Unless otherwise stated all match reports relate to Division One

Link to ENTO Aberaman Athletic Photographs

E-mail: stevepearce@entoaberamanafc.co.uk (Programme information only)

SEASON 2006-07

Saturday 3 March 2007

ENTO Aberaman 2 - 1 Taffs Well

ENTO made it three wins out of three with this hard fought victory over one of the teams at the top end of the table. This win made it three victories over Taffs for the season following the earlier League and Cup victories.

Anthony Taylor was causing Taffs problems from the start and Gittings cleared an early cross of his. Minutes later a cross from the left by Steve Powell was headed wide by Paul Dawes. Gunstone looked like the danger man for Taffs and he created their best chance in the opening five minutes but Gareth Jones cleared his cross. Minutes later Martin Edwards cleared under pressure.

At the other end a corner to ENTO wasn’t cleared and Kurt Nogan was first to the ball but his effort was deflected wide. On 15 minutes Craig Hewings cleared well before Hammett saw his chot saved by Neil Collins. Following a series of challenges Neil Davies found himself booked as the game threatened to boil over.

On 31 minutes Collins brought down a Taffs striker in the area, Collins escaped with a yellow card but Gunstone made no mistake from the resulting penalty to give Taffs a 1-0 lead. Richard Jago then played in a great cross but there were no ENTO attackers in the area. Gittings then had a neat run down the right before Edwards cleared. 

ENTO made a double substitution at half time, Richard Jago and Kurt Nogan coming off and being replaced by Jon Phillips and new signing Nathan King. Taffs had the first break of the second half but Jones cleared. ENTO then had a great move involving Taylor, Dawes and King before Kerry Harding headed over. ENTO were now the dominant side but Taffs were keeping them at bay with some dogged defending.

With 62 minutes gone some superb trickery on the left by Powell saw him play the ball in that was cleared to the edge of the area where Paul Dawes hit a superb strike that cannoned off the post into the top of the net for his first goal of the season much to the delight of the noisy ENTO crowd.

Gunstone was still causing ENTO problems and Collins did well to save from him. Phillips then played in a great cross that was pulled back by Harding to King who hit his shot wide when well placed.

Taffs seemed to be tiring and ENTO were throwing everything at them, King met a cross from Taylor but his header was cleared off the line. Thomas then cleared well for Taffs.

With ten minutes remaining Hewings was replaced by Will Davies as ENTO looked for the winner. Taylor was causing all sorts of problems down the right hand side and Fleming desperately cleared a great ball in. With six minutes remaining King played in a great ball that Phillips did well to get to and avoid the challenge of keeper Howe to poke the ball in for a superb goal to make it 2-1.

Will Davies then played in Harding who saw his shot saved before Davies himself had a shot saved and Dawes had a shot cleared off the line. In the dying seconds Phillips saw his header saved.

This was a superb second half performance by ENTO and they must now look at next week's game away to Dinas Powys with increased confidence.

REPORT BY STEVE PEARCE

Saturday 24 February 2007

Caerleon 0 - 1 ENTO Aberaman

ENTO travelled to Caerleon looking to build on the win against Grange Quins the week before. Caerleon had the first chance through Ben Davies but Neil Collins saved comfortably. Anthony Taylor then had a great run that was cleared by Jepson before Richard Jago saw his header go just wide. Gareth Jones then played on Steve Powell before Cueto cleared.

On 12 minutes ENTO had their best chance, a great ball from Kerry Harding was pulled back by Jago to Kurt Nogan who blasted over from four yards. On 20 minutes Truman had a shot that he hit over ENTOs bar. Neil Davies then challenged the dangerous Cueto and. Powell hit a corner across that was met by the head of Nogan but it was just wide.

On the half hour mark a clearance from Craig Hewings was collected by Nogan who played in Harding who passed to Jago, his effort going just wide. On 32 minutes a Powell cross was flicked on by Jago to the oncoming Jones who made no mistake to make it 1-0. At the other end Davies hit just wide.

ENTO started the second half well and a well hit strike from Powell cannoned off the post and Jago just missed the rebound. Martin Edwards was alert at the other end to clear form Phillips. Taylor then did well to challenge in the area, before Davies cleared.

On 55 minutes a superb strike from the lively Paul Dawes was tipped over the bar for a corner. ENTO were playing some fine football and a great move involving Harding and Nogan saw Powell blast wide.

