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News
AFC LLWYDCOED'S NEW GIRLS TEAM - PLAYERS REQUIRED 21 May 2013
AFC Llwydcoed are looking to form and
under-11/under-12 girls team for the forthcoming season, and need to
recruit players.
19 May 2013 by Terry Daley Division One Cwmbran Celtic 1 (Adrian McGuire) Bryntirion Athletic 1 (Matthew Jones). Celtic and Bryntirion brought the curtain down on the 2012-13 MacWhirter Welsh League campaign by drawing at Celtic Park, where the result was just about the right outcome. Both sides missed glaring goalscoring opportunities while once again home goalkeeper Nicky Church saved his side with a series of fine stops. If the visitors eventually merge with neighbours Bridgend Town, and I understand the new club is to be called Penybont, then this was an historic last one for the Bryntirion club. The visitors took a 15th-minute lead when right back Matthew Jones wide-angled effort deceived Church to open the scoring with that goal being the only one of the first period. However just three minutes after the break, home striker Adrian McGuire had levelled matters and he so nearly wrapped up the win when he narrowly failed to get a touch on fellow-marksman Josh Bull's low cross at the far post. Beaten Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup finalists Bryntirion, who maintained eighth position, so nearly grabbed a last-gap win only to see Church palm a shot around a post. The outcome means Celtic completed the season unbeaten in four and will now regroup in the coming ahead of the 2013-14 campaign their fourth consecutive top-flight season.
HISTORIC YEAR FOR CAMBRIAN FOOTBALL ACADEMY 19 May 2013 Cambrian & Clydach Vale Football Academy, supported by Meadow Prospect are the FAW Under 16 Academy League Champions, after defeating North Wales club, GAP Connahs Quay Nomads 2-1 at the Finals Day in Newtown AFC. Lee Price converted a simple finish as early as two minutes into the match to give Cambrian the upper hand in the first half. The game was eagerly contested, with The Nomads bright in possession but Cambrian were defiant at the back with Brython Payne, Harri Jones, Nathan Williams and captain Levi Jones standing firm against the lively attacks. Despite seeing less of the ball, Cambrian were a potent threat with the willing running of Michael Edwards and Tyler Thorne causing no end of problems for the North Walians. The Nomads eventually managed to level things when Cambrian keeper Dylan Price fumbled into his own net. As tensions rose amongst both teams, a fabulous solo effort from Tyler Thorne secured a dramatic victory for the Cambrian Academy squad with minutes remaining.
Cambrian & Clydach Vale Academy - Under 16 - FAW Academy Cup Champions
Captain Levi Jones lifts the FAW Academy Cup The academy could have made it a double delight, as the Under 14 squad were also in Finals Day action against another North Wales outfit, Airbus UK Broughton. The Under 14s made the perfect start when Josh Williams turned in a cross on 17 minutes to give Cambrian the lead. In another fiercely competitive match, Cambrian conceded a killer blow on the stroke of half time as Airbuss tall Centre forward, Jay Hartley turned in after Cambrian failed to clear. It was the same strike who eventually got the winner midway through the second half when he rose highest to head in and give Airbus a 2-1 advantage. Huge credit to the young Cam squad who dug deep for the remainder and forced a number of opportunities, including a disallowed goal in the dying moments from captain, Keane Thomas, but couldnt break down their excellent opponents. The finals day victory wrapped up a monumental season for the Academy Programme, who was also losing semi-finalists at both Under 12 and Under 19 age groups. Academy Manager, Dane Facey, summed up a fantastic season, What the young people of RCT have achieved in reaching two Welsh Cup finals, and winning at Under 16 level is a remarkable achievement and is a testament to all the hard work the coaches and players have put into this season. The academy has gone from strength to strength over the past three seasons and hopefully can continue to showcase across Wales the unbelievable talent there is in Valley Sport. The Academy is looking to recruit Players, Coaches and Volunteers for the new season. If you want to get involved, contact Dane Facey on danefacey@hotmail.com or visit www.cambrianfc.co.uk
GWENT SATURDAY PREVIEW 18 May 2013 by Terry Daley Kick off 2.30pm. Division One (figures in brackets relate to league positions of 15). Celtic Park: Cwmbran Celtic (12) v Bryntirion Athletic (8). Celtic can end their third Division One campaign 11th with victory over the visitors, who are fresh from Wednesday's 3-1 League Cup final defeat by Taffs Well at Ton Pentre's Ynys Park. A thumping 5-1 home success over Haverfordwest County last Saturday finally confirmed Celtic's status for another season and it will be interesting to see them playing without the cloud of relegation hanging over them. These teams drew 3-3 at Bryntirion on May 7, when Celtic had to recover from a 3-1 deficit with 18 minutes remaining Cullen Kinsella, Paul Evans (penalty) and Sean Williams netting for Bryntirion with Lee Challenger (penalty), Josh Bull and Chris Ham replying. The is the fourth time of asking for this game, which closes the 2012-13 MWL season, having previously been postponed on March 23, April 16 and May 9. This season: May 7, 2013 Bryntirion Athletic 3 Cwmbran Celtic 3 Form guide: . Celtic: W W L W D W Bryntirion: W L W L D D
GWENT THURSDAY ROUND-UP 16 May 2013 by Terry Daley Division Three. Newport Civil Service 1 (Derice McLean) Treowen Stars (Gary Evans, 2). TREOWEN recovered to climb two places to 11th of 16 thanks to a couple of Gary Evans goals at Shannon Close, where the game went ahead at the third time of asking. After the first period had ended goal-less, home striker Derice McLean put unbeaten-in-five NCS 1-0 up but Gary Evans had other ideas by scoring his goals within two minutes of each other. McLean went past visiting goalkeeper Cael Jones to fire home high into the net before Gary Evans headed in a Jack Evans right-wing cross. Then Gary Evans sealed the success when he nipped in ahead of goalkeeper Williams and Matthew Palmer. His goals helped Treowen to end a run of four games without a win and to move above Tredegar Town and Cardiff Grange Harlequins while NCS remained in eighth position.
GWENT THURSDAY PREVIEW 15 May 2013 by Terry Daley Division Three kick off 6.30pm Shannon Close, Bettws: Newport Civil Service (8) v Treowen Stars (13). NCS can't climb any higher even if they win their last game of the campaign, but they'll still want to do well to end with a six-game unbeaten run. Striker Phil Tranter scored his 17th league goal of the season in the recent 3-2 home success over eventually-promoted Chepstow Town. A win and a number of draws recently helped Treowen beat the drop, although they here start without a victory in four matches. Treowen lost 4-1 at home to Bettws on Saturday, when their leading scorer, Johnny Dunn, netted his 10th of the season. This season: May 1 Treowen Stars 0, Newport Civil Service 0. Form guide NCS: L W W D W W Treowen: D W D L D L
URGENT - PONTARDAWE TOWN FC (UPDATED) 13 May 2013 Pontardawe are looking to hire a Welsh League ground for a Youth Division West fixture versus Merthyr Town on Thursday evening, 16 May 2013. Also, venue required for Youth Division West fixture versus West End on Saturday 18 May 2013. If you are able to assist please contact Gary Thomas, Secretary, on 07925 142661or e-mail: garythomas38@sky.com
GWENT FRIDAY AND SATURDAY ROUND-UP 13 May 2013 by Terry Daley Saturday Division One Cwmbran Celtic 5 (Dominic Conner 2; Rakesh Patel; Owen Llewellyn; Lee Challenger, penalty) v Haverfordwest County 1 (Jack Christopher) It was Celtic's biggest win of the season and they can now re-group and look forward to a fourth successive top-flight campaign. Defeat against Haverfordwest would have meant Celtic facing with the possibility of trying to beat League Cup finalists Bryntirion with a mixture of reserve and youth-team personel. That is seven days past the league's original two-week extension and I understand the vast majority of Celtic's senior players are unavailable for that fixture due to a pre-booked tour. However the clash no longer has anything riding on it because Celtic eventually swept aside Haverfordwest, who started the game on a massive downer. The west Wales outfit had been denied the chance to play for second place and earn promotion back to the Corbett Welsh Premier League because Cambrian & Clydach finished runners-up by winning 3-1 at Swansea-based champions West End on Friday night. However the clash no longer has anything riding on it because Celtic eventually swept aside Haverfordwest, who started the game on a massive downer. While Haverfordwest began brightly, they were a well-beaten side in the end although Celtic goalkeeper Nicky Church was forced to make five top-class saves. His opposite number Peter Blain was also called into action on several occasions during an incident-packed encounter. Celtic took then lead on 13 minutes when Rakesh Patel fired home a wide-angled, 30-yarder before Dominic Conner made to 2-0 shortly after the half-hour mark. Jack Christopher reduced the deficit three minutes from the break, but a flare up between home skipper Craig Cheedy and Haverfordwest substitute Adam Raymond saw both men sent off. However while the punishment for Raymond, who had only been on the field for six minutes, for grabbing Cheedy around the neck with both hands was cut and dried. But the eventual red given to Cheedy was less clear because he at first received a yellow card before match referee Ian Bird changed his mind and dismissed him after taking advice from a linesman. Both teams put the incident to one side at the start of the second period and although Church and the woodwork came to Celtic's rescue, the home team were the superior in front of goal. Conner grabbed his second on 66 with further goals coming from Owen Llewellyn (78) and Lee Challenger (83) with a penalty. It all means, and subject to league ratification at its AGM on June 29, Monmouth Town and Celtic will be joined in the top flight in 2013-14 by Division Two runners-up Aberbargoed Buds. Division Two: Caerau (Ely) 1 Undy Athletic 3 (Tom Hooper; Dan Jarman; Andrew Larcombe). Undy Athletic out on third spot by just a single point, although they ended on a high note by winning 3-1 against at the team who pipped for that them position. This was an excellent win and it's such a shame Undy drew so many games in the final run-in no less than six of their last 13 matches ended in parity. Caldicot Town 0 Croesyceiliog 2 (Jake Hayward; Zac Osbourne). Croesyceiliog's 10th win in 30 starts lifted them up to 11th place above county rivals Newport YMCA after winning a season-long campaign against relegation. Gwent Senior Cup winners Caldicot finished 10th of 16 after falling just short of a top-three spot over the last few games. Newport YMCA 1 (Declan Flanagan) Ammanford 3 (James Murray; Alex Squires; Rhys Morgan). YMCA were undone by the visitors, who deservedly led 3-0 at the break, although the home side were forced to field player-boss Craig James between the sticks in place of the injured Gareth Wesson. Declan Flanagan fired in an 80th-minute free kick to make the scoreline a little more respectable, but the visitors had already done enough to warrant the three points. Division Three: Treowen Stars 1 (Johnny Dunn) Bettws 3 (Damien Barnard; Dean Simons; Jonathan Thomas). Treowen were already safe from relegation to the Gwent Senior League, but they still suffered a home defeat at the hands of the visitors - who end the campaign bottom of the entire 48-strong league. Friday Division Two: Goytre 4 (James Young 2; Callum Miles; and an own goal) Cwmaman Institute 0. The divisional champions ended their season with a 23rd win from 30 starts, although a big well done must go the already-relegated visitors for a battling display at Plough Road. Kyle Bassett set up both of James Young's goals before the break, on 14 and 25 minutes, before Callum Miles effectively sealed the win with his side's third with 15 minutes remaining. There was still time left for a fourth, which came when visiting defender Neil Carson headed into his own net. Division Three: Cardiff Metropolitan University 3 Abertillery Bluebirds 1 (Ross Hancocks). Tenth-placed Abertillery brought the curtain down on their season by suffering their first defeat in five league games. There is no shame in losing at the home ground of the champions, whose goals took their campaign league total to 98 in 30 outings. Abertillery must be credited with a fine run of form under chairman-manager Adrian Howells because they looked odds-on to drop out of the league just a few short months ago Treharris Western Athletic 5 (Scott Lanyon 2, David Lee Mitchell, Jamie Rees, an own goal) Llanwern 1 (an own goal). A hugely disappointing end to their 2012-13 season for Llanwern, who didn't even have the honour of scoring their goal. They ended in seventh place behind county rivals Chepstow Town (promoted in third spot) and Risca United (fifth) and doubtless re-building plans have already began. Hats off to Treharris, whose fine form continued here to give them a fighting chance of avoiding the drop out of the league.
GWENT THURSDAY ROUND-UP 9 May 2013 by Terry Daley Division Three: Chepstow Town 2 (Jason Thorn 2) Bridgend Street 0. TWO goals from leading scorer Jason Thorn earned Chepstow Town promotion to Division Two after their first season back in the league following a five-year absence. Thorn took his league tally for the campaign to 30 as Chepstow finally got it right after being beaten in their two previous matches v Treharris Athletic Western and Newport Civil Service. Their 19th win in 30 games elevates manager Russell Griffiths' men above Pontypridd into third position on goal difference- plus 32 as opposed to plus 24. Division One: Cwmbran Celtic P P Bryntirion Athletic. Division Three: Newport Civil Service P P Treowen Stars.
