Match Preview: ATFC vs Penybont

Aberystwyth Town vs Penybont
JD Cymru Premier
Saturday 27th March – 2.30pm KO
MATCH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
 
Aberystwyth Town will be looking to continue their 100% home record since football resumed at the start of the month, with the visit of Penybont to Ceredigion tomorrow.
 
Following last week’s 1-0 victory over Newtown in the Mid Wales derby, the Black & Greens points tally since the restart stands at an impressive 7 points, with 6 of those taken at home. This has lifted Gavin Allen’s men to 9th in the league and the team now have the opportunity to end the first phase on a real high.
 
January signing and last weekend’s goal scorer Harry Franklin continues to impress in midfield, whilst Connor Roberts has rightly drawn plaudits during this last week for his goalkeeping heroics, which included saving a penalty late on to ensure Aber claimed all three points.
 
Penybont currently sit in 4th place, and therefore arguably offer the toughest challenge yet since the restart. They have had a terrific season so far, in what is only their second season at this level. A point from their remaining two fixtures should be enough to see them qualify for the Championship Conference (Top 6), whilst a win would guarantee it.
 
Since play restarted, Penybont have played 6 matches, more than any other side in the league. They have won 3 of these matches, including doing the double over their nearest rival for 4th spot, Barry Town United, and also gained an impressive draw at home to league leaders Connah’s Quay Nomads.
 
They are of course managed by seven-time Cymru Premier Golden Boot Winner, Rhys Griffiths, who spent a season at Park Avenue in 2015/16, netting 7 goals in 21 appearances. Other recognisable faces in the visitors line up are Kane Owen & Kostya Georgievsky, who both had brief spells at Park Avenue in 2016, and Ceredigion native Mael Davies, who was a teammate to some current Seasiders in Junior football.
 
It was an eventful game at the KYMCO Stadium when these two teams met earlier in the season on MD2. Nathan Wood gave Penybont the lead in the first half, before Louis Bradford equalised for Aber early in the second, as both sets of players had to deal with extremely misty conditions on the night. The game then took a bizarre twist late on, as Mathew Jones was red carded for two bookable offences, despite never having received a first yellow! Aber’s ten men held on to gain a creditable drew, which took them off the mark for the season.
 
This is the second of three home matches in a row, and whilst we cannot yet invite the Black & Green Army back into Park Avenue, you can follow all the action on our Twitter feed @AberystwythTown. As always, your support is very much appreciated by all at the club