WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

25 April 2006

Croesyceiliog, extending an unbeaten run to seven matches, moved into second place of the Macron Welsh League, Division Two, with a hard-earned home 2-0 win over Pontyclun last night, both goals scored in the second-half.

Croesyceiliog, four games remaining with two at home, took the lead with a Chris Watkins penalty, Craig Williams punished for handball, but it looked rough justice.

There was little between the sides in the first-half, but Croesyceiliog turned up the heat after the break.

However, defiant Pontyclun defended in depth, very successfully until the penalty award, with goalkeeper Ian Minton in particularly good form.

Jody Jenkins kept Croesyceiliog firmly on the promotion path with a second goal, his 35th of the campaign, and it is all building to a nail-biting finish to the season.

Caerleon play their final Division One game of the season tonight, away to Pontardawe, the game being played at Port Talbot.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

24 April 2006

NEWPORT YMCA put an end to any lingering worries about relegation from the Macron Welsh League First Division with their 2-0 home win over Ely Rangers on Saturday.

They had the lion¹s share of possession but were given a real battle until they put their noses in front.

“It was a good, hard-working performance,” said manager Mark Coldrick. “The boys had a bit of a point to prove after their second-half display against Barry.”

YM took control in the first half and led through a 25th-minute penalty by Darren Porretta after Aaron Stewart was chopped down in the penalty area.
The second half was scrappy, YM clinching the win when young substitute striker Dean Goddard bundled in Robbie Painter¹s whipped-in corner after Faris Yafai missed the initial chance.

Central midfielder Alex Jenkins was another young substitute used by the YM, who will give a few other youngsters a run-out in their final two games.

Caerleon were not in action on Saturday, but a 1-0 defeat at Afan Lido on Friday means they are still not clear of the threat of relegation as most of the teams below them have games in hand.

Abertillery remain in even greater danger of relegation from Division Two after a 2-1 home defeat by Troedyrhiw, Jamie Mayers getting the Abertillery goal.
Mayers equalised Troedyrhiw¹s opener on the half-hour when he slid in to score from Ryan Durham¹s long throw.

Abertillery controlled play after that but were left pointless by a last-minute goal, but manager Jason Morgan believes that two wins from their final five games may be enough to keep them up.

Croesyceiliog improved their promotion chances with a 5-2 away win over bottom club Gwynfi, though they were not at their best, particularly in the first half.

They rested several players after three games in five days and went to a 3-5-2 formation, but trailed after ten minutes before Chris Watkins equalised from a penalty after Michael Dewar was brought down.

Another penalty put Gwynfi back in front, but Croesyceiliog equalised again with a 35th-minute left-foot shot from the edge of the box by Jodie Jenkins.
And just before half-time a whipped-in cross by Chris Watkins was put into his own net by a Gwynfi defender.

Croesy went back to 4-4-2 in the second half and took control, with 15-year-old Daniel Clouth helping to give the side a more balanced look.
Jamie Stokes lobbed the ¹keeper from the edge of the box for Croesy¹s fourth before Jenkins added the fifth with a far-post header from Watkins¹ cross.

Croesyceiliog, who had the Pattimore brothers, Michael and Gareth, back in action, are home to Pontyclun on Monday (6.30pm).

Tredegar were 3-2 home winners over higher-placed Caldicot in the Gwent derby but should have won by more.

Even Caldicot manager Jason Pritchard agreed: “I have no qualms. We were poor, they were good, end of story,” he said.

Striker Jason Thorne gave Caldicot the lead early in the second half, finishing well from a through ball by Wayne Morley.

Centre-half Darren Bennett equalised for Tredegar with a header from a corner before striker Ashley Ford put them in front with a tap-in following an excellent move, and they increased their lead through midfielder Sam Hartree.

Morley gave the scoreline a respectable look with Caldicot¹s second right at the death.

“We are in fifth spot, and had you offered us that at the start of the season we¹d have snapped your hand off,” said Pritchard.

“We have a local manager and local players, which is what we have wanted for years, and we¹re happy.”

“We are a very young side and should do well next season provided we can hang on to them,” said Tredegar official Riley Gray.

In Division Three fourth-placed Llanwern lost 3-1 at home to leaders Cambrian and Clydach, gifting their opponents all three goals.

