Newtown edge past Aberystwyth Town as former player is difference maker

Former Aberystwyth Town midfielder Mathew Jones volleyed home a stunning second-half strike for Newtown last night, to send the Robins up into 3rd after a 1-0 win against Central Wales rivals Aberystwyth Town at Park Avenue.

It was the visitors who started the brightest and had an early penalty claim waved away by referee Ryan Kenny after Zac Hartley went down under a challenge from Ben Woollam.

Hartley continued to cause problems for Aberystwyth down the left, but the Robins couldn’t make the most of their opportunities in the first half.

Aberystwyth had chances of their own in the first 45. Jack Thorn struck a volley from outside the area, which was heading for the top right corner only to be kept out by Newtown goalkeeper Andrew Wycherley.

In a game hindered by the windy conditions on the West Coast, it would be Newtown who would go on to claim an important three points, after a stunning goal from Jones.

The midfielder, who played over 150 times for Aberystwyth, volleyed home the winner in the 81st minute after the ball was cleared out into the path of Jones, who made no mistake in finding the top right corner.

Newtown held out for all three points, meaning they move above Cardiff Met Uni into 3rd, six points behind Connah’s Quay Nomads.

For Aberystwyth Town, they remain 11th and inside the relegation zone.

Aberystwyth Town XI: D. Jones, Walsh, Woollam, Bradford, H. Owen, Thorn, I. Lewis, Taylor (Kirkman 69), J. Owen (Darlington 83), Hinds, Davies (Cadwallader 83).

Yellow Card: Davies 67

Newtown A.F.C XI: Wycherley, Roberts, Sears, Mills-Evans, Robles, Williams, Cowans, Jones, Hartley (Boakye 73), Hughes, Smith.

Goal: Jones 81

Yellow Card: Wycherley 77

Attendance: 326

(Pic by Nik Mesney/FAW)