Football

Aber boss demands improvement

by Adam Hughes

ABERYSTWYTH Town manager Alan Morgan has demanded a big improvement from his players after they were sent crashing out of the Welsh Cup at home to Port Talbot Town last Saturday.
The Seasiders’ boss pulled no punches when it came to describing their performance, and demanded an immediate response against Airbus UK in the Welsh Premier this weekend.
Aber are currently fourth in the table, and Morgan has warned that there will be no room for complacency as his side focuses their attentions on finishing as high up the league as possible.
“The performance on Saturday was not good enough for me or Aberystwyth Town,” said Morgan. “We had a chat after the game, and made it clear the performance was not acceptable.
“Port Talbot wanted it more, and I cannot accept that from my players, if they are not willing to battle they should not be playing in the side. Only a couple of players had done okay.
“I really hope the defeat has hurt the players as much as it has hurt me, and I am looking for a response in training this week. It was a bad weekend, but now they must bounce back.
“There are only two players already in the team for Saturday, and there are places up for grabs, so I want to see them bouncing in training, and not coming back with their heads still dropped.
“At the end of the day, I know the players will be disappointed with the performance, they are a good bunch of lads and I’m sure that they will now be very determined to make a response.”
The Seasiders go to Broughton this weekend looking to keep pace with the leading pack, but they will also be wary of a 3-0 defeat at home against the Wingmakers earlier in the season.
“We’re still in a good position in the league, but it is your position at the end of April that matters, and I wont let the season just fizzle away,” said Morgan.
“Airbus play good football and have games in hand on the sides above them, they have given the top sides a game this season, and their win in Aber will be in the back of the players’ minds.”
The Aberystwyth manager has meanwhile confirmed that recent addition Joel Richardson will be ruled out for the rest of the season after the defender suffered a broken metatarsal.
“Joel had done well in his first two games for us, and he has been patient, but he’ll now be out for the season,” Morgan said.
However, the Seasiders’ manager has brought in another former Tranmere Reserves player in talented midfielder Ryan Fraughan, and he went straight into the side against Port Talbot.
Fraughan had been awarded the number 20 shirt in this season’s first team squad at Prenton Park, where Morgan is an Academy coach, having been with Tranmere since the age of 14.
Already this season he had made one first team start and a further five substitute appearances. He is an attacking midfielder, who can play up front.
Meanwhile Aber welcome back loan signing Connall Murtagh this weekend after he missed the Welsh Cup game on Saturday.