Jon Phillips replaced Nogan with 65 minutes gone, he immediately played in a good cross that was cleared. Caerleon's sub Howden then hit a good shot that Collins tipped round the post. Nana Baah then replaced Jago.

Martin Edwards picked up a knock and was replaced by Will Davies. Caerleon looked dangerous on the break but ENTOs defence stood firm and in the dying minutes a shot by Harding was clearly handled in the area but the ref waved played on.

This result moved ENTO up into fourth place.

REPORT BY STEVE PEARCE

Saturday 17 February 2007

ENTO Aberaman 2 - 0 Grange Quins

ENTO moved into fourth place with this win over struggling Grange Quins with this hard fought but deserved victory.

Quins had the better of the early chances with Dos Santos forcing an early save from Neil Collins before Richard Jago and Jon Phillips combined well before Hopkins cleared. Gareth Jones then headed well clear before Neil Davies put in a fine challenge on the lively Nathan White.

Anthony Taylor then cleared well before the ball was picked up in midfield by Geraint Goodridge who did well to release Paul Dawes. On 20 minutes Quins had a long range free kick that went just over. ENTO then had a great break on 32 minutes that saw Kerry Harding released and he hit a great strike into the top corner to give French keeper Fouangum no chance and make it 1-0. On the stroke of half time Quins broke and a superb strike was saved by Collins onto the post and out for a corner.

Harding played in Phillips who hit his shot wide at the start of the second half. Jago was then replaced by Nana Baah.

ENTO were applying pressure to the Quins defence, a Taylor cross was cleared for a corner. Hewings then replaced Goodridge.

A series of fine clearances by Martin Edwards saw ENTO maintain their lead. Steve Powell went on a mazy run down the left before the ball was cleared. White then had a good effort saved by Collins. A quick break by ENTO saw the ball fall to Phillips who hit his shot wide.

With 12 minutes left Baah was running through and was brought down by Ben Tingley, the ref had no option but to give him his 2nd yellow and Quins were down to ten men.

Jones played in Taylor who saw his shot well saved. ENTO then saw the ball come out to Harding who played a great ball into Baah at the far post and he headed in from a yard out to make it 2-0. Will Davies replaced Jon Phillips with fiveminutes remaining.

REPORT BY STEVE PEARCE

SATURDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2006 

ENTO ABERAMAN 1 - 0 TAFFS WELL 

SHAMROCK TRAVEL CUP, ROUND TWO 

ENTO welcomed fellow First Division side Taffs Well to The Park for this Shamrock Travel Cup match. ENTO included three debutants in their squad, two from the Under 16 team and Nana Baah who was signed from Grange Quins. Richard Williams from the under 16s started the match whilst Craig Mallett was on the bench.  

ENTO started well with Williams playing in Richard Jago who in turn put Kerry Harding through on goal before he was challenged. Denner then had a great chance at the other end but Collins did well. Gareth Jones did well to challenge Johnson when he was through before Rhys Owens cleared under pressure from Marks.  

On 18 minutes Jago and Harding combined well before Harding hit a great shot that went just wide. Owens then had a header just wide from a Harding corner. Williams then hit a overhead kick that was cleared off the line by Adams.  

On the half hour mark Wallwork had a great run forward that was eventually stopped by David Pugh. On 35 minutes Williams had a good forward run before being upended 25 yards out, Harding played the free kick into Davies who saw his effort superbly saved by keeper Howe. Wallwork then had another chance that was saved easily by Collins. Steve Pugh, Paul Dawes and Jago then combined well before Burke cleared. 

Taffs started the second half well and from a corner a header by Seymour was superbly tipped over the bar by Collins. At the other end David Pugh broke out of defence with a strong run but was challenged by Edwards.  

With 64 minutes gone ENTO were awarded a free kick 30 yards out, Harding played it in and it was met with a superb header by Neil Davies at the far post to give keeper Howe no chance and make the score 1-0.  

Nana Baah was then introduced at the expense of Jago before Craig Mallett came on with Steve Pugh injured. Mallett slotted in well to the right back slot and was immediately called into action. Baah had several chances and he will certainly add extra power to ENTOs front line.  

