Aberystwyth Settle for Stalemate in Intertoto Open

Intertoto
By Chris O'Brien
June 27 2004

Aberystwyth Town will blame poor finishing infront of goal for not taking more from their Intertoto Cup first round, first leg match with FC Dinaburg at Newton's Latham Park. The Seasiders had to settle for a goalless stalemate despite dominating possession, and now face an uphill task in Latvia.

Aberystwyth Town put in a performance they can be proud of in the first round, first leg of the Intertoto Cup but failed to break Wales' duck of never having won a match in the much-belittled competition. The Seasiders were particularly impressive in the opening half, but despite some relentless pressure the full-time FC Dinaburg defence held out as the game finished goalless.

The Latvians played as if they had come for a point, and poor finishing in front of goal from the Black & Greens mean the visitors got exactly what they came for. Aberystwyth will be very much underdogs for the second-leg despite a score draw being enough to take them through, however fans of the Welsh outfit will take heart from the number of chances their side created against professional opposition.

Aber dominated pressure throughout the opening 45 minutes but failed to turn their superiority into a goal. John Lawless missed a sitter as his close-range shot clipped the bar. The hosts were left frustrated as they struggled to break down a resolute defence. Dinaburg offered literally nothing in attack, and Aberystwyth Town 'keeper Dean Williams was nothing but a spectator throughout the opening 45 minutes.

The visitors gained confidence in the second-half as Town continued to squander chances. Aberystwyth centre-backs Aneurin Thomas and player-manager Gary Finley still had little to do, but the Black & Greens were not creating the opportunities they had done throughout the opening period. Highly-rated forward Marc Lloyd-Williams, nicknamed "Jews", missed three chances throughout the second-half, and the Welsh Premier side will be disappointed to have only got a draw from the game.

An estimated 1,000 were in attendance at the Latham Park, home of Newtown FC. Some supporters are a little disappointed, but there is no question it would have been substantially higher had the game been played in Aberystwyth. An unlikely score draw or better for Town will send them into round two of the Intertoto Cup, where they will take on Serbian outfit Beograd.

Full Time - Aberystwyth Town 0-0 FC Dinaburg
Attendance - 1,000
Referee -  G. Orrason (Iceland)
Assistants -  J. Thorleifsson (Iceland) and O. Gudfinnsson (Iceland)