STERN WORDS MAKE CROESY SEIZE THE DAY

26 February 2007

CROESYCEILIOG recovered from the previous week’s 7-0 MacWhirter League Division One reverse at the hands of Bridgend Town by grabbing a deserved point from a 2-2 home draw against Barry Town.

But it should have been all three points because although the visitors held a  2-0 interval advantage, Croesyceiliog missed a penalty and hit the crossbar after the break which would have made their comeback complete.

And what made it even more frustrating was that Chris Watkins, occupying a right-back position in a 4-4-2 formation changed from 4-5-1 to accommodate striker Jody Jenkins’ presence, later scored with a near 50-yard free kick – after missing the spot kick from only 12.

“It was a good point and considering what had happened the game before,” said Croesyceiliog joint manager Chris Evans.

“We were minus six players for various different reasons, so we are pleased with the outcome – even though we could have won it.

“We didn’t perform well at all in the first half, so we had a few choice words to say to the lads at the break.

“And to be fair, they responded well and we had them hanging on at the end.”

Second-from-the-bottom  Barry had a penalty of their own after just five minutes when defender Mike Dewar was harshly adjudged to have brought down former Cwmbran Town striker Zak Misbah, who dusted himself down before slotting home the resulting kick.

It was 2-0 when Chris Pritchard’s poor back-pass let in the visitors again before Jenkins’ striker partner Jamie Stokes pulled one back on 55 minutes.

Watkins, however, grabbed the equaliser when his long-range effort deceived Barry’s goalkeeper with Pritchard coming so close to securing the winner when his shot came back off the woodwork.

Bridgend faced Gwent opposition for the second successive week and looked to be on their way to another win when they led Newport YMCA 2-0 at the interval at Mendalgief Road.

But the YMCA, who had striker Aaron Stewart returning from long-term injury, hit back to draw 2-2 and move up one place to 14 of 18, giant striker Lewis Sommers, on the hour, and Stewart, 20 minutes from time, the scorers for the Gwent side.

“During the first 45 minutes we didn’t perform,” observed YMCA boss Mark Coldrick. “But we were much improved after the interval, when Aaron hit the post.”

YMCA moved above county rivals Caerleon, who lost 1-0 at home to big-spending ETNO Aberaman to further deepen their relegation fears.

“We huffed and puffed and we never really created a whole lot,” said disappointed Caerleon chief Brendan Dowd.

“We certainly need to start picking up points and our next two games are against the two of the four sides below us – UWIC and Grange Quins.

“They are crucial games for us.”

In Division Two, Caldicot Town’s promotion hopes took a knock while Tredegar Town improved their hopes of avoiding relegation.

Fourth-placed Caldicot went down 1-0 at Bettws, with manager Jason Morgan describing his team as “ordinary”, with Tredegar winning 3-2 at home against Merthyr Saints.

For Tredegar, midfielder Paul Reid, striker Sam Goulding and an own goal made up their total as they moved up a couple of places to 13th.

Second-placed Llanwern gained a point from a 1-1 draw at mid-table Llantwit Fardre, where striker Steve Perszewski fired home the Gwent side’s goal with a fine volley.

“It was nip and tuck in the first half but we dominated in the second but couldn’t finish,” said Llanwern boss Laurence Owen.His side still trail leaders Pentwyn Dynamos by five points, but have four games in hand over the capital-based club.

Abertillery Excelsiors’ match at Cwmamman United fell victim to a waterlogged pitch, while elsewhere there were a couple of exciting Gwent derbies.

Goytre emerged 2-1 winners from their away game against Aberbargoed Buds, while Risca United won their relegation battle 3-2 at Chepstow Town.

Striker Tony Rees was on target for the mid-table Buds, but goals from marksman Robert Surtees and left-sided midfielder Steven Collett maintained Goytre’s sixth position.

At Chepstow, the home team scored via an own goal and central defender Nick Owen, with Chris Thomas among the victorious visitors’ scorers.

YMCA KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FROM BRIDGEND

23 February 2007

Newport YMCA certainly aren't quaking in their boots at the thought of taking on Bridgend Town tomorrow who wiped the floor with luckless Croesyceiliog last Saturday.

YM go into the match fresh from their win at Maesteg Park where all their goals in a 3-1 came from back four players.

