Saturday 14 May 2008

Bryntirion Athletic 2, Cwmbran Town 0

from cwmbrantownafc.co.uk

The season ended as it had started, in warm sunshine, but with a defeat. A first half brace from one of the league’s hottest prospects, Robbie Walters, ensured the points went to the home side. 

Young reserve team defender Ryan Howells was handed his senior team debut in a back five, but unfortunately his first match was only to last three or four minutes. A clash of heads when going up for a defensive header left Howells needing a trip to the local hospital. Craig Lane replaced him a few minutes later.

The first meaningful attack of the game by either side led to the hosts creating the opening goal. A cross came in from the right wing and Robbie Walters rose to head home.

Ten minutes later and the Crows had a chance to equalise. Oliver Collins clipped the ball over the high Bryntirion defence and Chris Smith latched onto it. Keeper Alan Fouanguim was off his line like a shot and Smith couldn’t steer his shot passed him.

As the half-time whistle approached Bryntirion extended their lead. A communication mix up between the keeper and the defence saw Bryntirion’s Jon Cuss steal the ball and set Walters up to slot home.

As is so often the case this season the Crows played better and created more in the second half. With the Bryntirion defence happy with their high position up the pitch, the pace in the Crows attack proved dangerous.

Half time sub Richard Lane had the first real chance. He latched onto a ball over the top from Lefty Simplice and sped towards goal, but could then only shoot wide.

Chris Smith had a brace of chances from a corner. He connected well with a header but the keeper was equal to it. The rebound fell kindly back to him but he lifted his shot just over the bar.

Shortly afterwards, the hosts hit back when Cuss crossed for Carpenter who put his header wide of the mark. As the game entered the last five minutes Richard Lane was set free again. Koffi flicked on a through ball and Lane bore down on goal with two defenders for company. Again keeper Fouanguim denied the young striker.

As the final minutes of the game, and season, ticked away, the Crows mustered two more chances. Tybbo Koffi’s long-range shot was saved before Lefty signalled the end of the campaign with a speculative shot that went just wide.

The Crows now wait on the results of Taff’s Well’s and Pontardawe’s last games to see if they will finish twelfth, thirteenth or fourteenth.

Tuesday 6 May 2008

Pontyclun 0, Barry Town 3

By Greg Lamerton, Pontyclun FC

Defeat in their final game of the season against promoted Barry Town condemned Pontyclun to relegation to Division Three of the MacWhirter Welsh League. As was the case in the previous match between the sides at Jenner Park, with a little more luck, Pontyclun could have got a result but Barry were more clinical with their finishing and ran out deserved winners.

In front of a large crowd, Ponty started brightly and played some decent football but without really creating a clear cut chance. It was the visitors who scored however with their first strike of the game when Christian Mills ran straight through the centre of the Clun defence and placed a well struck shot just inside the far post. Chris Bowen then had a headed effort cleared off the line by a Barry defender before the visitors doubled their lead. No danger seemed imminent as Rhys Jones picked up the ball on the left hand touchline but he skipped past a couple of defenders as he cut inside and smashed a shot past Matty Evans in the Ponty goal.  

Ponty replaced Shaun Williams with Andy Morris for the second half and again started brightly as Bowen had yet another header kicked off the goal line. Williams’ brother Craig then forced an excellent diving save from the Barry keeper and John Rees narrowly failed to connect with a cross that was flashed across the Barry goal mouth.

Bowen kept the score line to 2-0 when he made an excellent tackle to deny Barry playmaker Jamie Bradfield after Ross Youlden had been done for pace.

Ponty manager Phil Preene made two further substitutions in an effort to salvage a point with Adrian James and Mathew James making way for Day and Hutchins. However it was Barry who scored the last goal of the game when their substitute Rob Blatchford scored with a neat finish after the ball had been needlessly given away on the right.

So division three it is next season and Ponty can look back on one or two key results that cost them relegation, particularly home defeats by Tredegar and Ammanford, clubs which finished very low down in the league themselves. On a brighter note, the emergence of youngsters Joel Woodington, Mathew James, Shaun Williams, Chris Bowen and keeper Evans auger well for the season ahead and the club should make a swift return back to Division Two.

