Nathaniel MG Cup
Tuesday 28th August
Welshpool Town 1 Aberystwyth Town 3
Two goals from Geoff Kellaway and another from Joe Phillips were enough to see Aber Town into the Nathaniel MG Cup Second Round with a victory at Mid Wales League side Welshpool Town last night. The hosts had taken the lead with Ricky Litchfield's 47th minute lob from distance, but back came Aber as Phillips (53 minutes) and Kellaway (59 and 88) secured their passage to Round Two.
On a pleasant evening the game quickly fell into a pattern with the hosts sitting right back and Aber controlling possession and creating chances. With Declan Walker prominent Aber spent a lot of time in Welshpool's third but couldn't quite find the cutting edge. Walker headed wide from Wes Baynes' cross, before cutting back for Phillips to shoot over the bar. Baynes then curled an attempt over the bar, Walker found the side netting after a mazy dribble before Paolo Mendes brought the first save of the game from Dave Littleford with a cute attempt towards the far corner. Welshpool pressed on the break with left back Sam Bowers doing his best to get some balls in but attempts from Jake Mann and James Clewlow were high and wide respectively, and the half ended goalless.
Both sides must have changed into their shooting boots at the break as an unexpected goal fest ensued! Welshpool took the lead when Litchfield's 35 yard lob fooled Leigh Jenkins in Aber's goal, but the introduction of Geoff Kellaway down the wing gave Aber added impetus going forward, and when his shot was deflected for a corner the visitors equalised. Baynes' corner was flicked on by Ahamdi and the industrious Phillips nicked in at the back post to tap home. Walker curled a free kick over the area and then minutes later a deep cross from Baynes found Kellaway at the back post, and he showed a poacher's instinct to give Aber the lead from close range. Clewlow curled an effort wide for Welshpool but then back down the hill came Aber with Kellaway twice denied from close range. With Aber now seemingly in control sub Alec Williams was denied by a last ditch tackle, Nashawn Blake headed a cross wide, and Williams then Kellaway were again denied. Leigh Jenkins was replaced by Terry McCormick after a recurrence of his injury, and then finally with two minutes to go the hard working Blake raced to the by line and his cut back was laid off by Williams for Kellaway to score Aber's third with a low drive and put the game to bed.
Without ever reaching their very best at Maesydre Aber were good enough to progress last night and with a potential banana skin out of the way it was a case of job done. The MG Nathaniel Cup Second Round will be held on Tuesday 25th September and the draw will be made tomorrow - please watch the Welsh Premier League's official channels for more details.
Welshpool Town: Littleford, S Jones, Bowers (Jenkins 89), S Evans, MacLoed, R Evans, Mann, Litchfield, Clewlow (Morgan 70), Probert, Baker (J Jones 68).
Aber Town: Leigh Jenkins (McCormick 77), Baynes, Edwards, Rimmer, Mendes (Kellaway HT), Ahmadi (Williams 60), Walker, Lee Jenkins, Jones, Blake, Phillips.
Tuesday 28th August
Welshpool Town 1 Aberystwyth Town 3
Two goals from Geoff Kellaway and another from Joe Phillips were enough to see Aber Town into the Nathaniel MG Cup Second Round with a victory at Mid Wales League side Welshpool Town last night. The hosts had taken the lead with Ricky Litchfield's 47th minute lob from distance, but back came Aber as Phillips (53 minutes) and Kellaway (59 and 88) secured their passage to Round Two.
On a pleasant evening the game quickly fell into a pattern with the hosts sitting right back and Aber controlling possession and creating chances. With Declan Walker prominent Aber spent a lot of time in Welshpool's third but couldn't quite find the cutting edge. Walker headed wide from Wes Baynes' cross, before cutting back for Phillips to shoot over the bar. Baynes then curled an attempt over the bar, Walker found the side netting after a mazy dribble before Paolo Mendes brought the first save of the game from Dave Littleford with a cute attempt towards the far corner. Welshpool pressed on the break with left back Sam Bowers doing his best to get some balls in but attempts from Jake Mann and James Clewlow were high and wide respectively, and the half ended goalless.
Both sides must have changed into their shooting boots at the break as an unexpected goal fest ensued! Welshpool took the lead when Litchfield's 35 yard lob fooled Leigh Jenkins in Aber's goal, but the introduction of Geoff Kellaway down the wing gave Aber added impetus going forward, and when his shot was deflected for a corner the visitors equalised. Baynes' corner was flicked on by Ahamdi and the industrious Phillips nicked in at the back post to tap home. Walker curled a free kick over the area and then minutes later a deep cross from Baynes found Kellaway at the back post, and he showed a poacher's instinct to give Aber the lead from close range. Clewlow curled an effort wide for Welshpool but then back down the hill came Aber with Kellaway twice denied from close range. With Aber now seemingly in control sub Alec Williams was denied by a last ditch tackle, Nashawn Blake headed a cross wide, and Williams then Kellaway were again denied. Leigh Jenkins was replaced by Terry McCormick after a recurrence of his injury, and then finally with two minutes to go the hard working Blake raced to the by line and his cut back was laid off by Williams for Kellaway to score Aber's third with a low drive and put the game to bed.
Without ever reaching their very best at Maesydre Aber were good enough to progress last night and with a potential banana skin out of the way it was a case of job done. The MG Nathaniel Cup Second Round will be held on Tuesday 25th September and the draw will be made tomorrow - please watch the Welsh Premier League's official channels for more details.
Welshpool Town: Littleford, S Jones, Bowers (Jenkins 89), S Evans, MacLoed, R Evans, Mann, Litchfield, Clewlow (Morgan 70), Probert, Baker (J Jones 68).
Aber Town: Leigh Jenkins (McCormick 77), Baynes, Edwards, Rimmer, Mendes (Kellaway HT), Ahmadi (Williams 60), Walker, Lee Jenkins, Jones, Blake, Phillips.
