Aberystwyth Town Cup: We Hate Ben 4-0 ATFC Lions

We Hate Ben started the cup campaign with an excellent team performance which saw them run out 4-0 winners, with the scoreline maybe an understatement of the clubs performance.

WHB lined up in a 4-4-2 formation and despite a weakened side due to injuries, looked comfortable throughout and will be pleased to make the next stage of the tournament.

New goalkeeper Nathan Leach looked solid between the posts, while a somewhat makeshift back line of Danny Shaw, Adam Smith, stand-in captain Chris Webster and Dave Norbury performed admirably, and despite one or two nervy moments never looked like being breached. The midfield four of Adam Roberts, Jack Thomas, Matt Davies and Matt Sermon were strong and good going forward, particularly down the right-hand side. A somewhat disappointing Hywel Williams, made more so by the hat-trick scored by fellow striker James Peate had a few shots, but were mainly created from nothing.

Peate opened the scoring in the first half with great control and sterling finish to poke the ball past the oncoming goalkeeper, while the second scored by Jack Thomas, was a tad fortunate as it crept through the goalkeepers legs but it showed the dominance and determination of the side in the first half.

A forced change was made as Shaw was replaced by Matt L'argent at half-time, but the rhythm of the side continued as Peate added two more strikes to make the lead comfortable. Peate was denied another scoring opportunity when the ATFC Lions 'keeper rushed out of his box to claim the ball, but instead brought down the striker. The referee who had a decent game, had no choice but to send him off but the resulting freekick was wasted. Three more substitutions in the second half saw Jose Scott, Alex MacDonald and Cei Whitehouse come on, with the foremost having a strike rebound off the angle before the sending off.

Returning manager James Naik, who is currently on caretaker duty had this to say after the match. "A pleasing all round performance by the team despite the fact that of the fifteen named today, four were making their debuts, one was returning after a year away and three players had had about five substitute appearances between them. I am most impressed by the cohesion between the players despite this fact and it was great to see the three starting debutantes having excellent games, Chris Webster standing in as captain and having a blinder and Jack Thomas and James Peate among the goals. However, even though I mention these names do not take anything away from the fact that this was not about individuals, it was a fantastic team effort. We have shown now that we mean business and we must keep up this level of performance as we are there to be shot at."

Team (4-4-2)

Leach - Shaw, Smith, Webster, Norbury - Roberts, J. Thomas, M. Davies, Sermon - Williams, Peate.

Subs: (used) L'argent, MacDonald, Scott, Whitehouse (unused) None.

Goals: Peate 3, J. Thomas.

Man of the match: Smith