| Black & Greens forge into top three |
| Saturday 16 January 2010 |
 ABERYSTWYTH forged into the Welsh Premier's top three with a 2-0 win at Prestatyn Town's Bastion Road. Missing four key players through suspension, including player-manager Neil Gibson, the hosts went a goal down to Graham Evans who fired a low 20-yarder after 12 minutes, with Luke Bowen grabbing his seventh goal of the season in the second half to seal the win. The Black & Greens leapfrogged reigning champions Rhyl, who went down 2-1 to a late Nicky Holland goal at the GenQuip Stadium. Liam McCreesh put the Steelmen ahead in the 17th-minute after a Martin Rose shot had hit the post, but debutant striker Rob Turner, signed from Sligo Rovers last week, levelled for the Lillies by beating ex-Rhyl keeper inside his near post just before the hour mark. The game appeared headed for a draw until substitute Holland, who has resisted offers from other clubs in the January transfer window to remain with Talbot, ensured the points stayed in south Wales with a well-taken 12-yarder into the top corner in the 86th-minute. Rose missed a golden chance to extend the Steelmen's lead, firing wide of the far post when well-placed. The fastest goal of the day came at The Traeth, where Warren Duckett made up for recent inactivity by putting Bala Town ahead in the Gwynedd derby with a deflected 12-yard shot through a crowded box after just two minutes. Ricky Evans added another early in the second-half from a free-kick on the edge of the area for a 2-0 success to leave Porthmadog still struggling in the basement. Photo: Luke Bowen (left) scored in Aberystwyth's win. |