langos gave the Black and Greens some extra attacking impetus. Barry's Tyrrell Webbe sent a free kick over from a good position, before at the other Phillips almost sneaked in only to slip at the vital moment. Lewis saved a back header from Owen, and then the unplayable Owen again won a corner. Walker's fiercely curling ball in brought a save from Lewis but Spittle's effort bounced in over the line before being dragged back by the home keeper for a richly deserved equaliser, celebrated with gusto by the players in front of the adoring Black and Green masses. Aber kept on going and came close to winning the game. Sub Cledan Davies' ball in bounced back to Owen who flicked nonchalantly just past the post, Langos appeared to be felled in the box by Hugh but was denied a penalty, and finally Lewis saved Walker's free kick, and the superb crowd of 902 had to be content with a draw. A very entertaining game gave plenty for Aber's fab away following to be positive about, and if Town can maintain this level of performance and convert a few more of their chances they will have a good season. The Nevollution continues on Friday as Aber host Llandudno at Park Avenue for an 8pm kick off - and you need to be there. See you in five days! Neville Powell has boosted his First Team with with three new signings clearing in time for Sunday's JD Welsh Premier League opener at Barry. Midfielder Ashley Young (heading the ball, left) will be a name familiar to WPL followers, having made 37 appearances for Bangor City under Nev Powell and seven for Rhyl over the past two seasons. The Manchester based 27 year old has previously represented Ashton United, Mossley and Nantwich. 24 year old Joe Culshaw has had spells at several teams including Cefn Druids, Bangor City and Flint Town. The Carrog-born defender was a youth at Wrexham before signing a one-year deal with Morecambe, where he was voted Under-18s player of the year. He has made 39 WPL appearances for Bangor City and Cefn Druids. The final addition is striker Craig Hobson (above, right), who like Young and Culshaw has appeared during Town's pre season friendlies as a trialist. 29 year old Craig has previously played for Stockport, Lincoln City and Guiseley before notching ten goals for Chester City in the Football Conference and was most recently with Altrincham. Leaving the squad due to personal reasons is Jamie Crowther. Everyone at Park Avenue thanks him for his service in Black and Green and wishes him all the best for the future. JD Welsh Premier League Sunday 13th August Barry Town United v Aberystwyth Town (ko 5.15pm) A brand new JD Welsh Premier League season kicks off for Aber on Sunday, and where better to do so than Barry on a summer Sunday! Neville Powell's new look Black and Greens squad are sure to face a tough test and a large crowd following a superb marketing effort by the Welsh League Champions, and the presence of the S4C Cameras will add to the sense of occasion. Powell's men however will be concentrating on the job at hand and with encouraging signs apparent during last week's defeat to an excellent Hull City side, will be looking for a positive result to kick off the Nevollution. Three wins prior to that difficult test, against Briton Ferry, Ynysygerwn and Haverfordwest added to the feelgood factor surrounding Park Avenue as the excitement of the new season catches hold. Nine players survive from the squad which guaranteed Aber's WPL safety back in April, and with seven new additions in the shape of Declan Walker, Jonny Spittle, Christian Langos, Declan Carroll, Harri Horwood, John McKenna and Joe Phillips it will be a mixture of old and new which take the field on Sunday. Barry Town United for their part boast in their squad ex Black and Green players Mike Lewis and Elliott Scotcher, plus onetime Port Talbot winger Drew Fahiya, but have for the most part retained the squad which brought them to the pinnacle of the second tier last season. They will pose a real test for the Black and Greens in their first competitive outing under Powell. The Coach leaves Park Avenue at 10.30am and will stop for lunch on the way to Barry. Supporters are most welcome to come along and a return trip to the Seaside will cost a mere £10. It's going to be a biggie - don't miss out! The Welsh Premier League is delighted to announce today (Wednesday 9th August) the signing of a 3-year sponsorship deal with JD, commencing from the start of the 2017/18 season. The deal was announced by League Secretary Gwyn Derfel at the launch of the 2017/18 JD Welsh Premier League season at the National Eisteddfod in Ynys Môn. JD will also be hosting a season preview event on Thursday 10th August at the JD Cardiff Queen Street store as well as featuring regular content on the JD & JD Football channels to enhance the profile of the JD Welsh Premier League. JD is already a key supporter of football in Wales, being the official retail partner of the FAW and sponsor of the JD Welsh Cup, and this new deal further demonstrates their commitment to supporting the development of the game across the country. JD will also be providing support to youth football in Wales, by becoming headline sponsors of the JD Welsh Premier Development League and Cup, and supporting the formation of a league representative team to play in international tournaments. Commenting on the new sponsorship deal, FAW Chief Executive Jonathan Ford said: “We are very pleased to announce this deal with JD. Ever since we began working with JD four years ago our relationship with them has gone from strength to strength, and we are delighted that they have agreed to increase their investment in Welsh football by becoming headline sponsors of the national league. As the league enters its 26th season, many are tipping this to be one of the most competitive Welsh Premier League campaigns we’ve seen. This deal will further enhance the competitiveness and the reputation of the league, and provide a great platform for continuing to grow the league over the next 25 years and beyond.” Stephen White, JD Group Marketing Director, said: “This has been a great few years for Welsh football. JD has been a supporter of the national team for several years now, and as they continue to have success on the field, we are delighted to be extending our support to the domestic game in Wales.” The 2017/18 JD Welsh Premier League Season kicks off this Friday (11th August). A full list of fixtures and more information can be found at www.wpl.cymru. Aberystwyth Town are delighted to announce three further signings to bolster Neville Powell's Squad ahead of Sunday's Welsh Premier League opener, with the arrivals of experienced Centre Back John McKenna, winger Christian Langos and attacking prospect Harri Horwood from the Club's Academy. McKenna made his name at The New Saints, coming through the Academy System and was part of their WPL Title Winning Squad of 2009/10. He made a total of 55 appearances for the First Team before moving on to Newtown, Colwyn Bay, Warrington Town and Rhyl, after which he moved to Australia. The 27 year old has made 81 WPL appearances scoring 7 goals. He has been a prominent figure in Town's defence in pre season and will add some WPL experience to the back four. Christian Langos will be another name familiar to WPL followers as he has represented both Bangor City and Rhyl over the past two seasons. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Christian started out with Marine FC before joining Nev Powell at Bangor in 2015/6. The 23 year old winger has already made 47 WPL appearances and after some promising pre season cameos looks set to make his mark in Black and Green in 2017/8. The third name to be added to the Squad is seventeen year old Harri Horwood, who joins the First Team Squad having made a big impression for Town's Development League Squad last year. The attacking midfielder was selected for the Welsh Under 18 Academy Representative Squad Training Camp, held in December near Cardiff. and went on to be picked for the Welsh Academy squad for two games against the Republic of Ireland last February. He scored the winner in Town's recent friendly at Ynysgerwn and is the most recent Academy product to be promoted to the First Team Squad. Aberystwyth Town FC are delighted to welcome John, Christian and Harri to Park Avenue and look forward to enjoying their contributions to Season 2017/8! |
Gem Nesaf
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