Aberystwyth Town vs The New Saints
JD Cymru Premier
Friday 16th October
MATCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Aberystwyth Town return to Aberystwyth University Park Avenue following two games on the road and are up against table toppers The New Saints in what should be an intriguing match under the Friday night lights.
Goals were certainly not in short supply during Aber’s two trips north over the last 10 days. A 4-0 victory at Cefn Druids was followed by a 5-2 reverse at Bala Town and Gavin Allen’s men now sit 7th in the Cymru Premier table, with 8 points from 8 games, perfectly poised to make a challenge for the Top Six in the remaining two thirds of the first league phase.
Captain Marc Williams has led the way in the last couple of games, with a goal in each, including a terrific header from a delicious Mathew Jones cross in Saturday’s televised game at Bala. He was joined on the scoresheet by Jonathan Evans, Steff Davies and Jack Thorn at Cefn Druids and by Steven Hewitt, who scored his first goal for the club at Maes Tegid.
Whilst Aber’s attacking talent has taken much of the limelight, Connor Roberts must also be given much praise for his recent displays, which included some top class saves that certainly did not go unnoticed by Sgorio’s commentary and punditry teams at the weekend. Unfortunately, Connor will be ineligible for Friday’s match, along with Louis Bradford, as they cannot play against their parent club.
Gavin Allen also has some injury concerns to contend with as Mathew Jones left the action early on Saturday, as did Jonathan Evans the previous Tuesday. Jack Thorn also continues to self-isolate.
Manager Allen was pleased to be able to get his team back on the training pitch this week, with no midweek fixture. “It’s nice to train to be truthful, we’ve travelled from north to south in the last month and we haven’t had time to do much training with the boys because of their recoveries” he commented following the Bala game.
Friday’s visitors, The New Saints, are a formidable opponent. So far this season they have played 7 league matches and have won every one, scoring 26 goals in the process and not conceding a single goal. Following Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Connahs Quay, they sit two points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.
Their manager, Scott Ruscoe, knows this league as well as anyone and has made some astute signings over the summer, all with good Cymru Premier experience, as his team look to regain the title following it being awarded to Connahs Quay last season – the first time since 2011 that The New Saints haven’t taken home the crown. Former Wrexham youngster Leo Smith has joined from Caernarfon Town, Louis Robles from Bala and Ryan Astles, who had a spell with Rhyl earlier in his career, has joined from Southport.
It is therefore a daunting task that Gavin Allen and his young side face, however this is a fixture that Aberystwyth Town have caused a shock in on a couple of notable occasions in the past! Back in August 2007, The Black & Greens shocked Welsh football with a 5-1 victory; Jamie Reed making the headlines with a hat-trick on his home debut. More recently, a header from a then 17 year old Lee Jenkins secured a 1-0 win in November 2018 on a memorable night where the club celebrated 50 years of the Aberystwyth Junior League – appropriately it was two local teenagers who combined for the winning goal; Mathew Jones setting up hero of the hour Jenkins. You therefore wouldn’t put it past Aber Town to be the first side this season to take points off their guests on Friday…!!
The club would like to thank Bala Town and Sgorio for joining us in a touching minute's silence for Tony Payne at Maes Tegid last Saturday. With Friday night's game being our first home fixture since Tony's passing, we can confirm that a minute's silence will be held pre-match to remember Tony at the ground he served tirelessly and so dearly cherished.
There will be no admittance to supporters for Friday’s match, but The Black & Green Army can listen to the whole game live on BBC Radio Wales, with coverage starting at 7pm. We will of course be bringing you all the key moments on our Twitter platform also and you can follow us @AberystwythTown. As always, thank you for your continued support and we hope that it is not too long before the gates to Aberystwyth University Park Avenue can open fully once again!
JD Cymru Premier
Friday 16th October
MATCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Aberystwyth Town return to Aberystwyth University Park Avenue following two games on the road and are up against table toppers The New Saints in what should be an intriguing match under the Friday night lights.
Goals were certainly not in short supply during Aber’s two trips north over the last 10 days. A 4-0 victory at Cefn Druids was followed by a 5-2 reverse at Bala Town and Gavin Allen’s men now sit 7th in the Cymru Premier table, with 8 points from 8 games, perfectly poised to make a challenge for the Top Six in the remaining two thirds of the first league phase.
Captain Marc Williams has led the way in the last couple of games, with a goal in each, including a terrific header from a delicious Mathew Jones cross in Saturday’s televised game at Bala. He was joined on the scoresheet by Jonathan Evans, Steff Davies and Jack Thorn at Cefn Druids and by Steven Hewitt, who scored his first goal for the club at Maes Tegid.
Whilst Aber’s attacking talent has taken much of the limelight, Connor Roberts must also be given much praise for his recent displays, which included some top class saves that certainly did not go unnoticed by Sgorio’s commentary and punditry teams at the weekend. Unfortunately, Connor will be ineligible for Friday’s match, along with Louis Bradford, as they cannot play against their parent club.
Gavin Allen also has some injury concerns to contend with as Mathew Jones left the action early on Saturday, as did Jonathan Evans the previous Tuesday. Jack Thorn also continues to self-isolate.
Manager Allen was pleased to be able to get his team back on the training pitch this week, with no midweek fixture. “It’s nice to train to be truthful, we’ve travelled from north to south in the last month and we haven’t had time to do much training with the boys because of their recoveries” he commented following the Bala game.
Friday’s visitors, The New Saints, are a formidable opponent. So far this season they have played 7 league matches and have won every one, scoring 26 goals in the process and not conceding a single goal. Following Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Connahs Quay, they sit two points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.
Their manager, Scott Ruscoe, knows this league as well as anyone and has made some astute signings over the summer, all with good Cymru Premier experience, as his team look to regain the title following it being awarded to Connahs Quay last season – the first time since 2011 that The New Saints haven’t taken home the crown. Former Wrexham youngster Leo Smith has joined from Caernarfon Town, Louis Robles from Bala and Ryan Astles, who had a spell with Rhyl earlier in his career, has joined from Southport.
It is therefore a daunting task that Gavin Allen and his young side face, however this is a fixture that Aberystwyth Town have caused a shock in on a couple of notable occasions in the past! Back in August 2007, The Black & Greens shocked Welsh football with a 5-1 victory; Jamie Reed making the headlines with a hat-trick on his home debut. More recently, a header from a then 17 year old Lee Jenkins secured a 1-0 win in November 2018 on a memorable night where the club celebrated 50 years of the Aberystwyth Junior League – appropriately it was two local teenagers who combined for the winning goal; Mathew Jones setting up hero of the hour Jenkins. You therefore wouldn’t put it past Aber Town to be the first side this season to take points off their guests on Friday…!!
The club would like to thank Bala Town and Sgorio for joining us in a touching minute's silence for Tony Payne at Maes Tegid last Saturday. With Friday night's game being our first home fixture since Tony's passing, we can confirm that a minute's silence will be held pre-match to remember Tony at the ground he served tirelessly and so dearly cherished.
There will be no admittance to supporters for Friday’s match, but The Black & Green Army can listen to the whole game live on BBC Radio Wales, with coverage starting at 7pm. We will of course be bringing you all the key moments on our Twitter platform also and you can follow us @AberystwythTown. As always, thank you for your continued support and we hope that it is not too long before the gates to Aberystwyth University Park Avenue can open fully once again!