“We would have been happy at the start of the season to be given a mid-table spot, but I¹m disappointed we have not won promotion because we have played some good football at times,” said Llanwern manager Laurence Owen.

“But it was mistakes which cost us a 3-0 defeat at home to Treharris in midweek and we made more mistakes and I¹ve no complaints.”

Richie Bingham scored Llanwern¹s goal, heading in at the far post after Cambrian had gone 2-0 up.

Chepstow Town were held to a 2-2 home draw by struggling Seven Sisters but Goytre, also struggling, were unlucky to lose 3-2 at home to second-placed Newcastle Emlyn.

Goytre¹s Mark Langford had a tenth-minute penalty saved before going off injured but his side still led 1-0 and 2-1.

Steve Collett gave them the lead when the Newcastle ¹keeper parried Graham Mason¹s shot and it rebounded in off Collett¹s knee.

Newcastle made it 1-1 with a header from a corner by half-time before Andy Walsh rose high to head in Lee Challenger¹s corner to put Goytre back in front.

Two minutes later Newcastle again equalised but Goytre missed chances before their visitors got the winner.

Goytre will hope to ease relegation worries when they visit Blaenrhondda on Wednesday.

Treowen grabbed three vital points in their battle against relegation with a 1-0 home win over bottom club Penrhiwfer, but were disappointed that Blaenrhondda¹s win over AFC Porth prevented them climbing out of the bottom three.

“It was a massive, massive three points,” said manager Richard Davies. “It was our only chance and they didn¹t have one. We were patient, as we had to be.”

Treowen¹s goal came after 70 minutes, when substitute Lewis Coote set up David Stephenson with his first touch seconds after going on, and not long after Stephenson was pushed forward from midfield.

Treowen have a big game at Porth on Tuesday, when a win would be welcome, with tough games against West End and Cwmamman (both twice) and leaders Cambrian and Clydach to come.

Risca lost 3-1 at West End but felt they deserved a point, battling well and playing some good football, Chris Baker grabbing their goal.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

17 April 2006

CAERLEON helped themselves to a crucial three points when they edged out AFC Llwydcoed to ease their relegation worries in Macron Welsh League, Division One.

Goals from Craig Jolliff and Chris Pearce helped them to a 2-0 home win against the division¹s basement outfit.

It was a nervy affair and it took a left-footed strike from Jolliff to settle the hosts on 20 minutes, a lead they held at the break.

The win was sealed 20 minutes from time when a Troy Quarterly shot was handled on the line, allowing Pearce to step up and double the lead.

Manager David Griffiths said: "I think it was more of a 50-pointer than a six-pointer and it was a big win for us against a side fighting for their lives."

"It was a typical relegation scrap and I don¹t think it was the best spectacle, it might not have been a flash performance but it was a vital win."

"We have a big week coming up now and I think one more win might be enough."

"Hopefully, we can get it on Wednesday against Maesteg so we¹ll be a bit more relaxed in our other two games."

Newport YMCA also edged that little bit further away from the battle at the bottom of the league, but the point they earned at Barry Town could so easily have been three.

YM led 2-0 at the break courtesy of goals from player-coach Darren Porretta and Daniel Cueto, but were pegged back by their hosts with a pair of second-half goals.

Porretta opened the scoring from the spot after centre back Daniel Heath had been fouled from a set-piece, and Cueto doubled the lead with a shot into the bottom corner from a well-worked move.

But Barry came out a different side after the break and got themselves back into the game minutes after the visitors had been left frustrated after being denied a penalty, the referee opting to give an indirect free-kick in the box instead.

The hosts made the most of a static defence to capitalise on a lose ball to level the scores, keeper Gareth Wesson left helpless after making a smart initial save.

Manager Mark Coldrick said: "We said at half-time that the players needed to match their first-half performance but they never quite reached those standards."

"It was a bit of a strange position for us to be in because I can¹t remember the last time we were leading 2-0 at the break, and in the end I suppose it was a fair enough result because they came out a different side in the second half."

In Division Two it wasn¹t a day for defenders at Croesyceiliog as they kept their promotion bid on track with a 5-3 win over Caerau Ely. The hosts fielded a much-changed line-up to rest some regulars ahead of a hectic weekand it seemed to be paying off when they were leading 2-0 after 20 minutes,Jamie Stokes bagging a brace.

