Aberystwyth Town full back Declan Walker has won the JD Welsh Premier League Player of The Month award for February. Walker scored five goals in four games during the month of February, including a sensational scissor-kick volley against Barry Town and a stunning hat-trick away at Carmarthen. Aber’s full back is now up to fifth in the league’s top goalscorers’ chart, and has helped play a big part towards Nev Powell’s side’s recent run of form, losing just once in their last nine games in all competitions. Everyone at the club wishes to congratulate Declan on winning the award, and we hope to see many more high-calibre goals from the Aber man soon! Welsh Women’s League (WWL) Sunday 11th March 2018 Aberystwyth Town Ladies 4 Penybont Ladies 0 Goals from Naomi Evans, Helen Evans, Tania Wylde and Caroline Cooper helped Aber close the gap at the top of the table and continue their unbeaten league record after yet another impressive performance at Park Avenue, writes Steven Brookes. Penybont were Aber's first opponents of the league season and that match ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw. This time Aber started the better of the two sides and after a couple of early opportunities it took just eleven minutes for them to take a deserved lead. Forward Naomi Evans scored her 12th goal of the season in all competitions after poking the ball past the goalkeeper from close range. The Black and Greens had chances to double their lead, and Ffiona Evans and Naomi Evans both had efforts on goal but it was just the single goal lead at the break. The home team were determined to get that early second half goal and came very close in the opening minute when Naomi Evans's attempted lob went narrowly wide. They didn't have to wait too long for that goal though: Helen Evans's powerful strike from the edge of the box gave the keeper little chance. Aber looked in control and eventually scored a third, this time from the spot after a penalty was awarded for handball. Tania Wylde stepped up and confidently converted with less than a quarter of hour remaining. Just a few minutes later the away side had a player sent off after a foul on Helen Evans. Caroline Cooper took the resulting free kick and her outstanding effort found the top corner of the net to give Aber a thoroughly deserved 4-0 lead, which is how it finished. Aber's next game is arguably their most important: a home match against league leaders Briton Ferry at Park Avenue, this Sunday with a 2pm kick off. Sunday 11th March 2018
Welsh Premier Development League Penybont U19 0 Aberystwyth U19s 3 Aberystwyth made the long journey to Penybont with the aim of continuing their good form of recent weeks, they travelled full of confidence following an impressive 8-0 victory at home to Llanelli two weeks ago with goals from Liam Doherty 2, Harri Horwood, Harri Cottham, Josh Crowl, Tom Evans, Osian Rees-Jones and Ryan Evans. The first quarter of the game proved to be a scrappy affair as both teams seemed to cancel each other out in a pretty physical game, Aber broke the deadlock through Liam Doherty who made a lovely run in behind the Penybont defence and clinically finished in the bottom corner, which took him to 27 goals for the season! Town began to dominate the middle of the park with the impressive Liam Berner and Ryan Evans breaking up play and stopping any attack from Penybont, the width and pace of Horwood and Gittens was a constant threat and Aber’s defence coped with the long ball tactics of the home team. The second half was much the same story, Aber dominated from start to finish and two goals from Harri Cottham and Osian Rees-Jones which sealed an impressive victory and moved Aberystwyth to the top of the table. Aber Manager Bari Morgan was again pleased with the result “I was really pleased with that performance today, it was one, if not our best performance of the season. Penybont have been in great form lately and we dominated from start to finish with a very mature performance, we had a couple of boys missing today but the lads who came in did a great job especially the two central midfielders Liam Berner and Ryan Evans who were outstanding. It just shows the strength and depth to our squad, we have everything still left to play for, we are still in with a chance for the league and we are in a cup semi-final. Everyone in the squad and coaching set up is buzzing , but it’s one game at a time.” Aberystwyth have five league games left to play, four at home and the last game of the season away to Swansea. They have a great chance of still winning the league and keeping the pressure on Swansea who could return to the top table with a victory on Wednesday night. Aberystwyth also have a Central Wales Cup Semi-Final game on Wednesday 21st March against Llanfair at Latham Park Newtown 8.00pm kick off. The next league game is at Home against in form Cardiff Met at Park Avenue next Sunday 18th March at 5.30pm. Come along to support the boys to continue their fabulous season! On This Day in History: Aber Town 3 Newport County 3 (Welsh Cup Quarter Final, 11th March 1987)11/3/2018