GWENT WEDNESDAY ROUND-UP 9 May 2013 by Terry Daley Division Two: Aberbargoed Buds 3 (Dafydd Brewer; Andrew Hughes; Wayne Antoniazzi) Penrhiwceiber Rangers 1 (Jason Hatch). Following Caerau's 2-2 home draw against Ammanford on Tuesday, Aberbargoed began this game with the knowledge they had already secured a promotion spot for the 2013-14 season. Wayne Antoniazzi took his season's goal total to 11 as Aberbargoed finished the campaign with 55 points from 30 starts, although they can be overtaken if hosts Caerau (Ely) defeat Undy Athletic on Saturday.
GWENT TUESDAY ROUND-UP 8 May 2013 by Terry Daley Division One: Bryntirion Athletic 3 Cwmbran Celtic 3 (Lee Challenger; Josh Bull; Chris Ham) Good point for Celtic, who had to recover from a 3-1 deficit and with Ham's equaliser coming two minutes into stoppage time. These clubs meet again at Cwmbran on Thursday, when the home side will want to win to overtake Bridgend Town, who face Pontardawe at Bryntirion on Saturday although Celtic will be at home again against Haverfordwest County on the same day. Division Three: Abertillery Bluebirds 0 Treharris Athletic Western 0, The point helped Abertillery continue the fine form which enabled them to claw themselves clear of the relegation zone while Treharris picked up another point towards their bid to avoid the drop out of the league. Both clubs end their seasons on Friday night, Abertillery at Cardiff Metropolitan University with Treharris entertaining Llanwern. Treowen Stars 1 (Kristian Sheppard) Tredegar Town 1 This was dead game because both sides were safe from relegation, the game marking the end of Tredegar's fixtures and they are currently in 12th place. Treowen are 13th, but can overtake their county rivals if they gain just a point fro two remaining matches at Newport Civil Service on Thursday and at home to Bettws on Saturday.
GWENT MONDAY ROUND-UP 7 May 2013 by Terry Daley Division One: Caerleon 0 Taffs Well 1 (Ricky Hodge) CAERLEON ended their campaign with a narrow home defeat at the hands of title-chasing Taffs Well, who secured the win thanks to a 51st-minute goal from Ricky Hodge. However the winning margin could have been a lot larger. Home goalkeeper Josh Rowlands saved a Jamal Roberts penalty while the visitors passed over several good chances as well as striking the woodwork on four occasions. The nearest Caerleon came to scoring was when striker James France clipped a post late on when it looked easier to have scored. Division Three: Newport Civil Service 3 (Mike Powell; Phil Tranter; Derice McLean) Chepstow Town 2 (Mark Dunn; Richard Sharratt) NCS became the second team in three days to prevent Chepstow from gaining promotion in gaining a deserved success at a sun-kissed Shannon Close. Chepstow began needing a victory to pip Pontypridd Town to third place, having been beaten 2-1 at home by relegation-threatened Treharris Athletic Western last Saturday. Goals from Mike Powell and Phil Tranter, with his 17th league goal, before the interval put NCS ahead and it got worse for the visitors when Derice McLean made it 3-0. Chepstow rallied to reduce the deficit via efforts by Mark Dunn and Richard Sharratt, but it wasn't enough and they now have one final chance to secure promotion a must-win home game against Bridgend Street on Thursday, kick off 6.30pm. On the same night, NCS entertain county rivals Treowen Stars kick off 6.30pm
GWENT SATURDAY ROUND-UP 6 May 2013 by Terry Daley Division One. Caerleon 1 (James Bennett) Tata Steel 2 (Morgan Harris, Scott Gorvett). Successive defeat number 13 for Caerleon while the visitors' victory gives them some hope of avoiding the drop - depending how many are to be relegated. Caerleon are in action on Bank Holiday Monday, when they host title-chasing Taffs Well kick off 2.30pm - while Tata entertain Cambrian & Clydach on Wednesday. Ton Pentre 0 Monmouth Town 2 (Rob Laurie; Dean Palmer). Monmouth completed their fixtures and returned to winning ways following a sequence of four consecutive defeats. They are currently seventh, but can be overtaken by Barry Town although they would have finished as high as fifth had they not had a three-point deduction for a league-rule violation. West End 2 (Alex Chrysanthou 2) Cwmbran Celtic 0. The defeat leaves Celtic battling it out with Bridgend Town as to who will finish third from bottom and possible relegated to Division Two. Bridgend lead by three points and have only a game against Pontardawe Town at Bryntirion Athletic on May 11 remaining while Celtic have three matches left, - away and home against Bryntirion on Tuesday and May 9 respectively and at home to Haverfordwest County two days later. Division Two. Penrhiwceiber Rangers 2 (Jason Hatch, Warren Jones) Goytre 0. Only the fourth defeat of the season for the champions, who have won the title by a points landslide having scored 74 goals in 29 matches. They'll seek more Friday, when they being down the curtain on their season by hosting already-relegated Cwmaman Institute who have conceded 116 goals in 29 outings. Undy Athletic 0 Ammanford 0. A hugely disappointing result for Undy and this result not only drops the down to fourth place, but it also takes their bid for a third-place finish out of their hands. They have only one game left, a visit to one of the teams who could pip them, Caerau (Ely) on May 11 although they may well have been knocked out of contention by then. Division Three. Abertillery Bluebirds 3 (Ioan Protheroe 2; David Gibbs) Bridgend Street 1. Abertillery improvement continued with another fine victory and they could well the season as high as eighth. They have a couple of games left, at home to another in-form side, Treharris Athletic Western, on Tuesday and away to champions Cardiff Grange Harlequins on May 11. Bettws 1 (Damien Barnard) Tredegar Town 2. The outcome Tredegar have been seeking for a long time, a win to finally secure their league status for 2013-14. Have completed their 30-game fixture list and this was victory number nine for Tredegar while this defeat sent Bettws to the very bottom of the 48-strong league. Cardiff Metropolitan University 0 Risca United 2 (Paul Michael; Ben Hammond). This win means Risca took four out of six points off the champions and indeed also kept two clean-sheets against the students the only club to achieve that. However it's another campaign in the lower tier for Risca, whose record of 10 draws from 29 games has cost them dearly promotion to Division Two. Chepstow Town 1 (Jason Thorn) Treharris Athletic Western 2 (Scott Lanyon; Matthew Sellick). Chepstow now travel to face county rivals Newport Civil Service on Monday (kick off 1.00pm) seeking the win which will earn the promotion. They'll have to play far better than this though because relegation-threatened Treharris thoroughly deserved their second win over a top-three side in a matter of days. Newport Civil Service 4 (Phil Tranter 3; Gareth Bennett) Newcastle Emlyn 1. NCS are now vying with Bridgend Street for an eighth-placed finish to the campaign and have two matches remaining. They entertain promotion-seeking Chepstow on Monday (1.00pm) and are at home again on Thursday, when they will receive county rivals Treowen Stars. Pontypridd Town 5 (Duncan Culley 3; Craig Hewitt) Treowen Stars 1 (Gary Evans). Massively disappointing outcome for Treowen, who now have a trio of games left to continue to keep out of the danger zone. They host Risca United on Tuesday, visit Newport Civil Service on Saturday before ending by entertaining Bettws on Saturday.
GWENT SATURDAY PREVIEW 3 May 2013 by Terry Daley CHEPSTOW Town play they biggest league game for years at Larkfield Ground on Saturday, when victory over relegation-threatened Treharris Athletic Western will clinch promotion to Division Two and cap a marvellous first campaign back following a five-season absence. All games kick off at 2.30pm. (figures in brackets relate to league positions of 16) Division One Cold Bath Road: Caerleon (16) v Tata Steel (15). Wouldn't it be nice for Caerleon to finally end a depressing run of defeats, which is now at 12, by winning one of their last two top-flight outings ahead of next season's Division Two campaign. The prospects are fairly good here for manager Lee Relish's side because although they trail the visitors by eight points, some of the club's stats are very similar. Both have conceded 61 goals from 28 league games with Tata having scored just seven more 28 as opposed to 21. Caerleon start on the back of a 1-0 defeat at Cambrian & Clydach and complete their fixtures on Bank Holiday Monday, when they host title-chasing Taffs Well kick off 2.30pm. Form guide: Caerleon: L L L L L L Tata Steel: D L D L W L Ynys Park: Ton Pentre (11) v Monmouth Town (7). Tuesday's 2-1 home defeat by Taff Well, Jack Alderdice scoring, was the Kingfishers' fourth consecutive loss and as such, finally ended all hope of them lifting a first Division One title. Sadly, it's all gone wrong for Monmouth, whose 3-0 home win over Goytre United on March 9 put them top of the table. Since, however, a three-point deduction for a league-rule violation and a extremely poor run of picking up only six points from 33 did for them. If a defeat here from their last game is coupled with other results going against them, then they could finish as low as 11th, a somewhat cruel end to what at one stage looked being a campaign of triumph. Form guide: Ton Pentre: L D W D D W Monmouth: W D L L L L Pri Deri Park, Mayhill: West End (Swansea) (1) v Cwmbran Celtic (14). A late Lee Challenger penalty earned Celtic a 1-0 home win over AFC Porth in mid-week and took them to 31 points with still four games remaining. If two or less are to be relegated, then they are safe. But if it's to be three, then they are a point from safety behind Goytre United and with three matches in hand. Three wins from their last four outings has given Celtic a positive edge, although here they face a stiff task to maintain that good form. The hosts went top on Thursday night, when they beat Pontardawe Town 1-0 at Afan Lido and their long unbeaten run has them earmarked as favourites to lift the championship trophy. Form guide: West End: W W D W D W Celtic: W L W W L W Division Two. Glasbrook Field: Penrhiwceiber Rangers (12) v Goytre (champions). The title-holders have just one game left after this and here seek a 23rd win from 29 starts and are bidding for yet another campaign double. They defeated Rangers 1-0 at home on October 20 last year, when Kyle Bassett scored one of the 11 league goals he has netted this season. Goytre end by entertaining already-relegated Cwmaman Institute on May 10, three days after their Plough Road ground hosts the Gwent Senior Cup final between Caldicot Town and Monmouth Town. The hosts have three games remaining from which to earn a mid-table finish and they'll want to maintain their four-game unbeaten run which stretches back to March 9. Form guide: Rangers: L D W W D W Goytre: W W L D W W The Causeway: Undy Athletic (3) v Ammanford (9). Manager Mark Crook's Undy side is on the verge of clinching a top-three spot and begin this clash unbeaten in nine league games five wins and four draws. The feature of the run, and even previous to it starting, has been the defensive tightness with just seven goals conceded in their last 12 outings including keeping six clean-sheets. Won 4-1 at home against Cardiff Corinthians last time out and they complete their fixtures by visiting Caerau (Ely) on May 11 with an early kick of time of 1.30pm. I watched Ammanford lose 1-0 at Aberbargoed Buds on Wednesday night and they looked a useful side in patches, although they've lost five of their last six games. Form guide: Undy: W D D W D W Ammanford: L L L W L L Division Three. Cwmnant-Y-Groes, Six Bells: Abertillery Bluebirds (11) v Bridgend Street (8). Abertillery's fine 2-1 success at Bridgend-based Bettws on Wednesday means they need only two more points from three remaining games to maintain their league status. However if less than three are to be relegated out of the league, then chairman-manager Adrian Howells' men are safe from the dreaded drop. It's been a marvellous effort by Abertillery, who until a run of picking up 23 points from 42, appeared certainties to go down. The visitors, who won the home reverse fixture 5-1 last September, are sitting comfortable in mid table and could yet pip Llanwern for seventh spot. Form guide: Abertillery: W W L L W W Bridgend St.: D W W W L D North Site: Bettws (Bridgend) (15) v Tredegar Town (13). Because of the uncertainty of exactly how many clubs are to be relegated, Tredegar still have fears of dropping out of the league and if it's the traditional three, then they are in deep trouble. They stand just four points above safety and Newcastle Emlyn, but their fellow strugglers have played two games less. Manager Shane Davies saw his