Saturday 10 May 2008

Caldicot Town 1, Ton Pentre 3

from Ton Pentre FC

Ton Pentre finished their season with a well earned win at Caldicot Town where some fine football was on show. Ryan Shugar, Mark Crutch and Jonathan Kift were on target for the Rhondda Bulldogs to round off a season that has seen them finish third in MacWhirter Welsh Football League Division One.

The Bulldogs will feel disappointed with this final position having lead Division One for a large portion of the season but following some poor results throughout March and April they handed advantage over to Dinas Powys and Goytre United. The Goyts look likely to lift the title as a draw in their final match of the season on 13^th May against Caerleon would see them win the silverware.

This match against Caldicot Town was significant as it signalled the end of goalkeeper Marty Ellacott’s excellent career. Ellacott played League of Wales football with Ton, represented the Rhondda Bulldogs in the UEFA Inter-Toto Cup and is still one of the best goalkeepers in the Welsh League. He certainly retires while on top of his game.

Ton’s afternoon at Jubilee Way almost got off to a terrible start when inside the first five minutes a pass inside by Phil Clarke to Mark Crutch was hit short allowing Jason Thorn to snatch possession. Thorn should have scored but he cracked his shot against the cross bar.

Following this Ton’s dominance on the game began and Mattie Davies came close to bending his shot into the net but the ball was pushed away by James Smallcombe. On the follow-up Andrew Hughes struck his shot over the bar.

The Bulldogs found the back of the net in the 11^th minute when from an Alyn Jones corner Ryan Shugar moved well inside the box and fired in Ton Pentre’s 100^th league goal of the season making it 1-0.

Despite coming close on several subsequent occasions, Ton did not score again until the 28^th minute when defender Mark Crutch scored a beautiful goal after he stayed up the pitch following a Ton corner. When the ball was cleared out to the left by the Caldicot defence it was re-sent back into the box. The ball landed inside the penalty area and Crutch volleyed his shot past Smallcombe and into the net.

On 44 minutes Nicky Jones crossed into the box from the right and found Jonathan Kift. He finished well to score his 24^th goal of the season giving Ton a comfortable three goal lead.

Caldicot Town grabbed a goal back a minute later through Thorn when he outflanked the Ton defence.

For the first 20 minutes of the second half Ton completely controlled this fixture and should have added several more goals but Shugar saw his 60^th minute curling shot saved by the keeper, Davies had his shot blocked by last ditch defending two minutes later and from the rebound Lee Matthews hit the post.

Caldicot enjoyed a period of possession following this but were well contained by Ton Pentre leaving them unable to find any penetration.  

By the end of the match the Rhondda Bulldogs were back to playing in their usual flowing and intricate manner but were unable to find the back of the net for a fourth time.

Ton Pentre AFC will hold their Annual Presentation Evening at Ton Pentre Football Club on Friday 23^rd May 2008 with Soul Sensation providing the musical entertainment. Tickets cost £3 and are available from the Clubhouse.

Team: 1.Marty Ellacott; 2.Nicky Jones; 3.Scott Hayward; 4.Mark Crutch; 5.Phil Clarke; 6.Andrew Hughes; 7.Lee Matthews; 8.Ryan Shugar; 9.Mattie Davies; 10.Jonathan Kift; 11.Alyn Jones.

Subs not used: 12.Dale Price; 15.Scott Jones & 16.Richard Stevens.

Goals: Shugar 11, Crutch 28, Kift 44

Booked: None

Saturday 10 May 2008

Dinas Powys 2, Pontardawe Town 1

by Morley Williams, Dinas Powys FC

This win, in their final game of the season, keeps Dinas at the top of MacWhirter Welsh League Division One and the effort and commitment shown through this season was evident in this game when they went a goal behind and were reduced to ten men in the first twenty minutes.

It was the home side who had the chance to open the scoring in the fourth minute, a corner taken quickly to Shelton Payne gave him the chance to go past a defender and lay the ball back to Nana Baah but he side-footed past the left upright when he should have scored.

Pontardawe had the advantage in height and maybe that was in Jason Cowan’s mind when he needlessly handled a free-kick in the penalty area to give the visitors a penalty, Luke Harris scoring from the spot.

