January

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

31 January 2005

NEWPORT YMCA are through to the quarter-finals of the Shamrock Travel Cup, but they were taken to extra time on Saturday to get there.

They were level at 2-2 at the end of normal time in their third round tie at home to Penrhiwfer, who a division lower, but eased through after Aaron Stewart and Faraz Yafai scored in extra time.

YMCA went two goals down after only 20 minutes, but were level by half-time through goals by Lewis Sommers and Ben Hillman.

Goytre FC gained a fine 5-1 victory over AFC Porth to make the last eight comfortably. Steve Collett drilled home a superb first goal, then Lee Grimes got the second for a 2-0 interval lead.

Teenager Graham Mason marked his debut by scoring the third, then Andy Walsh scored after a lay-off by 16-year-old Ricci Morgan, also making his debut, and finally Mark Langford got the fifth after more good build-up.

“I’m very happy with the performance and the result,” enthused manager Steve Morgan.

But Tredegar went out after losing 2-0 at Goytre United, and could have gone to extra time against First Division opposition. Both goals came in two minutes just before the interval. Centre half Nicky Ward was outstanding for Tredegar.

In the Welsh League First Division, Caerleon won 4-1 at bottom club Gwynfi. Steve Arthur, Troy Quarterly, Denis Spiteri and Chris Pearce got the goals for Caerleon who have got games in hand over most of the teams above them.

Caldicot beat Pontypridd in Division Two, 2-0 after goals by Tyrone Tucker and Gareth Cullimore. Tucker scored with a header from a Cullimore free kick after 10 minutes and teenager Cullimore ran well from inside the opposition half, cut inside and drove home, a fine goal, his sixth in the last seven appearances.

Caldicot have had five successive away games and it was the first at home since early December. They also had all their injured and unavailable players back, and goalkeeper James Smallcombe, also a teenager, stood out with some excellent saves.

In Division Three fourth placed Croesyceiliog drew 2-2 at Pentwyn Dynamo. Croesy went a goal down before the interval on a poor pitch, then made two substitutions and one of them, Jamie Jenkins, equalised with a 20-yard volley.

Bad defending let Pentwyn in for a second goal, but with five minutes left Michael Dewar equalised after a goalmouth scramble. Croesy thought they should have been awarded a penalty for a blatant push in the last minute but the referee ignored their appeals.

Neighbours Treowen and Risca shared the spoils with a 2-2 draw. Risca went ahead through Andy Gay in the fourth minute and Treowen equalised with a header by Carl Thorne.

The game erupted after 35 minutes when Risca midfielder Shaun Drinkwater, a former Treowen player, was challenged by Dean Randall. He reacted by grabbing hold of his challenger, players tried to stop it and another Treowen player Ryan Bennett was sent off along with the other two.

Five minutes after half-time Gay shot home his second, but Treowen again equalised through a John Williams penalty. Though Treowen were down to nine men they ended up on top but couldn’t get the winner.

Chepstow were well beaten 5-2 by Llantwit Fardre. Chepstow suffered for slack defending and gave two penalties away. Chepstow trailed 3-0, but Chris Lilygreen saved some face with two cracking goals.

Albion Rovers crashed to a 4-1 defeat at leaders Treharris which included a doubtful penalty in the closing minutes.

Albion were without four regulars and lost Jon Lilygreen with a cut over an eye. Lee Gwilliam got the Albion goal, his sixth in the last three games.

