22/23: Home.

There's no place like home, people say. After recently moving to Aberystwyth, learning about the team and the Cymru Premier in general, I knew which team I'd be using for FM23. Predicted to finish rock-bottom due to several relegation battles since 2017, the pundits threw the same cover on Aber even with new manager Mr. Menhenott taking the reins.

Life started well for the seasiders under this new high-press style, with 3 wins from 3 in the pre-season. After being drawn to Cwmbran Celtic in the NMG Cup first round, Aber looked to take this form into the real season, and they did with a 2-1 win. This gave the relegation candidates some hope going into thier first 3 JDCP fixtures, copying thier pre season and taking 9 from 9 points.

But then came TNS. For those who don't know, TNS are seen as the “PSG” of the Welsh Leagues, which they presented well, putting Aber's run to an abrupt stop with a 2-0 loss.

The seasiders spirit was still on top of the iceberg, with wins against Bala, Flint and Connahs Quay, until losing in the NMG Third Round to rivals Newtown, then just 3 days later suffering a last minute 2-1 L to Penybont. They resurrected results at the end of the month though with a 1-0 close encounter against Airbus UK.

October was a month of sheer joy for the Black and Greens, with 12 points from 4 games in the JDCP, and a 5-0 hammering of Cambrian and Clydach in the Welsh Cup second round. Certainly not a month to forget! 

November started with a 0-1 loss to Bala, but the Welsh cup returned and Goytre put up a fight against Aber, who eventually ran out 3-2 winners after an 88th minute goal. A point was picked up in the final game of a very short month, with a 2-2 draw to Pontypridd.

It was a Christmas to forget for the coastal side, taking just 2 points from a possible 18, which we all know was definitely costly in the business end of the season. Newtown provided a double loss, while TNS edged out winners in a tight 2-1 loss for Aber. But in other news, it was delight for Brazil who conquered the world in Qatar, with a 3-1 W over La Roja!

In a seemingly quiet January due to the JD Cymru Prem split, I thought itd be the perfect time to arrange friendlies against smaller opposition, especially after a disastrous December, and the squad headed to Ireland for a tour, coming back just in time to play Haverfordwest, which was a stalemate 0-0, but Aber succeeded on penalties.

Second Half of the season will be up soon! 

22/23: The Downfall and Rescue.

After a non-competitive January, the squad regrouped going into the championship conference. For those who don't know, the JD Cymru Premier splits into two after 22 games, with the top 6 (championship conf.) and bottom 6 (relegation conf) playing 10 matches against each other.

In February, Aber got revenge on rivals Newtown in a 1-0 win thanks to Sam Philips in the Welsh Cup Quarter Final, the only win in a month which consisted in 3 losses and a draw, only picking up a single point against Airbus in a 3-3 tie.

The semi-final of the JD Welsh Cup was here, and the lads could hold thier head high after a 2-0 defeat to Cardiff Met. This gave the boys time to focus on the league though, storming Latham Park and winning 3-0 (surprisingly), and a 0-0 draw to Bala. Certainly a better month than the last two. 😅

TNS. Nobody had beaten them all season and the title was obviously in thier hands, but could we do the impossible? Yes. Yes we did thanks to an 82 minute goal by Peter Thomas. One of our only televised games the whole season and we certainly put on a show. We finished 4th, meaning we were in the European playoffs. Airbus were our first opponent, a team we seemed to consecutively draw against, 3-3, 0-0 etc. It was seemingly going the same way until a penalty was given due to a very controversial foul just inside the box, but Darnell Mintus smoothly placed the ball into the bottom right and sent Airbus flying home, with Caernarfon the final obstacle.

The winner of this tie would go onto the Europa Conference League first qualifying round. Both teams were eager to prove a point, and Caernarfon went in with a goal after just minutes, and it looked to be a European tour for the Cofis. Seems like Aber must've got some sense of motivation and awareness at half time as just 60 minutes in it was 3-1 to the Seasiders, then a fourth eventually went in the Cofis net to secure European Football. A busy window and many new signings were to come in a push to dethrone TNS, who won the league by 22 points this season.