Steve Powell did well to challenge in the area when Johnson threatened. Owens then cleared as Taffs pushed for the equaliser. In the dying minutes Mallett crossed to Williams who was unlucky to see his header go straight to Howe. This result puts ENTO into the last 16 of the Cup; the next round will be played on 9 December 2006. 

REPORT BY STEVE PEARCE

FRIDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2006  

BRYNTIRION ATHLETIC 3 - 0 ENTO ABERAMAN 

There was a sizeable crowd at Bryntirion Park to watch this match which also saw the first competitive match to be played there under floodlights. On a cold night it was the Bryntirion team who seemed more up for it as they posed a constant threat to ENTOs defence. Everything Bryntirion tried out seemed to find one of their players and it was no surprise when they went ahead from a set piece on eight minutes through Cuss. ENTO were struggling to cope with the midfield battle and Bryntirion went 2-0 up before half time, Kerry Harding being the only ENTO player to force a save out of Bryntirion. 

ENTO started the second half well and Richard Jago had a superb chance to pull a goal back in the second minute only to miss his chance. Bryntirion then extended their lead when a corner wasn’t cleared and the ball was tapped in at the far post. To make matters worse a serious leg injury to Martin Edwards looks to have ruled him out for the next few matches. ENTO did threaten briefly at the end but this is a match that they will want to forget as they look to continue at the top of the table.

REPORT BY STEVE PEARCE

SATURDAY 28 OCTOBER 2006 

ENTO ABERAMAN 2 - 1 DINAS POWYS 

ENTO welcomed ninth placed Dinas to the Park looking to build on their recent run of good form. ENTO started at a very fast pace and built up a two goal lead inside 15 minutes. The first came in the eight minute following hesitancy in the Dinas defence allowing Kerry Harding to score with a low shot from eight yards.  

ENTO continued to attack with pace at every opportunity and it was no surprise when a swift break from inside their own half following a quick throw by Neil Collins to Richard Jago saw Jago put in a deep cross and again it was Kerry Harding on the end of it this time to score with a header from close range.  

The Dinas defence had to come to terms with the movement and pace of the ENTO strikers and it is to their credit that they restricted their threat to dangerous in-swinging corners that somehow keeper Joe Cusheri kept out.  

Paul Dawes was instrumental behind most of ENTOs moves with Davies and Jones also combining well. As the first half came to a close Dinas were slowly dragging themselves back into the game without really threatening to score. Steve Powell was again in fine form and was causing the Dinas defence all sorts of problems. French, Edwards and Pugh were solid at the back and despite Dinas possession they weren’t really causing any damage. 

The second half started with Dinas gaining more possession, Shelton Payne created an opening after just three minutes but his 20 yard shot was straight at the keeper. Five minutes later the same player received the ball 30 yards from goal, he skipped past a couple of would be tacklers before shooting low but the keeper produced a good save to push the ball out for an unproductive corner.  

ENTO were still dangerous and one snapshot from skipper Neil Davies hit the crossbar before bouncing down into the grateful arms of Joe Cusheri.  

In the seventy-seventh minute Dinas forced a string of corners, the last taken by Phil James, David Mwasigallah headed on to give Shelton Payne a shooting opportunity he took well, stinging the keepers hands, before the home defence completed the clearance. Further chances fell to Dinas with Dwayne Strong heading over when well placed, Pugh doing enough to put him off. Rhodri Foote forcing Neil Collins in the home goal to push the ball over for a corner taken by Phil James for Danny Kinsey to head towards goal only to see his effort cleared off the line by Hewings.  

Dinas finally saw their efforts rewarded when a run across goal by Dwayne Strong ended with a shot Collins could only push around the post, the resulting corner was fumbled by Collins giving Danny Kinsey the opportunity to head home to give Dinas the goal their second half play deserved. 

REPORT BY STEVE PEARCE

FRIDAY 20 OCTOBER 2006  

TAFFS WELL 1 – 3 ENTO ABERAMAN  

It was third versus second in this Friday night clash at Rhiw Dda’r. ENTO were dealt a blow before the game when Lee Thomas was declared unfit, this meant a return to the squad for Ian French. Management duo David Morgan and Pip Edwards then sprung another surprise dropping Steve Pugh to the bench and promoting Craig Hewings to the starting line up after a few weeks absence. 

