Aberystwyth stage three-goal comeback to salvage point against New Saints
Aberystwyth Town 3-1 Barry Town United in the Adran Premier at Park Avenue on the 12th September 2021. Credit: Chris Howells
Aberystwyth Town fought back from three goals down to take a point at home to The New Saints, in what finished in a 3-3 draw in the Genero Adran Premier.
It was a fairly quiet first half at Park Avenue, with Lucie Platt having the only real chance of the game. The number 10 was played through one-on-one with Aber Town goalkeeper Elen Valentine after the ball found its way through the Seasiders’ defence. However, Platt dragged her shot wide, keeping the game goalless.
TNS did find the opener soon after though. A short corner was played into Caitlin Chapman, who’s deflected effort found the top right corner, giving Valentine no chance in the Aber net.
Rebecca Mathias picked up the first yellow of the game after pulling down Lexie Harrison, who caused problems for Aberystwyth throughout the whole game.
Aber Town failed to create any key chances in the first half, and were further punished for it ten minutes before half-time.
The resulting free-kick from Mathias’ yellow card was fired towards goal by Helen Evans, who struck the back post, only to be put away by Lucie Platt from the rebound, to give the visitors a 0-2 lead at the break in Mid-Wales.
Gavin Allen made a substitution at half-time in an attempt to change the game in their favour, with Amy Jenkins replacing Kelly Thomas.
Things would get worse before they got better for Aberystwyth Town, who Chapman securing a brace after tapping home at the back post. Chantelle Teare performed some brilliant footwork to beat two Aber Town defenders, and found Chapman in the box, putting TNS in full control at Park Avenue.
However, just three minutes later Aber were back in the game. After Libby Isaac made way for Tania Wylde in another bid to change the game, a dangerous corner from Gwenllian Jones found Elin Jones, who headed past TNS goalkeeper Sarah Parkes, to give Aber hope going into the last 30 minutes of the game.
Just five minutes later, the Seasiders doubled their tally, and it was the substitute Wylde who made the difference. After a brilliant effort to get to a loose ball first, the winger managed to cross from the right, and found Gwenllian Jones in the middle, who headed home to set up a dramatic finish at Park Avenue.
Immediately after the goal, Wylde nearly made it three for Aber. An ambitious effort from outside the box hit the crossbar, in what would’ve been a goal of the season contender.
TNS were stunned, and began to get frustrated, with Lexie Harrison picking up the visitors’ first yellow card after kicking the ball away from a Aber free-kick.
Greg Draper’s side looked to have seen out the game until stoppage time at the end of the 90, where a dramatic finale would unfold.
Six minutes into additional time, Wylde capped off a brilliant impact from the bench by firing a shot into the bottom left corner past Parkes, to ensure Aber completed their comeback and gained a point on Sunday afternoon.
The New Saints will be disappointed they didn’t come away with all three points after being three goals to the good, however remain in the race with Aberystwyth for the top four.
Aberystwyth Town XI: Valentine, Gwilt, Mathias, Roberts, E. Jones, K. Thomas (Jenkins 46), E. Thomas, Isaac (Wylde 59), Chambers, F. Evans, G. Jones.
Unsused Subs: John, S. Evans
Goalscorers: E. Jones 62, G. Jones 68, Wylde 90+6
Yellow Card: Mathias 30
The New Saints XI: Parkes, B. Lewis, Harrison, Teare, Platt, Lockley, Chapman, H. Evans, Redding, L. Lewis, Williams.
Unused Subs: Rubin, Marshall, Samson, Whitefoot, Ashworth
Goalscorers: Chapman 20, 59 , Platt 34
Yellow Card: Harrison
