ABERYSTWYTH Town’s supporters will have to wait until October to see their team play their first Welsh Premier match on their new 3G pitch at Park Avenue.

With the 13-week project to replace the grass pitch with a synthetic surface now under way, the next league match at Park Avenue has not been scheduled until Tuesday, 11 October, against Bala Town.

It promises to be a challenging start to the season for Matthew Bishop’s side, who begin their campaign with 10 consecutive games away from Park Avenue.

They include two ‘home’ fixtures, which will be played at Newtown’s Latham Park, against Carmarthen on 10 September and The New Saints on 1 October.

Sunday matches also feature prominently in next season’s Welsh Premier fixtures, with Aberystwyth having to play on the first four Sundays of the season, at TNS on 14 August, Airbus UK Broughton on 21 August, NPD Llandudno on 28 August and Bangor City on 4 September.

Following discussions between Welsh Premier League clubs and League administrators, it was decided that around half of the league fixtures would be played on Sunday afternoons, with a 3pm kick-off.Once the 3G pitch has been laid, home matches will come thick and fast for Aber, with at least four games scheduled to take place at Park Avenue in October.

Chairman Tony Bates said: “The physical task of replacing the grass surface with the new 3G pitch has commenced, as part of the FAW Project 3G, and funding by the UEFA Hat-Trick programme.

“Following the signing of the contract on 16 June, the work is now under way, and it is likely to be a 13 week project. It is scheduled to be completed by October.”

This week has seen the site set up and initial clearance work begin at Park Avenue, including stripping back of the vegetation and stabilization.

The task of curing, drainage and kerbing will be undertaken next month, with carpet and perimeter work due to get under way around the middle of September, before work is signed off in early October.FAW President David Griffiths said: “Our 3G project has been incredibly successful to date and I am sure that the new facility at Park Avenue will be another fantastic success."The FAW investment into this project represents our biggest single club grant and emphasises the FAW’s commitment to football throughout the length and breadth of Wales."The Welsh success at Euro 2016 has inspired our nation and we want youngsters hooked on football for life."When open, the new 3G facility in Aberystwyth will allow the stars of tomorrow from throughout Ceredigion, the opportunity to play football on a quality surface in all types of weather."