ENTO almost had a dream start when Steve Powell played in Richard Jago but the striker shot just wide. At the other end David Pugh challenged well under pressure. Jago then went on a neat run before his final cross was rushed. Jago then played in Kerry Harding but he shot straight at keeper Howe.  

ENTOs midfield were working exceptionally hard and Neil Davies seemed to be behind most moves with Gareth Jones and Paul Dawes supporting well. Davies put in a crunching tackle on Edwards.  

With half an hour gone Jago went on another great run and was brought down on the edge of the area, despite the referee awarding a free kick no further action was taken despite the Taffs Well defender clearly being the last man. A minute later Craig Hewings whipped in a corner that Ian French headed just wide. Edwards then crossed for Taffs but keeper Neil Collins collected easily.  

On 36 minutes and totally against the run of play Taffs broke and somehow a miskicked shot found its way through to Hammett and he poked the ball home to make it 1-0. Minutes later French cleared to Jago who in turn played in Harding, he turned and hit a shot that was saved well. On the stroke of half time Jago had another great chance that was again saved as it looked like being a frustrating night for ENTO.

Taffs came out well at the start of the second half but Martin Edwards and Pugh were doing well at the heart of defence. Jago and Harding were causing Taffs defence all sorts of problems and following good interplay between the two a corner was met by French whose effort was cleared off the line.

 Pictured (left) Kerry Harding and Will Davies challenge, and (right) Steve Powell defending (Photos courtesy of www.imagevision.co.uk)

ENTO were totally dominating and on 58 minutes their deserved equaliser arrived when Steve Powell and Harding combined well before Powell whipped in a great cross to the far post that Jago headed firmly past keeper Howe.  

Taffs Well had a great chance at the other end Burke blasted over. Ian French was then booked for a clumsy challenge. Will Davies then replaced him on 70 minutes. Harding then played in a good cross to Jago whose header was cleared off the line.  

With 15 minutes remaining Will Davies was brought down in the area and Jago slammed the resulting penalty into the roof of the net to make it 2-1.  

Taffs then had a decent chance at the other end but Jones put the ball out for a corner. With 10 minutes remaining Powell hit a superb free kick in that Neil Davies met superbly with a header to make it three in three for him. Hewings was then replaced by Steve Pugh and in the dying minutes Rhys Owens replaced Jago.

REPORT BY STEVE PEARCE

SATURDAY 14 OCTOBER 2006 

ENTO ABERAMAN 2 - 0 CAERLEON 

ENTO welcomed struggling Caerleon to The Park for this Division One encounter.  

ENTO produced their best performance of the season and could easily have been 4-0 up at half time. Caerleon played some excellent football themselves but were struggling to break ENTO down. ENTO had plenty of chances in the first half but lacked that killer instinct.  

Lee Thomas was causing havoc to the Caerleon defence as they struggled to cope with him. Jago had several chances but found Delve in fine form for Caerleon. 

Caerleon's keeper Andrew Delve saving from Richard Jago (Photo courtesy of Peter Bourne)

ENTO coped with some early second half pressure but keeper Neil Collins was not getting troubled as Edwards, and the Pugh brothers were coping with Caerleon’s attack.  

Steve Powell was causing problems down the right hand side and it was no surprise when Neil Davies broke the deadlock in the 58th minute with a well taken goal from a Kerry Harding free kick.  

Caerleon battled hard but couldn’t break through and ENTO doubled their lead on 75 minutes with a superb goal from Kerry Harding who did exceptionally well to break through Caerleon’s defence and get the ball past Delve in Caerleon’s goal.

REPORT BY STEVE PEARCE

SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2006

GRANGE HARLEQUINS 0 - 3 ENTO ABERAMAN

ENTO travelled to the capital to take on a struggling Quins team who were relegated from the Welsh Premier last season. Martin Edwards was immediately called into action to clear the danger before Kerry Harding, Richard Jago and Steve Pugh combined before the ball was cleared by Chiverton. Minutes later Steve Pugh put in a great cross that Jago headed just over. Nana Baah was causing problems for ENTOs defence with his quick running.

On 19 minutes Lee Thomas flicked on the ball superbly to Harding who calmly slotted the ball past keeper Fouanguim to make it 1-0. Minutes later Harding had another chance that he hit just over. At the other end Baah had another good run but his shot was easily saved by Neil Collins. Neil Davies then put in a great challenge on the edge of the area on Tanetta.

