JD Welsh Premier League Saturday 17th November (2:30p.m Kick Off) Bala Town v Aberystwyth Town Aberystwyth Town will look to extend their four-game winning streak as they travel to face Bala Town at Maes Tegid in the JD Welsh Premier League on Saturday afternoon. Aber enter the game on the back of what was arguably their best result of the season last weekend – coming from two goals down to score a 95th minute winner away at Cardiff Met to win 3-2. The Seasiders now look to maintain their five-game unbeaten run as they continue to focus on clinching their spot in the league’s top six. Town manager Neville Powell emphasised that last weekend’s comeback at Cardiff Met was largely down to the character and belief instilled within his squad. After Sunday’s victory, Powell commented “We made two substitutions at half time which helped change the game for us, but you can’t take anything away from the rest of the players out there today. We’ve got a great team spirit, and we’re playing some good stuff and enjoying our football at the moment.” Despite notching their fourth straight league victory, Powell maintained the need for his side to avoid any complacency and keep aiming higher as the season goes on; “We’ve got a good run going, but this is a tough league and we’ve got another difficult game at Bala next Saturday. Our aim now is to get to the 30-point mark as soon as possible, and hopefully continue to build from there.” Last weekend’s goal scoring hero, Ash Ruane, was quick to emphasise the strength of the current squad after victory, commenting “No matter what starting eleven the manager names, we know we’ve got a great chance of winning the game, and we’ve got a lot of quality throughout the team.” Ruane made a huge impact from the bench last Sunday, assisting Declan Walker’s goal before firing home the 95th minute winner, and admitted his delight at getting on the score sheet; “There have been a few previous games where I should have taken one or two chances, but I’m made up to have scored the winner today. We’ve got momentum now, and at the moment we don’t fear playing against anyone in the league”. In Aber’s last game against Bala, Ruane was on the scoresheet as the Seasiders ran out dominant 3-2 winners in front of the Sgorio cameras at Park Avenue. Colin Caton’s side have since been on an excellent run of form themselves, and currently lie in 4th place in the JD Welsh Premier League table, just 3 points ahead of the Black and Greens. The Lakesiders most recently won 4-2 away at Llandudno last weekend, and much like Aber, will continue to have one eye on league leaders Connah’s Quay and Barry Town who are still well within touching distance in the league table. In what is sure to be another pulsating clash between the sides, kick off at Maes Tegid is at 2:30p.m on Saturday afternoon, and Bala Town’s postcode is listed as LL23 7UY. The last five games between the Lakesiders and Seasiders have produced a total of 18 goals, and Aber will be hopeful of replicating their last visit to Maes Tegid in which they beat Newton in last season’s JD Welsh Cup Semi Final! Welsh Women's League Sunday 11th November 2018 Aberystwyth Town Ladies 3 Merthyr Town 2 Aber Town extended their winning run further thanks to three goals in an entertaining first half, at home to Merthyr Town. Sian Evans (6 mins), Tania Wylde (17 mins) and Catherine Davies (20 mins) were on the scoresheet as the Black and Greens have now won every match since mid September (6 games), scoring 15 in the process, writes Steven Brookes. Merthyr Town's last visit to Park Avenue ended in a 5-0 Welsh Cup First Round defeat earlier this season, so they were keen to avoid a similar outcome. Unfortunately for the visitors, as in the previous meeting they were behind early on. When a Caroline Cooper corner found Kelly Thomas in the area, the mdfielder's effort was blocked on the line but Sian Evans was in the right place at the right time to head in from close range. Just minutes after scoring the opening goal Sian Evans was deemed to have fouled Merthyr's Megan Stark, but that wasn't the main concern. Evans was injured in the process and had to leave the pitch on a stretcher. Play then resumed with a free kick on the edge of the area for the visitors. Isabelle Kaler was the taker and her right footed strike found the top corner of Ffion Ashman's goal to level the scorers. Four minutes later though, Aber re-took the lead thanks to another goal of the season contender from Tania Wylde when her powerful long-range strike gave the keeper little chance of saving: a sixth goal in the attacking midfielder's last four games. Cooper nearly scored Aber's third with a curling left-footed effort from distance, but the Merthyr keeper managed to tip the ball wide of the post. Aber did score a third just moments later however with Cooper getting the assist. The former Welsh international's in-swinging free kick was turned in by forward Cat Davies on her first appearance for the Black and Greens since rejoining the club. Davies had only been on the pitch