Mark Coldrick, YM manager, said: "We know what they did to Croesyceiliog (Bridgend won 7-0). Perhaps it was a combination of Bridgend playing their last game at Coychurch Road and 'Croesy' having a bad day at the office.

"We are full of confidence after the win at Maesteg where we had eight first-team regulars missing with four youth team players in the squad."

And, although two were on the bench and did not get on, Coldrick is more than happy with the ways are going and, coining a well-used advertising phrase, Coldrick added: "The future is looking bright."

Craig Ford, one of the young quartet, played at left back and scored the opening goal following a set piece when the ball dropped to him in the penalty area. Alex Jenkins played in a central midfield role, both youngsters impressing Coldrick while on the bench were Kanisorn Janrunsri and Lee Morris.

Robbie Painter and John Pardue both return after completing suspensions while Faris Yafai has one more game to go before his comeback. Striker Aaron Stewart, recovered from a hamstring injury, has trained this week and returns to the squad but front runner Sean Pearce is out with a thigh strain and Craig

James inactive following the recurrence of a knee injury.

Central defender Danny Heath was boosted this week after visiting a specialist. He is recovering from a broken cheekbone and could be back within a couple of weeks as opposed to the initial fears of a month or more.

Coldrick said: "Danny was a big loss to us because he has been playing so well."

Croesyceiliog will be all out to erase the memory of their nightmare match at Bridgend, manager Chris Evans still recovering from the shock, when they take on Barry Town who lost at Taffs Well in midweek.

Croesyceiliog will be missing Jamie Jenkins who was sent off at Bridgend and Evans is worried that his side have now conceded ten goals in the last two games. He said: "We thought we had stopped the rot, conceding an average of 1.5 goals a game, and now it's ten in two. The performance at Bridgend was probably our worse in five years."

Right back Mark Morris is missing with a hamstring injury and midfield player Daniel Clouth is unavailable. On the plus side striker Jody Jenkins, former Croesyceiliog player, now with Haverfordwest after a spell with Cwmbran Town, is set to line-up for his former club after being on the bench last week.

Michael Pattimore is now available after missing out last week because of work while Dale Evans has recovered from flu and Ross Bristow, back from New Zealand, could be involved.

Caerleon have slipped below the YM on goal difference but there is a five-point gap between the Gwent side at Grange Quins who have played four more games. Caerleon, bidding to halt a run of five league defeats at home to ENTO Aberaman, have lost striker Martin Houston who has been recalled by Cwmbran Town. Martin Phillips returns to midfield after a two-match ban and manager Brendan Dowd is hoping for Andy Gay to make a return.

Llanwern, on course to gain promotion from Division Three, face a difficult game at mid-table Llantwit Fardre, manager Laurence Owen admitting: "They are our bogey side."

The Newport side, in third place, go into the game without captain and central defender Gregg Taylor who is not available while Tony Shier (hamstring), Carl Baugh (calf) and Michael Binning (groin) all face fitness tests.

Matthew Currie returns to the squad along with new signing Sylvestre Mananasy, capped by Madagascar, is in the squad for the first time.

Tredegar Town's Shamrock Travel Cup semi-final tie with Afan Lido is being held at Ton Pentre's Ynys Park ground on March 7 (kick-off 7.0pm) and the other semi-final between Goytre United and Bettws is at Maesteg Park next Tuesday (7.0pm).

LEAGUE ASKED TO RE-THINK GROUND UPGRADES

22 February 2007

MEMBER clubs, including 12 from Gwent, have asked MacWhirter Welsh League officials to reconsider proposals to upgrade grounds in all three divisions.

At a special general meeting held at First Division Maesteg Park, clubs discussed the matter after studying a three-page document issued by the WL.

The proposals included a "lights only" First Division, with a working PA system, hard standing on all sides of the ground and 50 sears in a stand - individual or bench.

Also proposed was for grounds to be enclosed by permanent boundaries on all four sides which would prevent spectators from viewing matches from outside the ground.

"The item concerning the proposed alterations to the existing Standard Code of Facilities was debated at length and as this was presented as a discussion document, many different views were expressed," said league secretary Ken Tucker.

"The clubs decided, particularly in view of the cost implications, to refer the item back to the league management committee for further consideration."

None of Gwent's three top-flight clubs - Caerleon, Croesyceiliog and Newport YMCA - have lights and almost certainly face problems in meeting the proposals.

