WELSH LEAGUE PREVIEW

30 December 2005

Caerleon look for a third straight win in the Macron Welsh League, Division One, tomorrow when they take on Afan Lido (kick-off 1.0pm) who are aiming for a swift return to Welsh Premier League status  – but they may have to wait for at least another season. 

And Caerleon have also hit a rich scoring vein after a lengthy spell of struggling to find the net, getting nine goals in the last three outings, top scorer Chris Pearce storming back to his best with eight goals in Caerleon’s last five games, including a hat-trick when they lost in a ten-goal game at Goytre. 

Caerleon’s only absentee could be defender Glen Willis who is doubtful because of a calf strain. 

David Griffiths, Caerleon manager, said: “We have played really well in our last couple of matches and got that little bit of luck as well. Afan Lido will be really tough because they are looking to get back into the Welsh Premier League.” 

“I think they are favourites, although we are at home, but it would be great to get another win.” 

Newport YMCA, two points adrift of Caerleon but with three games in hand, will be looking to ease their worries at the expense of bottom club Ely Rangers who have home advantage. 

Manager Mark Coldrick said: “It is a must win game for us. They are bottom of the table and we will be going out with all guns blazing.” 

YM are without the injured Chris Egitto but Craig Ford, borrowed from neighbours Newport County, will have his first start although the academy player has played a couple of times as substitute in defence although he may play in central midfield against Ely. 

Llanwern, the Division Three promotion-chasing side, are seeking a goalkeeper for the injured Chris Hart, recovering from a broken jaw. Last time out striker Steve Perszewski, a keeper in his junior days, stood in and played well – keeping a clean sheet in the win over Seven Sisters – but manager Laurence Owen, who spent most of yesterday on the phone seeking cover, allowing Perszewski a return to his preferred front runner role.

Third-placed Llanwern face a tough test tomorrow, travelling to newcomers Cambrian and Clydach who are two points better off, but Llanwern have a game in hand. 

Llanwern are missing central defenders Greg Taylor, captain and groin injury victim Graham Poyner but their places will be taken by Carl Baugh and Paul Foster. And continuing the tale of central defenders, Luke Chorley has rejoined from Caerleon while Michael Aviss is still suspended. 

The new leaders of the division are Newcastle Emlyn following their slender midweek win over Goytre. 

At the opposite end of the table Treowen need three points for far different reasons. They are second-from-bottom and journey to basement boys Penrhiwfer. Treowen are two points better off and two points adrift of Llantwit Fardre who are immediately above them.

But the one factor in Treowen’s favour is that they have games in hand over most of the clubs around them. 

Abertillery face a difficult task at promotion-chasing Troedyrhiw in Division Two, but striker Andrew Davies returns to the squad but central midfield player Jamie Maher and front runner Dai Smith are both missing. 

Manager Mason Morgan has been in touch with Merthyr boss Tim Harris and is hoping to borrow two or three players very shortly to boost his squad in his bid to steer clear of trouble. 

Tredegar have lost once in their last five Division Two games but their improvement will be put to the test by visitors Caldicot tonight (kick-off 7.15pm). Rob Ellis, Tredegar manager, adds defender Gareth Lewis to the squad last on duty for the six-goal victory over struggling Gwynfi. 

Caldicot right back Andrew Wenzel is out through injury while Lloyd Stone has recovered from injury but has to work and Kel Stevens is unavailable and so, too, is Andrew Edwards, but they are hoping central defender Sam Monday will be back in action.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

21 December 2005

Abertillery Excelsior’s recent arrival, John Slade, achieved a feat few sides have managed this season against Pontypridd, the top team in the Macron Welsh League, Second Division – he scored a goal. 

Slade, who recently moved from Kidderminster to Gwent and making only his second Abertillery appearance, got a late consolation goal – but it was deserved because his side never gave up the struggle. 

It was only the fifth league goal conceded by unbeaten leaders Pontypridd in 13 matches and they are right on course to gain promotion and stay on the road for a place in Division One and ultimately the Welsh Premier League. 

The outcome of the game was inevitable, Pontypridd ahead by four goals and it could have been more. The class gap between moneybags Pontypridd and Abertillery was obvious, but the visitors battled until they dropped.

