www.garwafc.co.uk

SEASON 2006-07

SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2006

CARDIFF CORINTHIANS 1 - 1 GARW ATHLETIC

Tom Hopper struck in the second half to extend Garw’s unbeaten run to five matches and help them stay close behind leaders Troedyrhiw. Both sides produced some excellent football despite poor conditions, with a heavy pitch made worse by several downpours as the game began.

Player/coach Chris Wells was forced into a late change as Tom Donald, who had played so well at full-back during their four-match winning spell, was injured and Paul Liliwall, out for five weeks with a knee injury, returned to the heart of the defence. Garw were confident as the match began, on he back of a run which has seen them score 16 goals in four home matches, but it was the home side which seemed to settle first and the game gradually developed into a midfield battle. Hopper headed wide in Garw’s first real attack on the quarter-hour but keeper Lewis was untroubled in the home goal. Neither keeper was forced into action for more than half an hour, and when a real chance came, it was Chorley in the Garw goal who had to react quickly to clear a goal-bound shot with his legs. Moments later Chorley was in action again, palming away a corner, but then Wattleworth released Flanagan on the right and Lewis had to be quick to take his cross safely. A minute later, Lewis Williams tackled Green as he was about to fire home and Garw found themselves under real pressure. That pressure paid off after 41 minutes when Liliwall was caught in possession near the half-way line, and a smart pass found Andrew Smith in space to fire a low shot past Chorley. In fairness, the goal was no more than the home side deserved for a performance of skill and pace.

Garw came out for the second half in determined mood and began to pressurise the home defence from the restart. However, after five minutes of Garw attacking, it was Liliwall who came to their rescue with a last-ditch tackle after Corries had broken away and were two on one. On the hour, though, Garw’s pressure paid off after a corner which was punched away by Lewis. Wattleworth collected and crossed into the area, where Lewis Williams hit the bar with a header, and as the ball rebounded back, Hopper was on hand to slot the ball home for a deserved equaliser. Ten minutes later, Wattleworth spun away from his marker and put an excellent cross into the box, for Jamie Morris to head just over the barn and just afterward a Hopper free kick was headed straight at Lewis by the advancing Thomas.

On 80 minutes a rare Corries attack resulted in a corner which was cleared to the edge of the box where it was volleyed back, forcing Chorley into a fingertip save. Burge then replaced the injured Hopper before Lewis Williams charged forward to meet a Morris cross and his header was cleared off the line with Lewis beaten. Symons replaced Wattleworth, but despite pressure to the last Garw could not break down a resolute Corries defence. In truth a draw was the right result for both sides.

GARW: 1 J Chorley 2 P Liliwall 3 M Flanagan 4 Lewis Williams 5 D Thomas 6 C Wells 7 Liam Williams 8 D Truan 9 V Wattleworth 10 J Morris 11 T Hopper. SUBS: 12 C Burge (for 11, 82m) 13 M Symons (for 9, 87m) 14 S Bradbury. MAN OF THE MATCH: Wattleworth.

SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2006

GARW ATHLETIC 5 - 1 CAERAU ELY

Garw’s winning run was extended to four games as they comprehensively beat Caerau Ely at home. Jamie Morris struck twice to take his tally to five in five games since re-signing for the Reds, and goals for David Thomas, David Truan and Tom Hopper took the home side’s strike rate to eleven in a week.

Manager Chris Wells was able to name an unchanged side from that which beat Merthyr Saints 6-0 last week, and the growing confidence and understanding was clear to see from the start. Garw dominated this game throughout, and although a momentary lapse allowed the visitors to pull a goal back in the first half, there was never any real danger of Garw’s unbeaten home record being spoiled. Truan signalled the home side’s intent as early as the fourth minute when he shot wide, and although a Caerau forward shot over the bar from 25 yards in the sixth minute, Garw took the lead a minute later. Wattleworth’s persistence and eventual cross was met by Morris, who headed firmly home past a helpless Wilkinson.

Flanagan shot over on 20 minutes, and Caerau then enjoyed their best period of pressure, which included two corners. However, Garw stormed back, with Wattleworth shooting narrowly wide and Flanagan’s cross being knocked away by Wilkinson. Minutes later Morris opened up the visiting defence and played Flanagan in from the left, but he shot wide with only the keeper to beat. Chorley saved easily on 40, before Truan rose to head a free kick which tested Wilkinson. The pressure was building, and a Garw corner moments later resulted in a goalmouth scramble, and Morris shot home from 12 yards for 2-0. Hopper hit a post from the edge of the box, but from the clearance Ely pulled back a goal. The home defence had pushed forward and two Caerau players found themselves in space, a quick pass to Marvin Bridgman allowing the Ely man to beat Chorley from ten yards. Garw almost restored their two-goal advantage within a minute, as Wilkinson saved from Hopper, but the teams went in at half-time with Garw 2-1 ahead.