No date was set for the proposals to be met. However it had been suggested that if they were to be brought in and clubs could not match them, then they would be relegated.

But costs alone would be far beyond the reach of the vast majority of clubs, hence their stance in asking league officials to re-evaluate the proposals placed before the meeting.

Caerleon manager Brendan Dowd had mixed feelings about the ground-improvement ideas.

"Some of the proposals are too much, too quickly," he said.

"Some are OK, such as the hard-standing and the seats but I'm not at all convinced by the ground being enclosed - perhaps we should let our hedge grow at our Cold Bath Lane ground!"

SALLIS CELEBRATES SENIOR DEBUT WITH GOAL FOR CROWS YOUTH

22 February 2007

Luke Sallis, who made his senior Cwmbran Town debut in the Principality Building Society Welsh Premier League defeat at Airbus UK on Saturday, celebrated the occasion with a goal in the youth team victory over Risca the following day.

Sallis was on target in the 3-0 away win in the MacWhirter Welsh League, Youth Division, the other goals scored by Owen Llewellyn and Joe Carless.

Cwmbran, 11 points clear at the top, look to make it through to the semi-finals of the Welsh Youth Cup when they make the long trip north to take on Gresford Athletic on Sunday.

Newport YMCA had to settle for a 3-3 home draw against Ely Rangers, goals by Lewis Owen, scorer of a hat-trick the previous day for Gwent in their 4-0 victory against Dorset in the South and West Counties youth championship, Joe O'Brien and Muhammad Hassan.

HOME DRAWS

20 February 2007

TWO of the three Gwent clubs in the quarter-finals of the MacWhirter Welsh League, Harris Printers (Reserve Division) Shield have received home ties.

Croesyceiliog have been paired with Neath while Newport YMCA will entertain Porthcawl.  Chepstow will be away to the winners of tonight's tie between Goytre United and Cwmamman.

A goal from Gary Sturch gave Cwmbran Celtic a 1-0 away win over Porthcawl in the MacWhirter Welsh League, Reserve Division (East).

TIME TO REMEMBER

19 February 2007 

AS OUTGOING Bridgend Town looked back fondly when more than 45 years of senior football came to an end at their Coychurch Road home, the venue proved to be far from seventh heaven for visiting Croesyceiliog.

Making their first and last visit to the ground, the Gwent side fancied their chances of gaining a positive result from the MacWhirter League Division One encounter.

Midfielder Michael Pattimore was unavailable, but returning was Paul Bielski and striker Jody Jenkins, who had signed on second forms from Welsh Premier League outfit Haverfordwest County.

But 90 minutes later the players, plus joint managers Chris Evans and Neil Gilmore, were shellshocked at being on the wrong end of a 7-0 thrashing.

“You name it and it went wrong,” revealed Evans. “The only thing missing was a broken leg and if we’d stayed long enough, I believe that would have happened to us as well.

“It wasn’t that we didn’t get out of the dressing-rooms, it was more like we failed to get off the minibus, and I’ve never felt so deflated over a football game before.

“We were 5-0 down by the 24th minute, had Jamie Jenkins sent off for foul and abusive language towards the referee and had used all three substitutes by the interval.

“Then after Jody (Jenkins) had come on from the bench, he missed a penalty before they went on to score another twice.

“We simply didn’t know what to say to them at the break because we were so bewildered.

“We never made a tackle, they were pouring through the midfield and the defensive marking was non-existent.

“We regrouped a bit to restrict them to a couple of goals after the interval, but the damage was done.

“I felt sorry for our goalkeeper, Pat O’Hagan, who was left exposed time and again, and the commitment just wasn’t there.”

The defeat was Croesyceiliog’s heaviest league defeat and came as such a surprise as they’d started with only one defeat in their previous seven outings.

The Gwent club remain in 10th position, but moving up above county rivals Caerleon into 14th place was Newport YMCA with a fine 3-1 win at Maesteg Park Athletic. 

Manager Mark Coldrick’s men went ahead on 20 minutes through Craig Ford, and although the home side equalised before the break, goals from Alex Stewart and Leon Sparago after it completed the success.

“We’re very pleased, especially considering we were missing eight players for this one,” said Coldrick.

“We scored two of our goals from set plays and that’s great because we work hard on them in training. The absentees meant we gave some of our young players a chance and they all did very well.