Jason Morgan, Abertillery manager, said: “We kept plugging away but in the end the gulf in class was too good, but we didn’t lie down. We played well in patches but there was no end product.” 

Abertillery’s Phil Blackmore was always looking to run at Pontypridd’s defence and his pace caused them concern. He had a good scoring chance in the second-half but delayed his opportunity and was quickly smothered by Pontypridd’s defence. Signed from Llanhilleth, this is his first season in the Welsh League. 

The much-travelled Chris Summers gave Pontypridd a seventh-minute lead and amazingly it could have been his hat-trick. Andrew Hughes, Peter Cheeseman and Mike Jones made it four before the break and Cheeseman got a second after the break.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

19 December 2005

Caerleon turned on the style to gain their best victory of the season in the Macron Welsh League, Division One.

They followed an important home win over Taffs Well with a crushing 5-1 away win over AFC Llwydcoed, who took the lead, and goal star Chris Pearce continued with his rich vein, scoring twice, including a penalty after Jamie Hillier was brought down.

Pearce, 19, has scored six in Caerleon’s last five games and in all has hit 12 league goals.

But equalling Pearce’s scoring feat in the game was Luke Cueto, who also scored twice, and Caerleon’s other goal came from Craig Joliffe, who recently returned to the side from injury.

David Griffiths, Caerleon manager, said: “It was just a good, solid team performance and the last two games have brought us six points, which has made a hell of a difference within the side.”

Pearce and Joliffe played up front with Cueto wide right in midfield, and the trio really turned on the style, but Griffiths had a special few words for Cueto, who is only 18, playing normally in the Under-19 side. He has been in the last two first-team starting line-ups, having been a substitute on a number of occasions.

Griffiths said: “He has scored a lot of goals for the youth. He has a great deal of pace, a good player with a good attitude.”

Newport YMCA suffered a 1-0 home defeat by Barry Town, the visitors scoring a late winner. Mark Coldrick, YMCA manager, said: “I felt we were mugged. I thought we dominated the second half, did all the right things, apart from registering a goal, although we had an effort ruled out through offside.

“We did enough to have won the game and I couldn’t have asked more of the lads. They worked their socks off and in the end I felt we were mugged.”

Jason Morgan, Abertillery Excelsior manager, is hoping to borrow a couple of players from Merthyr Tydfil in an attempt to solve his goal-scoring problems. They have scored 16 goals in a dozen league games and gained only one win.

Abertillery went down 2-0 at home against ENTO Aberaman, and tomorrow night they travel to take on Division Two top team Pontypridd.

Morgan said: “We gifted them two goals in the first 20 minutes and then we were the better side. We are playing nice build-up football, but just no end product, and I have spoken to Tim to see if I can borrow a couple of players after Christmas. We are playing good football and my only concern is a lack of goals.”

Tredegar turned on the style, gaining a 6-0 away win over Gwynfi, who had a player sent off in the first half. Tredegar held a 1-0 lead at the break, with Lloyd Davies scoring from a left cross, although manager Rob Ellis admitted: “It was rather fortuitous.”

He added: “In the second half we were skating on thin ice until we got the cushion of a second goal. It has taken a while to turn things around and there is only one player, captain Ian Morris, remaining from last season. Things do not happen overnight but we have kept three successive clean sheets and scored eight goals.”

Sam Hartrey scored Tredegar’s second and Ashley Ford added a third – but Tredegar saved the best for last when Jason Lukins – from Splott Albion, a local Cardiff side – made a spectacular debut. He came on as a substitute for Ford and scored a hat trick.

Ellis added: “He could not have wished for a better start. He was spotted by Dave Hill, the assistant manager.”

Caldicot, with manager Jason Pritchard serving a two-match touchline ban, suffered a home blow when a last-minute goal from Troedyrhiw gave the visitors a 1-0 win.

Croesyceiliog gained a 4-2 victory at Caerau (Ely) with two goals from Jody Jenkins, and one apiece for Gareth Pattimore – his first in the league this season – and James Stokes.

Promotion-chasing Llanwern had a home 2-0 Division Three win over Seven Sisters.

Goytre are celebrating the completion of their clubhouse extension at the picturesque ground, and manager Steve Morgan said: “We are now looking to move forward on the field as well as off it.”

