ATFC vs Barry Town United: Match Preview

Aberystwyth Town vs Barry Town United
JD Cymru Premier
Saturday 3rd October
MATCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
 
The Black & Greens return to Aberystwyth University Park Avenue for the first time in two weeks hoping to replicate their last home performance; an impressive win against Flint Town United back on 18th September. They face a tough task in the form of Barry Town United, who come into Saturday’s match on the back of three consecutive victories. However, Aber’s young squad have shown enough already this season to give supporters reasons to be optimistic ahead of this weekend’s game.
 
Wednesday night’s match at last season’s Cymru Premier Champions, Connahs Quay Nomads, once again showed Aber’s defensive strength as the title holders were frustrated by Connor Roberts, Lee Jenkins, Louis Bradford and co. Had Jamie Veale’s cheeky 20 yard chip fallen into the net rather than against the bar, it could have been a different story; however in the event the Nomads took all 3 points thanks to a Disney penalty and an Aaron Edwards goal in the first half.
 
Nomads Manager, Andy Morrison, led the praise for Aber’s back line after the match. “They never relented. Their performance was magnificent. They must have made ten last ditch tackles – that’s incredible spirit that they’ve got there”.
 
The Seasiders will be hoping that Ilan Hughes has recovered from the injury which forced him off towards the end Wednesday’s match, whilst Jon Foligno is in line to make his first home appearance following his move from neighbours Penrhyncoch last week.
 
Saturday’s visitors, Barry Town United, are once again proving to be a team to watch out for this season. An opening day defeat to The New Saints has been followed by three straight victories against Caernarfon (3-1 – H), Flint (0-1 – A) and Haverfordwest (2-1 – H). They currently sit third in the table, behind only The New Saints and Connah’s Quay Nomads.
 
Their team features some of the league’s most recognisable players and in Kayne McLaggon, they have one of the Cymru Premier’s most dangerous marksmen and he already has three goals to his name this season. In midfield, David Cotterill has 24 caps for Wales and once cost £2m, whilst St. Kitts & Nevis international Theo Wharton is starting to emerge as a key player for the team, being described by Y Clwb Pel-Droed podcast as “in the middle of everything good that they (Barry) do”.
 
One player that needs no introduction to the Black & Green Army is popular former goalkeeper Mike Lewis. Mike was brought to Park Avenue by then manager Tomi Morgan in June 2012, and in his first season conceded only 29 goals in 22 games, making a huge contribution to keeping Aber in the Welsh Premier League that season. The following year he helped Aber to the Welsh Cup Final, and then represented the Black and Greens in the UEFA Europa League, and was an almost ever present in the side that finished fourth and reached the UEFA Europa League Play Off Final in 2015.
 
As always, our Twitter platform @AberystwythTown will keep you up to date with all the action, with spectators still not allowed to attend Cymru Premier matches. Thank you for your continued support!