WELSH LEAGUE PREVIEW

29 May 2006

The twice-postponed Macron Welsh League, Shamrock Travel League Cup final, between Penrhiwceiber and Pontardawe, has now been arranged for tomorrow night (30th) at Afan Lido (kick-off 7.30pm).

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

15 May 2006

Treowen Stars have lost their battle to retain a place in the Macron Welsh League after taking one point from their last three Third Division games, writes Ray Parker.

And in all of those games Treowen must have thought that the world  was against them, denied points by a last-minute goal, resulting in a draw at Cwmamman, and then 1-0 defeats against top two teams West End, the champions, and Cambrian and Clydach in the final game at home on Saturday.

Treowen’s misery means joy for Cwmbran Celtic, who spent two weeks living on their nerves having completed their fixtures with two wins, which gave them hope of avoiding relegation back to the Welsh Autoparts Gwent County League after one season.

Now Treowen will change places with Aberbargoed Buds, promoted from the Gwent County League.

Richard Davies, Treowen’s manager, said: “It’s a cruel game – three matches in a row and in all of them we have been hit by a last-minute goal, and against Cwmamman it was deep into time added on and we’re still wondering where it all came from.

“I have never seen my players looking so absolutely shattered. I could not have asked more from them, especially in the first half when we showed our deserve and hunger. It was a case of getting through the second half but in the end it took its toll.”

But perhaps the sadness was best summed up by one player, who dumped his kit in a bin as he left the ground.

The goal which sank Treowen came from Cambrian and Clydach substitute Steve Hughes, a vastly experienced player, having performed at a much higher level with Ton Pentre, and that accumulation of knowledge over the seasons shone through.

However, that may not be the end of the matter. Before the game – and during it – the buzz around the ground was of misdemeanours by at least two clubs from the same division playing ineligible players in recent games, which could mean yet another busy summer for league officials.

Abertillery Excelsior, relegated from Division Two, played their final game of the season at Ammanford, losing 3-1. Top scorer Chris Penny pulled a goal back for Abertillery when they trailed by three goals. It was an important goal for Penny, making him joint top-scorer with a dozen alongside Richard Langley. After Penny’s goal Abertillery got right back into the picture, Brett Williams striking the crossbar with a shot from just outside the penalty area, and John Smale had a header cleared off the line.

Goytre United made sure of the Division One crown with a 3-0 win at Newport YMCA, the champions the only side to complete the double over YM. Mark Coldrick, YM manager, said: “It was disappointing to finish on a low but that was only our third defeat since the turn of the year.”

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP/PREVIEW

12 May 2006

Treowen Stars must win their final Division Three game of the season against already promoted Cambrian and Clydach tomorrow to remain in the Macron Welsh League (kick-off 12 noon).

The Stars suffered last-minute heartache last night at home to West End who scored in the final minute of a tense game, winning 1-0 to move top. A win tonight over bottom club Penrhiwfer will give the Swansea-based club the crown at the first time of asking.

The goal which broke Treowen hearts was a stunning finish from Carl Smitham.

Richard Davies, Treowen manager, said: “We put up a tremendous show, especially the youngsters, and I can hardly believe that we’ve been denied points by a last-minute goal for the second successive game.”

Newport YMCA play their final game of the season at home to Goytre tomorrow, the visitors in a must-win match to take the title and the opportunity of a place in the Welsh Premier League.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

11 May 2006

Chepstow gave a battling performance in the final of the Macron Welsh League Harris Printers Reserve Division Shield at Taffs Well last night, but didn’t have the finishing power of opponents Neath who scored over 100 goals in waltzing away with the Reserve Division (West) league crown.

Determined Chepstow went down 3-1 but it was only late in the game that Neath, who missed a number of good chances, got a third and wasted a second penalty.

Robert Moore, Chepstow ’keeper, saved a spot-kick from Chris Gardiner but the alert Mark Napieralla, named man of the match, was the quickest to react and the same player added a second following clever work on the left coupled with a perfect finish.

Dominic Connor pulled a goal back for Chepstow but the better chances were carved out by Neath, who finally got a third goal when Matthew Rees neatly made a simple chance for Rees. In the final minute of the game Moore made a second penalty save, this time from Napieralla.

Croesyceiliog made sure of the runners-up spot in Division Two of the Macron Welsh League when they staged yet another recovery to gain a 2-2 draw at Tredegar.

Ian Morris and Paul Reed established a two-goal lead for Tredegar.

Substitute Mark Waddon and Jody Jenkins both scored with headers to rescue Croesyceiliog, celebrating yet another promotion season.