But Goytre, twice in front after falling behind, had to settle for a home point against promotion-chasing Treharris, who grabbed a late equaliser for a 3-3 draw.

Morgan added: “It was a competitive game with an improved performance from us compared with the last two games. I was happy with the point but we could have got all three”

Goytre’s goals came from Steve Collett, Kevin Wallace and Kevin Berry.

Chepstow had an important home win over Llantwit Fardre, gaining a 4-2 success after building a three-goal lead. Manager Chris Lilygreen said: “We deserved the win but they really came back at us and made it 3-2, but we got a penalty to settle things down.”

Olly Hunt and Nicky Vassallo both scored twice, Vassallo converting the all-important spot-kick.

Chepstow gave a debut to recent arrival South African Jean-Pierre Fallugia. Lilygreen added: “He’s been training with us for a while but we’ve been waiting for clearance to play him and it finally came through this week.”

Treowen’s bid to get away from trouble was knocked back, beaten 1-0 at home by AFC Porth, and Treowen have scored only 11 goals in a dozen league matches. Richard Davies, Treowen manager, said: “It was awful and at the moment we couldn’t buy a goal.”

Treowen’s next game is away on New Year’s Eve to bottom club Penrhiwfer, who are three points behind them. “This is a massive game for us,” added Davies.

Croesyceiliog staged a late show to gain a 3-2 home victory over Pontyclun in the Reserve Division (East), with 46-year-old Murana Waite scoring twice, including a last-gasp winner. Croesyceiliog trailed 2-1 with a few minutes remaining.

WELSH LEAGUE PREVIEW

16 December 2005

CROESYCEILIOG slipping a little in the intriguing race for a promotion slot in the Second Division of the Macron Welsh League, have suffered a major blow with the unexpected loss of experienced goalkeeper Pat O’Hagan who is nursing a broken ankle.

O’Hagan, who suffered the injury in an alleged assault at the weekend will be out of action for quite a while. 

And that means a return for John Bailey who stepped in for O’Hagan at the start of the season when he was ruled out by suspension.

Martyn Jones, Croesyceiliog secretary, said: "Pat was out on Sunday evening – and he rarely goes out – when it happened."

Croesyceiliog, playing at Caerau (Ely) tomorrow, are in seventh place but the top seven are separated by three points.

Croesyceiliog have the opportunity to turn the tables on Newport County following the semi-final draw of the Gwent Senior Cup.

Croesyceiliog suffered a 2-1 semi-final home defeat to County last season in front of a large crowd despite the appalling weather – a rain-lashed evening turning the pitch into a near quagmire but it all made for a thriller. 

In the other semi-final game, Welsh Premier League side Cwmbran Town have been paired at home with Abertillery Excelsior, scheduled for Wednesday, Febuary 1 (kick-off 7.15). 

Cwmbran Celtic, after their disappointing midweek showing at home to Ystradgynlais, will have to make a marked improvement if they are to bounce back, travelling to West End (Swansea). Celtic, facing a tall order, will be boosted by the return of Ben Graham who missed the home setback with Ystradgynlais. 

Laurence Owen, manager of promotion-chasing Llanwern will be making changes for the visit of Seven Sisters to Newport Stadium. Owen, making his message clear, said: "After the worst performance of the season last Saturday at Llantwit Fardre, changes are going to be made. This is a must win game and we cannot afford any more slips, especially at home. 

Owen has a full squad at his disposal apart from left back Mike Aviss who is suspended. There at slight doubts over midfield player Ivan Poncek who has work commitments and has been out of the last five games and his influence has been missed. Owen expects central defender Carl Baugh to be fit after the recurrence of a calf injury while defender Darren Poultney is available after missing the Llantwit Fardre game.

Owen added: "Seven Sisters are a big, physical side who cause sides problems and I’m looking for a positive reaction after last week’s poor display. 

Chepstow have home advantage over Ammanford in the quarter-finals of the Macron Welsh League Harris Printers (Reserve Division) Shield while Croesyceiliog, if they overcome Briton Ferry, are at home to Pontardawe. 