Poor defending led to a 2-1 scoreline at the break but Michael Dewar madethe most of a rare start to extend the score to 3-1.

The visitors pegged it back to 3-2 before Jody Jenkins came off the bench to net his 27th of the season. Another lapse made it 4-3 but Gareth Willmott settled the nerves to bag the three points that keep Croesyceiliog third in the table.

Tredegar Town endured a nervy last few minutes after making life hard for themselves before running out 4-3 winners against visiting Gwynfi United.

Darren Bennett opened the scoring before the bottom club equalised. Ian Morris gave Town a 2-1 lead at the break and then converted a penalty to make it 3-1. A terrific strike by Sam Hartree direct from a freekick made it4-1 but the hosts switched off and conceded a pair of late goals, but held on for a crucial three points.

Abertillery were put to the sword by second-placed ENTO Aberaman, the hostsputting three goals past their struggling visitors.

Llanwern kept up their charge at the top of Division Three after a StevePerszewski strike won them the spoils at Seven Sisters.

He hit the back of the net on 55 minutes sidefooting home after good workdown the flank by Ivan Poncak.

It was a game Llanwern dominated from the outset and but for heroics by thehosts¹ keeper the scoreline could have been much more flattering. A resolute defensive effort at the other end meant the game never looked in doubt.

A late strike from Liam Kidman helped Risca United to a 1-0 win overYstradgynlais in a tight game both sides deserved to take something from.

Kidman struck in the 80th minutes, finishing smartly into the left-hand corner to take the spoils.

Goytre were unable to make the most of their pressure as they went down 1-0 at Treharris Athletic.

The hosts scored the only goal of the game after 15 minutes and from then onGoytre dominated proceedings, hitting the bar and the post and forcing thehome keeper into a series of smart saves.

But for all their pressure they were unable to break through and the hostsheld on.

The mid-table battle between Llantwit Fardre and Chepstow ended with both sides taking a point after neither side was able to break the deadlock. 

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

13 April 2006

A powerful first-half performance paved the way for Llanwern to get their promotion bid back on track with a victory over Gwent rivals Goytre in the Macron Welsh League, Division Three, at Spytty Park last night.

Llanwern emerged 4-1 winners, a scoreline which didn¹t quite justify Goytre¹s second-half display.

Laurence Owen, Llanwern manager, said: "It was good to get back on winning ways after three games without a win. This has given us a bit of a lift and we are back in the top three."

Steve Morgan, Goytre manager, said: "We lost the game in the first 45 minutes. We put a bit more fight and spirit into our second-half performance but they were much too sharp for us."

Marcus Power gave Llanwern a 12th-minute lead and on the half hour Michael Aviss scored a second after a near post flick-on from Steve Perszewski.

But a minute later Goytre grabbed a lifeline when Steve Collett drilled home a glorious free-kick from 25 yards.

But four minutes from the break Llanwern regained their two-goal advantage when Mattie Smith latched onto a Currie free-kick.

Llanwern never reached the standards set the first-half but Darren Poultney wrapped up the victory with a late goal.

Cwmbran Celtic ended their nightmare run, twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 at home against Pentwyn Dynamo  with goals from Deri Crimmins and Mark Parfitt (penalty), with a much better showing than against Chepstow on Monday night.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

10 April 2006

NEWPORT YMCA gained a good point in their Macron Welsh League Division One game against third placed Maesteg Park on Saturday. YM drew 0-0 at home and were well worth their point.

Goalkeeper Gareth Wesson made some good first half saves for YM and they competed well after that, captain John Pardue battling hard and were on top in the last 25 minutes.

They created one decent chance which striker Aaron Stewart went close to converting, but his effort was cleared off the line.

But in the second half two players were sent off. A bad challenge was made on Pardue, the Maesteg player sent off, as was YM¹s Leon Spargoe who pushed the player who made the challenge in the face and was also give a red card.

Caerleon slumped to a 4-1 defeat at Taffs Well, below them in the table but well beaten.

Caerleon were without seven players who weren¹t available, three of them down with flu, after beating Bettws 1-0 two days earlier.

Manager Dave Griffiths, who is 43, treasurer Denis McCoy, 42, and Lee Relish, who hadn¹t played all season, had to go on in the second half because of injuries.