Abertillery Excelsior, relegated from the division, gained a 3-0 home win over Pontyclun with goals from Lee Coburn, Chris Penny and Shaun Smith.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP/PREVIEW

10 May 2006

Treowen Stars were denied a victory under controversial circumstances at Cwmmaman last night which would have made their place in the Macron Welsh League safe.

The Bush Park club were seeking a swift Division Three double but had to settle for a 3-3 draw and still need two points to be safe.

Their last two matches are at home to the division’s top two teams – West End tomorrow night and leaders Cambrian and Clydach on Saturday.

Richard Davies, Treowen’s manager, said: “They scored with 53 minutes of the second-half on the clock – and even after that several minutes were played. I don’t know where the referee got the time from. I was told it was because of the substitutions.”

Treowen took an early lead but then trailed 2-1, hitting back with two more goals. Their goals came from Matthew Hughes (2) and David Stephenson.

Davies added: “Despite dropping points we live to fight another day. The players fought like tigers and they’re convinced they can beat West End tomorrow night.”

Newport YMCA will have a say in the destiny of the Division One crown – and the future of title challengers Goytre United who suffered a 4-1 home defeat against big rivals Neath last Saturday in front of a 526 crowd, certainly the best league crowd for quite a while.

Neath, leading the table, have finished their programme and hold a one-point advantage but with a superior goal difference. YM meet Goytre United on Saturday (noon kick-off).

WELSH LEAGUE PREVIEW

9 May 2006

Treowen Stars face a tough task in their bid to preserve Macron Welsh League status.

And if Treowen find an escape route in their remaining three games it will result in relegation for Gwent rivals Cwmbran Celtic.

Treowen, with only Penrhiwfer below them in Division Three, have three games left, starting with the return against Cwmamman tonight, looking for the double following their 2-0 home win on Saturday.

And the three points would make them safe. They are two adrift of Blaenrhondda (goal difference minus 22, Cwmbran Celtic (-17) and Llantwit Fardre (-15), who are all on 36 points and have completed their fixtures.

Treowen are at home to second-place West End on Thursday and end with leaders Cambrian and Clydach on Saturday.

They have struck form at the right time, winning their last three home matches and beaten only once in five outings – and they have a good defensive record, although not scoring a great deal of goals, averaging one a game all season.

Manager Richard Davies said: “At least we still have got a chance.

We have been defending particularly well and will be looking for a win at Cwmamman.”

And in anxious times there has been a good response from the players. Davies added: “We have struggled for goalkeepers – but I had two for the Cwmamman game and 18 outfield players, all desperate to play and that is very encouraging.”

Abertillery Excelsior have been relegated to Division Three as a result of Pontyclun’s 1-0 win at Ammanford on Sunday.

Tillery have two games remaining – at home to Pontyclun tomorrow and at Ammanford on Friday.

Chepstow take on Neath, champions of the Reserve Division (West), in the final of the Harris Printers Reserve Division Shield at Taffs Well tomorrow night (kick-off 7.0pm).

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

8 May 2006

CALDICOT were involved in a high- scoring 4-4 draw in the Macron Welsh League Division Two at Ammanford on Saturday.

It was end to end all the way, Caldicot taking the lead after 25 minutes when Jason Thorne took advantage of a defensive mistake to score a fine goal. But Ammanford drew level to make it 1-1 at the interval.

Caldicot regained the lead when Karl Stevens scrambled the ball in, only for Ammanford to equalise again. But Caldicot got their third when Thorne finished well after being put through by Paul Harris.

Again Ammanford drew level, but once more Caldicot struck, this time when Harris scored from close range. With ten minutes left Ammanford got a good goal, unlike the middle two, which came from defensive mistakes.

Caldicot felt this was the one that got away and that they were worthy of the three points.

Abertillery and Tredegar both suffered 1-0 defeats at home, but against teams at the top end of the table, third-placed Garw and leaders Pontypridd, respectively.

Abertillery conceded the winner just two minutes from the end with a loss of concentration which allowed a header to go in.

They had first-half chances, but Richard Langley missed one opportunity and headers also just went wide.

Tredegar feel the Pontypridd goal, from a penalty after 15 minutes, was harsh when goalkeeper Sean Seaward brought one of the visiting players.

But five minutes from the end Sam Hartree missed a glorious chance to seal Tredegar’s fate and they are happy with tenth place after a difficult start to the season.

In Division Three sixth- placed Llanwern suffered a 3-2 defeat at bottom club Penrhiwfer, already relegated, but were without eight players for a variety of reasons and were without a recognised goalkeeper, manager Lawrence Owen, a former centre-half, occupying the role in his first game for 18 months.