Risca, if they beat Neath, will travel to face Grange Quins. In the remaining last-eight tie, Maesteg Park or Cardiff Corries will take on Ely Rangers or UWIC. 

Newport County have been drawn away to Swansea side West End in the Macron Welsh League Macwhirter Youth Division Cup, third round. The other ties are Haverfordwest or Bettws v Afan Lido, Ely Rangers v Cambrian and Clydach, Dinas Powys v Merthyr Tydfil.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

16 December 2005

Caldicot’s Steven Hepple suffered a broken leg in the first half of the Macron Welsh League, Reserve Division (East) home game with lowly Caerau (Ely).

Jason Thorn put leaders Caldicot ahead but the visitors equalised before the break and took the lead early in the second-half. 

Tyrone Tucker levelled the match for Caldicot who owed much to the performance of goalkeeper Craig Brimble. 

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

15 December 2005

Defeat for Cwmbran Celtic, looking to close the gap on the leading pack in the Third Division of the Macron Welsh League, provided triple heartache against a side who were also new to the league this season. 

Apart from losing for the second time this season at home to Ystradgynlais – the previous occasion being a 4-2 reverse in the Welsh Cup – they ended the game with nine men. 

Three players in all were sent off after a flare-up which, at its peak, involved nearly every player arguing, pushing and jostling.

It was a sad sight during the second-half of a game which was entertaining and could so easily have been packed with more goals.

Celtic’s Shane Harris was shown red – matching his shirt and face.

He suffered a broken nose in the prolonged incident, leaving the field with blood streaming from the injury and carrying his blood-stained shirt. It took Risca referee Tony Maher quite a while to calm things down. 

Harris’ dismissal stunned manager Mickey Copeman, who explained: "I would not have thought he started it because he is one of the quietest players I’ve known." 

Celtic’s Mark Parfitt also made an early exit for the second time this season along with the visitors’ Andrew Miller, brother of David who scored the second of their three goals, all scored in the second-half. 

Michael Whapham scored their other goals, rocking Celtic with a first within minutes of the restart. 

Celtic were bitterly disappointing, failing to heed the early warning signs as Ystradgynlais, far the better side but surprisingly in the wrong half of the table, made a threatening start. 

Celtic ’keeper Rob Watkins was one of the few players to emerge with credit and he certainly saved his side from a much heavier defeat. 

Copeman added: "This was our worst show for at least two years. We were out-muscled and out-fought. I know we were missing one or two players – but we just froze.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

12 December 2005

CAERLEON bounced back from their 7-3 defeat by Goytre United to grab three vital points against Taffs Well on Saturday in their battle against relegation from Macron Welsh League Division One.

The 3-2 victory lifted them above opponents Taffs Well, and afterwards manager David Griffiths said: “To say I am pleased with the result is an understatement. I’m over the moon.”

Caerleon had to battle hard for their win as their visitors twice hit back to equalise.

Young striker Chris Pearce, in a rich vein of form having scored a hat trick the previous week and one as a substitute for Cwmbran Town the night before, put Caerleon ahead after ten minutes, chipping over the advancing ’keeper.

Taffs Well equalised in first-half injury time, but ten minutes after the interval Pearce turned in the box to strike home his 11th goal of the season with his left foot.

Taffs Well again equalised after 70 minutes, but with seven minutes left substitute John Seymour headed the winner at the far post after a cross from Pearce.

Newport YMCA, a place above Caerleon in 14th, suffered a 4-2 defeat at mid-table Maesteg Park.

“We never turned up for the first half, which was disappointing after two good results,” said manager Mark Coldrick.

“Our minibus broke down on the way to the game and we arrived only 20 minutes before kick-off, and whether or not that affected us I don’t know,” he said.

The result was that YMCA trailed 2-0 until Doug Heath gave them a lifeline with a header from a free kick after 55 minutes.

Soon after Lovis Walsh was brought down in the box and Craig James, in his first game back after a knee ligament injury, equalised from the penalty spot before injuring the same knee and having to go off.

YMCA had to reorganise and ten minutes later Maesteg went in front before YM substitute Faris Yasai was sent off minutes after going on for swinging an arm at an opponent yellow-carded for fouling him. And to make matters worse Maesteg grabbed a fourth, which looked offside.

