Spar Mid Wales League Division 1
Aberaeron 1 Rhayader 0
Aberaeron put a huge dent in the title ambitions of league leaders Rhayader Town after they beat them on their own turf.
This win for Jason Jones and his men, which was arguably their best of the season has given second placed side Berriew a chance to overtake the leaders if they win their game in hand.
The seagulls arrived full of confidence having had three wins on the bounce but it was the home team who started brightly with good interplay, however Aberaeron began to stamp their authority and they created some very good opportunities with a Gareth Severs weaving run and shot and then Matty Davies and David Evans combined for a very good move that saw Gareth Lewis shoot narrowly wide.
The black and ambers stuck to their task well after the break and were the dominant team, creating good opportunities again. Sion Clark at centre half was a towering figure with ‘stand-in’ sweeper Ryan Jones putting in a man of the match performance with excellent positional play, great interceptions and a superb ariel dominance.
The visitors grew stronger and stronger with their midfield trio of Mikey Gornall, James Hemmings and Dan James dominating their battles whilst the lively David Evans was a willing runner creating numerous openings. The two strikers, Matty Davies and Gareth Severs, worked their socks off, not allowing the home defence a moment’s respite and continuing to create good openings. The dominant spell eventually saw a Severs corner cleverly steered towards goal by Davies to find James Hemmings who tapped the ball home from close range.
This goal turned out to be the winner but had it not been for the heroics of keeper Barry Edwards in goal who dealt confidently with some dangerous high crosses and made a couple of very smart saves towards the end it might have been a different story.
Matty Davies was forced to leave the pitch with a very nasty bruise on his calf and substitute Jamie Butler in an unfamiliar role made an instant impact and hit the upright and set up two golden opportunities for the team. Aberaeron after an outstanding effort created the clearer opportunities and came away deserved victors in the end.
Manager Jones speaking after the game said :”We knew this would be a tough game from the start, but as I keep telling the lads that when were on it we were capable of beating anyone in this league!
“All the pressure was on them and the game plan was to take the play to them and to be hard to break down. I’m really pleased with how we played and I think we showed a bit of everything and fully deserved the win.
“That was a proper team effort with some outstanding performers in particular our centre backs who were top class especially our skipper Ryan Jones who was immense.”
There was no joy for Bow Street away at Welshpool as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat with Ricky Litchfield and Will Pritchard grabbing the goals for the hosts.
