Aberystwyth Town 3-1 Cefn Druids: First-half romp sees ten-men Aber prevail
A fantastic first-half performance from Aberystwyth was enough to see them beat Cefn Druids 3-1 at Park Avenue.
They were 2-0 up within seven minutes thanks to goals from John Owen and a Mathew Jones penalty before Louis Bradford added a third.
Alex Darlington pulled one back for the Druids turning in the rebound after Connor Roberts saved his initial penalty.
Seconds later the Seasiders were down to 10 men as Roberts was given his marching orders for his protests to the ref.
The win sees Aberystwyth leapfrog Newtown into eighth place going into phase two.
Although Cefn Druids got the game underway it was Aberystwyth who were quickest out of the gate at Park Avenue.
Within a minute they had their first shot as Owain Jones sent a volley from the edge of the box over the crossbar.
They caused problems down the flanks and that’s precisely how they got their first goal on three minutes.
A cross from the right was flicked on by Lee Jenkins into the path of John Owen who volleyed home from close range.
Aber didn’t bask in the glory of their early goal instead they pressed hard for a second.
They didn’t have to wait long as Harry Franklin was fouled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.
Mathew Jones stepped up and fired it into the bottom corner sending Mike Jones the wrong way.
An injury to Ben Barratt midway through the first half gave the Druids staff a chance to organise their side, who were on the receiving end of a bombardment of Aber attacks.
The visitors were able to grow into the game as the half progressed but failed to challenge Connor Roberts in the Aber goal.
Aberystwyth’s pressure continued and they had a third on 25 minutes.
Louis Bradford was on hand to turn in a rebound whilst the ref played advantage for handball to put the Seasiders three goals to the good.
Aber started the second half much like the first, but Cefn Druids were more involved in the game.
They caused problems down their left-wing through Naim Arsan and half time substitute Charley Edge
Edge was their biggest threat as he forced Roberts into making two great saves.
Six minute from time, the Druids were awarded a penalty for a late tackle by Roberts.
Darlington stepped up to take the penalty, Roberts did well to save but Darlington reacted quickest to tap in the rebound uncontested.
In the aftermath of the goal Roberts protested to the ref and was given a straight red card. Alex Pennock replaced him between the sticks.
Druids threw the kitchen sink at Aberystwyth in the final 10 minutes, they sent the big centre-half Jacob Wise as a makeshift target man.
But for all their pressure and having a man less the home defence stood strong and held onto their two-goal lead.
Aberystwyth Town: Connor Roberts (Alex Pennock, 84), Louis Bradford, Lee Jenkins, Harry Franklin, Mathew Jones, Jamie Veale, Jon Owen, Jonathan Evans, Owain Jones (Steven Hewitt, 77’), Jack Thorn, Jack Rimmer.
Goals: John Owen 3’ Mathew Jones PEN 7’, Louis Bradford 25’
Red Cards: Connor Roberts 84’
Yellow Cards: Owain Jones 51’, Harry Franklin 54’ Lee Jenkins 72’ Jamie Veale 82’ Jack Rimmer 90+5’
Cefn Druids: Mike Jones, Naim Arsan, Phil Mooney, Ethan Cartwright, Sam Phillips (Harry Fuller, 77), Niall Flint, Ben Barratt (Jacob Wise, 18), Jake Taylor (Alex Darlington, 77), Kieran Smith (Charley Edge, 46), Ryan Kershaw, Stefan Edwards.
Goals: Alex Darlington 84’
Yellow Cards: Sam Phillips 32’, Ryan Kershaw 45+1’, Phil Mooney 72’ Mike Jones 72’ Charley Edge 77’