Caldicot dropped from top spot to third, a point behind top two  Pontypridd Town and Garw, after a 1-1 draw at fifth-placed ENTO Aberaman, but were reasonably happy.

Aberaman’s three defeats came early in the season and they are one of the division’s form sides.

Caldicot were not at their best in the first half but only went behind on the stroke of half-time.

They equalised after 65 minutes when skipper David Lloyd crashed a shot against the bar and Paul Harris tapped in the rebound.

Caldicot, who play Newport County in a friendly at home on December 21 (7pm), might even have pinched victory, but were content ahead of next week’s home clash with Troedyrhiw, 11-1 conquerors of Gwynfi United on Saturday.

Croesyceiliog manager Chris Evans, too, was reasonably pleased, despite his side’s 2-0 home defeat by new leaders Pontypridd.

“We can take a lot out of the game,” he said. “We had five players who would have been in the squad out – joint top-scorer Chris Watkins, Mark Allcock, Michael Pattimore, Andrew Pritchard and Nathan Beer, four on a stag weekend – and still had the most chances in a quality game.”

Pontypridd scored after six minutes after forcing three quick corners, but Croesyceiliog then missed several chances to equalise before half-time.

They continued to dictate in the second half but missed more chances, and when Jodie Jenkins, back after suspension, was sent on with 20 minutes left, he too missed two chances he would have taken with more match fitness before Pontypridd grabbed their second with a few minutes left.

There were nine yellow cards in Abertillery’s 0-0 draw at Porthcawl Town, though secretary Keith Williams said it was not a dirty game.

In fact, he said, it was a “bore draw” though midfielder Ryan Durham was unfortunate that his volleyed goal, which would have been his first for the club, was disallowed for obstruction in the build-up.

Tredegar Town, too, were involved in a 0-0 draw at home to Caerau Ely, beaten only twice this season. Goalkeeper Chris Morris saved them in the first minute but was sent off 30 minutes from time after another fine save before handling outside the penalty area.

Centre-half Gareth Stevens took over, and despite being down to ten men he was rarely troubled.

Lloyd Davies had had Tredegar’s best chance with a clear header after ten minutes but with other results at the bottom going Tredegar’s way, a win over struggling Gwynfi next week would make their position look a lot safer.

Llanwern suffered just their second defeat of the season in Division Three, a shock 2-0 reverse at struggling Llantwit Fardre.

“We were dreadful,” said manager Laurence Owen. “We had talked bout complacency beforehand, but perhaps it did not sink in. We can’t afford another blip like this.”

The first goal conceded would have been a candidate for A Question of Sport’s what happened next round as goalkeeper Chris Hart allowed Greg Taylor’s back pass to go under his foot and into the net after ten minutes.

The home side’s second was smashed home following a throw-in and to make matters worse Michael Aviss, on his first game back after breaking a leg 12 months to the day, was sent off ten minutes from time, while Llanwern also had a Marcus Power ‘goal’ disallowed.

Treowen were unhappy with the standard of refereeing at  Blaenrhondda but manager Richard Davies admitted they did not deserve to win, beaten 2-0.

And a 1-1 draw at Risca, where Chepstow were the visitors, was probably fair, Risca official Stuart Luckwell describing the game as “an absolute yawn”.

Lee Phillips put Risca ahead after 47 minutes after Rhys Iles had missed a first-half penalty, Ollie Hunt equalising for Chepstow, though Chepstow felt aggrieved that Nicky Vassallo’s effort was ruled out and two penalty appeals were turned down.

WELSH LEAGUE PREVIEW

9 December 2005

Caerleon have only scored 13 goals in 16 Division One of the Macron Welsh League – and striker Chris Pearce has got nine of them. 

Pearce made a blazing start to the season with five goals from as many matches – but then ran into a barren spell but he’s come back with four goals in three matches although Caerleon are desperately searching to end a depressing run. 

They haven’t gained a win in the last six league games – just two draws – but they’re hoping for an early Christmas gift at the expense of fellow strugglers Taffs Well, visitors to Cold Bath Road tomorrow afternoon (kick-off 2.0pm). 

