Dafabet Welsh Premier League
Saturday 16th April
Carmarthen Town 1 Aberystwyth Town 0
A tense and tight match which seemed destined to end all square was settled by a 94th minute deflected strike from the impressive Kieron Lewis, which cost Aber Town a vital point at Parc Waundew this afternoon, and put seventh place out of reach for the Black and Green this season.
On a sunny afternoon Aber did start the game with purpose, snapping at their opponents heels, and although Geoff Kellaway's pace was a threat for Town, the hosts created most of the early chances. Lewis Harling lobbed a soft effort into keeper Mike Lewis’ hands, before Mark Jones set up Harling, but his effort was deflected to safety. Luke Cummings then set up Kieran Lewis who flashed an attempt wide, but then the visitors started to find their feet. Kellaway’s cross found Rhys Griffiths’ head but the effort squeaked past the post, and Kellaway next crossed for Chris Venables but his attempt was blocked for a corner. Craig Williams then twice found Griffiths’ head with corners, but the first was deflected over and the second whooshed wide. Kellaway then burst down the left and his brilliant left footed strike was deflected wide by Lee Idzi. Griffiths had another header gathered safely and despite a strong finish to the half Aber went in, probably deservedly at 0-0.
With both sides’ fates for the season hanging in the balance, and tension rising, the second half developed into a rather scrappy affair. Kellaway sent another effort wide, before Kieron Lewis was stopped in his tracks on the edge of the area, but Carmarthen’s free kick was cleared. Griffiths set up Ross Stephens but his lob was gathered by Idzi, and then Harling saw a lob touched to safety by Mike Lewis. Idzi made further comfortable saves from Stephens and Griffiths, and a Craig Williams free kick squeaked past the far post. Venables then played in Kellaway with a great touch, and his instinctive volley went narrowly wide before at the other end Kieron Lewis then hit the crossbar with an excellent drive. Venables had a goalbound free kick deflected to safety, and then with the game heading towards a draw which would have kept Aber in contention for a seventh placed finish, good work from Mark Jones on the edge of the visitors’ box created the space for Lewis to send in a drive from the right hand of the area, and the ball looped up off Lee Surman and over Mike Lewis to notch a winner which created consternation and devastation in the Black and Green ranks.
In truth neither side really played well enough to deserve winning this game, and although Aber did create opportunities going forward it was Carmarthen who got lucky right at the death. The victory means Town must now beat Bangor City at home next week to finish in eight place in the Dafabet WPL, and then hope Airbus beat TNS in the Welsh Cup Final. Those two results will give the Black and Greens the chance to revenge today’s result in a UEFA Europa League Play Off Quarter Final back at Carmarthen on Wednesday May 4th. Hope springs eternal!
Saturday 16th April
Carmarthen Town 1 Aberystwyth Town 0
A tense and tight match which seemed destined to end all square was settled by a 94th minute deflected strike from the impressive Kieron Lewis, which cost Aber Town a vital point at Parc Waundew this afternoon, and put seventh place out of reach for the Black and Green this season.
On a sunny afternoon Aber did start the game with purpose, snapping at their opponents heels, and although Geoff Kellaway's pace was a threat for Town, the hosts created most of the early chances. Lewis Harling lobbed a soft effort into keeper Mike Lewis’ hands, before Mark Jones set up Harling, but his effort was deflected to safety. Luke Cummings then set up Kieran Lewis who flashed an attempt wide, but then the visitors started to find their feet. Kellaway’s cross found Rhys Griffiths’ head but the effort squeaked past the post, and Kellaway next crossed for Chris Venables but his attempt was blocked for a corner. Craig Williams then twice found Griffiths’ head with corners, but the first was deflected over and the second whooshed wide. Kellaway then burst down the left and his brilliant left footed strike was deflected wide by Lee Idzi. Griffiths had another header gathered safely and despite a strong finish to the half Aber went in, probably deservedly at 0-0.
With both sides’ fates for the season hanging in the balance, and tension rising, the second half developed into a rather scrappy affair. Kellaway sent another effort wide, before Kieron Lewis was stopped in his tracks on the edge of the area, but Carmarthen’s free kick was cleared. Griffiths set up Ross Stephens but his lob was gathered by Idzi, and then Harling saw a lob touched to safety by Mike Lewis. Idzi made further comfortable saves from Stephens and Griffiths, and a Craig Williams free kick squeaked past the far post. Venables then played in Kellaway with a great touch, and his instinctive volley went narrowly wide before at the other end Kieron Lewis then hit the crossbar with an excellent drive. Venables had a goalbound free kick deflected to safety, and then with the game heading towards a draw which would have kept Aber in contention for a seventh placed finish, good work from Mark Jones on the edge of the visitors’ box created the space for Lewis to send in a drive from the right hand of the area, and the ball looped up off Lee Surman and over Mike Lewis to notch a winner which created consternation and devastation in the Black and Green ranks.
In truth neither side really played well enough to deserve winning this game, and although Aber did create opportunities going forward it was Carmarthen who got lucky right at the death. The victory means Town must now beat Bangor City at home next week to finish in eight place in the Dafabet WPL, and then hope Airbus beat TNS in the Welsh Cup Final. Those two results will give the Black and Greens the chance to revenge today’s result in a UEFA Europa League Play Off Quarter Final back at Carmarthen on Wednesday May 4th. Hope springs eternal!
