ABERYSTWYTH Town manager Neville Powell expects another tough test against Bala Town when the two sides lock horns in the JD Welsh Cup third round at Park Avenue on Saturday (ko 2.30pm).

The Seasiders produced the performance of their season so far to move out of the bottom two in the Welsh Premier with a superb 3-0 win over mid Wales rivals Newtown at Park Avenue last Friday.

After losses against Bangor City and Bala, it was a crucial win for Powell’s men, as they avenged their 4-0 defeat at Latham Park earlier this season, to move level on points with the Robins.

The Aber boss praised the character and work ethic of his side, and he will be looking for more of the same when they entertain holders Bala Town in the JD Welsh Cup this weekend.

“It was important we got a result tonight,” said Powell. “It was a local derby as well, and I’m told it’s been a while since they’ve beaten Newtown.

“So it is nice for the supporters and committee members to have taken the three points. I thought the lads put in a great shift tonight to be fair, and they thoroughly deserved to win it.

“We’ve got the Welsh Cup next week, so there’s no league game for two weeks. We didn’t want to be six points behind Newtown in that time.

“We were down to the bare bones, with the injuries as well. So to put in a performance like that against a good Newtown side was outstanding.

“They were excellent from one to eleven, all over the park. We were better than them in every department, and it was a pleasing performance.”

Two goals from Craig Hobson capped a memorable night for Aber, after John McKenna had given them an interval lead, and they will be keen to carry that form into this weekend’s third round cup clash.

Aber have injury concerns, with Jonny Spittle and Jack Rimmer going off injured, but they were boosted by the return of Geoff Kellaway as a second half substitute.

The Seasiders were also without both Luke Borrelli and John Owen against Newtown, as Hobson and Joe Phillips came into the starting line-up.

Powell says there is great spirit running though the squad at the moment, but they can expect a tough test against the Lakesiders, who won 2-1 at Park Avenue just a fortnight ago.

The Aber boss has a great pedigree in the Welsh Cup, having won the trophy in three consecutive seasons from 2008 to 2010 as Bangor City manager - including the 2009 final against Aberystwyth.

“We are on a good run,” said the Aber manager. “We had lost to both Bangor and Bala Town, but we could have got something from both games.

“We’ll take one game at a time and move on to the Welsh Cup. It’s a massive game, I like the Welsh Cup, and it’s important to Aberystwyth also.

“The lads can enjoy tonight, and we’ll try to get the lads back fit again for the squad for the Bala match.”

The Lakesiders will be determined to bounce back from a 5-0 league defeat to Bangor City last time out, as they bid to keep hold of the trophy they won in the 2017 final against The New Saints.

Defenders Stuart Jones and namesake Stuart J Jones are expected to return after missing last week’s game at Bangor City, but Andrai Jones and Lee Owens are both doubts.Click on the link below for news on Bala’s new signing