eight minutes after replacing the injured Sian Evans. Aber Town now looked in control and if any side were to score again it was the hosts who looked the most likely to find the net. Naomi Evans did well to create a shooting opportunity for herself but was unable to beat the keeper whilst Wylde's next wonder-strike attempt ended up in the Dias Stand. Aber were unable to find their fourth and instead the visitors found themselves back in the game when Nia Witts was very unfortunate to see her back pass end up in Aber's net on 34 minutes. The second half didn't start in quite the same way as the first half with both teams struggling to create any clear goalscoring opportunities. Cat Davies did however see her headed effort go wide of the post whilst Merthyr had a couple of efforts go wide of the post, but in truth neither keeper were seriously tested. That was until Naomi Evans's impressive strike from outside the area. The hard-working forward's effort seemed to be heading for the top corner but unfortunately this was not to be the case and instead hit the post. With seconds remaining the away side were awarded a corner. The delivery was good but nobody could quite get that decisive touch and the ball eventually went wide of the post. This was immediately followed by the final whistle as Aber gained another valuable three points. Aber Town Ladies played some impressive football at times and despite a nervy ending the Black and Greens will be delighted to get the win. The team will now have a break from league football and instead will travel to Welsh Premier League side Llandudno on Sunday 18th November in the hope of causing a cup upset in the FAW Women's Cup Second Round. Aber Town Ladies Team (In Alphabetical Order) Ashman, Cooper, Cowdy (Turner 68'), F. Evans, N. Evans, S. Evans (Cat Davies 12'), Jones, Pugh, K. Thomas, Witts, Wylde. Monday 12th November 2018
Welsh Premier Development League (South) Aberystwyth Town 5 Haverfordwest County 1 Aber Town's Black and Green Under 19s continued their recent fine form with a good 5-1 win over Haverfordwest County on Monday evening at Park Avenue. Manager Bari Morgan made a few changes to the team which beat Airbus the previous week, with First teamers Jack Rimmer, Nashawn Blake and Niall Coleridge getting starts to up their match fitness. The home team started brightly creating a few chances, only to be denied by some fine saves from the visiting goalkeeper. However there was nothing he could do when Liam Doherty was put through one on one with him and Doherty calmly slotted the ball home to give Aber the lead. The second goal soon followed, when good inter-play down the left fed Liam Doherty, who turned well to supply a cross for flying winger Iwan Lloyd to get ahead of his marker and put the ball into the net. The second half started like the first and Town increased their lead with a second goal for Liam Doherty. This was soon followed by Jack Rimmer breaking through the Haverfordwest defence, after a through ball by Steffan Gittins, to make it 4-0. County got a goal back to make it 4-1 with a wonderful struck free kick from onetime Aber First teamer Steffan Williams, who was having his first game since his injury at the start of August. During the latter stages of the game, the Pembrokshire men had their best spell of the game but failed to make any further in road on the score, and conceded a fifth when a deflected shot from Liam Doherty wrong footed the keeper to give him his hat-trick and his tenth goal in his last five games. Town Manager Bari Morgan was happy overall: “It was a solid performance. We lacked our usual fluency in the first half and made some wrong decisions when in possession, often forcing it when we didn’t need to, but that’s me being very critical considering the high standards the boys have set themselves this season. However it was a good three points, and we now move on to a tough game away to Risca on Sunday.” JD Welsh Premier League
Sunday 11th November Cardiff Met 2-3 Aberystwyth Town Aberystwyth Town secured one of their most memorable victories in recent times as they came from two goals down to win 3-2 against Cardiff Met at Cyncoed Campus on Sunday afternoon. The Seasiders went into the half time break two goals behind, with goals from Will Evans (7) and Sam Snaith (35) putting the hosts well in control. But an inspired second half performance saw Aber pull a goal back through Declan Walker (66), before a late equaliser from Ryan Wollacott (85) looked to have earned the visitors a point until substitute Ashley Ruane smashed the ball into the top corner of the net in the fifth minute of stoppage time to seal all three points, and ensure Aber strengthened their grip on 6th place in the league table. Manager Nev Powell made one change to the starting eleven that beat The New Saints at Park Avenue last weekend, with young central defender Lee Jenkins coming in to replace Jack Rimmer. Hosts Cardiff Met started the game brightly, attacking on the front foot and scoring with their first meaningful shot of the game