Division 1 - Aberaeron 2 v 1 New Quay

With both sides missing key players it was not surprising that this game did not produce the high standard of football expected of this fixture. However, the commitment and desire shown by both sides could not be faulted and an interesting game was witnessed by all at Cae Sgwar on Saturday afternoon.

With Jonathan Evans missing in midfield, talisman Jamie Thompson was forced to play a more subdued role for New Quay and it showed. His usual dangerous forays into the opposing half were tempered by his dual role as a defensive midfielder where his skill was somewhat wasted through the afternoon. More suited to this role was Aeron's Steffan Gruffudd and it was his excellent pass that unlocked New Quay's defense for Bryn Evans to score his and Aberaeron's second of the afternoon to seal the game for Aberaeron with barely fifteen minutes left. Having rounded the otherwise excellent New Quay keeper James Shaw, he finished cooly from a fairly tight angle to give the game to Aberaeron.

This would have been an especially sweet moment for Evans in front of his former New Quay team mates whom he had left during the close season to look for regular fisrt team football. Sweeter still of course seeing as he had also given Aberaeron the lead just five minutes into the second half with a header from a Gareth Lewis corner. New Quay's defenders must have been scratching their heads as to how they managed to allow the diminutive Evans enough space to score so easily with his head.

Aware that they had not chalked up a win yet this season, Aberaeron's defense then nervily allowed themselves to sit a little deep and handed New Quay the space which was denied them for so much of the match. Needing no second invitation, Chris Atkinson played a cute square-ball to Jamie Thompson on the edge of the area who finished strongly and accurately to give them a bit of late hope.

But it was too late and Aberaeron took their first three points of the season. Could it be that Aberaeron are simply continuing their trend of the last few seasons of playing well against the better teams of the division and letting themselves down against so-called lesser opposition? Or is there real change afoot under the leadership of former Penparcau manager Alan Foligno? Only time will tell.