Rhys Owens was then booked for a clumsy challenge. Quins then hit a free kick in that went just wide. Paul Dawes was doing well in the centre of the park. Owens then left the field injured five minutes before half time, he was replaced by Gareth Jones. A minute later danger man Baah again did well to hit a shot that went just wide.

ENTO started the second half well and should have increased their lead when Thomas played in Harding who hit a great cross to Jago who hit his header wide with the goal gaping. Jones had to be alert to stop an attack from Baah before David Pugh cleared. Hopkins then had a chance from a corner but he headed over. Jago then played in Dawes but he hit a long range effort straight at the keeper.

With 58 minutes gone Dawes played a great ball to Jago again and he in turn found Thomas who made no mistake with a left foot shot that gave the keeper no chance and made it 2-0.

The injured Jago was replaced by Hewings five minutes later as was Thomas minutes after that by Will Davies.

Quins were really getting into the game and they were causing ENTO problems at the back, a great turn and strike from Fitzgerald cannoned off the post before Steve Powell cleared.

With 70 minutes gone and against the run of play ENTO had a corner that was floated across and Neil Davies met hit at the far post with a fine header to make it 3-0.

Five minutes later Powell released Harding who saw his effort saved. The match was being played from end to end and Quins had plenty of chances but lacked the killer instinct. Harding and Dawes were causing Quins problems at the other end and it was Dawes who tested the keeper in the final minutes with a well struck shot that was tipped over.

This wasn’t a great performance from ENTO but they came away with all three points and moved to joint top of the MacWhirter Welsh League.

REPORT BY STEVE PEARCE

SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2006

ENTO ABERAMAN 1 - 0 UWIC

ENTO moved up into fourth place with this hard fought victory over the students of UWIC. The students who have struggled in the league to date welcomed back some of their second year students so they were always going to be tough to beat.

David Pugh needed to be alert at the start when UWIC attacked. Steve Powell had a great break past two defenders before playing the ball to Paul Dawes who released Richard Jago, he was unlucky to see his shot go just wide of the target.

On 10 minutes UWIC keeper Cropley came out well to deny the oncoming Jago. A minute later Kerry Harding played in a great free kick that Cropley cleared for a corner.

ENTO were pressurising and forced a succession of corners that UWIC did well to defend before a great effort from Powell went inches wide. Rhys Owens won the ball well at the back and played in captain Neil Davies who in turn found Harding who played a sublime ball to Jago who hit his first time shot over the bar.

At the other end UWIC captain Tomos Morris hit his effort over the bar. Martin Edwards then did well to clear from Jones. ENTO were then put under some pressure and forced a series of corners themselves that ENTO cleared before on the stroke of halftime Harding again played in Jago who saw Cropley win the race and clear the ball again. 

Harding had a great chance at the start of the second half but saw his effort go just wide. UWIC then had a chance at the other end with Lima hitting his shot straight at keeper Neil Collins. Neil Davies and Steve Pugh combined well to release Harding who saw his shot saved by Cropley.

Hee Ho Kim then had a good run through the middle for UWIC before Collins collected the ball. On 28 minutes keeper Collins pulled off a superb double save to keep ENTO on level terms.

On the half hour mark Harding played a great cross back to Jago who hit a superb header past Cropley only for the assistant to flag offside, Harding was then booked for his protests.

Rhys Owen and Jago were then withdrawn to be replaced by Ian French and Will Davies. Both sides were creating chances without really troubling either keeper. Steve Pugh was then replaced by Craig Hewings who was immediately in on the action with a fine challenge on Morris.

With three minutes remaining French played in Harding who released Davies who collected the ball, turned and hit a great shot past Cropley to make it 1-0.

With a minute remaining Will Davies played in a good ball that was cleared. As the ref played five minutes of injury time Edwards did superbly well to clear an effort off the line with a header.

REPORT BY STEVE PEARCE

Saturday 16 September 2006

ENTO Aberaman 1 - 2 Neath Athletic

FAW Welsh Cup, Round One

ENTO welcomed Neath to the Park for the second time this season following their 2-2 draw last month.

