WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

28 March 2005

THERE weren’t any Motaquote Insurance Welsh League games on Saturday because of the Wales/Austria international, and not many on Sunday, but those that did go ahead involving Gwent sides had a bearing on relegation and promotion issues.

In Division Two Tillery went down 4-0 at promotion-chasing Bryntirion, and have now registered only one win in their last 11 league and cup games.

The game was switched to Bryntirion, with Tillery now meeting that side at home on May 14, but the loss leaves Tillery with ground to make up, though they have games in hand.

“We played quite well,” said Tillery secretary Keith Williams, “and did not deserve to lose by four, especially as none of the Bryntirion goals was well crafted. One was deflected, one a slice and one possibly offside.

“We were below strength, but youngsters Andrew Veal, Mark Seymour and Scott Hacklin again did well, while David Smith (in centre midfield) gave one of his best displays of the season.”  Bryntirion scored two goals in each half.

Tillery were hoping Caldicot would do them a favour by following up last week’s 4-2 home win over bottom club Seven Sisters with an away win, but they gave one of their worst displays of the season to lose 2-0.

“The result sums up our season,” said official John Burrows. “We beat leaders Pontardawe, beaten only twice this season, gained the double over second-placed Pontypridd and won at Bryntirion, yet we’ve lost to Seven Sisters, Tillery and Llanwern, all struggling near the bottom.

“We are very young and inexperienced and lightweight in some respects, whereas Seven Sisters were stronger and, given their position, fought for everything.”

Croesyceiliog moved into third place in Division Three with a 3-0 home win over Ystradgynlais courtesy of a James Stokes hat trick.

His first was a shot from a right- wing cross from Jody Jenkins, his second a curler with the outside of his boot (or a slice, depending on which of his team-mates you believe) and the third, after the interval, a penalty following a trip in the box.

“It was a very good team performance, we were totally in control and could have scored a lot more,” said official Martyn Jones.

Risca and Gelli, too, were in control at Cwmaman, and felt robbed by an equalising penalty ten minutes from time for what appeared to most an innocuous challenge.

Centre-half David Palmer had put them ahead on the half-hour with a header from a corner, but after that several half-chances were missed, though it was still a fine display by Risca against opponents several places above them in the table.

WELSH LEAGUE PREVIEW

18 March 2005

By Ray Parker 

A Caerleon victory over visitors Dinas Powys tomorrow would go a very long way to dispelling their relegation fears in Division One of the Motaquote Insurance Welsh League (kick-off 3pm).

Caerleon have two games in hand on their rivals and are three points ahead with a better goal difference.

David Griffiths, Caerleon manager, said: “It is quite a crucial game for us and we owe them one for the defeat we suffered at their ground. We got over our home jinx by defeating Barry and were unlucky not to get a point at Grange Quins last week.”

Caerleon are without the experienced Adriano Girolami, working, and Luke Fernquest, who made his debut last week. He is out with a knee injury. However, Steve Arthur and Todd Quarterly are back in the squad but Michael Binning could be missing for a few more weeks, suffering knee ligament damage late in the game with Barry.

“Defensively we are all right but we could do with a few more goals. Chris Pearce is out on his own and we could do with more goals from someone alongside him or in midfield.”

Tredegar, after losing a Division Two midweek thriller at promotion rivals Pontypridd, should make amends in their home game with lowly Morriston. Newport YMCA are on the road with an early kick-off at Ammanford. They should be good for a win while Llanwern will do well to take even a point out of in-form visitors Pontypridd.

Treowen, with games in hand, haven’t given up on Third Division promotion. They go into their home game with Blaenrhondda missing the suspended Carl Pullen, who was sent off while playing for Fochriw last Saturday when Treowen did not have a game.

Richard Davies, Treowen manager, said: “I am quite happy with the way we are playing but we must stop conceding silly late goals.”

Treowen have drawn four of their last seven games – all this year – while losing only two of their last eight league matches.

Croesyceiliog, who have played one more game than Treowen, have the best chance of the Gwent club’s for promotion. They are at home to Blaenrhondda and have a big run of home matches Croesyceiliog, one defeat in their last ten league outings, entertain Ystradgynlais on Easter Sunday (kick-off 3.0pm).