Shelton Payne volleyed over from a Ricki Morgan cross before Dinas were dealt another blow when Morgan was given his marching orders and they were reduced to ten men. At least Jason Cowan had the chance to redeem himself and for the remainder of the game he put in a controlled and committed performance with manager Mark Jones changing the formation.

Dinas struck back in the twenty-eight minute when a corner found Chris Ashley at the far post, he played the ball back in and when Drew Fahiya’s overhead kick hit the arm of a defender the referee immediately gave a penalty, Geza Hajgato stepped up and coolly sent goalkeeper Mark Snell the wrong way to score. Another mazy run past three defenders by Shelton Payne ended with a shot over the bar. Despite being down to ten men the Pontardawe forwards were not giving the Dinas defence many problems and it was the home side looking more likely to score in what remained of the first-half.

Five minutes into the second-half a Dave Brooks pass gave Nana Baah the chance to advance into the penalty area but his low cross was well taken by the Pontardawe keeper Mark Snell at the foot of his post before any Dinas player could get a foot to the ball.

Top scorer Drew Fahiya had been well marshalled by a robust defence but when he did get a chance his shot from the edge of the area didn’t trouble the keeper. Five minutes later he showed just what he is capable of, a Dinas throw found him in the area he flicked the ball over a defender and placed the ball past the keeper into the top far corner of the net for his twenty-fourth goal of the season to give Dinas the lead.

The visitors should have equalized from a corner, the ball hitting the bar and rebounding to Ashley Richards but his close range effort was smartly saved by keeper Keiron Blackburn but this was probably the only chance they created throughout the game. I

n warm sunshine Dinas saw out the final twenty minutes of the game before players and management celebrated what has been the best season in the club’s history. Congratulations to Mark Jones, players and all involved at the club.

All eyes are now on the game on Tuesday 13th May at Goytre where the title will be decided, the home side only need a point against Caerleon to move above Dinas and win The Welsh League.

Wednesday 7 May 2008

Cwmbran Town 2, Bridgend Town 2

from cwmbrantownafc.co.uk

A deserved three points seemed on the cards for the Crows after a particularly impressive second half performance. However, a late penalty kick was enough for the visitors to steal a point in a highly entertaining game.

The game got off to a sprightly start with Ricky Hodge shooting just wide, followed by Bridgend’s Jenkins shooting over from a right wing cross. A minute later though and former Crow Dale Raven put his side 1-0 up with a sweet half-volley. Raven controlled a cross from the right and then managed to squeeze his shot through two defenders and into the corner of the net.

The visitors could have gone 2-0 up almost immediately when another ex-Crow Hayden Fleming was allowed to run a good 25 yards relatively unchallenged. Fortunately, Richard Jeffries was on hand to save Fleming’s shot.

Around the half hour mark Tybbo Koffi was unlucky to see his shot on goal deflected onto the post by the man on the line after keeper Cropley had missed a cross. Moments later, the Crows fashioned a lovely move that saw Sosy Guei start and end it. He picked the ball up deep and supplied Smith on the right wing. Smith then clipped in a long cross which Koffi headed back across goal only for Guei to shoot just over the bar.

It didn’t take long for Guei to make up for that miss though. Koffi sprung the offside trap, controlling a long ball from the defence. His shot was saved by the keeper but fortunately the loose ball came back to him. He unselfishly squared the ball to Guei who slotted past the defender on the line.

The half ended with a flurry of chances with the first falling to Bridgend. Nilton Terroso picked up a loose ball and thumped a cracking half-volley from about 20 yards. It was a good height for Jeffries, but he still needed to be at full stretch to tip over in acrobatic fashion.

In injury time, neat approach play by Law and Koffi set Hodge up, but his shot was saved by Cropley. Hodge whipped in the resultant corner and this time it was Chris Smith who saw his shot cleared off the line with the keeper beaten.

The second half took a while to get going, but as the hour mark approached the Crows took the lead. Bridgend’s high line was exposed allowing Sosy Guei to power down the right flank. His cross fell to midfielder Tidiany Kone who simply doesn’t score boring goals. Kone made a little space for himself before curling a powerful shot into the keeper’s top left-hand corner.