Neath started well but ENTOs defence were coping. ENTO included new signing Kerry Harding in the starting line up and he was immediately in on the action combining well with Richard Jago before the ball was cleared by Fairbairn. ENTO then had a great chance cleared off the line with Rhys Owens blasting the follow up over the bar. The prolific Carl Shaw then saw a great long-range effort at the other end go just over.

On 18 minutes Steve Powell and Jago combined well before a cross from Harding was cleared. Jarrod Price committed a silly foul just outside the box and from a Powell free kick ENTO found themselves 1-0 up with a great header from Martin Edwards on 22 minutes.

On the half hour mark as ENTO were dominating Neil Davies won the ball well from Fowler, he then released Paul Dawes who went on a great run but couldn’t find the finish. David Pugh then cleared well under pressure before Shaw had another great long range effort that Neil Collins tipped superbly over the bar. Gareth Jones then did well to clear from the corner.

Jenkins for Neath then had a good run and cross that went out for a corner. ENTO then parked themselves in Neath's half with a succession of free kicks and corners but they couldn’t capitalise.

Neil Davies then did well to clear from Pockett. Ex Swansea City player Jon Keaveney then drilled a free kick in before Edwards then Powell cleared.

With 42 minutes gone Owens cleared for a corner, from the corner Lee Bevan came with a late charge and hit an unstoppable header into the top corner to make it 1-1.

Disaster struck for ENTO at the start of the second half when Steve Powell took a nasty bump to the head and had to leave the field for an injury that later required hospital treatment. Ryan Woods replaced Powell.

Fowler then hit an effort just wide before Keaveney played a ball in that was cleared firstly by Owens then Davies. Price then went on a mazy run before being challenged by Pugh.

ENTO were further disrupted when Owens took a nasty knock that led to him being substituted and replaced by Ian French. As ENTO regrouped Neath forced a series of corners that were cleared effectively by Jago, Woods and then Pugh, before Collins tipped an effort over the bar. David Pugh then cleared well to Harding who was challenged by Fairbairn.

With 25 minutes of the second half gone Harding put in a great free kick that fell to Jago whose effort rebounded back out to Jones who hit his shot just wide. Jones was then booked soon after. Minutes later Woods and Harding combined superbly before Frankom cleared.

On the half hour mark a disputed free kick was awarded against ENTO for offside, a great ball was played in and substitute Andrew Hill wasn’t picked up and he hit a spectacular overhead kick that gave Collins no chance to make the score 2-1.

With 34 minutes gone Gareth Jones challenged Jarrod Price strongly, Price went down easily and the ref showed Jones his second yellow of the game and ENTO were down to 10 men.

Neath were trying to make their one man advantage count but credit to ENTO they battled hard and were unlucky in the end not to force the tie into extra time.

REPORT BY STEVE PEARCE

Saturday 26 August 2006

ENTO Aberaman 1 - 0 Pontardawe Town

ENTO welcomed Pontardawe Town to the Park looking to make amends for the disappointing result against Afan Lido.

Rhys Owens had a good early header under pressure before David Pugh did well to dispossess Davies after a good run.

Pontardawe were piling on the pressure and Neil Davies did well to clear. Steve Powell then played in Will Davies before Evans cleared. Richard Jago and Craig Hewings combined well to release Paul Dawes before Cox cleared.

On the half hour mark Gareth Jones broke through the middle and his ball through was just a little strong. Minutes later a superb challenge by Jones saved what would have been a certain goal. As half time approached Jago broke but fell over as he was about to pull the trigger just inside the area.

ENTO started the second half well and Powell released Hewings who saw his shot go just wide. A quick throw in by Jones released Davies who played in a great cross that Jago met superbly to give keeper Snell no chance and make it 1-0.

Ross Williams then replaced Will Davies and immediately put in a great challenge in the centre of the park.

On 65 minutes Hewings went on a great run before Bater cleared. Pontardawe sub Cleverley then went on a great run before Martin Edwards cleared. Powell and Williams then combined well before Jago was challenged and the ball went out for a corner.

On 75 minutes there were loud appeals for a Pontardawe penalty as the ball appeared to hit Owens hand. Steve Pugh then replaced Owens who had picked up a knock. Jones then cleared well before Edwards cleared from Thomas as Pontardawe pressed for an equaliser.

Dawes then put in a great challenge and went on a break combining well with Pugh. Jago then broke quickly and after rounding the keeper he was unlucky to see a defender clear his shot. In the dying minutes Cleverly shot over as ENTO held out for a deserved win that kept them in third place.

