Welsh Premier Women's League
Sunday 2nd November 2019
Llandudno Ladies 1 (Williams 59)
Aberystwyth Town Ladies 1 (E. Thomas 18)

An excellent first half strike from 15 year-old Wales U17 International Emily Thomas helped the Black and Greens earn their first point of the league season. Fflur Williams was on target for the hosts in the second half to deny a hard-working Town side all three points in an entertaining fixture writes Steven Brookes

After a quick start from both sides it was the hosts that had the first clear opportunity of the game but Town goalkeeper Ffion Ashman was off her line quickly to make a smart one-on-one save. After some early half-chances Aber broke the deadlock eighteen minutes in.  Following some good build-up play from defence the ball eventually found its way to Bethan Roberts on the right-wing who cut the ball back into the path of Emily Thomas. The 15 year-old left the hosts' keeper Rebecca Elliot with little-chance of saving.  Although the Black and Green's were creating opportunities to double their lead it was Llandudno who had the clearest site of goal when awareded a penalty when Ffion Ashman was ajudged to have fouled Jordanne Greenough inside the area. Stacey Tradewell stept up but fired wide of the target as Aber took a single-goal lead into the break.

Fourteen minutes into the second half, the scores were levelled. Town captain Ffiona Evans was unable to clear the ball that was played over the Aber defence and Fflur Williams capitalised as she calmly played the ball past Ashman into the net. The seasiders were determined to regain the lead and nearly did so through Caroline Cooper. The former Wales International's free kick took a big deflection but Elliot reacted quickly to tip over the cross bar. From the resulting corner, Bethan Roberts's shot was deflected into the air before hitting the top of the crossbar. At the other end the Ashman did well to tip over a Tradewell free-kick from the edge of the area as both sides were eager to get the games third goal.

Neither side were able to find the winner and an entertaining match finished all-square. Town will be delighted with their performance that on another day would have got them maximum points. The Black and Greens will now look forward to a trip to Port Talbot next Sunday (10th November) as they continue their league campaign.

JD Cymru Premier
Saturday 2nd November
Airbus UK Broughton 1 Aberystwyth Town 5

​Five star Aber put on their best footballing performance of the season on Deeside this afternoon to earn a superb five one win away to Airbus UK Broughton and continue their upward trajectory. Andy Owens gave the hosts the lead after 7 minutes but the visitors were good value for two late goals at the end of the first half from Paulo Mendes (43 minutes) and Steve Tomasson (og, 45+1). Further strikes from Mendes (54), Adam Hughes (85) and Ryan Edwards (89) capped a wonderful day’s work for Mathew Bishop’s men.

The game started in a lively manner and Joe Phillips curled in an effort from 30 yards which was well saved by Lewis Hall. Then Owens pounced on a back pass and belted home a volley from the edge of the area to gain Airbus an early lead. Back came Aber and strong man Adam Hughes had a shot blocked in the box before sending in a wonderful ball for the hard working Tom Price who couldn’t quite convert, Mendes narrowly missed a superb cross in from Wes Baynes and Phillips went on a super run down the wing before sending his shot inches wide, with Aber on top despite the scoreline. Hughes and Lee Jenkins are a super partnership at the back for the Seasiders and restricted the hosts to few chances. Jordan Evans skipped down the right wing before flicking a shot just wide, and Owens headed wide from Sam Hart’s inswinging free kick, with the next goal crucial. Owens brought a decent save from Connor Roberts and the Aber keeper denied Curtis Strong too, but Aber were creating chance after chance too. Marc Williams forced Hall to claw away a cross, before the home keeper struggled to collect a Baynes cross. Phillips flashed a shot over from 30 yards, then Price played in Mendes, whose shot was deflected for a corner, with Hall crucially injured making the save. Main Man Mendes, a strong contender for Man of the Match, headed home Mathew Jones’ corner, and just two minutes later Price’s right wing cross was intercepted into his own net by Steve Tomassen, and although Roberts denied Owens again in injury time Aber deserved their lead on the balance of play.

Aber started the second half strongly with Jones’ corner cleared off the line. Edmilson Vaz played in Phillips whose header was somehow saved by Hall, and with the marauding Mendes seemingly everywhere he dived in low to convert Phillips’ cute curling ball and score a crucial third for the Black and Greens. The visitors were controlling the play with some lovely passing football and Phillips was the next to force Hall into a save. Sub Kristian Platt headed wide for the hosts but then Phillips had yet another shot saved, before curling wide with the Midlands man on fire. Jordan Evans flashed a shot wide for Airbus before Phillips played in Williams, who was called offside before converting a low shot goalbound. Jenkins cleared off the line to keep Aber’s lead intact, and Roberts brought out a great save to deny Hart, but then Evans was forced off the field with a hamstring injury, and when Liam Williams received a second yellow card eight minutes from time for a desperate attempt to slow down Mendes, Airbus were down to nine men.   Aber took advantage: Hughes headed home Matty Jones’ corner with five minutes to go and then Ryan Edwards scored an improbable fifth with a low volley from distance which skidded under the stricken Hall to put Aber into dreamland! There was still time for Vaz to have a shot blocked and sub Alex Boss to necessitate a clearance off the line, but none of that took the sheen off a truly amazing result for the boys in Black and Green.