in the 7th minute, as Will Evans picked up a loose ball and cut inside before firing beyond Terry McCormick to make it 1-0. The early goal seemed to kick Aber into life, as they began to edge their way into the game with winger Joe Phillips starting to get some joy down the left flank against Met's Emlyn Lewis. On 18 minutes, Phillips cut inside before curling a right footed effort just wide of keeper Alex Lang's post. Very few clear cut chances followed during the opening 35 minutes, with Cardiff Met relying on long throw-ins and direct balls over the top to create their best opportunities, and Aber failing to produce many passages of play in the final third to threaten an equaliser. Then, on 35 minutes, the hosts doubled their lead as Adam Roscrow latched on to a pass on the right flank before crossing for Sam Snaith, who headed the ball beyond McCormick into the net to make it 2-0. It was a disappointing blow for the black and greens who struggled to find their way back into the game before the break and went in two goals behind. Manager Nev Powell and Assistant Manager Gavin Allen shuffled the pack at half time, with Ashley Ruane and Alan Goodall replacing Geoff Kellaway and Lee Jenkins as Aber switched formation in search of a way back into the game. From the outset there was an increased tempo and rhythm to the black and greens' play, with strike partners Rio Ahmadi and Ruane providing an added presence and Ryan Edwards giving extra width from the left. On 58 minutes, Wes Baynes tried his luck from long range but his right footed effort sailed over the bar, before Paulo Mendes replaced Steff Edwards in the final throw of the dice. Then on 66 minutes, Aber found a way back into the game as Ruane skipped past Lewis inside the penalty area before providing a deep cross for captain Declan Walker to head the ball beyond Lang to make it 2-1. The travelling supporters raised their voices as they sensed their team clawing their way back into the game, and the Seasiders moved into another gear with 20 minutes remaining - camping themselves in the Cardiff Met half and dominating possession. On 70 minutes, Mathew Jones tried his luck with an audacious bicycle kick that tested Lang, before Ruane smashed a curling effort straight at the Met keeper as the pressure continued to rise. As the game entered the final moments, the black and greens sensed it was time to go for broke, as they earned a corner kick after some neat interplay between Edwards and Ahmadi. Wes Baynes swung in an inviting corner kick which Lang failed to deal with, and Ryan Wollacott was on hand to tap the ball into the net to make it 2-2 and get Aber back on level terms. Many would have thought that after coming from two goals down, the visitors would settle for the draw, but instead they continued to push for the winner as the Archers clung on by their fingernails. On 87 minutes, Met substitute Rhys Thomas crashed into Alan Goodall with a late challenge and received his marching orders as he was issued a second yellow card. With 90 minutes up, the fourth official indicated a minimum of 3 minutes added time, and the Green Army sensed there may be one more moment of magic left in the game for Aber. In the fifth minute of additional time, Baynes played a ball forwards towards Ahmadi, who's flick on landed right in the path of Ashley Ruane, who took one touch and buried a shot into the top corner of the net to spark scenes of chaos amongst the away fans as Aber snatched all three points in the very last seconds. It was a truly remarkable turnaround from Nev Powell's side, who looked well out of the game at half time. Inspired substitutions and a change in formation sparked a phenomenal second half performance in which the visitors had Cardiff Met, notorious for their excellent home form, camped inside their own half. The victory means Aber stay 6th in the league table, and climb to within just six points of joint league leaders Connah's Quay Nomads and Barry Town United. The Seasiders face another tough away test next Saturday as they travel to face Bala Town at Maes Tegid, looking to continue their four-game winning streak. Teams: Cardiff Met: Lang, Edwards, Woolridge, Lewis, Morgan, McCarthy, Baker, W Evans, E Evans (80), Roscrow (71) Snaith (84). Subs: Owen (84), Thomas (71), Neale, Flay, Black, Williams (80), Manson. Aberystwyth Town: McCormick, Baynes, Wollacott, Jenkins (45), S Edwards (65), Jones, Walker, R Edwards, Phillips, Kellaway (45), Ahmadi. Subs: Goodall (45), Rimmer, Mendes (65), Blake, Ruane (45), Morgan Attendance: 256 JD Welsh Premier League