RAY PARKER

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

24 January 2005

By Ray Parker Albion Rovers provided a lone shaft of light on an otherwise dark day for the Motaquote Insurance Welsh League’s Gwent clubs. Albion, who finished bottom of Division Three last season, are now just below halfway, having already won two more games than all of last season. They finished eight points adrift of Llantwit Fardre last season, but they are leaving the fear of losing league status to other clubs. And the star of their stunning 3-1 home win over promotion-chasing AFC Porth was recent arrival Lee Gwilliam, signed from Panteg, the Welsh Autoparts Gwent County League side. Albion, the only Gwent club to win, didn’t have matters all their own way – but they did have a little slice of luck as Porth struck a first-half penalty wide of the mark. However, the visitors went ahead early in the second half before Gwilliam took centre stage. He has now scored five goals in two matches, marking his Albion arrival with two goals as a substitute the previous week in a 3-0 success over Llantwit Fardre. Terry Wilkins, Albion’s team chief, said: “His first goal against Porth was from 25 yards – a stunning strike – and he completed his hat trick when he got the final touch in a goalmouth melée, or so the lads agreed!” Chepstow Town, certainly not out of the promotion hunt, had to settle for a home draw against struggling Newcastle Emlyn, the game ending 1-1. Skipper Nicky Owen put Chepstow in front, the visitors equalising before the break. Barrie Vassallo, Chepstow’s assistant manager, said: “We just didn’t finish off all the good play. We were not good enough in front of goal.” Goytre suffered a 3-1 defeat at Caerau (Ely) who are in second place, one point adrift of leaders Treharris, who are bidding for an immediate return to Division Two. Croesyceiliog, looking to go up at the first attempt, had their home match with Treowen postponed while Risca’s match at Cwmaman also fell by the wayside. All Gwent sides in the Second Division suffered defeat, Tredegar’s ten-game unbeaten run ended at second-place Bryntirion, who won 3-1. Lee Brooker scored Tredegar’s goal from a penalty, the visitors trailing 2-0 at the break and then conceding a third before the spot-kick success. John Lewis, Tredegar manager, said: “We created enough chances to have gained something, including hitting a post, and the ’keeper made a great save from Shane Williamson. But we did not defend set pieces very well and they adapted far better to the heavy conditions. “It’s also the end of our unbeaten run, so now we have to start again. But they are only the second team to have beaten us by more than a one-goal margin.” Newport YMCA, still occupying a promotion place despite a 1-0 defeat at Merthyr Saints, had Phil Tranter shown a red card for retaliation. Saints scored with a deflected shot before the break, but YM ’keeper Matthew Rees kept his side in the picture. Llanwern pulled back a two-goal deficit at Porthcawl but eventually slipped to a 4-2 defeat. Laurence Owen, Llanwern manager, said: “It was disappointing to get back level. We should at the very least have got a point.” Llanwern ’keeper Chris Hart conceded a penalty and got a hand to the spot-kick, but couldn’t prevent a goal. Marcus Power set up Llanwern’s opening goal for Russell Scott and then Power turned scorer. Tillery were another side who looked worth a point, but suffered a 2-1 home defeat against Garden Village, who held a one-goal half-time advantage and then added a second. Talented teenager Chris Penny, attracting the attention of several Football League clubs, scored an excellent individual goal for Tillery. It was his league debut, having made his first appearance in the Gwent Senior Cup tie against Newport County last week. Scott Hacklin, another youngster to burst on to the first-team scene, also played well for Tillery, who had appeals for a penalty turned down, and a Matthew Price effort was tipped on to the crossbar. Defender Lee Jones returned to the side following a long holiday in New Zealand. Caldicot’s top-scorer Gareth Cullimore was spot-on in the 3-2 defeat at Penrhiwceiber, his penalty giving him seven goals since joining them from Undy in October. He has scored four goals in his last five appearances. Caldicot, playing their fifth successive away game, twice came back to equalise, their other goal coming from Mark Williams. David Griffiths, Caerleon manager, is looking for his side to stop gifting opponents an early goal. They allowed home side Taffs Well to score after three minutes and then go on to complete a 2-0 Division One win, Morgan Harris hitting his old teammates by scoring the home side’s opening goal.

An equalising second-half goal from Tyrone Evans enabled Risca to gain a 1-1 draw with Chepstow in the Welsh League, Reserve Division (East).

WELSH LEAGUE PREVIEW

21 January 2005

TREDEGAR Town have a chance to move into a promotion spot on Saturday as they travel to take on second-placed Bryntirion in the Welsh League Division Two.

“We will be going there for three points,” stated Tredegar manager John Lewis, whose side currently lie fourth in the division. “This is the acid test for us and one that will give us an indication as to whether or not we will be in with a shout of promotion. “I watched them before Christmas and they are a good side on a good run but we are in better shape now and in form. If we play the way we can there is no reason why we cannot got there and win.” Tredegar will be without Ryan Durham and striker Lawrence Davies who are suspended but Ross Mazurczak, Jeremy Fowler, Jamie Thomas, Craig Evans and Ian Morris all return.

Newport YMCA are currently in third and will be looking for all three points at Merthyr Saints to make it three wins on the trot after 5-1 and 2-0 victories over Cardiff Cories and Seven Sisters respectively in recent weeks.

Tillery, who have not played in the league since December 18, are at home to Garden Village on the rebound from their Gwent Senior Cup exit at the hands of Newport County. “It was nice to play at the (Newport) Stadium but this match is more important,” explained Tillery boss Tony Seymour. “It was good to get a match under our belts after a month without a game.”

Caldicot face a tough test at Penrhiceiber whereas Llanwern will be looking to bounce back from last week’s 4-1 defeat to Tredegar as they travel to face Porthcawl.

In Division One, Caerleon are hoping to continue their upturn in fortunes, they had a superb 2-1 victory at Neath last weekend, but will have a tough task at Taffs Well.

