THERE was little pre-Christmas cheer for Aberystwyth Town as they succumbed to a resounding 4-0 away defeat against the current JD Welsh Premier champions The New Saints.

A hat-trick by Greg Draper, along with a Chris Marriott strike, saw off the Seasiders on a disappointing Friday evening in Oswestry for Neville Powell’s side.

Powell had made one change to the line-up from their victory over Prestatyn, with Luke Borrelli replacing Malcolm Melvin in central midfield, and the tandem of Ryan Wade and Craig Hobson were asked to lead the line in attack once again.

It was the hosts who started on the front foot, as Aeron Edwards prodded a gilt-edged chance over the bar from Jamie Mullan’s cross after two minutes.

The warning signs were there for Aber, and on six minutes tricky winger Mullan again scampered down the right flank before crossing for Greg Draper to head the ball in from close-range.

Despite the early setback, Aber captain Jonny Spittle saw a header sail narrowly over the crossbar from a corner kick, before Wade produced a fingertip save from Paul Harrison with an excellent right-footed strike.

On 21 minutes, however, the hosts doubled their lead in clinical fashion as Jamie Mullan played a neat one-two with Simon Spender, before crossing for Draper to head past Chris Mullock from close-range for 2-0.

The second goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Aber, and the Saints took full control with some neat interplay down both flanks.

On 31 minutes it was 3-0, as left back Chris Marriott went on a marauding run forward, before unleashing a left-footed strike into the top corner of Mullock’s net.

To their credit, Aber continued to battle and seek a way back into the game, buoyed by their fantastic vocal supporters who added real atmosphere to the occasion.

Craig Hobson forced another save from Harrison on 37 minutes, but the visitors were unable to create any more clear-cut chances before the half time whistle.

The second half saw Jack Rimmer introduced in place of Hobson, with Luke Borrelli being a lone striker.

The hosts struggled to replicate their first half rhythm and flow as the Seasiders stifled their attacking play.

The first notable chance of the second half fell to Aber, as Declan Walker fired a low effort narrowly wide of the post, before the Saints went up the other end and almost added a fourth through substitute Alex Darlington.

Aber continued to plug away, with Ryan Wade and Joe Phillips threatening to get in behind the hosts’ back line - but on 83 minutes Greg Draper completed his hat-trick as he slotted the ball home from Chris Marriott’s fizzing low cross.

Powell’s side still refused to lie down, and Harri Horwood and Geoff Kellaway were introduced in place of Joe Phillips and Borrelli.

Wade produced one last curling effort that stung the palms of Harrison, but it wasn’t to be Aber’s night.

TNS: P Harrison, S Spender, C Marriott, C Rawlinson, J Routledge, R Brobbel, G Draper, B Hudson (R Leak 65’), J Mullan (R Parry 72’), T Holland (A Darlington 63’), A Edwards. Subs: A Jones (gk), C Roberts, B Clark, R Pryce.

ABER: C Mullock, D Walker, J Spittle, R Wollacott, C Hobson (J Rimmer 48’), L Borelli (G Kellaway 82’), R Wade, M Jones, A Young, J McKenna, J Phillips (H Horwood 86’). Subs: J Owen, Rowe. Att: 208.