“The future of this club is very bright because it has a good crop of young players coming through.

“They’ll be further developed and it’s exciting to see them all as keen as they are, we have great hopes for them.”

Caerleon travelled west to face Pontardawe and came away 2-1 losers, with only Jamie Hillier’s 35th-minute equaliser to show for their efforts.

In Division Two, there were home wins for both promotion-seeking Caldicot Town and relegation-threatened Tredegar Town.

Caldicot defeated Garden Village 3-0 thanks to two goals from striker Jason Thomas and one by midfielder Andrew Edwards, while Tredegar’s Ian Morris got both in a 2-1 win over Cambrian and Clydach.

In Division Three promotion-chasing Cwmbran Celtic played twice over the weekend, winning 1-0 at Llansawel on Saturday before drawing 3-3 at Ystradgynlais yesterday.

In the first match, Dayner Thorp grabbed the all-important winner, with Shane Williamson (2) and Craig Cheedy scoring in yesterday’s encounter.

 Abertillery Excelsiors had Shaun Smith straight red-carded and were beaten 4-0 at home by Llantwit Fardre, while Abertillery Buds scored through Benny Preece (92) and Dean Randall in a 3-0 victory at Risca United.

A penalty from Steve Collett and a goal by Lee Grimes earned Goytre an excellent 2-0 home win over Porthcawl.

There are no mid-week games involving Gwent clubs.

ALL CHANGE AT LLANWERN

17 February 2007

IT'S all change at Llanwern who are on course for promotion to Division Two of the MacWhirter Welsh League.

They have lost Slovakian midfield player Ivan Poncak who has returned home.

Laurence Owen, Llanwern manager, said: "He has been offered a contract by his home-town club and they have found him a job.

"He was a cut above as a player and he could have played at a higher level over here."

His fellow countryman Peter Radakovsky has returned home while Radovan Nemkicky is now only available occasionally.

But now they have a Madagascan international in their ranks - Sylvestre Mananasy who has been playing for Ross Town in the First Division (West) of the Hellenic League, introduced to the club by club physiotherapist Sylvia Durham who is based in the Ross area.

Afan Lido’s home game with Taffs Well in the MacWhirter Welsh League, Division One, was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

GROUND PROPOSALS COULD SPARK TROUBLE

16 February 2007

Clubs in all three divisions of the MacWhirter Welsh League will be asked to vote in favour of ground improvements when they meet at a special general meeting at Maesteg Park on Sunday afternoon.

And the proposals included a "lights only" First Division, with a working PA system, hard standing on all sides of the ground and fifty seats in stand - individual or bench.

And that's not all. The document, which is certain to prove controversial, is asking for a ground to be enclose by permanent boundaries on all four sides which prevent or restrict spectators from viewing the game from outside the ground.

Gwent's three clubs in the top flight do not have lights and would arguably face great difficulties meeting the demands and a lot of outfits would love fifty people watching their games let alone supplying a seat for them all!

No dates for the criteria to kick-in are included in the meticulous three-page proposals but if clubs cannot meet the demands they will face relegation.

The document does not include any form of costing but it certainly is not going to be a cheap exercise. Some clubs would be looking at a hefty five-figure bill - if not more - and some will view it rather like turkeys voting for Christmas.

Clubs will also be discussing the vexed subject of one player-one club which will come into operation totally in Wales next season, although some area associations such as Gwent are operating the directive from on high this season.  

Caerleon fruitless return from Division One title-chasing Pontypridd in midweek was no more than they expected. But manager Brendan Dowd has targeted tomorrow's game at Pontardawe as a "six-pointer."

Dowd said: "I couldn't fault our performance - it was excellent but we followed the usual Caerleon trait by gifting goals. But I am not disappointed because it was a good quality game and for seventy minutes we matched them and even better at times."

All three Gwent teams in the top flight are away with Croesyceiliog travelling to Bridgend and Newport YMCA making the trek to Maesteg Park. Michael Pattimore is not available for Croesyceiliog because of work but Paul Bielski returns to the squad.

YM have suffered a major blow with the loss of central defender Daniel Heath with a fractured cheek bone, suffered in a game on an artificial surface, asked to play in the game by his brother! He is likely to be sidelined for between six to eight weeks.