Wednesday 11th March 1987 Welsh Cup Quarter Final Aberystwyth Town 3 Newport County 3 Aberystwyth Town: John Davies, Dylan E Jones, Huw George-Evans, Paul Hughes, Dave Humphreys, Ken Williams, Donald Kane, Phil Richards, Tomi Morgan, Kevin Morrison, Mike Davies. Sub: Dylan Jones. Scorers: Morgan (2), Morrison With Welsh Cup fever gripping Aberystwyth ahead of their High Noon Semi Final showdown against Newtown on April 8th we look back 31 years to focus on a Welsh Cup Quarter Final which attracted Aber's largest crowd in living memory of 2,721. The Welsh Cup in the 1980s was dominated by Welsh Clubs playing in England, and making the Quarter Finals to play Newport County, at that point lying bottom of Division Three was viewed at the time as possibly the Club's biggest ever game. The enormous attendance, with crowds at times spilling onto the pitch certainly backed up this assertion, and commentary was also broadcast live on both Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, with highlights shown on the BBC Wales news programme. The following description is taken from Dai Pugh's superb book "Aberystwyth Town FC 1960-2010 The Rise and Fall," available from the Club Shop on Matchdays: "The attendance of 2,721 and gate receipts of over £3,000 justified the committee's decision to increase admission charges. An injury to Newport keeper Roger Freestone (ed: who would go on to play for Wales against Brazil at the Millennium Stadium) six minutes after the interval opened the gates for a dramatic 40 minutes of cup football. After the collision with Morrison keeper Freestone appeared shaken for the rest of the game and remained rooted to his line when the striker headed Aber into a 64th minute lead from a Ken Williams free kick. Four minutes later Town keeper John Davies blocked a Gordon Staniforth shot, but Glyn Millett tapped home the rebound. After 71 minutes the Shed End went wild when Freestone failed to clear a cross and Tomi Morgan restored Aber's advantage. But a ragged Town defence allowed Mick Vinter to restore parity in the 79th minute. With four minutes left (Manager Meirion) Appleton was out of his dugout in celebration, as Freestone misread a Morrison lob and Tomi Morgan headed Aber back into the lead. But the celebrations were premature as Roger Gibbins headed home County's third equaliser in the last minute." The Black and Greens took an estimated 800 supporters to the replay at Somerton Park two weeks later - but County won 3-0 and went on to lose to Merthyr Tydfil in the Final in May 1987. Do you remember this game? Do you have any recollections or photos? Please let us know with by twitter, facebook or by email to aberystwythtownfc@gmail.com. JD Welsh Premier League
Saturday 10th March Newtown 0-1 Aberystwyth Town Aberystwyth Town produced a textbook away performance to take home all three points in the mid-Wales derby at Latham Park on Saturday afternoon. Joe Phillips’ 61st minute goal was enough to see Aber to victory on an excellent afternoon for Nev Powell’s side; who managed to restrict the hosts to few half-chances whilst creating several golden opportunities on the counter attack, in a victory that sees them climb to within three points of the Robins in the JD Welsh Premier League. Aber manager Nev Powell made two changes to the starting eleven that beat Carmarthen in the JD Welsh Cup on Tuesday evening, as Luke Borrelli and Craig Hobson replaced Declan Walker and Ryan Wade. New signing Kurt Sherlock also made his first appearance for the Seasiders, as he started on the substitutes bench alongside fellow newcomer Sam Kersh. The game started at a rather lethargic tempo, with both sides evidently feeling the effects of their Tuesday night exertions in the Welsh Cup, and the first attempt registered was not until the 15th minute when Ryan Kershaw lashed his volley wide of the mark. Both sides continued to struggle offensively as the first half wore on, with Craig Hobson’s penalty appeal the only excitement Aber’s travelling supporters had to shout about. But at the other end, makeshift right-back Luke Borrelli, along with Ashley Young, Ryan Wollacott and Matthew Jones were marshalling the defence superbly, giving the Robins minimal time and space to manoeuvre an opportunity. Luke Boundford appeared