Following that goal the Crows took full control of the game. Koffi turned and out-paced the tiring Bridgend defence only to see his shot go just over the bar. Ten minutes later, Guei dinked a lovely ball over the top of the defence for Roleio-Doe to run onto. The substitute couldn’t beat the keeper though as Cropley saved well. Almost immediately Roleio-Doe returned the compliment, teeing-up Guei who shot just wide of the goal.

Koffi had a brace of chances in the space of three minutes as the game entered the last ten. Cropley came to the rescue saving Koffi’s first attempt, but could then only watch as the second went wide of the mark. Then just before the imminent heart-breaking penalty, Richard Lane latched onto a through ball but was denied again by the keeper.

As home fans began chewing on their nails waiting for the final whistle the unthinkable happened. A spectator for most of the second half, Raven received the ball outside the Cwmbrân box. As he attempted to power his way to the by-line, the normally-cool Pierre Lisbie tripped the diminutive winger and the referee pointed to the spot.

As in the reverse fixture, Raven calmly despatched the penalty kick past Jeffries, only this time the goal yielded an unlikely point for Bridgend.

The Crows complete their campaign with an away trip to Bryntirion Athletic on Saturday afternoon.

Wednesday 7 May 2008

Goytre United 2, Ton Pentre 2

from Ton Pentre FC 

Ton Pentre and Goytre United provided a wonderful example of what the MacWhirter Welsh Football League has to offer as Glenhafod Park Stadium hosted an action packed match for all the right reasons.

Excitement was abound from the very first minute of the game when the Rhondda Bulldogs took the lead through their captain, Andrew Hughes after Jonathan Kift was fouled by a Goytre defender on the left hand side of the field about 20 yards out from goal. Dale Price took the free kick and swung the ball into the far post where it was met by Hughes who sent a bullet header into Chris Curtis’s net.

The action was end to end and Goytre’s first real chance came during the 12^th minute of the match when good build-up play carved an opening in the Ton defence allowing Danny Thomas to slip through undetected. With Marty Ellacott off his goal line Thomas attempted a chipped shot but he was unable to keep it out of Ellacott’s reach and the Ton goalkeeper held firmly.

As the half progressed the Rhondda Bulldogs were allowing Goytre too much time on the ball and as a result they began to look very dangerous.

The Goyts grabbed an equaliser just shy of the half hour mark when Ton conceded a free kick deep inside their own half. Richard Ryan stood over the ball from around 25 yards out and his body language suggested that he was going to attempt a direct shot. However, instead he sent the ball to the left post where Darren Lyons was able to score from a tight angle for a well worked goal.

Moments later Goytre were gifted the lead when a failed back pass from the head of Hughes allowed Thomas the chance to lob a helpless Ellacott.

It almost got worse for the Bulldogs at the start of the second half when Thomas again found himself in a goal scoring position following a useful attack. However, Ellacott pulled off an excellent save by diving low to his left to scoop the ball out for a corner.

Ton responded positively and put Goytre under pressure for large portions of the second half. As a result the Bulldogs deserved their 64^th minute leveller.

Dale Price was hanging back in midfield following a Ton assault on the Goytre box and when the ball was cleared from the penalty area it landed at his feet. The ball bounced up nicely for Price who unleashed a wonderful shot from 30 yards that was destined for the back of the net from the moment the ball left his boot. The shot was unstoppable and drew the Bulldogs level at 2-2.

Mattie Davies came close to scoring a potential winner for Ton when he received the ball in the box from Alyn Jones. With the keeper off his line he was presented with a fantastic opportunity but the shot wasn’t high enough and Curtis was able to pluck it out of the air.

Goytre too had an excellent chance of winning all three points five minutes from the end when former Bulldog Steve Conaty was allowed to run right through the middle of the pitch and into the penalty area for a free shot at the target. Fortunately for Ton he sent his shot high over the cross bar.

A draw was a fair result in this highly entertaining match. This result means that Goytre United are now firm favourites to take the league title for the 2007-2008 season.

Ton’s final match of the season is on Saturday 10^th May 2008 at Caldicot Town. Kick off 2.30pm.

