Corbett Sports Welsh Premier
Newtown 1 Aberystwyth Town 2
NEWTOWN fans were left far from impressed after Aberystwyth Town completed a league double to leap above their hosts in the relegation dogfight.
The derby was not one for the purists, with both sides struggling to provide a spectacle, while both ended with 10 men.
Wyn Thomas deservedly saw red after a second caution for fouling Nicky Rushton on the hour, while a poor tackle from Jermaine Johnson 15 minutes later saw the Newtown defender sent for an early bath.
Former Llanelli skipper Thomas had given Aberystwyth an eighth minute lead when he was allowed the freedom of Latham Park before smashing home from 10 yards.
Sean Thornton’s goalbound 20 yard free-kick was also tipped over by Nick Thomas as Aberystwyth started the brightest.
Newtown took 20 minutes before their first chance, with Steve Blenkinsop’s pace seeing him outstrip the veteran visiting defence and round goalkeeper Stephen Cann, only for Aneurin Thomas to clear his shot off the line.
Rushton scuffed wide for Newtown, while at the other end Lewis Codling dragged a shot wide while well placed.
Newtown’s equaliser arrived on the stroke of half-time with Aberystwyth failing to clear Jamie Price’s right wing free-kick, with Max Penk scrambling home at the far post.
An eventful start to the second-half saw Newtown escape when Aneurin Thomas volleyed over an open goal, before a Robins counter attack was abruptly ended when Wyn Thomas hacked down Rushton.
The veteran defender received Aberystwyth’s ninth red card of the season.
However Newtown completely failed to capitalise on their advantage and regained the lead on the hour, with Jordan Follows lashing home following a goalmouth scramble.
Referee Kevin Morgan then took centre stage with a succession of bizarre decisions.
First visiting striker Lewis Codling was booked for kicking the ball away, only for the same player to avoid punishment for a filthy challenge on Newtown sub Robbie Millington just seconds later.
Morgan had no such qualms for Newtown defender Johnson who picked up a second caution with a quarter of an hour remaining to all but end any hopes of a comeback.
Newtown had plenty of the ball in the closing stages but failed to test Cann, to return to the relegation zone.
NEWTOWN: Thomas, Davies, Courtney (Partridge), Johnson, Penk, Sutton, Z Evans, Cook, Rushton, Blenkinsop (Millington), Price (Ashley). Sub: Boundford