Match Preview: TNS vs ATFC

The New Saints vs Aberystwyth Town
JD Cymru Premier
Friday 1st October
7.45pm KO
 
A trip to Shropshire awaits Antonio Corbisiero and his team this evening, for a meeting with league leaders The New Saints. The 13-time Cymru Premier Champions currently have a four-point gap at the top after 6 matches played, and will certainly pose a tough challenge, but having won at Newtown two weeks ago in their last league outing, as well as progressing in the Welsh Cup last week, ATFC will go into this match with confidence high.
 
Both teams have changed managers since the last meeting between the two sides back in November 2020, with Anthony Limbrick taking the reins at Park Hall towards the end of last season. He has chosen to make a small number of astute additions to take his side forward rather than wholesale changes, with Danny Davies, Declan McManus, Ash Baker and Jordan Williams arriving in the summer to add to an already talented squad which still includes Saints’ stalwarts such as Paul Harrison, Ryan Brobbel, Jon Routledge and Chris Marriott.
 
The Saints have won 5 out of their 6 league fixtures so far, only dropping points in a 1-1 draw away to Penybont three weeks ago. They have also progressed to the 4th round of the Welsh Cup, dispatching Conwy Borough last weekend. Their European Campaign saw them come agonisingly close to the UEFA Europa League Playoff Round, losing on penalties to Viktoria Plzen, however they did the entire league proud with their displays on the continent, beating Irish outfit Glentoran and Lithuanian side Kauno Žalgiris whilst also registering a memorable 4-2 victory at home to Plzen in the first leg.
 
TNS are currently the leaders top scorers, with 15 goals, with new signings Declan McManus and Jordan Williams leading the way with 4 and 3 goals respectively. Blaine Hudson and Ash Baker also have two goals each.
 
This fixture last season saw The New Saints record a 4-1 win at home, however the reverse fixture at Park Avenue the previous month had seen ATFC put in one of their best performances of the season. Goals from local due Jon Foligno & Steff Davies had given the Black & Greens a 2-1 lead before the Saints equalised late on to take a share of the spoils from what was a hugely entertaining game of football.
 
ATFC are yet to record a victory at Park Hall since the stadium was revamped back in 2007, however it was the scene for a memorable comeback back in April 2015 when Aber, led by Ian Hughes at the time, came back from 3-0 down to snatch a last gasp equaliser through Mark Jones. Another entertaining night of football may well await us in Shropshire this evening!
 
Tickets can be purchased online in advance of the match by following the below link, although a cash turnstile will be in operation also. Prices are £8 for Adults, £4 for Concessions, £1 for Juniors and Park Hall can be found by following the postcode SY11 4AS.

​https://www.tnsfc.co.uk/2021/09/30/ticket-information-as-the-new-saints-fc-hosts-aberystwyth-town/