Sunday 11th November (2:30pm) Cardiff Met v Aberystwyth Town Aberystwyth Town will look to continue their excellent recent form as they travel to the Welsh capital to face Cardiff Met on Sunday afternoon. The Seasiders are on a phenomenal four-game unbeaten run in the JD Welsh Premier League, including a landmark victory over league champions The New Saints at Park Avenue last Friday. Town will now look to continue that form as they maintain their push for a top six finish when the league splits in mid-January. Manager Nev Powell was full of praise for his players after last Friday’s victory over The New Saints, commenting; “The players were absolutely superb, we had a game plan and every one of them stuck to it. It was a fantastic performance and the players deserve a lot of credit for the performance they put in tonight.” Last weekend’s result was Aber’s first victory over the Saints in 11 years, but more importantly cemented their place in the league’s top six positions for another week. Nevertheless, Powell was keen to emphasise how important it was for the side to maintain their focus and determination as they head into another key clash at Cardiff Met this weekend. “We haven’t achieved anything yet, we’re only on 20 points and we’ve got two more difficult games coming up. We know how tough this league can be, but we’ve only conceded one goal in our last four games now and when you do that you’ve got a chance of winning games.” It was nigh on impossible to pick a standout player during Town’s victory last weekend, with starters and substitutes all performing admirably, but 17-year old centre back Lee Jenkins will undoubtedly take much credit for his winning goal. The local youngster was delighted to score his first senior goal against the champions, commenting “My main aim was to stay solid at the back with Ryan Wollacott, but when the ball hit the back of the net it was an amazing feeling, and the way we’re playing I think there’s a great chance for us to stay in that top six now”. Despite their excellent form, Town will be fully aware that they face another two difficult fixtures in the next two weeks, starting at Cyncoed Campus on Sunday. Cardiff Met contested last season’s Europa League Play-Off Final, losing to Cefn Druids at the final hurdle, and have finished in the league’s top six positions on every occasion since their promotion to the league in 2016. The Archers currently lie in 7th place in the table, having won just once in their last five league games, most recently falling to a 3-0 defeat away at Bala Town. Former seasider Christian Edwards is in charge at Cyncoed, whilst one time black and green Dylan Rees also forms part of the Archers’ squad. In what is another crunch clash in the JD Welsh Premier League, kick off at Cyncoed Campus on Sunday is at 2:30 p.m, and Cardiff Met's address is listed as CF23 6XD. Aber traditionally receive fantastic support whenever they play in the capital, and the Seasiders need the support of the Green Army once more this weekend as they look to continue their push for the top six! Welsh Women's League
Sunday 4th November 2018 Willows Ladies 1 Aberystwyth Town Ladies 2 In difficult conditions, Aberystwyth Town Ladies secured a fifth successive victory thanks to a goal in each half from the in-form Tania Wylde, writes Steven Brookes. Just a few weeks ago Aberystwyth faced Willows at Park Avenue and won 2-0. Now it was time for Aber to travel to the capital to try and do the double against the Cardiff-based side. In the heavy rain, Aber started slowly and nearly found themselves behind on a couple of occasions. First a mis-hit shot from inside the area went narrowly wide of Ffion Ashman's post and then a looping header bounced off the crossbar and went behind for a goal-kick. Town did have a couple of opportunities of their own though: Naomi Evans got on the end of a through ball but unfortunately for the forward, the goalkeeper was off her line quickly to block the shot. The keeper then denied Sydnee Turner a debut goal after saving the youngster's left footed strike well at her near post. Ashman later did well to keep the scores level when it seemed like a header from close range was going into the bottom corner, the highly rated goalkeeper dived low to push the ball behind for a corner. The scores didn't stay level for too long though thanks to yet another goal of the season contender. After cutting inside onto her right foot, Tania Wylde's shot from distance left the keeper with no chance as Aber took the lead just before the break. Wylde nearly doubled Aber's lead in the second half but her right footed effort across goal was well saved by the keeper. The hosts were then awarded a free kick not far into Aber's half. Willows's Kirsty Eddis decided to go for goal and her excellent strike found the back of the net to level the scores. Just when it seemed like the Black and Greens were heading for a disappointing draw however, they found a breakthrough. Willows's goalkeeper was unable to catch Sam Townsend's cross, the ball fell to the feet of Tania Wylde and the skilful midfielder then did well to beat the keeper and find the back of the net from a tight angle. Aber Town were far from their best but most importantly they returned to Ceredigion with three precious points. The Ladies are back at Park Avenue on Sunday 11th November to face Merthyr Town Ladies. |
Gem Nesaf
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Ebost / Email: AberTownFC@live.co.uk
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