Mark Coldrick, YM manager, said: "His loss is a massive blow."

Craig James remains absent with the recurrence of a knee injury and sweeper Robbie Painter is serving a one-match ban. Faris Yafai and John Pardue are also missing through suspension.

Craig Ford and Robert Wigmore have both been called into the squad and striker Aaron Stewart, out of action with a hamstring injury, expects to start training next week.

Cwmbran Celtic face a daunting weekend with two Division Three away matches. On Saturday they travel to Llansawel who they have failed to beat in two previous encounters this season - conceding a last-minute goal to draw 3-3 in the home league match and losing 2-0 away in the Shamrock Travel League Cup.

Celtic travel to Ystradgynlais on Sunday for a rearranged League encounter. General secretary, Malcolm Jarrett, said: "Under normal circumstances, we obviously would not want to play two games in two days at any stage of the season but all the dates Ystradgynlais offered us were either a day before or a day after an existing fixture. We opted to play on Sunday because it is far easier to get to Ystradgynlais rather than an evening in midweek."

Celtic manager, Micky Copeman said: "This will be a tough weekend but we just have to accept the situation and get on with it. The way the weather has been, most clubs may well face a similar situation before the end of the season.  All our players are fit and available so we will go into the games full of confidence.

"We haven't lost a league game since October 18 so we are obviously hoping to continue the run".

COREY'S PERFECT DEBUT

15 February 2007

RYAN Corey had a memorable debut for Llanwern in their home MacWhirter League, Division Three, victory against Abertillery Excelsiors last night.

Corey claimed Llanwern’s third goal with his first touch of the ball when he came on during the second-half, his cross from the right causing all sorts of problems for goalkeeper Kristian  Johanson, the ball squirming from his grasp at the near post.

Corey has joined promotion-chasing Llanwern from Monmouthshire Building Society Newport and District League side Llanwern Sports, leaders of Premier X.

Marcus Power gave Llanwern the perfect start with a fourth-minute goal and Steve Perszewski added a second in the 31st minute and got their fourth.

The visitors, certainly prepared to give youth a chance, had their opportunities, two good chances falling to Ryan Price and Steve Broom shortly after Llanwern went ahead. Early in the second period Price was again off target with a shot.

Laurence Owen, Llanwern manager, said: “It was a bit of a flat performance - but we did the job, three points and a clean sheet.”
 

CAERLEON NO MATCH FOR PONTY

14 February 2007

HARD-working Caerleon put on a brave show against champion-chasing Pontypridd who moved a step nearer leaders Neath in the MacWhirter Welsh League, Division One, last night.

Pontypridd are five points adrift of the top team with three games in hand, their eyes firmly planted on a place in the Principality Building Society Welsh Premier League.

It was a brave decision by Cardiff referee Alun Boore to get the game under way on a difficult surface - and with rain falling for most of the first-half - which required more work at the break and not helped by a torrential downpour at the start of the second-half.

Caerleon made an impressive start, certainly not afraid to have a go at the home side, and it needed a perfect block tackle from central defender Mike Jones to keep out Chris Pearce's goal-bound effort from Martin Houston's right cross.

However, Caerleon were brutally punished for their first error after 15 minutes as Geza Hajgato struck a long-range free-kick past a badly-positioned defensive wall and deceiving goalkeeper Richard Lancaster. Seven minutes later Nathan Hosgood displayed excellent finishing and it ended Caerleon's hopes of getting even a point.

Nine minutes from the break Caerleon had an excellent chance to put back a goal, again Pearce and Houston the combination, Pontypridd goalkeeper Gareth Williams stretching every muscle to clutch Houston's near-perfect finish from Pearce's pass.

Despite the massive task facing Caerleon they continued to work hard in all departments, but too often the accuracy of passing let them down while Pontypridd showed how it should be executed.

Late in the game Caerleon conceded a third, a neat header from Dean Morris.

Llanwern bid to gain a Division Three double over Abertillery Excelsiors when they meet at Spytty Park tonight (kick-off 7.0pm) and gain a season's treble having won 4-1 against Excelsiors in the Welsh Cup.

Llanwern defender Michael Binning returns to the squad after missing a couple of matches with a groin strain but Matthew Currie and Troy Quarterly are both absent because of injuries.