The Seasiders’ dominant performance this afternoon capped off a superb week for Aberystwyth Town FC, and if they can keep up the standards they have set over the past eight days this could yet be a very exciting season for their loyal supporters. The next instalment of Aber’s JD Cymru Premier Odyssey of 2019/20 comes next Friday at Park Avenue, when Bala Town come visiting (ko 8pm). Not a good time to miss out!

JD Cymru Premier
Saturday 2nd November (KO 2.30pm)
Airbus UK Broughton v Aberystwyth Town 

Aberystwyth Town look to build on the positive momentum gained throughout an unbeaten October to climb up the JD Cymru Premier table with another positive result away to Airbus UK Broughton on Saturday afternoon.

The Black and Greens are on a high after qualifying for their first League Cup Semi Final last night with a comprehensive 3-0 win at Carmarthen, and drawing with League Leaders Connah’s Quay last Friday, and a similar performance on Deeside on Saturday could propel Aber up the League and continue the feelgood factor at Park Avenue.

Mathew Jones has scored two decisive penalties in the last week, earning a point at home to Quay, and scoring first at Waundew, before an own goal from Greg Walters and another from Joe Phillips sealed the win in West Wales. Town’s defensive performances have also been excellent of late with the likes of Connor Roberts, Adam Hughes, Wes Baynes, Paulo Mendes and Lee Jenkins all catching the eye. More good news is that Club Captain Marc Williams returns to the squad for the match at the Airfield following suspension on Tuesday.

Cymru Alliance Champions of 2018/9 Airbus are level on points with Aber after 12 games, but Town will be looking to revenge a damaging 2-1 defeat at Park Avenue back in September, so the scene is set for another exciting afternoon of JD Cymru Premier action.

Kick off at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium, Chester Road, Broughton, CH4 0DR is at 2.30pm. See you on Deeside!

Nathaniel MG Cup Quarter Final
Tuesday 29th October
Carmarthen Town 0 Aberystwyth Town 3

Aberystwyth Town thrilled their fans with a thoroughly dominant performance at Parc Waundew on Tuesday evening, which earned them a 3-0 win and a place in the Nathaniel MG Cup Semi Finals for the first time in nine years. Matthew Jones got the decisive goal for the third round running with a 42nd minute penalty, and second half goals from Greg Walters (own goal, 50 minutes) and Joe Phillips (66 minutes) sealed a morale boosting and handsome victory for the men in green.

​On a chilly night Aber started well, looking composed and enjoying most of the possession. Paulo Mendes put in a good cross but the returning Geoff Kellaway couldn’t quite connect, and minutes later Kellaway unleashed a super shot from the edge of the area, but Lee Idzi brought out a big save in Carmarthen’s goal. Edmilson was the next to threaten for Aber, sending a shot past the post, and at the other end Liam Thomas hit the post from an offside position. With Wes Baynes, Lee Jenkins and Adam Hughes all impressing with solid defending Town had a strong base to work from, and Mendes was next to fire in from 30 yards, but Idzi saved again. Phillips was denied by Idzi after unleashing a low drive, and for Carmarthen Declan Carroll fired over after a strong run. The Seasiders finally got the lead they deserved when Lee Jenkins played Baynes into the box, and his run was blocked by Chris Jones, to earn a penalty. As he had done so thrillingly on Friday night, Jones once again smashed home the spot kick to put Aber in control at the break.

After the break Carroll again threatened with a shot with flashed over Aber’s bar, but normal service was resumed as Jones’ cross played in livewire Alex Boss who snuck in at the near post to win a corner. Soon afterwards Baynes got another assist as his ball in to the box from the right was deflected past his own keeper by the unfortunate Walters, and the visitors were in control. Keeper Connor Roberts came out swiftly to deny Liam Thomas a response, and protect Aber’s second clean sheet in three matches. Jenkins then went on a buccaneering run down the middle before feeding Boss who drifted a shot narrowly over, and Kellaway set up Phillips whose effort was again saved by Idzi. Then three quarters through the game quarterback Ryan Edwards picked out Phillips with a brilliant through ball, and he homed in before nudging the ball sweetly past Idzi for Aber’s third goal, and game, set and match. Chris Jones volleyed a rare Carmarthen attempt wide and Roberts denied an own goal with another great stop after Carroll’s cross, but with Aber bossing possession and in complete control, final chances came to sub Richy Ricketts and Alex Boss, and the visitors were delighted to end with a thoroughly deserved 3-0 win.

This victory caps an unbeaten October for Aber, and the players deserve huge credit for a series of consistent performances culminating in a Semi Final to look forward to. Town will now face either STM Sports, Bala Town or Connah’s Quay Nomads in the Nathaniel MG Cup Semi Finals, which will be one-off matches hosted by the side drawn first. The draw is expected on Thursday evening, with the games to be played the weekend of November 22/23rd. Don’t make any other plans for that weekend!