Goytre, after reaching the semi-finals of the league’s Shamrock Travel Cup by causing an upset with a win at First Division UWIC, turn their attention now to their precarious league position. They take on fellow strugglers Newcastle Emlyn tomorrow and travel west on Good Friday.

Steve Morgan, Goytre manager, said: “We are in the semi-finals of two cup competitions and it would be nice to reach the final of one of them. But our main objective remains the league.”

Goytre’s squad is likely to be unchanged, Morgan switching Kevin Wallace from central defence into midfield while Simon Bailey, out of first-team action for so long because of knee ligament damage, returns and goalkeeper Richard Minor received a call from the seconds.

Croesyceiliog are featured in the latest issue of Welsh football – the 100th edition of the publication which now includes colour articles.

There will be a lot of long faces this afternoon where clubs did not request an early kick-off to allow time to watch the rugby international between Wales and Ireland.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

16 March 2005

By Ray Parker

Promotion-chasing Tredegar Town deserved a share of the points from their pulsating Motaquote Insurance Welsh League, Division Two clash at Pontypridd last night.

Tredegar, two goals down after 19 minutes, hauled themselves back into the game but were floored by a third Pontypridd goal eight minutes from the end.

They found themselves a goal down after just two minutes as Pontypridd made a flying start with a Wayne Price goal and then Kerry Harding punished Tredegar further.

However, they made a fine recovery with defender Mark Dunn’s deflected goal after 37 minutes and seven minutes into the second-half Shane Williamson brought the scores level. Steve Edwards then rattled the crossbar with Rhys Carpenter netting from the rebound but was ruled offside.

But Tredegar were caught out in the 82nd minute when Robert Jones drilled home a low shot through a crowded penalty area.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

14 March 2005

GOYTRE AFC are bottom of the Motaquote Insurance Welsh League Division Three but there is no stopping them in cup competitions.  On Saturday, they pulled off the shock of the day with a 1-0 win at First Division UWIC to clinch a place in the semi-finals of the Shamrock Travel Cup while they are also in the semi-finals of the Gwent Senior Cup. 

It was a real backs-to-the-wall effort at UWIC, but they defended heroically and snatched the only goal when Steve Collett met an Adam Roberts’ right wing cross 15 minutes from time and headed home. 

Division Two promotion chasers Newport YMCA failed to join them in the last four when they suffered their second cup defeat at the hands of Division One Briton Ferry. 

Ferry pipped them 2-1 in the Welsh Cup earlier this season and on Saturday it was even closer, the visitors winning with the only goal five minutes from the end of extra time. 

“It was tight. Either side could have nicked it and you always felt one goal would win it,” said YM official Darren Porretta. “There were no real clear cut chances, just a few half chances.”

Perhaps the crucial time for YM was ten minutes from the end of normal time when striker Lewis Sommers, who had earlier seen a header cleared off the line, saw another header saved by the Ferry goalkeeper who then spread himself to block the follow-up shot.

“With little to play for in the league, the cup is everything in Briton Ferry’s season,” added Porretta. “For us it was a bonus as promotion is the target and we have an important game against Ammanford next week.” 

Nevertheless, YM have shown in their games against Ferry that should they go up they are capable of matching all but the best in the top division. 

Tredegar Town took advantage of YM’s cup action to move into second place in Division Two with a 2-1 win away to mid-table Pontyclun. 

Tredegar were without two regulars in Scotland to watch the rugby  international, another suspended and one injured but defied very windy conditions and a lively pitch to win. 

They led courtesy of an own goal on the half hour when Jeremy Fowler bent in a shot which the ’keeper pushed into the net and sealed it when Lawrence Davies shot home after 65 minutes, Pontyclun replying with a dubious penalty for handball ten minutes from time. 

“That was the only way they were going to score,” said Tredegar manager John Lewis. “It was a scrappy game but it’s all about winning at this stage of the season.” 

Caldicot took a point with a 1-1 draw away to Ento Aberaman but should have taken all three, missing a host of chances.

Midfielder Andrew Wenzel scored their goal after twenty minutes and the hosts equalised from one of their rare opportunities ten minutes from time. 

