Aberystwyth’s left it late to defeat their Mid Wales rivals Newtown at Park Avenue in the JD Cymru Premier.
Harry Franklin’s 77th-minute chip was the only goal of the game as Gavin Allen’s side won their second game out of the four they’ve played since the return.
Newtown played with a man light for a majority of the second-half after Tyrone Ofori was sent off.
The Robins were also made to rue a missed penalty as Connor Roberts saved Alex Fletcher’s effort in the late stages of the match.
Aberystwyth overtake Cardiff Met and move up to ninth and are just three points off of Newtown after the win.
The visitors were the more dominant side during the first ten minutes of the game with Chris Hughes’ men retaining most of the ball, though they received the first booking of the match with James O’Neill being booked after a crunching tackle on veteran striker Jamie Reed within the first 60 seconds of the game.
Aber starting growing more into the game as the early stages of the first half went on. A free kick for the hosts ended up hitting the wall before being easily dealt with Robins’ shot-stopper Jones.
A golden chance came in the 22nd minute for Newtown as Jordan Evans looked to be ready to line up a shot, but the ball scuffs off of his foot it bobbles over the crossbar.
Only minutes later the hosts had a chance of their own, Reed cuts back the ball to Owain Jones who’s shot is blocked while the corner that came from it saw Harry Franklin shoot wide from close range.
Newtown had a very good chance to open the score just before half time. A pass from former Shrewsbury man Lifumpa Mwandwe finds striker Tyrone Ofori who’s strike is fired just over the crossbar, a big let-off for Gavin Allen’s side.
Just before referee Bryn Markham-Jones blew his whistle to signal the end of the first half, appeals from the Aber players for a penalty could be heard, but they were swiftly waved away by the referee.
Newtown had a very inconvenient start to the second half as forward Tyrone Ofori was handed his second yellow card, and his marching orders, after a foul on young Aber defender Lee Jenkins after previously receiving a yellow for catching Seasiders’ captain Marc Williams in the face with his foot.
Another chance came for the hosts in the 65th minute, Marc Williams’ left footed shot from close range was comfortable caught by Dave Jones.
Another chance came for the hosts in the 73rd minute as Lee Jenkins’ attempt is saved incredibly by Dave Jones which was applauded by supporters and officials of both sides.
The opening goal finally came in the 77th minute when a run from Northern Ireland-born midfielder Harry Franklin saw him in the right position to dink Dave Jones to put the hosts 1-0 up late, but Aber were dealt a heart wrenching moment five minutes later as Alex Fletcher was taken down on the edge of the box. But thanks to a brilliant save from Connor Roberts, they Black and Greens could breathe again!
Aberystwyth Town: Connor Roberts (GK), Louis Bradford, Lee Jenkins, Harry Franklin, Mathew Jones, Jamie Veale, Marc Williams, (C) Owain Jones (Jon Owen, 70′), Jack Thorn, Jamie Reed, Jack Rimmer
Goal: Harry Franklin 77′
Yellow cards: Louis Bradford 36′, Owain Jones 43′, Harry Franklin 83′, Jon Owen 90+1′
Newtown: Dave Jones (GK), Jake Kelly, Kieran Mills-Evans, James O’Neill, Jordan Evans (Jamie Breese, 60′), James Davies, Craig Williams (C) (Jonathan Letford, 81′), Tyrone Ofori, George Hughes, Alex Fletcher, Lifumpa Mwandwe (Jake Phillips, 60′)
Yellow cards: James O’Neill 1′, Tyrone Ofori 37′ 53′, Alex Fletcher 41′,
Red cards: Tyrone Ofori 53′
See how Aberystwyth Town claimed a win over their Mid Wales rivals below:
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