Llanwern were 3-0 down after an hour, but hit back with goals by Marcus Power when he latched on to a through ball from Richard Shire, and when Carl Bough was brought down in the area Shire despatched it in the last five minutes.

Risca drew 1-1 at home to AFC Porth in a mid-table clash. Porth went ahead just after half-time, but midway through the half Risca equalised when after a good build-up skipper Brendan Scott crossed into the box and Spanish forward Kharim Haddu headed home.

But he got sent off five minutes later when he kicked out at an opponent after he felt he was fouled, missed, but was sent off for intent.

Chepstow were beaten 1-0 at home to third-placed Newcastle Emlyn, but bottom-but-one team Treowen gained a good 2-0 win against mid-table Cwmamman United.

Treowen went ahead after ten minutes when Matthew Hughes drove home a ball which went loose in the area, and five minutes later Dean Randall controlled the ball on halfway, made some ground and then smashed the ball home from 35 yards, though the opposition felt he had handled and one of the complainants got sent off for foul language.

Treowen controlled the game after that and have a quickfire return, facing Cwmamman away on Tuesday. They now have three points from three games to ensure safety.

Goytre suffered a 4-1 reverse at the hands of second-placed West End.

WELSH LEAGUE PREVIEW

5 May 2006

Treowen Stars bid to follow in the footsteps of Goytre who made sure of their place in the Macron Welsh League this week.

The bottom side Penrhiwfer are doomed but Treowen have four games left to play in which to make it to safety – but it is a tough call.

Treowen are on 31 points, five adrift of Cwmbran Celtic who have completed their fixtures. Treowen have a double against Cwmamman and end with home games against second place West End, set for promotion, and leaders Cambrian and Clydach, already promoted.

Goytre settled their future with a win at Cambrian and Clydach in midweek. Steve Morgan, Goytre manager, said: "We had to battle. It was never going to be pretty and it was all hands on deck. We needed a point to be safe so I was more than happy with the win.

Llanwern have slipped in the nail-biting promotion run-in and although they should pick up three points at bottom club Penrhiwfer they are unlikely to finish in a top-three place.

Laurence Owen, Llanwern manager, said: "It is all down to us – no-one else. We have suffered big time from suspensions and injuries. We will finish in the top six which is encouraging but at the same time disappointing because we let points slip  by losing when we should have won.

"At the start of the season I would have taken a place halfway up the table but at the end it is disappointing that we won’t be going up because it was in our own hands.

Caerleon’s nail-biting wait to confirm their place in Division One could end tomorrow if Taffs Well fail to beat Bettws and it will mean three Gwent sides in the top flight next season,

Croesyceiliog already assured of promotion from the Second Division.

Abertillery Excelsior, despite their shock win over Pontypridd in midweek, still face a real struggle. They are second from the bottom of Division Two and have three games left to play, starting with Garw tomorrow.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

4 May 2006

Goytre made their position safe in the Macron Welsh League with an away win over Division Three top team Cambrian and Clydach last night. Goytre, requiring a point to be certain of staying up, gained a 2-1 victory.

Teenage striker Joe Carless gave Goytre the perfect start but Darren Jones equalised before the break. Goytre’s winner came from the penalty spot, Darren Haines the scorer.

Shortly after the penalty Goytre almost extended their lead, a stunning piece of inter-play between substitute Lee Challenger and Carless resulting in Cambrian ’keeper Paul Bees making a spectacular save from Carless and then recovering to keep out his rebound attempt.

The only sour note  came late in the match when Goytre substitute Mark Langford was sent off without kicking a ball after an altercation with Robert Kelland, who was also dismissed.

Abertillery Excelsior also gained a shock home victory, toppling Division Two leaders Pontypridd 2-1, Chris Penny scoring both goals.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

3 May 2006

Croesyceiliog staged a stunning comeback at home to Morriston last night to clinch a third successive promotion and will next season be playing in the top flight of the Macron Welsh League.

And even manager Chris Evans was stunned by the astonishing late recovery after the visitors had deservedly established a two-goal lead through Michael Chapman and Mark Baker.

But Croesyceiliog never gave up the fight and were rewarded when James Stokes grabbed a dramatic winner, created by substitute Chris Watkins, in the gathering gloom with barely a minute left.

Evans said: "I thought we were dead and buried. I don’t know where they pulled that one from. I feel totally exhausted watching them."

Croesyceiliog, who have two games remaining, want to make the First Division as runners-up to champions Pontypridd. They have two games remaining – at Garden Village on Sunday and Tredegar next Wednesday.

