Aberystwyth Town 1 Treowen Stars 2

Novira Cymru South

ABER Town came back down to earth at Park Avenue on Saaturday as Treowen Stars stole the spoils by two goals to one. In the Seasiders' first home league game of the season, a bumper crowd of 504 turned up to enjoy the football and Katsu Curry, courtesy of Two-Michelin-starred chef Gareth Ward.

However, Treowen spoiled the party, with Christian Davies (pen 63) and Tom Hillman (87 mins) establishing a two-goal lead. Despite a late fightback and a goal from Rhys Hughes (90+1 mins), the visitors were celebrating at full-time.

On a perfect sunny day, Town enjoyed a big walk-up and the vibes were positive after their demolition job on Afan Lido last week. Craig Williams' men, though, struggled to create clear chances in the first half.

Tarran Hollinshead had a shot blocked, then Sam Paddock headed over from the resulting corner, before Davies brought a tidy save out of Luke Evans in Aber's goal to show the Stars were here to compete.

Leo Thompson made a superb late challenge to prevent a goal, then Tom Evans went on a thrilling, swashbuckling run from right-back to left wing, but his shot agonisingly just cleared the crossbar.

At the other end, Gavin Meacham hit the crossbar with a corner which was then cleared, before Tom Mason had a shot blocked and a frustrating half ended goalless.

Hillman had a shot blocked for Treowen after the break, and Paddock cleared off the line from Davies' header. In a tight game, the visitors then benefited from a controversial call as they were awarded a soft penalty, seemingly for a challenge on Davies, and he converted the spot-kick himself to put the Stars in front.

On came Aber: Hughes was released by Dan Owen, and he found keeper Shaun Gardiner from the right. Thompson then sent in a goal-bound free-kick which Gardiner expertly touched around the post for a corner, while Dylan Downs fired wide.

Substitute Calvin Smith appeared to be felled in the box, with the home side appealing in vain.

Dan Owen smashed the crossbar, then Aaron Williams nodded a header goalwards, but Gardiner saved again.

Next, Owen was blocked in the box and Aber were again denied a spot-kick, before Paddock did well to deny Corey Jenkins at the other end. With frustrations growing, Jenkins fed Hillman for the visitors, and he doubled the lead with three minutes to go.

Into six minutes of injury time, Smith's free-kick rattled the crossbar and Hughes was on the spot to tap home a riposte for Town, with a draw still seemingly possible.

Owen cut an effort across the bar, then another run by Evans appeared to draw what looked like a handball in the area from a visiting defender, but they survived a third penalty appeal in a row.

Rhys Hughes volleyed just over from a tight angle right at the death, but Treowen hung on for the win.

The footballing gods were clearly not smiling on the Black and Greens on Saturday, in a game where a draw would have been a fairer outcome.

However, the Seasiders' first defeat of the season in their seventh game, including friendlies, should not be considered the end of the world. Aber go again at Ynyshir on Saturday, with a 2.30pm kick-off.