Jamie Reed became a Cymru Premier centurion to help Aberystwyth see off a disjointed Cefn Druids at the Rock.
The veteran striker struck his 99th and 100th goals in the league to condemn his former club to a third straight defeat.
Aber legend Geoff Kellaway also made his 350th Cymru Leagues appearance.
The Druids suffer their third consecutive defeat meanwhile Aberystwyth stop their rot of three losses in a row to move up to ninth.
The game started with a flurry of chances for both sides. Naim Arsan again playing in an unusual right wing position was proving a nuisance cutting inside and curled an effort just over Connor Roberts’ goal before minutes later firing straight at the keeper from a good chance in the box.
Surprisingly Lee Jenkins was Aberystwyth’s main man. First seeing his header from a corner saved and then having his surging run into the box come to nothing with his first time volley straight into the hands of Mike Jones.
The game died down after a frantic opening ten minutes. Both sides battled to control the midfield but chances were few and far between. The Seasiders defence in particular was proving difficult to penetrate. Druids’ striker Niall Flint found himself in more offside than onside positions in the first half.
Aberystwyth began to push for the opening goal and just after the half hour mark Reed almost grabbed his first. Latching onto Jonathan Evans’ header to charge onto goal Reed outmuscled the defender and unleashed a fierce drive. A strong hand by Mike Jones was enough to deny his former teammate.
Captain Marc Williams was the man to make the pressure count with his fifth goal of the campaign. Played through by a wonderful pass by Jamie Veale, the vereran striker was clean through and does not miss from those positions. Aber’s top scorer placed the ball across Mike Jones and nestled the ball into the corner of the net.
Two minutes later Aber made it two. Marc Williams now flowing with confidence controlled the ball well and lobbed the ball over to his strike partner Reed. Reed reeled off the years to grasp onto the chance and with a deft finish made it two in as many minutes.
The tie was over when the visitors added another five minutes after half time. Marc Williams and Jamie Reed combined once more with Williams slipping Reed through down the middle. The former Cymru Premier winner duly obliged and finished with aplomb for his 100th goal in the league. All three goals had come in a six minute spell either side of half time. An already disjointed Cefn Druids’ performance had fallen apart.
Nothing was going for the home side in what turning out to be an all too familiar story. Ten minutes before the end Josh Green, now playing in midfield, lashed a ball at goal from 20 yards but it was palmed away for Druids’ best effort of the second half. Credit to the Ancients they competed for everything til the final whistle, they were just second best.
Another milestone was reached with Geoff Kellaway’s late introduction for his 350th appearance in the Cymru Leagues. A great occasion for both Reed and Kellaway who between them have represented nine domestic Welsh sides in over 500 appearances. Reed has also won three Cymru Premier titles with Rhyl, Bangor City, and The New Saints.
Cefn Druids: Mike Jones (GK) (C), Naim Arsan, Josh Green (Marshall 84’), Phil Mooney, Aaron Simpson (Pritchard 84’), Ethan Cartwright, Alex Darlington (Smith 78’), Niall Flint (Fuller 78’), Joe Faux (Knight 68’), Steffan Edwards, Charley Edge
Aberystwyth Town: Connor Roberts (GK), Louis Bradford (Davies 88’), Lee Jenkins, Mathew Jones, Jamie Veale, Jon Owen, Marc WIlliams (C), Jonathan Evans (Kellaway 83’), Steven Hewitt, Jack Thorn, Jamie Reed (Owain Jones 78’)
Goals: Williams 42’, Reed 44’ 48’
Yellow cards: Jenkins 24’
(Featured Image: Colin Ewart)
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