A STUNNING free-kick from a full 65 yards by keeper Chris Mullock was to be the first goal scored on the new 3G pitch as Aberystwyth Town marked their return with a thrilling 4-0 win over Rhyl at a packed Park Avenue.

In front of the biggest home attendance for a Welsh Premier match in over 15 years, everything went right for the Seasiders as a Geoff Kellaway header and two second half goals by Luke Borrelli sealed an historic win.

It had been a long wait for the Aber supporters, but after a gruelling run of 12 league and cup matches on their travels it was a very happy homecoming in front of the crowd of 1,168.

The Seasiders, back to full strength for the first time in six matches, were raring to go after a 10-day break from action, and with just two league wins under their belts, home form is crucial in their bid to make the play-offs.

A 3-1 midweek defeat at Rhyl in August set Matthew Bishop’s side on a winless run of seven league games, but their sheer determination on Friday was reflected in skipper Luke Sherbon battling through injury, and Chris Jones playing despite illness.

Once again Rhyl, with Aber’s summer trailist Carl Lamb leading their attack, were tough opponents, and Mike Sharples came close to heading them in front from a corner early on.

Aber’s main attacking threat came from local hero Geoff Kellaway, and when his deft throughball put Borrelli through on the right side of the penalty box, his powerful strike was on target, but went straight at keeper Owen Evans, who parried it away.

The breakthrough came on 19 minutes when on-loan Aber keeper Mullock spotted his opposite number off his line and launched a long range free kick. The ball rocketed high and straight, before dipping beyond the outstreched arm of the back-tracking Evans, and just under the crossbar .

Within five minutes, Aber had doubled their lead as tenacious work in midfield saw the ball find its way to Jones on the left wing, and his neat cross into the six yard box was met by Kellaway, who rose to head home.

Rhyl, who had enjoyed their fair share of possession, were by no means done and it took a superb one-handed save from Mullock at full stretch to keep out a rasping shot from Rob Hughes, who cut in from the left side along the edge of the box.

Rhyl’s Aaron Simpson, Jordan Miller and Lamb had all been booked, as was Hughes just after the interval, but the charged-up Lilywhites were on top at the start of the second half, without troubling keeper Mullock.

At the other end, Aber’s Sam Rodon headed wide from a Jones free kick, and Kellaway’s strong strike was punched clear by Evans, after determined work along the right flank.

A hard fought midfield battle ensued, with Ricky Watts and Sherbon shown yellow cards for their efforts, but a quick-fire double from Borrelli sparked the game back into life.

On 76 minutes the battling striker charged down an attempted clearance from keeper Evans, took control and slotted home into an empty net.

Two minutes later Rhyl’s Mike Sharples was caught out by the bounce of the ball, and Borrelli coolly took the ball around the keeper, before slotting home from a tight angle, to the delight of the ecstatic home crowd.

Rhyl’s frustration boiled over when Joe Clarke clashed with Alex Jones in the middle, and a bust-up between both sets of players ensued as referee Rob Jenkins temporarily lost control.

After consulting his assistants, the official booked Clarke, Sam Rodon and sub Jonathan Evans, and then Rhyl’s Daniel Collins and Rio Ahmadi, before Jones was sent fuming to the changing rooms, assisted by three stewards, after being shown a red.

It could not detract from a very positive evening at Park Avenue, however, as the Seasiders began their new era at Park Avenue with a memorable win, and a clean sheet to boot.

ABER: C Mullock, R Watts, S Rodon, J Clarke, G Kellaway, L Sherbon (W Bell 84), L Borrelli (B Davies 89), R Wollacott, K March, D Alfei, C Jones (J Evans 85). Subs not used: G Walters, K Georgievsky.

RHYL: O Evans, C Lamb (C Azaimale 74), T Hartley, R Hughes, J Miller, D Collins (S Halewood 89), A Simpson, P Ahmadi, A Jones, M Sharples, R Newton (O Buckley 46). Subs not used: R Crowther (gk), J Brewerton, Z Edwards, C Rankin. Attendance: 1168. Referee: Rob Jenkins.See Chris Mullock's goal below: