RISCA FACE PORTH TEST IN THE CUP

25 July 2006         

ABERBARGOED Buds, promoted to the Welsh League this summer have been drawn at home to Ystradgynlais - the side they meet in their opening league game - in the preliminary round of the Welsh Cup, writes Ray Parker.

Cwmbran Celtic also have a home game, taking on Newcastle Emlyn while Chepstow travel to Llantwit Fardre and there is an all-Gwent tie with Llanwern drawn at home to Abertillery Excelsiors. 

Risca have a home game against AFC Porth. Ties are to be played on August 19. 

Croesyceiliog have a tough first round draw, travelling to Barry Town, one-time kings of the Welsh Premier League, but now back in the Welsh League, although they are making a return to their Jenner Park home this season alter a spell in exile. 

Caerleon are at home to Garw while Caldicot entertain either Cwmbran Celtic or Newcastle Emlyn. 

Newport YMCA must travel to the winners of the Llantwit Fardre or Chepstow tie while Llanwern or Abertillery Excelsiors will have home advantage against Aberbargoed Buds or Ystradgynlais. Risca, if they overcome AFC Porth, have another home tie, taking on West End while Tredegar are at home to Llangeinor another club new to the Welsh League.

Ties are to be played on September 16.

GWENT CLUBS' PRE-SEASON ROUND-UP

24 July 2006

Peter Little and Mark Williams twice put Caldicot ahead in their home meeting with Radstock who battled back for a 2-2 draw, writes Ray Parker.

Jason Pritchard, Caldicot manager, said: “In the past we have concentrated too much on results but now we are trying different things during a game and it was another good work-out and we played  some really good football.”

Caldicot reserves lost 5-3 to Christchurch in an entertaining game.

Caldicot trailed by four goals at one point but pulled back to 4-3 and were close to grabbing an equaliser before Christchurch got a fifth.

Caldicot have another double header this Saturday, meeting Western League Portishead.

Welsh League newcomers Aberbargoed Buds don’t start pre-season matches until August 2 when they entertain Penrhiwceiber and they travel to Treharris on August 5. Sudbrook Cricket Club are their visitors on August 9 before opening league fixtures with a home game against Ystradgynlais.

Newport YMCA had a 2-0 home win over Garw, the alert Faris Yafai, playing at right wing back, scoring an excellent first goal for the YM who had an 18-strong squad on parade. Their second goal was a penalty by Gareth Lynch.

YM second string are at home to Lliswerrry on Wednesday evening while the firsts are at home to Tredegar on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm).

Llanwern’s game at Lydney was postponed and their next game is away to Merthyr Saints on Thursday.

VASSALLO LEAVES POST ONCE AGAIN

18 July 2006

BARRIE Vassallo, the experienced Chepstow Town manager who returned to the club towards the end of last season and guided them to Welsh League safety, has stepped aside once again, writes Ray Parker.

His decision to take a step back is simply because he may be facing knee operations later in the year.

Vassallo, whose professional career began with Arsenal, is recovering from an exploratory operation on both knees.

He said: "I have an appointment later this month to have the stitches removed from both knees which have been washed and scraped and then with the consultant early next month."

Vassallo, who is hoping to make Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial match with Ajax on Saturday, the first game at the new Emirates Stadium, is also a very keen golfer but admitted: "I am struggling to get round a course and I recently played at Wentworth but by the 12th I was in trouble. Because I may be facing an operation I cannot give a commitment to any club."

Ian Davies has stepped up as reserve team boss while Wayne Samuels remains as the assistant manager.

Llanwern began their pre-season friendlies with a 2-2 away draw against Ellwood on Saturday and manager Laurence Owen declared: "We took 24 players and it was an excellent workout on a superb pitch.

"Training has been going really well and we have had up to 30 players including a number of new faces."

They include Tony Shier, younger brother of Richard, a midfield player but he was used in a central defensive role at Ellwood, who finished sixth in the Gloucestershire County League last season.

Llanwern's next test is at Lydney on Saturday. Lydney won the league and have been promoted to Division One West of the Hellenic League.

The goals at Ellwood were scored by newcomer Lee Patterson and Matthew Currie.

Abertillery Excelsiors drew 1-1 at Welsh Autoparts Gwent County League side Mardy on Saturday, both goals scored in the second-half, John Smales putting Abertillery in front. Abertillery, are away to Trinant, another Gwent County League outfit, this Saturday.

GWENT CLUBS PREPARE FOR NEW SEASON

17 July 2006

ABERTILLERY Excelsior have remained ‘in-house’ when deciding on a manager to replace former player Jason Morgan who was in charge for a season. After suffering relegation back to Division Three of the Welsh League he decided to part company with the club.

Keith Williams, Abertillery secretary, said: “We have parted company on amicable terms and we wish him well.”

