Welsh Cup 3rd Rd
22.11.97 Porthcawl Town 3-4 Aberystwyth Town
Porthcawl lost 2-0 to Aberystwyth in the quarter final here last year after putting up some strong defence and excellent counter attacking. This year, the result was closer, and for much of the match they were in the lead and were holding out, tenaciously, at the back. Aberystwyth, reverting back to black shorts and socks, made three changes to the team that were degraded in Porth, namely Andy Evans, Leigh Vick and John Morris OUT!, and Wyn Thomas, Glyndwr Hughes and Hadyn Fleming IN!. The dropping of Andy Evans and his subsequent introduction to the game was to be the decisive act of the game, perhaps the first time that an Appleton thought has actually worked on the field this season.
Before the game, we four happy and inadequate footballers made use of the mud drenched goal about two pitch lenghths away from the Porthcawl 'ground' which is still an open field with a see through fence. Andy fell over twice and Dave kept complaining about all those missed chances, something he would continue to do during the game. We got back well in time for kick off and squeezed into the Porthcawl bar thing to nab the beverages. The crowd was smaller than for last year's encounter, but the Porthcawl fans made a bit more noise this time around.
After a good opening ten minutes for Aber, they began to lose their shape and it was not totally surprising that Porthcawl should score from a cross from the right which was not dealt with in the middle. They would do this twice more in the match. So, eighteen minutes gone and Aber looked shell-shocked. Their attacks lacked direction and the ultimate sign of panic, the central defence launching them forward with no sense of direction was already in evidence. However, Aber still managed an equaliser
on thirty minutes, this time a goal from a determined Martyn Griffiths. But it was Porthcawl who went in ahead thanks to another cross from the right, this time a free kick that was powerfully headed, although K. had committed the cardinal sin and come out and not got, thus the goal was rather undefended.
At half time, we watched a moment or two of the Scotland v Australia rugger and reflected on such matters as the meaning of life, what it's all about, that sort of thing. Strangely, no one wanted to discuss the fact that we were 2-1 to a side not exactly setting the division below us alight. Granted, through Philip Lyons they had a strong method of counter attack and Jason Brown and Andrew Richards were excellent at the back, but the fact remains that Aber were still not firing on all cylinders, and a total humiliation was more than just a possibility.
I can't remember when Andy Evans came on, but for the entirity of the second half, Aber attacked and every time they were frustrated by a well marshalled defence playing out of their skins. But the man himself, whom I have ridiculed, mocked, questioned his parentage, proved his worth today by a bravura performance that even outshone that of Conwy. He ran, his headers
worked and he scored from a Glyndwr Hughes cross on seventy four minutes to tie it all up. The crowd, most of them from Aber, cheered like demons released, but the real drama was yet to come.
Aber's attack did not let up, Dai Parry worked hard, Martyn Griffiths joined him and Gavin Allen and Andy Evans struggled to break the deadlock, and every time they were repelled. It took until the eighty eighth minute before the visitors took the lead, again it was Andy Evans and this time Tomsky and Andy (Richley) attempted a version of "There's Only One Andy Evans" but, as they started at different times, their attempts at harmony were sadly lacking. BUT! it was not over yet. Porthcawl surged downfield,
crossed from the right and the ball shot into the net, via the boot of a I don't know who, but their fans made a heck of a lot of noise celebrating, and were still cheering when I heard Andy yell "Glyn's gone big" and sure enough, he had. The ball at his feet, just the keeper to beat and in the ninetieth minute of the match, Aberystwyth sealed it.
They interviewed Glyndwr after the match, cos the cameras had recorded every detail. I suspect it was rather Python-esque. We all fell back into the car, with huge grins on our faces, rather forgetting the fact that it was Porthcawl we had just struggled to beat. The Harris Printers boys, for that is what they still are, were unlucky to lose, but their chance for victory came not from their own prowess, but with the assistance of the self destructing Aber lads.
JDS Nov 97
Semi-Final
12.04.97 Aberystwyth Town 0-2 Cwmbran Town
Like the paper said on the matchday, we had support, but Cwmbran
had history.
Quarter-Final
09.02.97 Porthcawl Town 0-2 Aberystwyth Town
The radio said it was cos of a certain Gwynfor [sic] Hughes and a Mr Mark
Aizelwood that the scoreline shows a comfortable(ish) Green and Black
victory. Wales on Sunday said the visitors had to overcome tremendous
pressure. Both are true.
This was the greatest day in the history of Porthcawl Town FC and to mark
the occasion, 200+ Aberystwyth supporters turned up, dreaming of the
potential gate a semi at Park Avenue would generate. Porthcawl managed
about 100 people of their own from a seaside resort the word "sleepy" was
invented to describe.
