Aberystwyth Town 5 Cefn Druids 1

FULL TIME

Aberystwyth did what they had to do to try to keep their European playoff hopes alive tonight with an ultimately convincing win against basement side Cefn Druids at Park Avenue.

Having beaten the Ancients 3-0 at their The Rock base last Tuesday, Gavin Allen’s men ran out convincing 5-1 winners in the quickfire return but were made to work for it against the determined visitors.

Manager Gavin Allen made two changes to the starting 11 with Lee Jenkins returning to the back line after serving a one-match ban and Owain Jones rewarded for his goal against Cardiff Met on Saturday with a start up front.

In a must win game to keep their faint hopes of clinching seventh place alive, Aber made a bright start pressing well and dominating the early possession but the first real chance fell to the visitors when Brad Knight struck the bar after good work by Stefan Edwards.

At the quarter hour mark it was an even encounter with both sides competing well.

The Ancients went close again on 19 minutes when Knight met Joe Faux’s cross but headed over the bar.

The visitors were posing a threat with Faux and Knight looking menacing but the Seasiders drew first blood on 25 minutes with a superb team goal finished off beautifully by Harry Franklin, with a stunning finish to the far post for his third of the season.

And the hosts pulled further ahead 10 minutes later, Franklin the provider this time setting up Owain Jones to make it 2-0 with a cool finish and his second goal in as many games.

Lee Jenkins limped off injured in the first half, replaced by Ian Kearney to partner Louis Bradford in defence.

It was a lively start to the second half with both teams creating opportunities before the Ancients pulled one back on the hour, Faux stepping over Sam Phillips’ cross to allow Niall Flint to slot home.

Franklin nearly restored Aber’s two-goal lead on 72 minutes when his shot was blocked after a great run and through ball by skipper Marc Williams.

Charley Edge forced Roberts into action with a decent save as the visitors strived to get back on level terms but Aber put the game to bed on 82 minutes, Jones with a smart finish for his second of the night after Franklin’s initial effort was parried into his path.

Substitute Jamie Reed extended the lead when he converted an 89th minute penalty and fellow sub Jon Owen made it 5-1 in stoppage time after good work by Reed.

Aberystwyth: Connor Roberts, Steven Hewitt, Louis Bradford, Lee Jenkins, Rhys Davies , Jack Thorn, Jamie Veale, Harry Franklin, Jonathan Evans, Marc Williams, Owain Jones. Jamie Reed. Subs: Ian Kearney, Jon Owen, Richie Ricketts, Jamie Reed, Geoff Kelloway, Jack Rimmer, Keurten Martha