They have appointed the long-serving Colin Preece, a central defender in his playing days.

And helping out with the training is Lee Coburn who has been a player with the club for  a couple of seasons.

Williams added: “Colin has played for the club since a teenager and won all major honours with us through the years. Over the years he has probably been our best player.

“In more recent seasons he has been running junior sides within the club. He has now come in and offered his services as manager and he is now looking for an assistant.”

Abertillery pre-season games (all away): July 15, Mardy; July 22, Trinant; July 29, Bridgend; August 2, Garw; August 5, Merthyr Saints (venue to be confirmed). 

CWMBRAN Celtic, who will be playing on the outer ground at Cwmbran Stadium this season, will meet neighbours Croesyceiliog on August 1 in a pre-season friendly and before the match their redeveloped ground and changing rooms will be officially opening.

Celtic’s pre-season matches: July 22, West Pontnewydd (3.0pm); July 25, Barry Town (6.30), July 29, Taffs Well (2.30); August 1, Croescyceiliog (6.30); August 5, Tredegar Town (2.30); August 9, Merthyr Tydfil (6.30).

FRIENDLY result: Ellwood (Forest of Dean) 2 - Llanwern 2 (Scorers:  Lee Patterson and Matthew Currie).

Next Saturday (July 22) Llanwern travel to Lydney for another pre-season friendly.

CALDICOT TOWN AND GOYTRE LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEW SEASON

14 July 2006

Caldicot Town have finished eighth in Division Two of the Welsh League for the last two years and it’s their aim to strengthen Gwent representation in the top flight next season.

They would love to join Caerleon, Newport YMCA and Croesyceiliog who made it to Division One last season.

John Burrows, Caldicot secretary, said: “Although we finished eighth again we did gain nine more points, 55 compared with 46.

Maybe we have an outside chance of promotion this season.”

Last season, finishing with 55 points, they had a goal difference of plus 17 but the previous year it was minus one.

Caldicot will once again be under the management of Jason Pritchard with Simon Wetter his assistant and Peter Farmer remains the reserves manager.

But Caldicot could be losing talented defender Andrew Wenzel who is training with Southern League side Merthyr Tydfil.

Burrows said: “Any player who goes on to play in a better standard of football we wish them well.”

Pre-season training has started at their Jubilee Way ground, every Tuesday and Thursday evening (meet 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start).

Burrows added: “Old and new players are welcome with boots/trainers and drink – and be prepared to work hard!”

Caldicot open their pre-season programme on July 20 with a home game against Newport County and have another attractive home fixture on July 22 against Western League side Radstock and on the same day at 4pm their reserves will play Welsh Autoparts Gwent County League club Christchurch.

On July 29, Caldicot will meet Portishead at first and second team level (kick-off 2.0pm and 4.0pm respectively).

Caldicot meet Bristol Manor Farm on August 1 and the last pre-season game will be at home to Cwmbran on August 5 (3pm).

The Welsh League starts on August 12 when, for the second successive season, they are away to Garw and their first home match will be against Tredegar on August 16 with the return a week later with a home game against Ammanford sandwiched in between on August 19.

Any player wishing to know more about pre-season at Caldicot should contact John Burrows on 07752-949913.

Gwent Welsh League club Goytre are expected to announce their new manager towards the end of next week.

Steve Morgan parted company with the Third Division club after five years at the helm.

Paul Greenhalgh, chairman and former manager, said: “We have had a number of applications and we had a big meeting with all the players to keep them in the picture and there were thirty plus players – an excellent turn out. Everyone pledged their future  to the club and we cannot ask for any more than that.

Morgan, who lives in New Inn, Pontypool, guided the club into the Welsh League. Greenhalgh added: “He came as a coach when I was manager but went to New Inn for a season and then returned to Goytre as manager.”

Training  has started on the guidance of defender or midfield player Darren Haines and Greenhalgh added: “He has been doing a really good job for us.”

Goytre friendlies (all home): July 22, Mardy; July 26, Blaenavon Blues; July 29, Ely Rangers; August 2, Clydach Wasps; August 5, Cwmbach Royal Stars.

Harris Printers Reserve Shield, first round (Gwent clubs only, dates to be arranged): Newport YMCA v Afan Lido, Chepstow v Morriston, Port Talbot v Caerleon, Caldicot v Pontardawe, Risca v Caerau (Ely), Maesteg Park v Croesyceiliog, Dinas Powys v Cwmbran Celtic.

MacWhirter Youth Division Cup (Gwent clubs only, dates to be arranged): Cwmbran Town v Caerau (Ely), Haverfordwest v Caerleon, Cambrian and Clydach v Newport County, Newport YMCA v ENTO Aberaman. Bye: Risca.