Caerleon conceded an own goal after just five minutes when Lewis Andrews put the ball in his own net, but then Luke Cueto had a goal disallowed after an alleged foul on the goalkeeper. Taffs Well made Caerleon pay with their second goal for a 2-0 interval lead.

In the second half came the disruptions, though Gareth Sadler netted for Caerleon, but Maesteg scored twice more and Caerleon surrendered tamely.

In Division Two all four Gwent teams drew.

Fourth placed Croesyceiliog did well to draw 0-0 at leaders Pontypridd Town, and were happy with the outcome while Caldicot, a place below Croesy, drew 1-1 at second placed ENTO Aberaman Athletic.

Against the wind Caldicot went ahead after 25 minutes when Gareth Cullimore crossed and the wind caught the ball and took it over the visiting goalkeeper¹s head.

Five minutes before the interval a Caldicot back pass presented Aberaman with the equaliser.

Caldicot had a chance to gain the spoils midway through the second half Cullimore was brought down in the penalty area but Jason Thorn blasted the ball well over the bar.

Caldicot are now resigned to being unable to earn a promotion spot at the end of the season.

In a basement battle Abertillery drew 2-2 at home to Porthcawl. Aber went a goal down after 10 minutes, but pulled level five minutes from the interval when Chris Penny drilled the ball home into the top corner of the net.

The visitors regained the lead early in the second half after being awarded a dubious penalty, but again equalised with ten minutes left when Richard Langley scored after a goalmouth scramble near the line.

Aber were pleased with the debut of keeper Matthew Long and fellow newcomer Rhys Griffiths at full back.

In Division Three Llanwern, the best placed Gwent club, were beaten 2-1 at home by lowly Llantwit Fardre.

"It was an horrendous display and result. It was a must win game for us after meekly surrendering to Risca the week before and there are no excuses," said manager Laurence Owen.

"We did have our three best players missing but we should still have done a lot better and we gave two silly goals away. We deserved nothing out of the game."

It was 0-0 at the interval, but Llantwit scored two goals in the second half and though Michael Aviss made up for a previous mistake with a fine individual goal for Llanwern and though Richard Bingham hit a post they couldn¹t make the lost ground.

Goytre were held to a 2-2 draw at home by bottom team Penrhiwfer, a disappointing result.

Goytre went ahead through Joe Carlos, who knocked in a cross, but the visitors drew level before Goytre regained the lead through an Andy Walsh header.

But they surrendered the lead again after a quarter-of-an-hour of the second half when a long range shot dipped under the bar. Goytre had chances after that but failed to take them.

Treowen, bottom but one in the table, beat Blaenrhondda, the team immediately above them 1-0, Luke Evans getting the only goal in the second half when he cut inside and shot home into the far top corner.

Chepstow romped to a 5-1 win against Gwent rivals Risca in Division Three.

Cwmbran Celtic lost 1-0 at Ystradgynlais, as Shane Williamson had a penalty saved and and hit a post, Mark Parfitt also hitting the woodwork.

WELSH LEAGUE PREVIEW

7 April 2006

Newport YMCA continue their Division One climb, are boosted by the return of Phil Tranter and Steve Edwards for their home game with Maesteg Park.

And manager Mark Coldrick is still smarting from the 4-2 defeat suffered at Tudor Park back in early December.

He said: “We owe them one because they turned us over at their place, although we gifted them three of the goals.”

“We have taken the pressure off ourselves a bit and have given some pretty solid performances lately and we¹ll be hoping to take three points.”

YM, who have experienced quite a good time since the turn of the year, have lost once in their last seven league games.

Caerleon face fellow strugglers Taffs Well ­ but at least they have to contend with 6ft. 4in American striker Steve Loverso who has moved to Cwmbran.

With Goytre tucked in mid-table, manager Steve Morgan is set to give youth a fling as the Third Division approaches its final stages. Following the midweek home defeat by newcomers West End he said: “We are in a safe position and I may now give some of the youngsters a game.”

And looking ahead even further, Morgan said: “We don¹t have a reserve side in the Welsh League or an under-19 team and I think to progress we have to get things in place. We have to try and bring our teams closer to where our first team are playing.”

Goytre are at home to bottom team Penrhiwfer whose stay in the Welsh League could come to an abrupt end after just two seasons.