Within three minutes of the restart Garw had scored again. A sharp pass from Truan put Hopper through, and he beat the advancing Wilkinson to the keeper’s left for 3-1. Five minutes later, Garw put the game beyond the visitors when the all-action Truan was clearly fouled in the box. Defender Thomas strode forward to beat Wilkinson from the spot for his fourth goal of the campaign. In the 70th minute, a Hopper free-kick was headed back across goal by Morris, and Truan capped a fine man-of-the-match display by rising to head the ball past Wilkinson for the last goal of the game. Wells used his substitutes on 75 minutes, and Symons almost made it six within three minutes of joining the play when he shot just over from distance. Garw were reduced to ten men in the 80th minute when Thomas limped off, but the home side kept up the pressure with Wells shooting just over and Bradburn firing just wide. Chorley made his only real save of the match four minutes before the end, but it was Garw who were attacking to the last, with Wilkinson saving well from both Truan and Symons just before the whistle.

GARW: 1 J Chorley 2 T Donald 3 M Flanagan 4 Lewis Williams 5 D Thomas 6 C Wells 7 Liam Williams 8 D Truan 9 V Wattleworth 10 J Morris 11 T Hopper. SUBS: 12 C Burge (for 9, 75m) 13 M Symons (for 9, 75m) 14 S Bradbury (for 10, 75m). MAN OF THE MATCH: Truan.

SATURDAY 28 OCTOBER 2006

GARW 3 - 2 AMMANFORD

Following their first League defeat of the campaign last weekend, Garw were anxious to keep up the pressure on the top five and did so with a win over an improving Ammanford side which was much more convincing than the scoreline suggests. The winning performance of the game came from Vinnie Wattleworth, who scored once, won the penalty for the second and who kept the visiting defence on their toes all afternoon.

The first 20 minutes was a dour affair, dominated by the visitors, who pressed Garw back and won possession all over the pitch. The first shot of the game was by a visiting player who didn’t trouble Chorley. But five minutes later a Morris cross was fumbled by Walton in the Ammanford goal, the ball fell to Wattleworth, who headed in from two yards for his first Garw goal. Two minutes later a Morris cross deceived everyone and struck the far post before rebounding away, before Wattleworth broke free and was pulled down by a defender for a clear penalty. David Thomas came forward to take the kick and made no mistake for 2-0. Donald almost lobbed Walton on 35, before Chorley made his first stop of the game, palming away a fierce shot. Before the break Hopper shot over after being put clear and Wattleworth had another good effort saved by Walton.

Chorley saved a long shot as the second half began and on 52 minutes a Wattleworth cross was pushed away by Walton as far as Donald, who was tackled as he was about to shoot. A long clearance from Chorley almost gave Wattle worth a second as he lobbed Walton, before Burge replaced the injured Hopper on 57 minutes. Thomas, moving forward at every opportunity, headed down and over, but five minutes later he made amends by heading home unchallenged from a corner for 3-0. Wattleworth was replaced by Bradburn and Donald by Symons, and Burge had a shot well saved by Walton in the 70th minute. Two minutes later Burge rounded Walton but his shot was kicked off the line. Then in the space of two minutes Ammanford changed the face of the game with two quick goals. First Jenkins shot home from 12 yards, then the unfortunate Thomas, in trying to head clear, could only help a shot into the net for 3-2. Despite late pressure, however, Garw held on to register their sixth win in seven League games.

GARW: 1 J Chorley 2 M Flanagan 3 T Donald 4 Lewis Williams 5 D Thomas 6 C Wells 7 Liam Williams 8 D Truan 9 V Wattleworth 10 J Morris 11 T Hopper.  SUBS: 12 S Bradburn (for 9, 66m) 13 C Burge (for 11, 57m) 14 M Symons (for 3, 68m).  MAN OF THE MATCH: Wattleworth.

SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER 2006

WEST END 2 - 1 GARW

Garw’s 100% League record ended in dramatic fashion at Pri Deri Park as the Swansea side were awarded a controversial penalty four minutes from time to snatch victory.

Garw had matched the Second Division’s form side throughout the game, and after falling behind from a corner in the 25th minute they had battled back to equalise shortly before the break through a Tom Hopper header.

Garw had welcomed back Jamie Morris and Mike Symons and had given a debut to striker Vincent Wattleworth, whilst Lewis Williams returned for his first start since his opening-day injury. The reshuffled side found the aggressive West End forwards a handful, but Wattleworth had an early shot saved well by keeper Alex Davies and lobbed over the bar shortly afterward. Chorley took a free kick easily, then saved very well from a fierce shot, but from the resulting corner he was beaten by a Neil Phillips header.

