Aberystwyth Town survive the drop in dramatic style as Flint Town United are relegated
Aberystwyth Town 2-1 Barry Town United in the JD Cymru Premier at Park Avenue on the 14th August. Credit: Colin Ewart
Aberystwyth Town claimed a huge victory at Park Avenue against Caernarfon Town to retain their status as a Cymru Premier club on the last day of the season.
The Seasiders started the day in the relegation zone and remained in the bottom two until the last ten minutes of the game.
Despite Aber trying to get on the front foot early on, it was Caernarfon who took the lead with their first attack of the game. A brilliant cross by Darren Thomas found Rob Hughes at the back post, who placed a brilliant shot into the bottom left corner to put the Cofis ahead.
With Flint Town United taking the lead early on against Pontypridd United in South Wales, it was all going wrong for Anthony Williams’ side.
However, the whole scenario changed in the ten minutes before halftime. A Pontypridd equaliser was followed by an equaliser for Aberystwyth.
It was Harry Arnison who levelled the scoring for the Seasiders. The midfielder headed home after a clearance was sent into a dangerous area, which gave Aber a needed equaliser.
Just when it looked as though it was all going well for Aber going into the break, Caernarfon struck back once again to take the lead.
This time it was Laurie Bell. A corner was finished by Bell to put the Canaries in the lead once again, in what was a huge blow for Aber.
Going into the second half, Aber were doing everything they could to get back into the game.
After a goalmouth scramble, Aberystwyth eventually found a deserved equaliser through former Flint man Mark Cadwallader, who eventually headed home from close range to give Aber hope.
With Pontypridd turning the game around against Flint to take the lead, it was a nervy ending to the game with Aberystwyth finally moving out of the relegation zone with ten minutes left to play.
It would be enough for Aber. However, they were not done there, as Niall Flint headed in at the back post from a Sam Litchfield header to give Aber all three points at Park Avenue with just seconds remaining.
Most importantly, they retain their status as a Cymru Premier League club, ensuring top-flight football remains prevalent in Central Wales.
It means Flint Town United and Airbus Broughton are relegated from the Cymru Premier, and will be playing second-tier Welsh football next season.
Aberystwyth Town XI: Turner (GK); Bradford, Litchfield, Walsh (Davies 76), Kirkman; Thorn ©, Lewis, Flint, Arnison, Darlington (Evans 80); Cadwallader.
Unused Subs: Owen, Allen, Edge, Horwood, Pridmore.
Goalscorers: Arnison 39, Cadwallader 55, Flint 90+3
Yellow Cards: Arnison 86, Davies 90+3
Caernarfon Town XI: Woods (GK); Williams, Bell, Bradley (Griffith 90+2), Gosset; Thomas (Evans 63), Hughes (Faux 46), Edwards ©, Simpson, Wynne (Williams 88), Powell Roberts.
Unused Subs: Tibbetts, Donohue, Marsh-Hughes
Goalscorer: Hughes 2, Bell 45+1
Yellow Cards: Bell 17, Thomas 41, Faux 90+2
Attendance: 1120
