ABERYSTWYTH Town manager Matthew Bishop said he was looking to his side to make Park Avenue their fortress after they marked their return to the ground with a 4-0 triumph over Rhyl.

The first Welsh Premier match on the new 3G pitch attracted the biggest crowd for a league match in Aber in over 15 years, and the team responded with an excellent win.

A remarkable 65-yard free kick from keeper Chris Mullock opened their scoring, before a Geoff Kellaway header and two second half goals from Luke Borrelli sealed victory in front of a crowd of 1,168.

After a tough start to their campaign, which has seen them play 12 straight league and cup matches away from home, Bishop said his players were relieved to play their first home game at the new facility.

“We’ve got to give great credit to Tony (Bates) and the Board, and everyone involved who has put this project together,” said Bishop.

“We’ve got such a great pitch, and it has made Park Avenue such a wonderful place to play. We managed to train on it in the week, and it has inspired the players.

“It was wonderful to be at home, and it’s the first time for a lot of them to play here. We’ve played 17 away games up until this point.

“I’m delighted at the fact we got the three points first and foremost, and obviously at scoring the four goals. And just as important was keeping the clean sheet tonight.

“I think it’s the first time probably in six games we have had our full squad. It’s our home from that’s always going to be most important, and what a way to start.”

Bishop added: “It’s a massive Club, with great supporters. Living in the town, I know how important the Club is to everybody.

“It was our job to make sure we got a result here tonight. I asked the players to put on a performance, and I think that we got that.”

Aber, who are ninth in the table, are looking forward to continuing a run of six matches at Park Avenue against Llandudno on Sunday.

With nine days to recover, the Aber management will be hoping that Geoff Kellaway will overcome his knee injury, and skipper Luke Sherbon also has a groin strain.

“It’s another game now, we’ve won and done the job, but we must not get carried away with the result, the important thing is the next game,” reflected Bishop.

“Llandudno have got lots of threats, and some good players in the team. I think they’ve picked up in terms of form - but it’s now all about making this place a fortress.

“It doesn’t matter who comes here, irrespective of where they are in the league. If I can keep everyone fit, and we get that belief, and everyone in the town gets behind the team, then hopefully we’ll have a lot more evenings like this.”

Goalkeeper Chris Mullock, who is on loan from TNS, set the tone on a spectacular night for the club with his remarkable opening goal.

“I’ve seen the lad off his line, I’ve walked pretty much from my own box to the point where I’m taking the free-kick and I’m thinking ‘I’ve got the wind behind me,” he said.

“I thought if I hit this right it’s going to carry, and it might go in, and luckily there was just enough in it to take it over the top of the keeper, and it has dropped into the net.

“Keeping the clean sheet was just as important to me, and it was really important that we got off on the right note here. Thankfully we’ve done that, and I really do believe that we can kick on from here.”

Meanwhile the Club will be hosting a free Family Open Day prior to this Sunday’s match, which will consist of several activities on the 3G pitch, including penalty shoot-outs and coaching sessions, as well as a guided tour of the ground.

The event begins at 11.30am on Sunday, and all those who attend are invited to stay and watch the match, which kicks-off at 3pm.

Thomas Crockett, Marketing Director, said: “The free event will represent a high point of the Club’s work with the Community, and traditionally attracts between 250-300 additional supporters through the gate for a high profile match.”