ABERYSTWYTH Town are hoping for better fortunes as they look to end a run of three straight defeats against Bala Town at Maes Tegid on Friday (7.45pm).

After back-to-back defeats to Airbus UK Broughton and Connah’s Quay, the Seasiders were again left empty-handed as they narrowly lost 3-2 against Caernarfon Town at Park Avenue last Friday.

The visitors probably did enough to win the game, but manager Matthew Bishop also pointed to two key penalty decisions which went against them in the game.

A handball by the visitors’ Nathan Craig was deemed to be outside the box, and then a disputed penalty was awarded at the other end by referee Huw Jones after home keeper Connor Roberts was ruled to have fouled the onrushing Jamie Breese, after he had played the ball.

“I’m disappointed again, it’s another defeat for us at home, and three goals conceded,” commented manager Bishop.

“There were a couple of decisions that went against us tonight, I think we should have had a penalty. It will be interesting to see again when we review it afterwards.

“I’m not sure about the second-half penalty given against us. Connor couldn’t do much else, as Breese has run into him, and I have seen them ones waved away.

“I’m disappointed at that, but we have conceded again today and really we’ve made a couple of catastrophic errors from our point of view, and given them the game.”

The in-form Joe Phillips had equalised with a stunning strike for his third goal in as many games, but Noah Edwards, Nathan Craig from the penalty spot and Leo Smith sealed the three points.

Aber were also left to rue a well-struck free-kick by Matthew Jones hitting the bar in injury time, after Paulo Mendes had headed Aber back into contention in the 90th minute from a corner.

The Seasiders, however, are yet to keep a clean sheet this season - and with two or more goals conceded in six of their seven league matches, they have got to tighten up.

A busy week saw them due to travel to the capital on Tuesday for their Nathaniel Cup third round tie against holders Cardiff Met at Cyncoed Campus, with Jones and Mendes pushing for returns to the starting side.

Sixth-placed Bala then pose another tough test on Friday, with the Lakesiders looking to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat against the students.

Meanwhile Aberystwyth’s Under’s development squad continued their positive start to the season with a 4-1 home win against Pontardawe Town last weekend.

They will be looking to maintain momentum when they travel to face Cardiff Met Under-19s this Sunday.

Aberystwyth Town Ladies’ Emily Thomas has been with the Wales squad as part of the 20-player squad for the Women's Under 17s European qualifiers.

The 15 year-old, who made her Aber debut on the opening day of the season against Port Talbot, was on the bench in the 3-0 defeat to Russia in the first game in Denmark.

Wales face hosts Denmark on Wednesday and North Macedonia on Sunday, with the top two sides in each group, plus two third-placed teams joining the top seeds Spain and holders Germany in the elite draw

Newly-promoted Aberystwyth Ladies travelled to face Swansea City in the Women's Welsh Premier on Sunday, and succumbed to a 3-0 defeat at Llandarcy Academy.

On Sunday, Aberystwyth Town Ladies hope to kick-start their campaign against Briton Ferry Llansawel Ladies in the WPWL Cup at Park Avenue.