But Caldicot were happy their reserve side reached the semi-finals of the Ace Windows Systems Cup for the first time with a 2-1 win over Grange Quins Reserves, courtesy of goals by Mark O’Hara and Andy Edwards. 

Tillery had hoped for something from their visit to fellow strugglers Cardiff Corries, but crashed 4-0.

They went 2-0 down inside ten minutes and conceded a third goal in unusual fashion, Corries heading clear a Tillery corner which was picked up by one of their players who ran the length of the field to score. 

Tillery’s hopes of any comeback were ruined when Richard Langley was sent off on the half hour for verbally abusing the referee, though it was not until the final ten minutes that they conceded the fourth. 

The club included three 18-year-olds and a twenty-year-old and Chris Penny, Scott Hacklin, Thomas Landridge and Andrew Veale did well in the circumstances. 

Llanwern, 2-0 losers, were without four players for their trip to Garden Village, two having to work at the last minute and two failing late fitness tests. Carl Baugh then limped off injured and Alex Lee took a knock. 

They conceded a goal after six minutes, a free header from a cross, and then suffered double misfortune. 

Marcus Power crashed a shot against the crossbar and it bounced down over the line claimed Llanwern, but the referee’s assistant did not signal and two minutes from time Garden Village hit a shot from 25 yards which hit the bar and did likewise and this time the assistant did signal. 

“We couldn’t buy any luck at the moment,” said Llanwern manager Laurence Owen. “Our disallowed effort was a goal, but you have to accept these things.”

In Division One, Caerleon, minus five players, felt they did enough to deserve a draw at high-flying Grange Quins, though their hosts created more chances on a difficult pitch and in a gale-force wind.

Luke Fernquest, making his debut in left midfield after signing from Chepstow, and Alex Eagle, who went on as a late replacement, were youngsters who did well and it was unfortunate Caerleon conceded a penalty – the game’s only goal – five minutes from time from Adriano Girolami’s trip in the box.

In Division Three, Croesyceiliog maintained their promotion push with a 2-0 win at Blaenrhondda, and it could have been seven.

“We must have missed five open goals while one was over the line and not given,” said club official Martyn Jones. 

Midfielder Jamie Jenkins scored with a spectacular thirty-yard effort and striker Chris Watkins wrapped up the win with a shot from just outside the area ten minutes from time. 

With nine of their remaining games at home and four of them against the teams above them in April, promotion is in Croesy’s own hands and they received a further boost this week when former Cwmbran Town striker Jodie Jenkins, brother of Jamie, signed for the club after returning from working in Guernsey and will be available from next week. 

Chepstow are in sixth place, one behind Croesyceiliog, after a 3-3 home draw with third-placed Caerau Ely but both Albion Rovers and Fields Park/Pontllanfraith, in the bottom three, lost again.

Albion suffered their sixth straight loss with a 4-1 home defeat by mid table Ystradgynlais, Luke Ash heading their goal from a corner when they were already 3-0 down. 

Albion have missed goal-scorer Lee Gwilliam and have had nine of their 22-man squad missing, but Gwilliam and a couple of suspended players will be back next week. 

Fields Park went down 3-1 away to fellow strugglers Newcastle Emlyn but equalised in first half injury time through their Portuguese signing Ohene Naquinhare before conceding two in the second half.

WELSH LEAGUE PREVIEW

11 March 2005

By Ray Parker 

Goytre find themselves bottom of the heap in the league but they are charging along in two cup competitions.

They are through to the semi-finals of the Gwent Senior Cup and tomorrow, against the odds, bid for a place in the last four of the Motaquote Insurance Welsh League, Shamrock Travel Cup, when they make the trip to Cardiff-based UWIC.

Steve Morgan, Goytre manager, said: “At the moment there is a bit of a confidence crisis and the boys are treading on ice, but the cup is a bit of a rest.”

Goytre’s only win this year has been in the Shamrock Travel Cup, beating AFC Porth who are in the hunt for promotion from Division Three. They have also beaten Albion Rovers and Cwmamman while overcoming Tredegar in the Gwent Senior Cup.

Morgan added: “At the moment I am not too concerned about our position. I don’t like being at the bottom but we have five games in hand over Fields Park (immediately above them) and four over some of the other clubs."

