SIXTEEN year-old Jack Rimmer’s first senior goal for Aberystwyth secured a tight Boxing Day triumph at Haverfordwest, as the Seasiders claimed three crucial points in their push for a top six position at the league split.

Substitute Rimmer had only been on the field seven minutes when he saw his right-footed cross drop into the net for a vital 78th minute winner.

The Seasiders were looking to build on the win at home to Carmarthen on Tuesday night, before welcoming Haverfordwest back to Park Avenue on New Year’s Day in the return game.

Their vital run of four successive home matches will then be completed against Port Talbot on Friday, 8 January and Newtown on 16 January.

“Three points were vital,” assistant boss Wyn Thomas told atfc.org.uk.

“It took a crazy goal to win it, but defensively we were much better, and although the game wasn’t brilliant, we have done what we had to do.

“We know we’ve got the players, and we’ve got the attitude, it’s about delivering week in week out now.

“It’s not going to be easy. The other teams are strong, but hopefully the lads can pick up on the positives from Saturday, get a couple of clean sheets, and score a few more goals as well.”

Manager Ian Hughes had to replace the injured Rhys Griffiths in the starting line up, but it gave Geoff Kellaway the opportunity to play his first full 90 minutes after returning from injury.

With a strong wind behind them, Aber dominated possession in the opening stages, but on a heavy and bobbly pitch chances were limited.

Kellaway almost made his mark when he gathered a through ball on his chest, swivelled and sent a volley just past keeper Craig Morris’s post.

The hosts gradually found their feet, and Luke Borrelli sent in a shot from the left, which was safely gathered by Mike Lewis in Aber’s goal, whilst defenders Lee Surman and Stuart Jones both made some timely interceptions.

At the other end, Ross Stephens was felled on the edge of the penalty box and Chris Venables’ saw his neat free kick come back off the far goal post.

Lewis had to be on his guard on another couple of occasions and then in injury time he parried over a Kieran Howard volley, before Borrelli then grazed the post from the next move.

Kellaway went close when flashing a shot wide from close range as a slightly uninspiring half ended goalless.

A bright start to the second half saw Jamie Reed test Morris, who then also saved from a Craig Williams free kick, and minutes later sub Cledan Davies put in a brilliant deep cross to Venables, who again hit the woodwork with a powerfully directed header.

Haverfordwest were still contributing to a livelier half though, with Lewis again called into action to punch a Borrelli free kick out for a corner, which he gathered comfortably.

When Venables was brought down on the edge of the area, his free kick fizzed just over the crossbar, and it was looking increasingly like a frustrating afternoon for the visitors.

With 12 minutes to go, however, Kellaway laid the ball back over on the right hand touchline to Rimmer, and the Llanilar youngster’s cross swirled in the wind and zipped over Craig Morris’ head and into the net.

County piled forward for the last 10 minutes, plus five for injury time, with keeper Lewis saving well from ex-Seasider Declan Carroll’s free kick, and yet another attempt from Borrelli.

The back-line of Sion James, Jones, Surman and Williams, however, worked hard to preserve a second consecutive clean sheet, to secure another crucial win for the Seasiders.

HAVERFORDWEST: C Morris, R Watts, S Williams, S Rodon, D Griffiths, S Pemberton, G Walters, K Howard, L Borrelli (J Follows 69), D Carroll, S Williams (A Stottor 85). Sub not used: R Batley.

ABERYSTWTH: M Lewis, A Corbisiero (C Davies 46), R Stephens, S Jones, L Surman, L Sherbon (J Rimmer 67), J Reed (W Thomas 80), C Venables, C Williams, S James, G Kellaway. Att: 281. Referee: D John.