NEW-LOOK Aberystwyth Town started the new decade in style as a brace from Marc Williams capped a commanding 3-0 win at top six hopefuls Caernarfon Town on a windy Friday evening.

After an own goal on 35 minutes, skipper Williams netted two second half strikes on 70 and 80 minutes to put the superb away support into dreamland.

New signings Pavel Vieira, Ilan Hughes and David Thompson all came straight into the starting line-up, and their influence down the middle was impressive.

On a night of gale force winds, Aber started with the elements, but conditions affected play at both ends, and early chances were few and far between.

Geoff Kellaway tested home keeper Alex Ramsey in the first minute, Vieira almost picked out Williams in the box with a through ball, and the Aberystwyth captain also volleyed wide from 30 yards.

The off-colour hosts were struggling to put passes together in the difficult conditions, and they fell behind when the excellent Paulo Mendes won the ball down the right and sent in a testing cross, which was put into his own net by Aled Williams, under pressure from Marc Williams.

Aber’s amazing travelling supporters, who sang from the first minute to the last, urged the visitors on, and they upped the tempo before the break, with Hughes, Vieira and Mendes showing nice touches.

A Kellaway cross was deflected for a corner, with Williams ready to pounce, Mendes had a shot cleared, and Richie Ricketts’ powerful volley brought a great save from Ramsay, who denied Kellaway again from 30 yards before the break.

Aber were prepared for an onslaught in the second half against the wind, but the focused visitors remained in firm control. Kellaway nearly picked out Mendes in a breakaway, and Darren Thomas send the ball flying just over the bar for the Cofis’ first real opportunity of note in the game.

Sion Bradley’s shot was deflected nicely to Connor Roberts in goal, but the strong wind was hindering Caernarfon’s plans, with over hit passes the order of the day.

Ilan Hughes made an incredible goal saving tackle in his own area to deny sub Sam Jones what looked a certain strike, which was as good as a goal for Aber. Kellaway went on another dangerous run and his cross just eluded Mendes, before the Seasiders doubled their lead.

Aber’s Portuguese enforcer won the ball in midfield and ran 40 yards towards goal, before playing in Williams to volley the second goal into the bottom corner of the net - right in front of the Green Army.

Williams had a shot blocked, and then fired the next one wide, whilst for the hosts Thomas curled a volley wide, and sub Noah Edwards also missed the target after some neat trickery in the midfield.

Then, with 10 minutes to go, Matty Jones’ free kick from 30 yards on the right was headed goalbound by Mendes, and Ramsay’s parry fell perfectly for Williams to snaffle up his brace at the far post.

Jamie Breese for Caernarfon, and sub Luke Boundford for Aber both volleyed wide, and Thomas’ low shot was easy for Roberts in the Aber goal - but the visitors held on for a well-deserved victory after a strong and impressive performance.

Supporters judged this to be Aber’s best performance of the season, and given the conditions and Caernarfon’s impressive home record it is hard to argue with that.

Certainly the players and management deserve huge credit for gelling so well so early- but Aber really need to kick on now if they are to challenge for a seventh-placed finish. Next up is Penybont at Park Avenue this Saturday (ko 5.15pm).

CAERNARFON TOWN: A Ramsay, J Williams, A Williams (N Edwards 51’), G Evans, J Breese, D Thomas, D Brookwell, B Clark, R Williams, S Bradley (S Jones 63’), C Jones. Subs not used: O Goulding (gk), G John.

ABERYSTWYTH: C Roberts, W Baynes, D Thompson, P Vieira. G Kellaway (L Boundford 69’), P Mendes, M Williams (J Phillips 90’), L Jenkins, M Jones, R Ricketts (R Edwards 46’), I Hughes. Subs not used: A Pennock (gk), E Vaz. Attendance: 621. Referee: H Jones.