In Division Three Albion Rovers host promotion hopefuls AFC Porth but will be without Paul Haydon, who was badly injured last week in a challenge that is likely to have ended his football career.

Rovers without suspended Robert Bowen and Paul Hiscox. “We go there with nothing to lose,” said Albion boss Terry Wilkins. Creosyceiliog will aim to keep in the promotion hunt at home to Treowen Stars while Chepstow host Newcastle Emlyn.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

17 January 2005

LLANWERN made the best possible start to the new year with their 2-1 victory over Caldicot in a pulsating Gwent derby at Newport Stadium, writes Michael Gannon.

The Welsh League Division Two sides provided plenty of entertainment for the big crowd, and it was the visitors who took the lead through Gareth Cullimore, moments after Caldicot player-manager Robert Painter had been sent off.

Caldicot had already missed a penalty and Llanwern came back to grab an equaliser ten minutes before the break, when Keiron Porter smashed home from close range. It was end-to-end stuff until Tony Shiers netted the winner on 69 minutes with a crisp shot into the top corner. Caldicot’s misery was complete when Lloyd Stone was sent off late on as frustration got the better of them.

“We had the rub of the green for a change,” admitted Llanwern boss Laurence Owen. “But they did not have many clear-cut shots on goal and I am very pleased with the performance and result. “We have a very young squad, the average age on Saturday was just 21, and people are starting to see that we are a good side. “Caldicot are a very decent side and I would have accepted a point before the start, so to take three is great.”

The festive break has also worked wonders for Newport YMCA, according to boss Mark Coldrick, after seeing his side start 2005 with a 5-1 romp at Cardiff Cories. YM began the match sluggishly and went a goal down before clicking into gear and drawing level through Kristian Avery and then going into the break 2-1 through Phil Tranter.

Coldrick’s side then extended their advantage with goals from Steve Edwards, Lewis Sommers and another from Tranter. “The two-week break has done us the world of good,” said Coldrick. “We started a bit sloppy, but once we got going we played some really good football. “We had forgotten how to win before Christmas, so it is pleasing to start the new year off with a victory.”

Up in Division One Caerleon crashed 2-0 at Ton Pentre, and now sit uncomfortably near to the bottom three, but in Division Three Croesyceiliog’s season continues to go great guns as they thumped Penrhiwfer 5-1 at home. Croesy still have as many as four games in hand on promotion rivals and are increasingly looking likely to go up

. New signing from Llanelli Ryan Fahey opened the scoring, and James Stokes added a double, with Mark Allcock rounding off the goals. “It was a superb performance,” said manager Chris Evans. “We could have had more because we hit the upright twice and also the bar, and in the end they admitted it was a bit of a battering. “We had a few new faces, like Ryan, and also the Redman twins, Rhys and Mark, who came in at the back and played very well, which made the result even better.”

There wasn’t much joy for Risca as they were thumped 5-1 at Treharris, but Treowen fared better as they took a patchwork side to Ystradgynlais and took home a point after their 1-1 draw. Jeff Reynolds grabbed the goal that earned the important point, leaving manager Richard Davies a happy man. “I think the draw was a fair result,” he said. “There were plenty of chances for both sides and it could have finished 5-5. “But they are a good side, and not many teams have come away with anything from there, so it was a decent point. “We have three tough games coming up against Troedyrhiw, Croesyceiliog and Risca, so it will be good to get January out of the way and be near the top for the run in.”

Albion Rovers’ home match with Newcastle Emlyn was called off due to the weather, as was Goytre’s trip to Cwmaman, and Chepstow’s visit to Pentwyn. Tredegar v Tillery in Division Two suffered a similar fate.

WELSH LEAGUE PREVIEW

14 January 2005

THE 2-0 defeat for Caerleon last week at Welsh League Division One leaders Ton Pentre may have placed Dave Griffiths’ men perilously close to the relegation zone but the manager is in confident mood ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Neath.

“Even though we lost the game, it was the best we have played since the start of the season,” Griffiths said. “We gave them a tremendous run for their money and were still in it until the last ten minutes. “To come back off a three-week break and put in a performance like that gives us a lot of confidence to take to Neath.” He added: “It is time now to put points on the board because we don’t want to get dragged into things at the bottom. ”Caerleon midfielder Matthew Smith is in contention for a start after a lengthy injury. “Matt is an important player for us,” commented Griffiths.

In Division Two, Newport YMCA will be looking to build on last week’s 5-1 hammering of Cardiff Corries and they will be heavy favourites to take the points at home to bottom-of-the-table Seven Sisters.

Tillery will also fancy their chances at Ammanford after having last weeks match at Tredegar postponed whereas Caldicot face a tough task as they travel to runaway league-leaders Pontardawe.