Garw poured forward and dominated the rest of the half, Wells shooting over before Truan and Flanagan shot wide. Chorley was booked for handling outside his area but the free kick came to nothing. Lewis Williams shot wide before Truan hit the bar with a superb shot. On 41 minutes a Wells free kick found three Garw men onside and Hopper rose to head past Davies for the equaliser.

The second half was almost all West End as Garw struggled to clear their lines and set up attacks in the howling wind and driving rain. Wattleworth had a chance well saved before two West End efforts were missed and a free kick was hit wide. Chorley palmed away two goal bound efforts for corners before West End missed a gilt-edged chance to take the lead. Burge replaced Wattleworth after 68 minutes and almost immediately Burge had a fierce shot well saved by Davies. Chorley saved a free kick on 75 before Lewis Williams, surging forward, missed a header in front of goal. Morris was replaced by Symons on 82, but almost immediately Truan was adjudged to have handled near the line and a penalty was awarded, Chorley beaten well to his left. Burge had another good effort saved by Davies near the end, but Garw were left wondering why they had not taken a point from a match in which they had seemed full value for at least a draw.

GARW: 1 J Chorley 2 Liam Williams 3 Lewis Williams 4 M Flanagan 5 D Thomas 6 C Wells 7 T Donald 8 D Truan 9 V Wattleworth 10 J Morris11 T Hopper. SUBS: 12 C Burge (for 9, 68)14 M Symons (for 10, 82)15 A Shields.  MAN OF THE MATCH: Thomas.

SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2006

CAERLEON 2 - 1 GARW

FAW WELSH CUP, ROUND ONE

Garw were dumped out of their second Cup competition in a week thanks to some poor defending in a match that, on balance, they deserved to win.

Garw, without Liliwall, Dave Penniket, Liam Williams and Hopper took a 15th minute lead with a Shields header from a superb deep free kick from debutant Matthew Thompson. Another Thompson dead-ball struck a post and Shields headed over twice before the home side began to take some control. Garw defended well as Caerleon roared back at them and Chorley twice saved well but on 32 minutes uncharacteristic defensive uncertainty left Robbie Howells with the simple task of beating Chorley from close in. A first half largely dominated by Garw ended 1-1.

In the second half Caerleon controlled the first 15 minutes with home attackers shooting wide and another heading over when he seemed certain to score. Then on 64 minutes the home pressure told. A free kick to the right of the penalty area seemed to confuse attackers and defenders alike and Ben Davies’ dead ball kick flew past Chorley’s left hand into the net. From then on it was Garw pressure all the way, and within three minutes Penniket had headed wide from a Shields cross, Thompson shot just over and Flanagan had a header saved on the line. five corners in five minutes produced no more than a Shields header against the bar. Caerleon ended with a flurry of attacks but overall Garw had deserved more from a game they could have won.

GARW: 1 Chorley 2 D Truan 3 M Flanagan 4 D Thomas 5 R James 6 C Wells 7 Matthew Thompson 8 P Penniket 9 C Burge 10 A Shields 11 S Bradburn.  SUBS: 12 P Osborne 13 D Penniket 14 A Burge MAN OF THE MATCH: James.

SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2006

GARW 0 - 1 MAESTEG PARK

SHAMROCK TRAVEL CUP, ROUND ONE

A much-depleted Garw side struggled manfully against their First Division opponents but were eventually undone by a smart piece of finishing by Lee O’Brien to take Park through. For most of this game the home side matched Park in effort, passing and tackling, and could have won it with better finishing.

Park signalled their intentions as early as the 15th minute with a shot which Chorley turned onto a post and after 29 minutes another forward shot narrowly wide. A minute later Burge evaded two challenges and shot just past the far post and on 35, Shields touched the ball wide from a good cross by Penniket. Just before the break a Maesteg man headed over from in front of goal and a minute later Burge was blocked as he was about to pull the trigger.

Minutes after the restart Burge just failed to get his head to a Hopper cross but on 55 minutes O’Brien punished Garw with a clinical finish from 12 yards to put the visitors ahead. Hopper shot wide, and Park survived two good shouts for penalties before getting one of their own from a Liliwall tackle. However, Chorley judged it right and pushed the ball away. Osborne replaced James but despite late pressure Garw could not break down a resolute Park defence.

GARW: 1 Chorley 2 Liliwall 3 Flanagan 4 R James 5 Thomas 6 Wells 7 Liam Williams 8 P Penniket 9 C Burge 10 Shields 11 Hopper SUBS: Osborne (for 5, 77m).  MAN OF THE MATCH: Chorley. 

FRIENDLIES REQUIRED

Garw Athletic are currently looking for friendlies on the 22nd and 29th of July, 2006.

The club has five friendlies arranged around these dates but is desperate for games on these dates too.

Unfortunately all games have to be played away or at a neutral ground.

If anyone is interested they should contact Brian Wells on 01656 724857 or e-mail: bobbinssix@hotmail.com.

Chris Wells
Manager

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