West End, who retained the FAW Trophy with a 4-2 victory over Cefn United, have a fistful of games in hand and are set to figure in the promotion fixture, the top teams, including Llanwern, all looking anxiously over their shoulder.

Chepstow, midweek winners at Penrhiwfer where Nicky Vassallo scored his third hat-trick of the season, face a difficult task although they have home advantage over Risca who are in the top half of the table.

Barrie Vassallo, who recently returned as manager, said: “The aim was to keep the club in the league and it¹s going well.”

“Everyone is happy with the results and the clash with Risca should prove an interesting game.”

Third-place Croesyceiliog face the toughest task of all the Gwent clubs, travelling to tackle unbeaten Division One leaders Pontypridd. Caldicot, breathing down Croesyceiliog¹s neck, entertain second-place ENTO Aberaman who are two points ahead of them but with three games in hand.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

3 April 2006

CAERLEON were edged out by a pair of second-half goals when they hosted highflying Goytre United at Cold Bath Road.

It was a tight game and the sides were level going into the break, but the side who sit in second place in Macron Welsh League Division One stepped up a gear in the second half.

The first half was a battle in the midfield, but Goytre began to dominate possession once the teams had changed ends.

They got the breakthrough that their pressure deserved on 65 minutes, when a header from a cross from the left flank gave ’keeper Fitzroy Hutchinson no chance in the Caerleon goal.

While the hosts did manage to apply some pressure from a number of corners, one of which flew directly onto the bar, it came as no surprise when the visitors extended their lead.

Hutchinson was once again helpless as a 30-yard effort flew into his net and killed off any chance of a Caerleon comeback.

Manager David Griffiths said: “They are a good side going for promotion but first half was even Stephen. They stepped it up

in the second half and were better on the day – they deserved their win.

“We didn’t play poorly and there are some encouraging signs, we just faced a side with a bit more quality. We need to carry that form into our next three games now, because they are all against teams below us in the league.”

The Division Two programme was hit by the weather, with Abertillery’s trip to Ammanford, Croesyceiliog’s home game with Pontyclun and Tredegar Town’s clash with Pontypridd Town all postponed.

Caldicot Town will be pleased their game survived after they recorded a 3-1 win on their travels to Porthcawl Town.

It was only their third win away from home in the campaign and was masterminded by a fine performance by striker Jason Thorne.

Thorne set up the first goal for Paul Harris before dusting himself down after winning a penalty to put Town 2-0 up after 30 minutes.

The hosts got back into the game five minutes after the break from the penalty spot but they were unable to muster any chances of note.

Thorne rounded off the win in injury time when he broke free of the defence to neatly lob the advancing ’keeper.

Manager Jason Pritchard said: “Any win is a good win, especially away from home. I’d say we played well for most of

the game, we just let ourselves down with a sticky 25-minute period in the second half.

“But we deserved the points and Jason was the best player on the pitch by a long way, I thought he deserved a hat trick and he was the difference today.”

A strike from substitute Adam Roberts gave Goytre a share of the spoils when they travelled to take on AFC Porth in Division Three.

The sides were separated by a solitary point, Porth just above their visitors going into the match, and that was how it stayed thanks to the midfielder’s long-range effort in the second half. His strike levelled matters after the hosts had gone into the break with a 1-0 lead.

Manager Steve Morgan said: “We are pleased. To go away from home in difficult conditions against a side slightly above us in the league and to come back with a point is a good result for us.”

Second-from-bottom Treowen were edged out by second-from-top Cambrian and Clydach in a scrappy affair, with the hosts profiting from some slack defending.

Treowen shipped a goal in each half, both scrambled efforts, in a game which failed to spark with neither side creating many chances. In windy conditions the visitors lacked creativity and failed to make the most of the few chances that did come their way.

Risca United recorded a deserved win over visiting Llanwern after scoring twice in a five-minute spell in the second half.

The game was scoreless at the break despite the hosts dominating proceedings and hitting both the post and the bar.

But with the game approaching the hour mark the deadlock was broken by Liam Kidman, who broke through to the edge of the box and struck a shot past the ’keeper.

Five minutes later the win was sealed by Rhys Iles, who profited from a defensive error to slide the ball home for the final goal of the game.

The game between Chepstow Town and Cwmbran Celtic at the Larkfield Ground was postponed.