Team: 1.Marty Ellacott; 2.Ryan Morgan (12.Richard Carter 76); 3.Nicky Jones; 4.Mark Crutch; 5.Scott Hayward; 6.Andrew Hughes (Captain); 7.Dale Price; 8.Ryan Shugar; 9.Mattie Davies; 10.Jonathan Kift; 11.Alyn Jones (15.Phil Clarke 72).

Subs not used: None

Goals: Hughes 1, Price 64,

Booked: Hayward 27, Crutch 57, Clarke 90+2

Tuesday 6 May 2008

Pontyclun 0, Barry Town 3

by Stuart Lovering, Chairman, Barry Town FC

Barry Town recorded a final victory on Tuesday night when they ran out comfortable winners against Pontyclun in their last match of the season.

The Town could still have won the title but rivals Bettws also won on the same night so the Dragons finished the season in second place and promotion to Division One. The Town’s 21st win of the season (out of 34 matches) also doomed Pontyclun to relegation.

Keiron James nearly put Barry Town ahead after seven minutes when he rounded the keeper but found himself too far wide to shoot and his cut back was intercepted by a defender. The Town took the lead on 20 minutes when Christian Mills was put through the middle with a Jamie Bradford pass. Mills calmly stroked the ball to the oncoming keepers left to the roars and French horn of the Town’s large travelling away fans.

A minute later, a Town defender cleared off the line after some goalmouth action. In the 23rd minute, Mills ran through the middle again but this time the keeper saved the ball at his feet. Pontyclun were playing dangerously with a high line defence against Mills pace and but for many offside decisions (some controversial), Mills could have scored a hatful.

A couple of minutes later, Rhys Jones made it 2-0 to the Town. Starting near the touchline, Jones made a jinking run, only to be man-wrestled. Jones proved stronger and got away (the referee playing advantage). Jones ran on a couple of paces and then curled a super shot into the far left of the net from 25 yards out – a fine individual goal.

Captain Jamie Bradford rounded the Pontyclun keeper two minutes later and from his wide position curled the ball to the far post with the keeper nowhere but a defender managed to clear the ball for a corner. Jeff MacLean came on as a substitute for Geraint Goodridge who suffered a groin strain.

The second half started well for the Town when Rhys Carr made a run down the right side and crossed for Rhys Jones whose firm header was tipped over the bar by the Pontyclun keeper. Jones was injured as a defender clashed heads with him – Jones resumed play wearing a bandage around his head, Terry Butcher style.

Two minutes later, Lewis Cosslett was denied his first goal of the season when his looping header bounced off the crossbar. On the 65th minute, Jones put a header wide when he had more time than he realized.

Seven minutes from the end Mills crossed centre field 10 yards in front of the penalty box. Rob Blatchford chested the ball down to go past the last defender and then drilled a 20 yard shot past the keeper to make it 3-0. A minute later, Mills powered a shot at an angle from 20 yards out narrowly into the side netting.

Christian Mills finished the season as top scorer on 20 goals, Jamie Bradford scoring 17 goals.

Barry Town: 1 Dan Bradley, 2 Rhys Carr (79 min: 15 Tomasz Hejduk), 3 Dan Marshall, 4 Richard Thomas, 5 Lewis Cosslett, 6 Geraint Goodridge (37min: 16 Jeff MacLean), 7 Kieron James (60 min: 12 Rob Blatchford), 8 Rhys Jones, 9 Christian Mills, 10 Jamie Bradford, 11 Nathan Cadette. Sub not used: 14 Giles Smith.

Barry Town supporters have already started buying season tickets, even though the Town don’t normally start selling them until August. Prices are exceptionally low this year to attract a big crowd for a promotion push to the Premiership. Adult £50, OAPs £40, Student £30, Under 16 £10. Forms available at the Club open from midday. Tel 01446 735858.

Barry Town's players and staff celebrate promotion with some of their supporters at Pontyclun

Barry Town’s Under 13 Youth Development Academy played Swansea City’s Youth Development at Jenner Park last week in a hugely entertaining game of football played with skill, quality and great spirit. When the Swansea City keeper had to go off injured, the number one Barry Town keeper went in goal for Swansea, making two important saves for the Swans whose players congratulated him.