Excelsiors Dai Smith returns to their squad while Leigh Preece is missing because of a leg injury and back trouble prevents skipper Lee Coburn from appearing in the squad.

ANGUISH FOR BRAVE ABERTILLERY

12 February 2007

THE majority of sports fans watched Wales slip to defeat in Scotland on Saturday from the comfort of their armchairs – and oh how Abertillery Excelsiors wished they too could have stayed at home after being thrashed 11-3 at Ystradgynlais!

In fact that was the problem for Abertillery boss Colin Preece, too many of his regular first-teamers couldn’t be contacted after he’d discovered the away MacWhirter Welsh League Division Three game at Ystradgynlais was indeed on.

“I had the shock of my life on Saturday morning when I was told the game would be going ahead because Ystradgynlais must have been one of the very few places in the whole of the country which hadn’t had any snow,” said Preece.

“I was already without four regulars, including skipper and central defender Lee Coburn, and then I just couldn’t raise enough players from the first team to give us any sort of competitive edge.

“In the end I got a side mostly from the under-18s, and while I’ll always be grateful to them for going all the way to the Swansea area at the drop of a hat, we weren’t up to the task.”

Yet for all that Abertillery only trailed 3-2 at the break, although a goal within seconds of the resumption was the green light for the home side to progress to a club record victory.

And if there were any doubts at that point, they disappeared with 30 minutes left when Abertillery had Anthony Phillips dismissed for picking up a second caution.

For the visitors, Kevin Robbin, Lee Bull and Tim Sterry were their goal-scorers on a day the Gwent Valleys club will certainly want to forget.

Preece said he was hopeful that Coburn and most of his missing players would be available for Wednesday’s clash against promotion-seeking Llanwern at Newport Stadium, kick-off 7.00pm.

The only other Gwent side in action on Saturday was Risca United, also of Division Three, but they went down to a 2-1 defeat at Porthcawl Town, where Chris Thomas got their consolation goal.

Caerleon are in Division One action tomorrow night and it doesn’t get much harder than a trip to face second-placed Pontypridd Town.

The Ynysangharad War Memorial Park outfit has been financially well backed for several seasons now and will field a player very familiar to Gwent football followers.

Up front for the home side will be one of Welsh non-league football’s most prolific goal-scorers – former Cwmbran Town striker Chris Summers.

The lethal finisher still stands at number two in the Welsh Premier League’s all-time top scorers list with an amazing 177 from 243 full and 32 substitute appearances.

Wales semi-pro international Summers is also still the Crows’ second-top WPL scorer with 84 – 20 behind Mattie Davies – and the Caerphilly-based firefighter still holds the league’s record for scoring in 11 consecutive matches for Cwmbran in 2003-04.

Caerleon are 12th of 17 and go into the game five points clear of the drop zone with a couple of matches in hand, one of which is tomorrow night’s encounter, which will kick off at 7pm.

BACK FROM IRAQ AND NOW BACK IN GOAL

9 February 2007

CAERLEON goalkeeper Andrew Delve is expected to miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury.

But Caerleon are now able to call on firefighter airman Richard Lancaster who recently returned from Iraq, although not playing football for several months and he lines up to face visitors Afan Lido in the MacWhirter Welsh League, Division One, tomorrow afternoon.

It's a tough challenge for Caerleon who face an equally difficult hurdle on Tuesday night, travelling to Pontypridd, both opponents in the chase for a place in the Principality Building Society Welsh Premier League next season.

Martin Phillips will miss both games because of suspension while manager Brendan Dowd has persuaded former player Simon Truman to sign on - now playing in the West Midlands for Rushall Olympic - but is only likely to be available for Saturday games.

For the trip to Pontypridd, Dowd will also be able to call on striker Chris Pearce who tomorrow will be facing Welsh Premier League champions TNS, playing for Cwmbran Town.

And to give his first team a much-needed workout he fielded them in a reserve game against Cwmbran Celtic, winning 8-0 with Martin Houston leading the goal rush with a hat-trick and a couple from Chris Pearce – the Crows without a match last week. The other three goals came from Lee Relish, Luke Cueto and Dave Howden.

Dowd said: "It's been a stop-start season that I needed to have a first-team run-out."

Croesyceiliog and Newport YMCA are without a league match and will now meet at Woodland Road in a Gwent Senior Cup tie.