Stokes gave Croesyceiliog a glimmer of hope when he broke clear of the Morriston defence and forced an excellent save from John Martin. It encouraged the home side who never gave up hope. Ricky Coffe began a remarkable recovery and then Mark Allcock levelled for the home side with Stokes providing the finish touch to a thriller.

Llanwern’s hopes of gaining promotion from Division Three were virtually extinguished with a 2-0 defeat at Cwmamman. Llanwern have two games left, at bottom team Penrhiwfer on Saturday and away to promotion rivals West End next Tuesday.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

1 May 2006

THE Macron Welsh League campaign is drawing to a close but several Gwent sides still have all to play for.

This is particularly true in Division Three, where Cwmbran Celtic, Treowen and Goytre are all battling to avoid the drop, and they enjoyed and endured mixed fortunes on Saturday.

Cwmbran Celtic simply had to beat Seven Sisters in their final contest of the season and they duly did, earning a 3-1 victory.

They played well throughout the game and could have won by a greater margin.

Cwmbran took the lead on 30 minutes when Mark Parfit coolly slotted home from the penalty spot, which proved to be a recurring theme throughout the afternoon.

Mark Haynes made it 2-0 at the start of the second half and on 65 minutes the game was wrapped up with Parfit again scoring from the spot.

Seven Sisters pulled a goal back, before in injury time Parfit missed a chance to score a hat trick of penalties, slamming his third spot kick against the crossbar.

It leaves Cwmbran Celtic sixth from bottom on 36 points with no games left and an anxious wait ahead.

A point behind them are Goytre, with two games remaining, who lost out 2-1 at Cwmamman United on Saturday in sickening fashion.

Goytre, who are already without their first-choice goalkeeper, who has broken ribs, were given the least chance of getting a result when reserve stopper Richard Minor was taken ill en route to the game.

It meant skipper Kevin Wallace and Adam Roberts (both midfielders) shared the goalkeeping duties.

Despite these huge handicaps to overcome, Goytre fought back from a goal down to level with ten minutes remaining, Joe Carlos with the goal.

However, football is a cruel game and the home side scored direct from a corner with the final kick of the game to take the three points.

Four points below Goytre and second from bottom of the table are Treowen, but they have four games remaining.

Treowen always had a tough task to win their game on Saturday away at promotion-chasers West End and they battled bravely, but were still defeated 2-0.

The other Gwent side in action in Division Three on Saturday was Chepstow Town, safe from relegation after a fine run in recent weeks.

They went down 3-2 at Porth, and manager Barrie Vassallo was pleased with the efforts of a young side.

Chepstow raced into a 2-0 lead, Paul Light and reserve player Shaun Griffiths getting the goals.

However, Porth produced a decent second-half fightback to level to two apiece before a late and controversial penalty settled the game.

In Division One, Newport YM produced one of their best performances of the season to beat the students of UWIC 3-1.

The sides were level at half-time but YM took the ascendancy in the second half, striker Faris Yafia giving them the lead.

Aaron Stewart showed pace and power to make it 2-0, charging on the break before finishing with aplomb.

YM pressed for a third and were rewarded when skipper John Pardue scored with a 25-yard thunderbolt.

The students got a consolation in injury time, but YM boss Mark Coldrick was thrilled with his side.

“At times it was like watching Brazil, we played lovely one-touch football and I am very proud of how well the players expressed themselves,” he said.

In Division Two, it was a great day for Croesyceiliog, who now need just a point to secure promotion after sneaking to a 3-2 home win over Ammanford.

Croesy played nervously and were never at their best, going a goal down after just three minutes.

They equalised on the half-hour, Jamie Cross volleying home from the near post.

Croesy then enjoyed a huge slice of luck, going ahead through an own goal after a wicked deflection.

However, with ten minutes remaining a 25-yard screamer levelled the scores before another bit of luck saw Croesy get a penalty for handball after an Ammanford defender slipped over.

Striker Jody Jenkins instantly grabbed the ball and under the circumstances he did exactly the right thing, hammering the ball down the middle and in.

Manager Chris Evans commented: “We weren’t very good today and are crawling over the line, but fingers crossed we’ll clinch promotion soon.”

Croesyceiliog entertain Morriston Town on Tuesday evening and can secure promotion with a draw.

Morriston have already done one Gwent club a favour – relegation-threatened Abertillery earned a vital 3-2 win there on Saturday.

It was a big result for them, and with four games left gives them a chance of beating the drop.

The other two games in Division Two featuring mid-table Gwent outfits Caldicot Town and Tredegar Town, ended in disappointment.

Caldicot were hammered 6-2 at Caerau Ely and Tredegar lost 3-0 at home to Garden Village.