| Aber's leading scorer returns home to Talbot |
| Wednesday 02 June 2010 |
 LEADING scorer at Aberystwyth Town last season, Luke Bowen has returned to Port Talbot Town for a second spell. Bowen, 22, is back at the GenQuip Stadium after netting 17 times for the Seasiders from 34 Welsh Premier appearances last season, a 50% strike rate. Following his release from Swansea City as a junior, Bowen joined the Under-16 team at Port Talbot before progressing through the club's academy to play for the first-team as a 16-year-old in 2004, scoring on his debut in a Welsh Cup win at Rhayader Town. With his opportunities limited the following season, Bowen moved into the Welsh League with Neath and then Goytre United, but returned to the top-flight with Haverfordwest County in 2006 and scored nine league goals during two seasons at the New Bridge Meadow. But his move to Park Avenue proved a career turning point and Bowen proved his worth to Steelmen's manager Mark Jones last season as his Aberystwyth side completed a league double, with Bowen scoring in both games to earn his side maximum points. The nephew of former Wales defender Mark Bowen, Luke is yet another Port Talbot-based player in Jones's squad and is the fourth summer signing following the arrivals of Nicky Palmer, David Brooks and Craig Jones from Carmarthen, Bridgend Street and Llanelli respectively. His return to the club will also be a huge boost for the club's thriving academy system as another player to come through the ranks will now feature for the club in the Welsh Premier. Photo: Luke Bowen in Aberystwyth colours against Elements Cefn Druids. |