The game was standard cup fayre; Porthcawl raised their game to an extant
that they played better than Penycae and Bridgend Town and threatened
quite a lot. However, the Aber defence, marshalled by a strapped up Aizer held
firm throughout, the boys in natty white and red having only two or three
close in chances. Nigel Nicholas left the field of play early, injuries
still plaguing him, and was replaced by Steven Williams who played like
a man possessed by angels throughout. Malcolm Allen showed some nice touched
again but failed to win the ball on numerous occasions which left a gap
in the Aber midfield which was exploited by Porthcawl until Glyndwr replaced
him on the hour.
By this stage Aber were 1-0, a Martyn Griffiths header on 43 minutes, from
a Dai Blair cross having settled the real Seasiders' nerves. Glyndwr
with almost his first burst of the game charged through and set Matthew "Hunted
by League Clubs" Harrison up for the cup. Aber had a few breaks towards
the end but seemed content to defend deep, safe in the knowledge that K
was in tip top form again.
So Aber progress, Porthcawl are not the future of Welsh football yet, though
they do have a large financial clout. Their tiny support on such an important
day is an indicator that a lot more needs to be done by the Harris brothers
in order to fulfill their dreams for the side.
Jon Smalldon Feb 1997
Fourth Rd Replay
22.01.97 Ebbw Vale 1-2 Aberystwyth Town
Through the rain and the fog, similar to last week's disappointment, to
the rugby ground in Ebbw Vale to discover a pool table with cues, oh and
a
football match. Ebbw Vale boast one of the meanest home defences anywhere
and play in yellow and black in spite of the stewards' attempts to convince
us of the amber nature of said kit. Perhaps they want to make Lindon Jones
(who I am sure played for Newport "The Exiles" AFC) feel at home. Well, no
need, as his team lost tonight, although they had most of the pressure.
Appy believes that this counter attacking system he has worked out is the
thing, and with the arrival of MALCOLM ALLEN (even made the radio news) on
Saturday, this powering the ball through midfield might just do the trick.
Gav and Ry both played a lot deeper than normal, the defence looked more
secure, never bottling like earlier in the season. The Ebbw system involved
some pretty impressive passing moves, but there was the Keyser in goal. The
man K, made at least six goal stopping saves and looked competent on crosses
throughout. Included among the shots was a stunner of low down quick reflex
block of a close in header. Aber had three first class chances and a half
chance, despite the good build up play (someone should recommend Dai Blair
learns how to cross a little more accurately). Glyndwr Hughes got the first
after ten minutes, a tap in from a millimetre after good work from the man
Nicholls. Then, only seventy eight minutes later and not at all nerve wracking,
oh no, Ryan made it 2-0 after toying with the defence for chuckles. In
injury time those valley boys pulled one back and had pressure aplenty until
the very end. A biting nails kinda cup tie for which we stood on the terrace
bank that runs along the far side of the pitch. Both teams will say they
deserved to win, the Vale fans will be disappointed about losing to Aber,
especially at home. But, who cares? Next, it's back to league action with the
arrival at Coedlan y Parc of Connah's Quay, one of the teams who put four
past Aber earlier this season. FORZA ABERYSTWYTH!
J.D.Smalldon Jan 1997
3rd Round
16.11.96 Bridgend Town 0-1 Aberystwyth Town
Glyndwr Hughes 26'
That really was about it. This was a totally uninspired performance by
Aber, who allowed themselves to be outplayed by a Bridgend Town team
that was nowhere hear as good as Aber, although Bridgend did raise
their game amazingly well. This game was dire. The pitch was terrible,
it was damp, misty and drizzling, and in the second half the
floodlights were so good that you couldn't see the other side of the
pitch. Thak God we won, is about all I can say!
A.J. Richley Nov 1996 (In lieu of Mr J.D. Smalldon)
2nd Round
13.10.96 Aberystwyth Town 9-0 Penycae
Hughes 23'
Harrison 44'
Nicholls 60'
Nicholls 63'
Allen 70'
Allen 76'
Harrison 80'
Griffiths 83'
Allen 86'
This was a rousing performance by Aber. This game was a wonderful lift for
the team after they had lost midweek to Llansantffraid. In the second half
they were truly awesome, and it was only a brave performance by the young
Penycae 'keeper that kept the scoreline in single figures. The Cymru Alliance
side visibly tired in the second half, and the flood gates opened.
Gavin Allen completed his hat-trick by lobbing exquisitely over the 'keeper
and it was good to see him regain his confidence as the game went on.
There's not really much else I can say about this game, Ryan Nicholls should
have had a hat-trick as well, but Griff took the ball off his toe to put
his name on the scoresheet. Captain's perogative I suppose, although Ryan
didn't look too amused!
This was a complete performance from the Aber lads. Lets hope that it boosts
their confidence enough for us to get something from the game with Barry
next Saturday.
A.J.Richley Oct 1996 (Because 'Daventry Jon' couldn't be bothered to write it himself!)