REPORT BY STEVE PEARCE

SATURDAY 19 AUGUST 2006

ENTO ABERAMAN AFC 2 - 2 NEATH ATHLETIC

ENTO welcomed Neath to the Park for this top of the table clash. Both teams had won both their games to date, scoring three and conceding no goals.

Neath started well and Fowler was unlucky in the first minute. ENTO had a great chance in the sixth minute when pressure from Lee Thomas forced a corner that Craig Hewings played in and Thomas met the corner with a superb chance that gave keeper Liddell no chance to make it 1-0. 

David Pugh then cleared well before Richard Jago turned defender to clear off the line. Gareth Jones and Martin Edwards had to be alert as Neath were piling on the pressure. With 15 minutes gone Fairbairn put in a great cross that was collected by Neil Collins in ENTOs goal. Ex Swansea City player Jon Keaveny then went on a great run before he was challenged on the edge of the area.

On the half hour mark Neil Davies had a great shot charged down by Evans. Jago and Paul Dawes then combined well to release Steve Pugh who hit a tame shot. Steve Powell then had a great run before he was challenged by Bevan. Thomas then played in Jago before Pockett cleared.

With two minutes remaining before half time Pugh played  a great ball and Jago timed his run perfectly to beat the defence and round the keeper to make it 2-0.

Will Davies replaced the injured Dawes just before half time.

ENTO started the half with a burst when Edwards went on a mazy run through the middle before the ball was cleared by Bevan. Jones and Fowler then became involved in handbags with Neath getting frustrated, both players were booked.

Fairbairn then crossed to Fowler who saw his shot superbly saved by Collins before he hit the rebound wide. Jago and Thomas combined well before sub Jarrod Price cleared.

Ross Williams replaced Thomas with 25 minutes remaining. Carl Jenkins then had a great run before being upended by Neil Davies who saw yellow for the challenge.

Neath were really applying pressure on ENTO and Evans had a great chance that he headed just wide. Williams won the ball well on the half way line and played in Jago but the ball was cleared. Edwards then cleared from the edge of the area before Powell and Williams combined well to attack.

With seven minutes remaining sub Matthew Rees got a goal back for Neath. ENTO were holding on and Neath looked very dangerous and as the game crept into injury time Keaveney popped up and got an equaliser.

This result means both teams share top spot with exactly the same records.

REPORT BY STEVE PEARCE

WEDNESDAY 16 AUGUST 2006

TON PENTRE 0 - 2 ENTO ABERAMAN ATH

ENTO continued their fine start to the season with this hard fought victory over the Rhondda Bulldogs that moved them to the top of Division One.

Ton started brightly and created plenty of early chances with Craig Hewings needing to be alert. Jones played in a great cross that Plant got his head to but Neil Collins pulled off a fine finger tip save to deny him.

On ten minutes ENTO broke well and Richard Jago had a fine shot blocked. Steve Powell and Will Davies combined well before Davies hit wide. Haywood charged through midfield but David Pugh got in a fine challenge to deny him a shooting opportunity. Jago had another chance but headed wide following fine build up play by Steve Pugh. Gareth Jones then saw his header saved by Cropsley in the Ton goal following a corner from Hewings.

On 22 minutes a header by Seaburn was cleared off the line by Neil Davies before Martin Edwards cleared. Shugar then saw and effort go just wide as Ton were piling on the pressure.

On the half hour mark a great move by ENTO saw Powell play in Hewings who timed his run superbly and calmly took the ball around Cropsley to slot home and make it 1-0.

Paul Dawes was battling hard in midfield. Two minutes before half time Jago found room for himself and hit a well struck shot that somehow found its way into the back of the net off a defender and keeper Cropsley. 

Ton came out of the blocks for the second half with all guns blazing and it was real back to the walls stuff for ENTO but they stuck to their task and defended superbly. Harding had a couple of chances for Ton but most efforts were going wide.

ENTO were relying on the counter attack and Jago went close on a few occasions. Ross Williams replaced Will Davies and he got straight in on the action releasing Jago who saw his shot blocked.

Harding turned provider and put in a fine cross that Collins punched off the head of Plant. Chris Morris then replaced Steve Pugh. Williams and Hewings combined well before Jones cleared well at the other end.

