Following a sixth-place finish in the Genero Adran Premier last season and little movement in the transfer market, Aberystwyth Town had plenty of question marks over them coming into the new campaign.
However, the Seasiders silenced any doubters with a 3-0 win over Barry Town United on the opening day of the campaign and they have not looked back since.
“Last season we knew we had the ability, but we couldn’t quite make it work for one reason or another,” captain Amy Jenkins explains. “But beating Barry on the opening day showed to us that we are doing the right things and that we are heading in the right direction.”
Following their opening day win, Aberystwyth earned an impressive 0-0 draw away at reigning champions Cardiff City before a 2-0 win over Pontypridd United and a 1-1 draw with Cardiff Met.
“I have been left a bit speechless by our start!” Jenkins laughs. “We knew we needed new blood in the team this season, but while lots of clubs around the league made new signings we just looked internally at bringing through young players, which has been the catalyst for us.
“I think a lot of people have been surprised at how we have been playing, but everyone is so hard working and loves playing for the club. The team spirit is brilliant and I can’t tell you how proud I am of the girls so far.”
With clean sheets in their first three matches before conceding once against Cardiff Met, Aberystwyth have the best defence in the Genero Adran Premier so far – a drastic improvement to last season when they conceded 32 goals in their 14 phase one matches.
“We made a point to sure ourselves up defensively and we have got massive players in that backline,” Jenkins says. “Margot [Farnes] has come in in goal and been fantastic, she is so confident for such a young player. Becs [Mathias], Ffi [Evans] and Lucy [Gwilt] have been around the league for years.
“Libby [Isaac] was only meant to be play in defence as cover for Elin Jones’ injury, but she has come into her own. She’s strong, her feet are incredible, she can get herself out of any situation. Put her anywhere on the pitch and I think she would do a job.”
Jenkins was named Seasiders captain in the summer, taking over from Kelly Thomas, and it is clear that she is the perfect fit for the role.
“I have played for Aber my whole senior career, so it was a really proud moment to be named captain,” she says. “It did take a while to get used to, but I have had lots of advice from Kel which has been really important and it is great that she is still around if I do have questions.
“All of us senior players have always come together anyway. Even when Kel was captain last season, there was a few of us who had a bit of a say in the dressing room. We have tried to take the pressure off the youngsters as much as possible so they can enjoy their football and play without fear.”
Aberystwyth have stood out this season for their faith in youth, with several players stepping up from the academy to become key parts of the first team.
There was no bigger example of this than the opening day win over Barry, when all three goals were scored by a pair of 15-year-old debutants. Lily Moralee-Hughes netted a brace and Lleucu Mathias scored the other.
“All of the young ones have settled in fantastically,” Jenkins says. “Right from the first game when Lily scored two and Lleucu also scored, they have been brilliant.
“Then there’s Imi [Scourfield] in midfield, Modlen [Gwynne] has come off the bench. Even players who were in the team last season like Gwen Jones and Elin Jones are still really young.
“Their hunger really drives us. They want the ball all of the time. If we are under the cosh, their legs carry us through and the mouths of the older players carry us through!”
Another teenager who has made an impressive impact this season is former Cymru U17 international Niamh Duggan, who returned to the club in the summer following a spell at Reading.
Jenkins is effusive in her praise of Duggan, who opened the scoring in the 2-0 win over Pontypridd United.
“That girl can play football! Sometimes you get players who just come alive when you give them the ball and that is Niamh all over. If I win the ball back then I am looking for her because I know she can do something with it.
“I think she is hungry to prove herself after coming back from Reading and she is an Aber girl so she knows exactly what it means to put on that shirt.”
With just three points separating the top five teams in the Genero Adran Premier after the first four matches of the season, it promises to be an open and entertaining campaign – which could present Aberystwyth with an opportunity.
“We are very much taking it game by game but the ultimate goal is to make the top four,” Jenkins says. “We are so hungry for that as a group and I think that shows in the results we have had.
“Everyone has been so supportive of us. The backroom staff have been so dedicated, we have great sponsors and the community has been fantastic in coming out to watch. We just want to repay them all and make them proud.”