“We have enough games to finish in a fairly respectable position. I am confident we can pull out of trouble. We have enough ability in the side and long-term injured players are on their way back."

“We have worked hard to get where we are and over the last four years we have had nothing but success.”

Goytre, who are putting the finishing touches to a clubhouse extension, finished seventh in the Third Division last season after progressing through the Gwent County League.

Goytre lost 1-0 at Pentwyn Dynamo last week, a result which sent them to the bottom. Morgan added: “I was quite peeved because we just didn’t perform at all. They had a guy sent off after seven minutes and we conceded a penalty five minutes from the end.”

Newport YMCA are Gwent’s other cup hopefuls. YM, who gained an important promotion-win at Division Two rivals Tredegar last week, take on First Division Briton Ferry at Mendalgief Road and they just might upset their more illustrious opponents.

YM are unbeaten in their last four matches, winning three and scoring 11 goals, while Ferry have lost six of their last nine games in Division One and only beat Cardiff Corries 4-3 in the last round.

Tredegar now face two tricky away games, at Pontyclun tomorrow and at Pontypridd on Tuesday. Tillery are battling to preserve Division Two status after gaining promotion last season. They have slipped to one place off the bottom and could really do with a win at fellow strugglers Cardiff Corries.

Albion Rovers, who have hit their poorest run of the season – five straight defeats – look to put things right when they entertain newcomers Ystradgynlais. It is becoming a scrap between Gwent clubs  to get out of relegation trouble in Division Three with Albion, Fields Park and Goytre occupying three of the last four places and Risca not clear of trouble.

WELSH LEAGUE PREVIEW

4 March 2005

By Ray Parker 

Caerleon don’t like playing at home – and manager David Griffiths doesn’t know why. “Perhaps we should arrive early for a game, hire a mini-bus and driving around for a while and then go to the ground,” said Griffiths with tongue in cheek.

Caerleon are at home to once-mighty Barry Town who have fallen from grace and still tumbling.

Caerleon’s only success at Cold Bath Road this season was against Neath, their second home game in the Motaquote Insurance Welsh League, Division One, way back in August.

Griffiths added: “We certainly need consistency in our game but at home, whether it is complacency, I just don’t know.

“Barry are the side everyone wants to beat. I don’t particularly like to see Barry in the state they are in but it is the time to beat them.”

Barry have hit financial difficulties. They are no long the aristocrats of Welsh soccer and because of a cash row with the local council they are now playing on a borrowed pitch. A sorry state of affairs.

Todd Quarterly and Denis Spiteri are back in the running for recalls after both serving one-match ban.

Undoubtedly the top game in Division Two features home side Tredegar Town, in second spot, and visitors Newport YMCA who are immediately behind them, one point adrift and a game in hand.

Tredegar have won their last three games and have lost just once in their last 13 league games. The YM form is not so impressive, particularly on the road having picked up one point from their last three trips.

Lewis said: “It’s not a must win game – more a don’t lose situation. But we are at home and we will be looking for a win. If we can produce the form shown in the second-half against Merthyr Saints there isn’t a team in the division that would live with us but if we play as we did in the first-half then we’ll be in Division Two next season.

“I had a pop at half-time and we were a different side after the interval. We were a goal down at the break but played really well in the second-half.”

Darren Porretta, YM coach, said: “We need to take our home form away with us. We are looking a very strong team, comfortable and confident at home but away from home it’s not so good. But we also need the rub of the green away but it’s so tight at the top that a defeat for either side doesn’t put them out of the promotion frame.”

Gwent’s top two teams in Division Three are both at home – Croesyceiliog, fifth, entertain Risca while Chepstow should get the better of Albion Rovers.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

1 March 2005

Newport YMCA will now face Caerleon away in the quarter-finals of the Welsh Football League’s Ace Windows Cup following their comprehensive 8-1 home win over Bridgend.

Mark Ingles and Matthew Sommers – elder brother of Lewis – both scored two goals apiece in the reserve competition match.  There were other goals from John Myles, Danny Cueto, Danny Heath and Darren Routledge.

In the same competition, Caldicot will meet Grange Quins. A hat-trick from Dean Goddard paved the way for the YM youth team to gain a 4-1 away win over Briton Ferry in the MacWhirter National Youth League. Mark Drew scored the other goal.