The top game in Division Three is unquestionably at Spytty Park where hosts Llanwern, in second place, take on leaders Pentwyn Dynamo. And fifth-placed Cwmbran Celtic, also with an eye on promotion, have a crunch home game against Llangeinor who have pushed Llanwern into third place on goal difference.

Tredegar Town will play their Shamrock Travel League Cup, semi-final, with Afan Lido at Ton Pentre on March (kick-off 7.0pm).  The other last four tie between Goytre and Bettws is to be staged at Maesteg Park on February 27 (7.0pm).

YOUNG CROWS CRACK IN FOUR

9 February 2007

CWMBRAN Town strengthened their position at the top of the MacWhirter Welsh League, Youth Division (East) with a midweek 4-0 home win over Dinas Powys.

The young Crows took the lead through Lee Newman who added his side's third goal five minutes from the break.  In between, Joe Carless got the second.  The convincing win was rounded off by Owen Llewellyn five minutes from the end.  Cwmbran now hold a nine-point lead over Penrhiwceiber.

CUETO THE HERO AS YM TRIUMPH

5 February 2007

DANIEL Cueto scored the only goal in what could prove to be Newport YMCA’s most crucial win this season.

The relegation-threatened Mendalgief Road outfit beat visiting Bryntirion Athletic 1-0 to record only their fifth win in 19 league starts.

“To be honest it was a well-deserved win,” said YMCA boss Mark Coldrick. “We went down there earlier in the season and they gave us a bit of a going over in scoring three goals.

“So we were expecting a bit more from them – but it never materialised. We doubled up on the flanks and it was all one-way traffic before the break.

“They did come out a bit after the interval, but we did enough. We missed some chances as well, notably through Shaun Pearce and Alex Jenkins, so it could have been even more.”

YMCA have arranged their away Gwent Senior Cup semi-final clash with Croesyceiliog for this Saturday at Woodland Road, the game going ahead subject to Newport County’s appeal against their expulsion from the competition.

In Division Two, fourth-placed Caldicot Town were held 0-0 at home by Troedyrhiw, the team immediately above them in the table.

“We should have won and we missed enough chances, including a penalty which Neil Windsor had saved by their goalkeeper, to have done so,” said Town chief Jason Pritchard.

Tredegar Town hosted leaders Garw Athletic seeking to maintain the form which had earned them a 2-1 Shamrock Travel quarter-final win over Division One outfit Bridgend Town in mid-week.

However, it was not to be, as manager Jason Morgan’s men fell to a 3-0 defeat: “It was one of those games where we missed all our chances and they took the only ones they created,” revealed Morgan.

Tredegar will now face another Division One side, former Welsh Premier League club Afan Lido in the semi-finals of the Shamrock Travel Cup at the Ynys Park home of Ton Pentre in Maesteg on Wednesday, March 7, kick-off 7.00pm.

In Division Three, Abertillery Excelsiors are still eighth after losing 2-1 at home to table-topping Pentwyn Dynamos, while third-placed Llanwern drew 0-0 at Cwmbran Celtic.

“It was a fair result,” said Celtic coach Della Cheedy. “We won the first half and they took the second and everyone is happy with a point.”

Llanwern manager Laurence Owen partly agreed, although maintained his side shared the honours before the interval.

“It was a typical Gwent derby and that’s four out of six points we’ve taken off the Celtic this season.”

The home side came closest to scoring when striker Joey Carless saw three successive efforts saved by Llanwern goalkeeper Chris Hart in the same goal-mouth incident.

Goytre got off to a good start, but they were beaten 2-1 at home by Seven Sisters.

Central defender Dean Taylor headed in at a fifth-minute corner, but soon striker Adam Roberts was sent off following a skirmish.

The home side held out until 20 minutes from time, when the visitors levelled before they went on to inflict Goytre’s ninth league defeat of the season.

Chepstow Town were thumped 4-0 at second-placed Llangeinor, but there was success at last for Risca boss Jeff Eckhardt as his side won 4-2 at home against AFC Porth.

The former Newport County central defender had endured three successive defeats since taking over recently.

However, it was smiles all round as the Ty-Isaf Park outfit scored goals through striker Lee Phillips (2) and central midfielder Liam Kidman.

“We created lots of chances, and in all honesty the score-line flattered them a little,” said Eckhardt.