With five minutes remaining Williams had a great run that saw his shot charged down for a corner. From the corner Powell had a great shot that went just wide. Rhys Owens replaced Jago with the clock running down. In the final minutes Collins pulled off two superb saves to keep the clean sheet intact.

REPORT BY STEVE PEARCE

SATURDAY 12 AUGUST 2006

ENTO ABERAMAN ATH 1 ELY RANGERS 0

ENTOS return to the top flight after a six year absence saw them entertain Ely Rangers in an exciting match. Ely started well and after two minutes a free kick by Graham Cummings was cleared by ENTOs wall.

Debutant Gareth Jones then cleared well before David Pugh put in a fine challenge.

After seven minutes Steve Pugh went on a fine run down the left before his cross was collected by keeper Tarr.

On ten minutes Craig Hewings did well to play a ball to Richard Jago whose cross was met by the head of Kurt Nogan who saw his effort go just wide. Minutes later a corner by Steve Powell was met at the far post by Jones whose header went across the goal and wide.

On 15 minutes a free kick by Elys Liam Beattie was tipped onto the bar by keeper Neil Collins. Minutes later the same player was unmarked in the middle but he hit his shot straight at Collins.

Jago the went on a great run before the ball was eventually cleared by Trotman. Jones then put in a great challenge on the edge of the area and the ball went out for a corner, from the corner Elys Danny James saw his long range effort go just over the bar.

Powell and Jago then combined well before the ball was cleared. Just before half time Jones and Powell combined well before ex Cardiff City player Wayne Matthews cleared.

Ely came out strong at the start of the second half and a quick break was fortunately ruled offside.

On 59 minutes a great move by ENTO involving Jago and Paul Dawes saw Nogan receive the ball before Hewings played in a great cross that was met by the head of Jago whose header hit the bar. Martin Edwards then cleared well.

Steve Pugh was then replaced by Lee Thomas, a minute later Nogan had a shot cleared off the line before a free kick at the other end was easily saved by Collins.

On the hour mark a great ball by Matthews found Sean Nash who saw his shot go just wide.

In the 63^rd minute the deadlock was broken when Nogan released Thomas who did exceptionally well to beat the defender and hit a great shot that gave keeper Tarr no chance to make it 1-0. Minutes later Trotman played the ball across the area to Nash who hit his effort wide.

On 70 minutes the impressive Jones went on a great run don the left before releasing Thomas whose shot was blocked for a corner.

The game was being played at a great pace with both sides having chances, the best falling to Powell who had a great chance three yards out but a great challenge saw the ball cleared.

This was a great result for ENTO and they must build on this with a visit to Ton Pentre on Wednesday before they welcome last year's runners up Neath Athletic to The Park next Saturday.

REPORT BY STEVE PEARCE

ENTOS NEW SIGNINGS

ENTO Aberaman Athletic has scooped two major new signings as they aim to make their mark in Division One of the Welsh League. With goals at a premium last season manager David Morgan has strengthened his frontline with the signing of the highly experienced Kurt Nogan and the prolific Lee Thomas.

Thirty-five year-old Nogan joins the club from Southern League Tiverton Town having had a distinguished professional career with Brighton, Burnley, Preston North End and latterly Cardiff City. With over 400 first team appearances and commanding transfer fees in the region of £500.000 Nogan is perhaps the most high profile player to sign for the club in the modern era. With a goal in every three league appearances throughout his league career Nogan will no doubt bring some much needed firepower to the ENTO attack.

Aberdare born Lee Thomas has re joined the club after a spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury. In two previous spells with the club Thomas has scored an incredible 60 goals in 57 appearances which was rewarded with a move to Welsh Premier League Carmarthen Town before injury curtailed his season.

Also rejoining the club is youngster Ross Williams who was the Clubs Player of the Year in 2004/05 before work commitments last season saw him leave and help Cwmbach to the South Wales Senior League Division Two title. Williams has scored 11 goals for the club and is a versatile player.

These players along with Richard Jago who has committed to stay with the Club after finishing as top scorer last season despite not joining until New Years Eve last year will certainly provide ENTO with plenty of strike power and hopefully worry Division One defences.

www.entoaberamanafc.co.uk

Unless otherwise stated all match reports relate to Division Two

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Season 2005-06

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