Newtown
Just Out Of Interest, Are There Any Other Aber Town Players
That Take Your Fancy? Please, Take Your Pick!
LOW
29/01/97 Aberystwyth Town 1-0 Newtown
So, Surrey Dave turns to me with the score at 0-0 with eight mins left and
says, resigned, "You know what's gonna happen don't you?". Well, what
happened was this. From a corner the ball bings around until it reaches
Gav Allen who trips up on it and the keeper dives over the ball and it's
a goal, the despairing Newtown defence can do nothing. My Polos end up on
the other side of the fence, my pen on the floor and my throat caises
(causes) me agony for the rest of the night. BUT IT IS WORTH IT. This game
didn't produce many clear chances, the defences stayed resolutely on top in
spite of some neat build up play from both teams. Jonathan Williams was
ineffective for Newtown but the one who went the other way, John Morris,
played like a demon as part of an excellent Aber defence who, when breached,
could rely on K to make two superb stops. Prior to the game me and the Surrey
chap bought our Aber tops (made in England) and Andy fell over in a heap of
mud, leaving us time to decide that Malcolm Allen was the man we would least
like to mess with. But back to the match. The crowd was high, though today's
Western Mail will not say how high because they are like that. Newtown wore
yellow and blue with the white shorts and socks and looked really crap compared
to their much nicer red affair. In general terms Aber needed this win as
they had started to fall down the table again but Newtown are now drifting away
from a European place following their exit from the cup at the hands of
Maesteg Park and will regret not taking the points home with them.
J.D.Smalldon Jan 1997
Gilbert League Cup Second Round Second Leg
10/12/96 Aberystwyth Town 1-4 Newtown (1-5 Agg)
Well at least Kevin Morrison didn't score!
Gilbert League Cup Second Round First Leg
12/11/96 Newtown 1-1 Aberystwyth Town
Amid the hack of a myriad of unseen late challenges, leading elbows
and shoddy refereeing, there was actually an exciting football match
played. A match in which two teams, neither at full strength,
struggled to take advantage of the chances that came their way. For
Aber, Jonathan and Steven Williams both appeared on the team-sheet
(Jonathan played like a demon, Steven kept the bench warm) and
Harrison and McNeil stayed at home. Newtown gave Kevin Morrison his
first First Team start and it was his controversial goal (the
linesman flagged late to say the ball had crossed the line)(THIS WAS
BECAUSE THE LINESMAN DIDN'T HAVE A CLUE WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND BECAUSE
THE BALL HADN'T CROSSED THE LINE Ed.) that gave Newtown the lead in
the second half. It was surprising that they had to wait so long as
they had had all the early attacks, and looked the fastest to the ball.
Still, the best chance fell to the Seasiders, as Gavin Allen charged
through on goal, attempted to flick the ball past the outcoming
Barton who blantantly handled the ball outside the area whilst the ref
(crap crap crap, Beven of Wrexham) waved play blindly on. The game
was played at speed, although there was skill and chances in
abundance. Aber drew level through a lob from Wyn"Yup, goal at last"
Thomas who had earlier had a couple of shots from distance saved. The
crowd was not as high as for the league encounter earlier in the
season, but there was enough noise made (those obnoxious oiks were
there again) to keep it interesting. Alison was in attendance and she
described the game as "like Terry Pratchett had scripted it".
J.D. Smalldon Nov 1996
LOW
3.9.96 Newtown 2-1 Aberyswyth Town
The Mid-Wales road yields many League of Wales teams: Welshpool, Newtown,
Caersws and Aber Town. Top of the bunch, by a mile, are Newtown. The money
from Europe has converted dreary Latham Park iinto the efficient Big T
Latham Park. The team are now sponsored, have a decent kit and a massive
support (in comparison to the size of the town). Compared to the open
field of Welshpool, which we visited on the way, it is obvious which direction
is the future. And, on the playing side, they disposed of Aber Town today
with a relish that should have yielded an unasailable lead by half time. The
Robins took the lead after ten minutes, a well taken header past "Steve
Kinnermouth"[sic]. The Aber defence looked ragged. Peter James and Rhodri
Thomas lunged rather than tackled. Griffiths and Harrison in the midfield
ran around a lot but acheived little, Harrison was dead by the second half.
A half which saw Aber restore some pride through an equaliser (a scramble
after a corner, which Gavin Allen claimed) before finally rolling over in
the face of wave after wave of all-red attacks in the final quarter of the
match. as always,there is potential in this youthful Aber team. They need
an old head in defence and midfield, rumours say Aizlewood may still come,
and a more productive attacking unit. Gareth James is out for most of the
season. But the messiah is back in training, so we may soon have Damian
Burke's name back on the team sheet. So, the future is bright for Newtown,
they may even challenge Barry, but for Aber it is a misty, uncertain time
ahead
J.D.Smalldon Sep 1996