“We were comfortable at 4-1, but the referee managed to find some 12 minutes’ extra time from somewhere and that’s when they scored their second goal.”

There are no scheduled mid-week games. 

Croesyceiliog substitute Chris Watkins rescued his side with two late goals in yesterday’s entertaining home 3-3 draw with Grange Quins in the MacWhirter Welsh League, Division One.

Quins, battling to preserve top-flight status, looked all set for achieving the double but determined Croesyceiliog, two down at the break, to their credit didn’t throw in the towel. Chris Pritchard gave them a lift with their first penalty of the match early in the second half, but Quins deservedly regained their two-goal advantage through the fast-raiding Nathan White, his pace unhingeing Croesyceiliog’s usually sound defence.

Watkins, who came on for Pritchard, provided a glimmer of hope with his opening goal, and then close on time Watkins converted Croesyceiliog’s second penalty of the match.

Chris Evans, Croesyceiliog manager, said: “We underperformed – Sunday games just don’t suit us and it was probably our worst performance of the season.”

Croesyceiliog’s second team made it through to the third round of the Harris Printers (Reserve Division) Shield with a 2-0 home win over Ely Rangers on Saturday, Mark Jones heading them into a half-time lead and Chris Mills hitting a 30-yard cracker 15 minutes from time.

YMCA AIM TO ERASE MATCH NIGHTMARE

2 February 2007

Newport YMCA could gain a double boost in the MacWhirter Welsh League, Division One, this weekend after their nightmare game with top team Neath in midweek where they not only suffered a three-goal defeat but also had two players sent off.

The YM, just clear of the relegation zone, can help themselves first of all by taking care of visitors Bryntirion tomorrow (kick-off 2.0pm) and then look to neighbours Croesyceiliog for a Sunday favour when they take on Cardiff side Grange Quins (kick-off 12.45pm), one of the three teams below them.

Missing through suspension for the YM are dismissed pair John Pardue and Faris Yafai, a substitute at Neath, while central defender Craig James is missing with the recurrence of a knee injury and Aaron Stewart is sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Likely to be called into the squad are Leon Spargo – facing a fitness test on an injured ankle which caused him to miss the game at Neath – Kristian Avery and Robert Wigmore.

Mark Coldrick, YM manager, said: "If we work as hard as we did at Neath then I am sure we can get something from the Bryntirion game."

In-form Croesyceiliog have taken ten points out of a possible 15 and manager Chris Evans said: "If we can take another three points that would be good form even if we were one of the leading sides.

"But it's a big weekend for the club because the reserves are involved in the league cup and a win would keep their season going."

Michael Pattimore returns to the squad after missing last week's win because of work while Chris Watkins was absent because of illness, but now he returns to boost Evans' squad.

Cwmbran Celtic should be at full strength for their vital Division Three top of the table clash with local rivals Llanwern tomorrow.

Both Ben Graham and Niki Villars featured in last weekend's win over Abertillery Excelsiors after long-term injuries, while Nathan Beer and Rhys Dalgleish successfully came through a reserve team game after their injuries. The only down side is that Liam Kidman has decided to go back to Risca for personal reasons which the club understands and wish him well.

Manager, Mickey Copeman, said: "These are the games we have to get a result in if we are to gain promotion. Our home record is excellent, so there is no reason why we can't win this one. I'm sure Llanwern will be feeling the same and local derbies are always tough but the lads are confident after a good run of

victories recently and I know we are good enough in every department if we play as well as we have in our last few games."

BLOB Llanwern came from behind to gain a point at home to Goytre on Wednesday night, Steve Perszewski equalising five minutes from time after Tony Shier had put Llanwern ahead.

But it was not until manager Laurence Owen changed his formation and introduced players off the bench that Llanwern scrambled their equaliser.

Goytre equalised with a penalty from Steve Collett after Lee Grimes was brought down by Michael Binning. And it was Grimes who gave his side the lead, latching on to a pin-point pass from player-manager Ian Rosser.

Rosser, whose side entertain improving Seven Sisters tomorrow, said: "We are going well and I was very pleased with the point. We were hanging on for a bit but we thoroughly deserved the draw.

Wednesday: Division One: Bryntirion 2, Pontardawe 0.  Division Three: Llanwern 2, Goytre 2.  Youth Division (East): Cambrian and Clydach 5, Newport YMCA 4.