Aberystwyth Town Cup: WHB 0-3 Abertina

We Hate Ben’s cup run came to an end after a 3-0 defeat to a much improved Abertina side. WHB were without regular starters Jay Walker and James Phillips as both of which started from the bench. The superb Tim Dulson was also unavailable which gave Norwegian Tom Svendsen a chance in goal. A much shuffled defence saw Chris Webster feature at right-back for the first time three years, and Stuart Fleming given a start up front with Jordan Watkins.

Pre-kick off, a minute's silence was impeccably observed in memory of Welsh legend Gary Speed, who died at the age of 42 this week. Abertina started the first half brightly, with their Greek striker playing right off the shoulder of the WHB centre-backs, seeing him caught offside on numerous occasions. However, despite this tendency to drift offside, he managed to break the offside trap to break the deadlock, as a through ball was not cut out and he was allowed a clean run through on goal to duly slot past Svendsen. Despite going behind early, WHB had a few glimpses of goal, with Rhys Jones making a number of surging runs down the right flank, and was unlucky not to have any of his crosses converted. The match remained in the balance, and snap shots from both Jack Kelly and Ryan Muir flew agonisingly past both posts; and WHB keeper Tom Svendsen making an excellent one on one save at the other end. The match looked likely to go into half time at 1-0, until Abertina doubled their lead with a dubious goal scored from a set-piece. Abertina delivered an inswinging corner, which Bridgman headed away, only as far as an Abertina forward who controlled with his arm, swivelled, and knocked the ball back into the danger zone; where the ball was scrambled into the back of the net after Jones and Svendsen kept out the first two attempts. The sides went into the break with WHB trailing 2-0.

At the interval Jay Walker was introduced for Dan Johnson. Walker was as energetic as usual, hounding down the opposition players; which added another dimension to the WHB side, who looked an improved outfit after the break. WHB managed to create a number of excellent chances, with Watkins shooting just wide, and Muir producing an excellent stop from the Abertina keeper. At the other end, Svendsen continued to impress in goal, doing well to parry a long range effort from an Abertina midfielder. The WHB defence was continually shuffled throughout the second half, with James Phillips coming on at right back, and Chris Webster going off with a slight injury. With the score at 2-0, the game looked an even affair, with Phillips shooting just over after collecting a cleared corner, and Abertina continued to show frailties in defence. However, a moment of madness, in an otherwise impressive game, from skipper Rhys Jones cost WHB a third, as a pass back to the keeper was intercepted, leaving the striker with the simplest of finishes.

The result ensured that Abertina continue through to the next round of the cup, whilst WHB drop into the Consolation Cup for the second time. The club will hope to go one further than the semi-final they reached last season.

Team (4-4-2): Svendsen – Webster, Davies, Bridgman, Kelly – R. Jones, Fellows, Muir, Ingham – Fleming, Watkins.
Subs: Phillips, Amos, Robertson, Walker, Johnson, M. Jones, McIlhiney.
Goals: None
MOTM: R.Jones