Football

Aberystwyth boss rallies support

by Adam Hughes

ABERYSTWYTH Town manager Alan Morgan is hoping that a big crowd will turn out to support his side as they bid to maintain a top three league position at Park Avenue on Friday night.
The Seasiders reclaimed a European qualifying position with a battling win at mid Wales rivals Newtown last weekend, and they go into their clash against Porthmadog in good heart.
Home defeats for Rhyl and Port Talbot Town last Saturday have left Aberystwyth in a strong position to push for a top three finish, behind title-chasing The New Saints and Llanelli.
Yet, Morgan was refusing to get carried away with his side’s high-flying position ahead of successive home games against Porthmadog on Friday night and Bangor City next Tuesday.
“Hopefully we now have enough points to finish in the top 10, which is our first aim, we are now taking each match as it comes, and trying to finish as high as we can,” said Morgan.
“We are not thinking about qualifying for Europe, it’s up to the other teams around us to try and climb above us in the league table, but we are still just trying to keep picking up the points.
“There is no pressure on the players at all, they have done remarkably well and we are not expecting to qualify for Europe like some of the so-called bigger clubs around us in the table.”
Morgan was pleased with the way his side had claimed three points at Newtown, notching up their fourth successive league win, and completing a double over the mid Wales rivals.
The Seasiders are now hoping for good support as they look to complete a league double over third-from-bottom outfit Porthmadog, managed by former Aber manager Tomi Morgan.
With midfielder Rob Evans currently on loan at the Traeth club, it promises to be a testing game ahead of the crunch clash with Bangor City next Tuesday.
Meanwhile Steve Bowen, who was taken off in the first half at Newtown, and Ryan Fraughan both have niggling injuries, but Christian Edwards and Glyndwr Hughes will provide cover.
“Having not played the previous weekend, it was nice to go to Newtown and get a win, they’re a better side than their position would suggest, and we needed a second goal,” Morgan said.
“Porthmadog are also scrapping for points, and we are expecting another tough match. Hopefully it will be a good crowd-puller, and there will be plenty of support at the game.”
Friday night games have produced Aber’s two highest home gates this season, with an attendance of 602 watching the match against Newtown, while 512 watched the Bala Town game.
This season’s average home attendance of 345 is up on last season, and it is expected to be boosted further, with the last three league games at Park Avenue being against Bangor City, Llanelli and The New Saints.

Pictured above: Aber's Bari Morgan takes on Newtown's Ross Stephens, Pic: Chris Howells.