Barry Town's and Swansea City's under-13 academy teams pictured at Jenner Park

Rhys James stood out for the Town, his goal winning the match for the Town 3-2, though the score-line is not so important as developing the Town’s children to play at a higher level against stronger opposition. Swansea City were full of praise for the hospitality and professionalism afforded by Manager Matthew Case and Barry Town.

Saturday 3 May 2008

Ammanford 0, Pontyclun 1

by Greg Lamerton, Pontyclun FC

Pontyclun may have just salvaged their place in the MacWhirter Welsh League Division Two following this excellent win at fellow strugglers Ammanford against a side that took all three points from Ivor Park a mere two weeks ago.

Ponty were forced into a few changes owing to the suspension of Tyrone Pope and played the versatile Ross Youlden alongside Chris Bowen in defence with John Rees slotting into central midfield.

Ponty started brightly and carved open the Ammanford defence but strikers Joel Woodington and Mathew James could not quite convert the opportunities given them. Ponty had to wait until ten minutes before the break to take the lead when a speculative ball across the penalty area from Craig Williams found young James and the striker coolly slotted home.

The second half was somewhat of a nervous affair for Ponty, as it was a must that they held on to all three points. With Chris Bowen again outstanding at centre back and Youlden a willing partner they repelled everything Ammanford threw at them.

Ponty had Eliot Davey dismissed for a second yellow card with twenty minutes to go and it was backs to the wall from there. However Woodington had an excellent opportunity to seal the win but after creating an excellent opening for himself with a sublime piece of skill, he dragged his shot wide with just the keeper to beat.

Ammanford had two players sent off as the match came to a conclusion but Ponty ran out deserved winners in the end. It now boils down to the last match of the season against Barry Town at Ivor Park on Tuesday May 6th to determine the clubs fate as to whether they survive in the higher league for another season.

Pontylun: Mathew Evans, Phil Watson, Chris Bowen, Ross Youlden, Eliot Davey, Craig Williams, John Rees, Adrian James, Simon Payne, Mathew James, Joel Woodington. Subs Ross Hutchings, Andy Morris, Mark Day  

Saturday 3 May 2008

Dinas Powys 3, Cwmbran Town 0

by Morley Williams, Dinas Powys FC

There are some things you don’t want to end and this season is one of them. Manager Mark Jones has the side playing like a well-oiled machine and although they are relying on Goytre to slip up to have any chance of winning the Welsh League it will still be their most successful season ever.

Dinas had the ball in the net as early as the first minute but Drew Fahiya was judged offside, five minutes later Cwmbran lost the ball deep in the Dinas half, the ball was switched to Drew Fahiya and his cross was volleyed home from the edge of the area by Ricki Morgan for an excellent opener.

Geza Hajgato was again having an excellent game at right back and with Ricki Morgan buzzing around in midfield Dinas dominated the game restricting Cwmbran to the occasional long-range shot. When Dinas keeper Keiron Blackburn’s clearance found the head of Nana Baah his flick-on was persued by Drew Fahiya and David Brooks but Richard Jefferies in the visitors goal was alert and was able to dive on the ball first. Jefferies was again in the action saving smartly at the foot of his post from an overhead kick by Fahiya. On forty minutes Dinas doubled their lead when a low cross from Nana Baah found Drew Fahiya and he was able to squeeze a shot just inside the upright.

The second half continued where the first left-off with the home side well on top and the dangerous Fahiya just off target with a low shot from just inside the area. Eight minutes into the half there was a moment of contention, Dinas were awarded a penalty when a David Brooks shot hit the arm of a defender, Geza Hajgato’s kick found the corner of the net but the referee saw Dinas players encroaching into the area and awarded an indirect free-kick to the visitors when the kick should have been retaken.

Cwmbran’s Tidiany Kone had a 25-yard shot comfortably saved by the Dinas keeper before Dinas centre-half Kurt Bettles moved forward for a free-kick and headed the ball on for Nana Baah his low shot the ball hitting the upright and rebounding giving David Brooks the easiest of chances to score from close range. As in the previous game Dinas seemed able to cut through the visiting defence almost at will but this time didn’t take their chances and the game spluttered to an end.

Having won their last five games, scoring twenty-three goals and conceding only two Dinas entertain Pontadawe Town in the last game of the season at The Murch on Saturday 10th May.