Football

Aber prepare to face Dragons

by Adam Hughes

ABERYSTWTH Town face another big pre-season test when they take on Blue Square Conference club Wrexham in their second friendly at Park Avenue on Saturday.
Having been beaten 3-1 by Newport County last weekend, the Seasiders will be again be hoping to stake a claim for a place in Alan Morgan’s team for next season.
Morgan fielded 20 players against County, including latest signing Michael Howard from Llanelli, and recent additions Craig Williams from Newtown, and Conall Murtagh from TNS.
Howard, who started at left back, has now signed from Llanelli, having made 229 football league appearances with Swansea City, as well as playing for Morecambe.
The Birkenhead-born 31-year-old started his career with Liverpool, before being signed as a trainee by Tranmere Rovers, and had a spell on loan with Oxford United.
Several trialists were also fielded by Aber last weekend, including Wayne Farmer, a former Wales Under-17s defender released by Shrewsbury Town, and Josh McAuley, a striker who was on professional forms at Tranmere.
Morgan has targeted several new players in key positions, but will be taking another closer look at his current squad when they play hosts to Wrexham on Saturday.
“Some players did well against Newport, but they’ve still got to do better. We can put that down to their first game, and it is still very much early days,” said Morgan.
“I was not worried at all about the result, although we gave some stupid goals away. It was a good work-out against a very strong side, and that is much better than us playing weaker opposition.
“I used 20 players, and some played more than others, but everyone will get a fair crack at the whip, and I’ll be starting to make a few decisions after this Saturday.
“I can’t carry all 22 players, so it is up to the players to prove they want to play for the club, show a good work ethic, and earn their places in the team for next season.
“We’ve got good quality friendlies lined-up in which to build up fitness, and the lads should go out and give their all in these games, starting against Wrexham.”
A bumper crowd is expected at Park Avenue to see Aber take on the Dragons, who are hoping to push for promotion back into the football league next season under their manager Dean Saunders.
The Aber boss, who has lined-up seven pre-season friendlies in total, is keen to see his side get plenty of match practice before the start of the Super 12 campaign.
“I prefer players to be playing games during the pre-season and getting match practice in, they can do their running with the ball, and will build up fitness,” he said.
Aberystwyth have confirmed pre-season friendlies at the reformed Chester FC’s Deva Stadium on Saturday, 24 July, and then at home to Cymru Alliance side Porthmadog on Tuesday, 27 July.
On Saturday, 31 July they travel to Welsh League division one side Aberaman Athletic, followed by a trip to play Caersws on Monday, 2 August, and then a trip to play Newi Cefn Druids on 7 August.

Pictured: Trialist Josh McAuley in action for Aberystwyth against Newport.