Ammanford open their JD Welsh Cup campaign for the 2024/25 season with an exciting tie away at Aberystwyth Town.
It’s the club’s first soiree into the famous old competition since November last year when Gruff Harrison’s men put in a battling performance away at Haverfordwest County but ultimately came up short.
This year sees the Black and White’s cut their teeth against another Premier League side, this time slightly further north in the form of Aberystwyth Town.
After a disappointing start to the season, Ammanford’s recent form has improved, with the team securing three consecutive home wins, alongside a positive performance away against league leaders Cambrian United.
Despite the upturn in home fortunes, the Black and Whites enter this match on the back of three successive away defeats. They haven’t won outside of Carmarthenshire since August, when they recorded a 2-0 victory at Baglan Dragons so a tough challenge awaits us in Ceredigion.
The entire squad trained on Wednesday, and Josh Hutchings returns from suspension, as his ban only applies to league matches. According to the rules, suspensions are limited to the competition for which they were issued.
Our opponents on Saturday are a fabled Welsh top flight club, having been a part of the JD Cymru Premier since its inception in 1992. Their best finish came nearly thirty years ago, when they achieved third place. In recent seasons, they’ve flirted with relegation, but strong finishes have helped them maintain their position at the top table of Welsh football.
This term has been challenging for the men from the Cambrian coast. Following a series of poor results, manager Anthony Williams departed the club. However, under the stewardship of Dave Taylor, they climbed off the bottom of the table on Tuesday night with a sensational 4-1 victory away against the highly regarded Caernarfon Town, though they currently occupy the final relegation spot at the time of writing.
Their squad boasts notable talents, including Harry Arnison, Niall Flint, Jonathan Evans, and Louis Bradford. Another dangerous player within the squad, Liam Walsh, has ties to Ammanford; his father, Dave, represented the club on numerous occasions and remains a regular at the Recreation Ground to this day.
Wyn Thomas will make an emotional return to Park Avenue. He ranks second in all-time player appearances for in the Welsh Premier, and during that time, he played for the Seasiders in two separate stints. Whilst in his second period with the club, he began his move into coaching and became a part of Ian Hughes’ backroom staff.
Thomas served as assistant manager a decade ago when Aberystwyth competed in the Europa League against Derry City. He also had a stint as interim manager during Hughes’ absence.
Another Town player with connections to Aberystwyth is Joe Saunders. The young talent was a consistent presence in the squad during the behind-closed-doors season of 2020-21, making his debut in a 4-0 victory against Mid Wales rivals Newtown.
The match will be officiated by experienced referee Bryn Markham Jones, assisted by Ian Bird and Ethan Goatley.
Before kickoff, there will be a minute’s applause for two Aberystwyth Town fans who have sadly passed away recently.
John Sambrook and Carwyn Daniel will be greatly missed by the football community in Ceredigion. As a club, we extend our deepest condolences to our friends at Aberystwyth Town and encourage our supporters to join in the applause in the 42nd minute to honour the lives of these two gentlemen.
Kickoff is at the slightly earlier time of 2 PM at Park Avenue, postcode SY23 1PG. Pay and display parking is available around the town and near the ground. Matchday tickets can be purchased by cash or card at the turnstiles. Admission prices for the 2024/25 season at Park Avenue are set at £8 for adults, £5 for concessions, £2 for secondary school-aged kids, and free for primary school-aged children and younger.
We look forward to a great day out!