to be the hosts’ biggest threat in the opening 30 minutes, as his long throws reached the six-yard box, only to be headed clear by Aber’s colossal defenders. On 36 minutes came the half’s clearest opportunity, as Tom Owens pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area before seeing his goal-bound shot deflected inches wide of the post. From the resulting corner kick, another goalmouth scramble ensued, and Hobson somehow saw his poked effort blocked on the goal line. As the first half ended, Aber continued to defend in a structured and organised manner, and it became evident that the Robins were growing increasingly frustrated. The second half began in much brighter fashion, as Aber immediately went on the attack, earning a succession of corners – from one of which Hobson tested Dave Jones in the Newtown goal with a tame effort. Soon after, the hosts had their best chance of the game as Neil Mitchell played in Luke Boundford, who slid his side-footed shot narrowly wide of Chris Mullock’s far post. Despite that lucky escape, the visitors began to look more and more threatening with the pace of John Owen and Joe Phillips causing mayhem in the hosts’ defence. On 52 minutes, Phillips found himself in on goal after Malcolm Melvin’s inch perfect pass, but his attempted lob was excellently saved by Jones in goal. But soon after, the starman playing on Aber’s right proved that his feet are indeed dynamite, as he cut inside from the left flank and unleashed a superb curling effort into the bottom corner to give Aber a precious 1-0 lead. Town’s supporters suddenly found their voices, as they urged their team on to victory once more. On 70 minutes, Newtown introduced Jay Denny and Ethan Jones in search of an equalising goal, but captain fantastic Ashley Young was kicking and heading everything away in admirable fashion for Nev Powell’s side as they began to batten down the hatches for the final 15 minutes. As Newtown pushed further forwards, Aber looked increasingly threatening on the break and John Owen could have doubled Town’s lead on 76 minutes as he closed in on goal before seeing his chipped attempt saved by Jones once more. The hosts continued to huff and puff without blowing Aber’s house down, and their half-hearted penalty appeal was waved away on 87 minutes as Chris Mullock produced a perfectly timed tackle in the penalty area to deny Ethan Jones a certain goal-scoring chance. New signing Sherlock was introduced in the closing stages in place of Hobson, who yet again worked tirelessly to lead the front line for the visitors, and the substitute very nearly got his debut goal as he raced through on goal before seeing his half volley drift wide of the post. As the game entered stoppage time, Aber defended like beavers with every single player putting their bodies on the line to produce a number of vital blocks and interceptions, and in the dying seconds Sherlock very nearly made it the perfect afternoon as his long-range effort dipped inches wide of Dave Jones’ post. From the resulting goal kick, the referee’s full-time whistle blew much to the relief of the joyous Aber players and supporters, who celebrated together at the end of the game, knowing that it was three massive points gained on the road for Nev Powell’s side. With that victory, Aber have now extended their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions and have lost just once in their last nine games; six of those games being away from home. Manager Powell will also be delighted with the clean sheet his defence were able to protect, as Town now turn their attentions to their JD Welsh Premier League clash with Barry Town United at Park Avenue on March 24th. Eagle eyed Black and Greens followers will have spotted a new name on Aber's teamsheet for Tuesday night's Welsh Cup Quarter Final at Carmarthen, as young Centre Back Sam Kersh was named as a substitute for the first time since he joined the Club in January. Although he has been impressing in training for almost two months, 23 year old Sam's international clearance only came through in late February and he made his first appearance on a teamsheet this week. Most recently playing in the USA for California State University in Los Angeles, Sam was previously with Burscough Dynamos in the North West, and he has recently returned from the States to his roots in Liverpool. He will wear shirt number 3. Everyone at the Club welcomes Sam to Park Avenue and we look forward to seeing him play soon! |
Gem Nesaf
|
Ebost / Email: AberTownFC@live.co.uk
|
© 2024 Aberystwyth Town Football Club. All Rights Reserved
|
Cyfeiriad / Address: ATFC Ltd, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, SY23 1PG.
|