Pearce scored a hat-trick at Goytre last week but still finished on the losing side and that was followed by another club hat-trick from Luke Cueto, also a first-team squad player, in the 5-1 home win over Cardiff Corries in the Youth Division (East). 

Taffs Well, who have three games in hand over Caerleon, are a point and place better off and they too struggle for goals – 14 from a dozen games – but they are better defensively, conceding ten fewer goals. 

David Griffiths, Caerleon manager, said: “Taffs Well are one of the sides whose league position probably doesn’t reflect the way they have been playing. 

“We have to try and get last week’s performance out of our system (beaten 7-3 at Goytre) and I would say that everyone of the players has something to prove. The three lads at the back having been playing really well but last week they had an off-day together.” 

The one change in the squad is in goal where Fitzroy Hutchinson returns for Peter Mason who stepped in to help out in Hutchinson’s absence. 

Newport YMCA, who had an important home win over Bettws last week, journey to Maesteg Park who have played only nine league games following the postponement of their midweek game with Bettws.

Caldicot’s promotion credentials will certainly be placed under the microscope in their game at ENTO Aberaman and it will prove equally tough for fourth-placed Croesyceiliog although they have home advantage over Pontypridd, level on points, but second on goal difference. 

Abertillery, second from bottom with one win from 11 games, will be aiming to get at least a point from their trip to Porthcawl.

Llanwern’s Ian Burman and Paul Foster return to the squad for their game at Llantwit Fardre but manager Laurence Owen is waiting confirmation from midfield player Ivan Poncek on his availability.

Keiron Porter, out of action with knee ligament damage, could be sidelined until the turn of the year. 

l The regular cries from some quarters seeking a break in the soccer season should be silenced by the recent weather. Clubs have felt an early icy – and wet – blast resulting already in a sizeable fixture backlog. 

However, Christmas remains a barren area although new year’s eve will produce a near full programme. 

Heavy rain in midweek resulted in Llanwern’s home fixture with Risca being postponed and the Youth Division (East) game between Cwmbran Town and Newport YMCA also fell by the wayside.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

5 December 2005

IT was no surprise that the weather was the big winner on Saturday, decimating the Macron Welsh League programme involving Gwent clubs. 

Only three teams in the region were able to play their games, and the three sides suffered mixed fortunes. 

In Division One, Caerleon’s Chris Pearce bagged a hat trick at Goytre United, but his efforts were in vain as his side shipped seven goals, going down 7-3. 

Manager David Griffiths was hugely disappointed with his side’s performance and admitted that he expects things to change quickly.

“We looked like 11 strangers out there and we can’t perform like we did and expect anything other than a thrashing,” he said.  “What makes it worse is that we went 1-0 up and were fairly comfortable, but we fell apart as the half went on and by half-time we were 4-1 down.” 

“We performed better in the second half and performed to a higher level, but we still lost it 3-2 and to be honest, if they hadn’t let their performance drop, it could have been even worse.” 

“It is the heaviest defeat we have suffered in my time as manager and we need to play much better in the coming weeks.” 

It was a far better afternoon for Newport YMCA, who amazingly got their pitch ready after torrential rain and were rewarded with a 3-0 win over Bettws. 

Chairman Viv Edwards and other members of the committee were among those who ensured the pitch was playable, spending more than two hours working on it. 

Manager Mark Coldrick was very pleased to have got the game out of the way, particularly as his side collected all three points.

John Pardew opened the scoring in the first half, rifling a shot home from the edge of the area after a corner.

Chris Igitto then made it two for YM, finishing off a sweeping move that began inside Newport’s half. 

Youth player Danny Heath, called up from the reserve team, made the game safe in the second half with a header. 

Coldrick said: “It was a miracle that the game even happened considering Newport County couldn’t play their game and the boys played really well. 

“We have now kept two clean sheets in a row and the victory was nothing more than we deserved for the way we performed.”

“At first we kept it tight and were quite direct, but by the end of the game we were playing some really attractive football.” 

In Division Three Goytre were beaten 2-1 by AFC Porth, despite taking an early lead through Steve Collett. 

Manager Steve Morgan admitted that his side deserved to lose and was bitterly disappointed after Porth scored twice either side of half-time. 

He said: “After we took the 1-0 lead we stopped playing and they played all the football, so they deserved to win.”