Penybont 1 Aberystwyth Town 1: Match Report

JD Cymru Premier
Friday October 4th
Penybont 1 Aberystwyth Town 1

Aber Town came within minutes of a big win at the KYMCO Stadium this evening, and in the end held out for a well deserved and crucial point away to Penybont, which takes the Black and Greens back up to eighth in the JD Welsh Premier. Wes Baynes (left) put Aber within sight of three points with a superb 56th minute free kick, but Town old boy Kostya Georgievsky popped up at the back post to snaffle a 91st minute equaliser.

The Black and Greens’ starting eleven had a distinctly local flavour to it with Geoff Kellaway, Lee Jenkins, Stuart and Mathew Jones and Richie Ricketts all involved. On a soggy night early chances were limited: Luke Borelli headed past the post for Penybont, and Keenan Patten went close soon afterwards. Aber though improved and four shots in a matter of seconds peppered the home goal, with Tom Price among those denied, to thrill the superb singing Seasiders supporters. Up to 40 visiting fans ‘ooohed’ as Marc Williams headed wide from Mathew Jones’ cross, before the impressive Connor Roberts saved from Patten. Jenkins then went close with a header from a Mathew Jones corner, and Roberts had to be alert to save Mike George’s deep cross.  Kellaway sent in a super ball which evaded everyone, but with Aber defending doggedly, and the likes of Lee Jenkins making vital blockages time after time, Aber were good value for a goalless half time score.

Eleven minutes into an even second half Town won a free kick on the edge of the area, and Baynes curled in an absolute beauty of a goal to inspire delight amongst Aber’s tifosi, and instill belief in his team. Penybont hit the post soon after, signalling an extended period of pressure, with Aber happy to sit back and soak up the home side’s best efforts. Baynes sent an effort inches past the post from another free kick, and at the other end Roberts was down well to deny Nathan Wood’s curling effort. Kane Owen hit the crossbar with a deep corner, and then back up the other end Kellaway set up the tireless Williams down the right, but his effort was blocked in turn. A series of corners and vital Aber clearances followed, with Roberts pulling off one particularly excellent point blank save. Baynes crossed for Williams to bring a save from Rhys Wilson in Bont’s goal, and Roberts denied sub Cullen Kinsella. When Hutson sent an effort over the bar it looked like Aber were going to hang on, but in injury time a deep cross from the left fell nicely for sub Kostya Georgievsky to net from five years and earn his side a point, which on the balance of play they surely deserved.

The initial reaction for Aber will be one of disappointment having got so close to a first clean sheet of the season, but the bigger picture is that the Black and Greens did not lose a must-not-lose game, and an away point which jumps them two places up the table is a valuable one indeed. After defending much better over the past three away games, Aber will be hoping for another positive result when they return to Park Avenue next weekend with a home game against Cardiff Met on Saturday 12th October (ko 2.30pm). 

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