ABERYSTWYTH Town hope to give themselves a welcome boost when they turn their attentions to their JD Welsh Cup third round tie against Huws Gray Cymru Alliance side Holywell at Park Avenue on Saturday.

The cup match, which kicks-off at the earlier time of 1.30pm due to floodlight damage at Park Avenue, will be the third Welsh Cup meeting between these two sides in four seasons.

The Seasiders effectively qualified for the UEFA Europa League by beating the Wellmen 3-1 in the 2014 semi-final at Newtown, and beat the same opposition in the fourth round in 2015 on penalties, after a 0-0 draw at Halkyn Road.

The Wellmen, who saw their game against Llanfair postponed due to a frozen pitch last weekend, are currently seventh in the league, but will be up for causing an upset.

Meanwhile a tough run in the Dafabet Welsh Premier has seen Aber succumb to top three sides Connah’s Quay and Bala, twice, conceding 10 goals in three games.

Matthew Bishop could take some encouragement from an improved second half performance in their 3-1 home defeat to Bala last Friday, but warned that his side must be switched on for the full 90 minutes.

“It was a game of two halves, which sounds a cliche, but it was certainly that,” Bishop reflected.

“I thought we were awful in the first half if I’m honest. We made poor decisions and we looked like we didn’t want the ball, and I was really disappointed about that.

“In the second half we settled down, we got hold of the ball and we did the things that we do well.

“We passed and moved quite well, and broke with a bit of pace.

“I was quite pleased with our second half performance, bar the last couple of minutes when we gifted them with their third goal.

“I said to the players before the game it’s about taking chances when we get them, and it was a great goal from (Kurtis) Marsh.”

With six league games to go until the league split, Aber are four points adrift of a top six place, but with a game in hand, Matthew Bishop’s side can take heart from the fact that they have now played all the top three teams twice.

“We’ve played Bala twice, and Connah’s Quay in the last three games. It’s been three defeats, and I’m disappointed that we’ve conceded a number of goals,” he said.

“We’ve got to find our feet. It’s difficult to get momentum against the top sides, but to still be in the hunt is also a credit to the lads.

“Sometimes I’m a bit hard on them, but it’s been a different season for us so far. We’ve just got to be better over 90 minutes, and we can’t just turn up for 45 minutes.

“We need to take as many points as we can until the league split.

“Everyone’s beating everyone, and nobody is running away with it, apart from the top three clubs.

“The advantage is that we have got a lot of home games, and only two away. We’ve now got to make the most of it, and we’ll crack on.”

Sam Rodon continues his three-match suspension, whilst Geoff Kellaway and Jack Rimmer, who both came on as substitutes on Friday, staked their claims for positions by both scoring twice for the Development Squad in their 4-2 win at Carmarthen on Monday.

Kick off at Park Avenue on Saturday is at the earlier time of 1.30pm to allow for extra time and penalties should they be needed. Admission costs £6 for adults, £4 concessions and £1 for children.