Llanwern face their second Gwent derby in as many matches as they hope to follow up last week’s 2-1 victory over Caldicot with a similar result against high-flying Tredegar. “It will be one of the toughest games of the season for us,” said Llanwern boss Laurence Owen, who will be without skipper Greg Taylor. “We played very well last week but they are on a great run and have some excellent players.” Owen will also be sweating over the fitness of Tony Shire and Jason Lewis but recent signing Keiron Porter should be fit.

On the otherhand, Tredegar will be gunning for all three points but will have to guard against rustiness, warns boss John Lewis. “We have not played for four weeks, so may be a bit ring-rusty,” he said. “But the boys are looking forward to it and if we play to our potential, we should be good enough for the win.” Tredegar are set to include fit-again Shane Williamson and recent signing Rhys Carpenter, formerly of Burnley, but will be without the suspended Ross Mazurczak and Jeremy Fowler, who is out due to work commitments.

In Division Three Albion Rovers have a chance to leapfrog rivals Llantwit Fardre (both are on 15 points with Rovers fourth from bottom one place below their opponents) although boss Terry Wilkins is playing it down. “It is one of those games which you might think that we have a chance, “Wilkins said. “But we have thought that in the past and been disappointment. What we do have this season is compete in every match and no-one can go into games expecting to get three points against us.” Rovers welcome back Luke Ash, Dale Roberts and captain Stewart Wilkins but are without Barry Barsley (suspended) .

Risca host Chesptow, Goyre are at Penrhiwfer and Treowen are at Troedyrhiw in Saturday’s other Division Three matches.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

10 January 2005

LLANWERN made the best possible start to the new year with their 2-1 victory over Caldicot in a pulsating Gwent derby at Newport Stadium, writes Michael Gannon.

The festive break has also worked wonders for Newport YMCA, according to boss Mark Coldrick, after seeing his side start 2005 with a 5-1 romp at Cardiff Cories. YM began the match sluggishly and went a goal down before clicking into gear and drawing level through Kristian Avery and then going into the break 2-1 through Phil Tranter. Coldrick’s side then extended their advantage with goals from Steve Edwards, Lewis Sommers and another from Tranter. “The two-week break has done us the world of good,” said Coldrick. “We started a bit sloppy, but once we got going we played some really good football. “We had forgotten how to win before Christmas, so it is pleasing to start the new year off with a victory.”

“It was a superb performance,” said manager Chris Evans. “We could have had more because we hit the upright twice and also the bar, and in the end they admitted it was a bit of a battering. “We had a few new faces, like Ryan, and also the Redman twins, Rhys and Mark, who came in at the back and played very well, which made the result even better.”

There wasn’t much joy for Risca as they were thumped 5-1 at Treharris, but Treowen fared better as they took a patchwork side to Ystradgynlais and took home a point after their 1-1 draw. Jeff Reynolds grabbed the goal that earned the important point, leaving manager Richard Davies a happy man.

“I think the draw was a fair result,” he said. “There were plenty of chances for both sides and it could have finished 5-5. “But they are a good side, and not many teams have come away with anything from there, so it was a decent point. “We have three tough games coming up against Troedyrhiw, Croesyceiliog and Risca, so it will be good to get January out of the way and be near the top for the run in.”

Albion Rovers’ home match with Newcastle Emlyn was called off due to the weather, as was Goytre’s trip to Cwmaman, and Chepstow’s visit to Pentwyn.

Tredegar v Tillery in Division Two suffered a similar fate.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

4 January 2005

Croesyceiliog, slowly catching up on a fixture backlog in the Motaquote Insurance Welsh League, Third Division, could well force themselves into a fascinating promotion scrap. They moved into eighth place yesterday with a 3-0 home win over Blaenrhondda and have games in hand over all clubs and they entertain fourth-place fellow league newcomers Penrhiwfer on Saturday. And Croesyceiliog also have to play catch-up on home fixtures. Of their 12 league games played, eight have been away from home. The experienced Chris Watkins gave Croesyceiliog a flying start, scoring in the opening five minutes. In the second-half Gareth Pattimore increased their lead and Watkins gained his second of the match. Neil Gilmore, Croesyceiliog’s joint manager, said: “Our second goal was vital. At 1-0 you are always vulnerable because sides are still in with a chance but our second gave us a real lift.” Croesyceiliog have 23 points, ten adrift of top team Caerau (Ely) who have played four more matches. The Redman twins, defenders Rhys and Mark, former Risca players, made their debuts for Croesyceiliog. And to play over the holiday period was a big success for them. Martyn Jones, secretary, said: “We took more gate money and ticket raffle than ever before. It was a real success – and we took three points.”

Established

1904

[includes/breakout2.htm]