Nathaniel Cup Quarter Final
Tuesday 29th October (ko 7.45pm)
Carmarthen Town v Aberystwyth Town

Aber Town are gearing up for only their second Cup Quarter Final in five years as they prepare to visit Richmond Park for Tuesday night’s Nathaniel MG Cup Quarter Final away to Carmarthen Town.

The Black and Greens’ last Quarter Final, a Welsh Cup clash in March 2018, also took place at Richmond Park and Aber prevailed that night with a 3-1 win which took them to the epic Semi Final at Bala, against Newtown. The Seasiders will be hoping for a similar result on Tuesday, and go into the game on a high following Friday night’s thrilling draw against JD Cymru Premier League Leaders Connah’s Quay, courtesy of Matty Jones’ 90th minute penalty.

Three players missing on Friday will be absent again on Tuesday: injured Captain Marc Williams is suspended having received yellow cards in both previous rounds, away to Cambrian & Clydach (4-3) and Cardiff Met (1-0), Luke Boundford is recovering well but not yet fit to play, while Ryan Wollacott has left the Club to join Alvechurch.

Carmarthen have saved their best form this season for the Nathaniel MG Cup having beaten Cwmamman United (home, 4-1) and Briton Ferry away (2-0) to reach the Quarters. The sides met in the League just nine days ago and after a tight 0-0 draw, another close game is likely.

Kick off at Waundew is at 7.45pm. There will be no extra time and with a place in the Semi Final at stake, the match will proceed straight to penalties of the scores are level after 90 minutes. Exciting times!

JD Cymru Premier
Friday 25th October
Aberystwyth Town 1 Connah’s Quay Nomads 1

Mattie Jones’ 90th minute equaliser from the penalty spot gave the Black and Greens the point they so richly deserved after a gutsy and dominant performance against League Leaders Connah’s Quay, at a sodden Park Avenue last night. Jamie Insall had given the visitors the lead against the run of play seven minutes before the break but justice prevailed as Jones’ spot kick brought delight to the majority of the 276 brave souls who had defied the downpour.

​In truth Quay started well and had the first two opportunities. Priestley Farquharson’s right wing cross just about evaded his strikers and the post, and Insall saw a header cleared off the line with barely two minutes on the clock. Aber needed to settle, and they did. Wes Baynes sent in a cross after an overlapping run which Lewis Brass held well, then Mattie Jones’ left wing cross dropped nicely for Tom Price, who lost his footing in a good position. Price then did get a volley in which was deflected for a corner, then Ricketts turned beautifully to send in a cross, and Joe Phillips’ goalbound header was pushed on to the cross bar by Brass, with Morrison’s men rocking. With Stuart Jones nullifying the fading Michael Wilde Nomads were reduced to half chances, and Farquharson missed the target again from the right wing. The improving Price played a one two with Ryan Edwards before smashing in a volley which flashed over the post, and Brass again had to grab a promising Baynes cross. Wilde headed wide from Danny Holmes’ cross, then Joe Phillips again brought a save out of Brass with a curling effort. Then suddenly Michael Bakare dashed down the wing and sent in a cross for Insall to edge home from the edge of the area, and against all odds the Nomads were ahead. They again had to desperately clear off the line from a Paulo Mendes header in injury time, and went in a goal to the good.

Nomads again started the second half strongly and Insall missed a great chance to put the game to bed. Back came gutsy Aber, defending set pieces bravely and causing problems themselves too. Lee Jenkins went on a thrilling 50 yard run before unleashing a rocket shot from 30 yards which had Brass scrambling the ball away for a corner, and Richy Ricketts sent a volley wide too. Matty Jones sent in another beauty of a cross to Phillips at the back post, but somehow his header scraped wide with Brass’ goal enjoying a charmed life. Mattie Jones’ free kick then found Stuart Jones’ head, and a goal seemed certain, only for Brass to pull off a brilliant point blank save to protect his lead. Another ball in from Baynes just evaded Stuart Jones, with Aber unlucky again. Price volleyed over, then the impeccable Jenkins picked out Baynes on the right with a super crossfield pass, but the right back fired wide. With Aber so dominant, surely one last chance would come their way? So it proved, when sub Alex Boss’ goalbound shot was handled by Holmes, and Jones smashed home the penalty to bring huge cries of delight from the massed fans huddled against the incessant rain in the Rhun Owens Stand.

Many of those present judged this to be the Black and Greens’ best performance of the season, and against the League leaders this must be a shout. A sign of Aber’s dominance was that Quay had six players booked to Aber’s none, and Mathew Bishop’s men can be proud of themselves even though they didn’t quite manage a momentous victory. The point takes Aber up to ninth in the JD Cymru Premier and puts them in a great mood ahead of their Nathaniel MG Cup Quarter Final tie at Carmarthen on Tuesday night (ko 7.45pm). Come on Aber!