team beaten 2-1 at Abertillery Bluebirds last time out, although they won by the same score-line in their previous match against visiting Cardiff Grange Harlequins. The hosts are doomed if three are to go down, but stand a fighting chance of gaining survival if only two are to be jettisoned. Form guide: Bettws: D L L L L L Tredegar: W L L L W L Cyncoed Campus: Cardiff Metropolitan University (champions) v Risca United (5) In terms of achieving anything, this is something of a meaningless game as Risca are only vying with Llantwit Major for fifth position. It's been a hard-luck story for player-boss Paul Michael's side, which drawn no less than 10 of it 28 league games and had they won just half of those then they would be now favourites to be promoted as runners-up. That is a difficult pill to swallow, although if Risca can keep the majority of its current squad then a promotion challenge is most certainly on for 2013-14. The hosts are worthy champions having won 22 and drawn three of 28 league fixtures, in which they have scored no less than 95 goals with striker Ross Frame currently the league's top goal-getter with 40. Form guide: CMU: W L W W D W Risca: L D L D W W Larkfield Ground: Chepstow Town (3) v Treharris Athletic Western (16). This is it! After a red-tape delay to their season, Chepstow have engineered their way to being in the position of starting a game from which victory can assure their promotion to Division Two. They returned to the league following a five-year absence and have performed extremely well under the guidance of boss Russell Griffiths. A set-back of a 2-1 defeat at Risca United last weekend was levelled off by Wednesday's 4-2 home win over Llanwern Maurice Chambers, Dan Morgan, Richard Sharratt and Jason Thorn scoring. Thorn is now just one short of 30 goals for the campaign and will hope to get it here against the rock-bottom visitors, who can not be discounted having defeated visiting high-flyers Pontypridd Town 3-2 in mid-week. Form guide: Chepstow: W W W W L W Treharris: D L L L W W Shannon Close, Bettws: Newport Civil Service (9) v Newcastle Emlyn (14). NCS drew 0-0 at Tredegar on Wednesday, although Steve Muir must sit out the final three games after being red carded. The outcome stretched their mini unbeaten run to a third game and also secured their league status for the 2013-14. It's not always been a smooth ride for joint bosses Martin Elwick and Ian Burman, so hats off to the duo and the players for a fine effort. Here they face a visiting side which could very well end up being relegated out of the league before NCS host Chepstow Town on Monday kick off 1.00pm. Form guide: NCS: D L L W W D Newcastle E.: L W W L W L Ynysangharad Park: Pontypridd Town (4) v Treowen Stars (12). Crunch game for both clubs for entirely different reasons as the hosts can still gain promotion while Treowen are still looking anxiously over their shoulders at the drop zone. Again if only two of less go down, then they are safe. But if it's three, then mathematically Newcastle Emlyn and Tredegar Town can still overtake them. However they are unbeaten in four under newly-appointed temporary manager Richard Molyneux, although this could prove to be a very difficult task to maintain their run. The hosts will be smarting from a 3-2 mid-week defeat at rock-bottom Treharris Athletic Western and they simply must win by a massive margin here to have any chance of pipping Chepstow Town to third place. Form guide: Pontypridd: W D W W D L Treowen: L L D D W D
GWENT MIDWEEK ROUND-UP 1 May 2013 by Terry Daley TUESDAY Division One Monmouth Town 1 (Jack Alderdice) Taffs Well 2 (Jordan Jones; Joey Evans) The outcome spelt the end of Monmouth's bid for a first Division One title while taking the visitors back to the top of the table. Monmouth next visit Ton Pentre on Saturday with Taffs Well not in action until bank holiday Monday, when they travel to face already-relegated Caerleon kick off 2.30pm. WEDNESDAY Division One Cwmbran Celtic 1 (Lee Challenger) AFC Porth 0 A late Lee Challenger penalty moved Celtic to just one point from third-from-the-bottom Goytre United and with no less than three matches in hand. They are now on the road at West End on Saturday, but Porth have now completed their 30-match fixture programme and must wait to discover if they are to remain in sixth place. Division Two Aberbargoed Buds 1 (Jordan Maisey) Ammanford 0 A well-struck, long-range goal from Jordan Maisey shortly before the break, took Aberbargoed three points closer to the runners-up spot. It's possible that they could have clinched that finishing position by the time they host Penrhiwceiber Rangers next Wednesday (7.30pm) while Ammanford return to Gwent on Saturday to face third-placed Undy Athletic. Ely Rangers 2 (Jake Cotterill; James Cotterill) Croesyceiliog 2 (Mark Morris; Jamie Arnold) Croesyceiliog were already safe before this game started and they wrap up their fixtures on Saturday, May 11 by visiting county rivals Caldicot Town. The hosts can't move up from 14th place and must now wait to see how many clubs are to be relegated and they end their campaign with a home match against Caerau (Ely) next Tuesday. Division Three Bettws 1 (Jason James) Abertillery Bluebirds 2 (Lee Bancroft; Brett Morgan) Abertillery continued their find run of form to move eight points clear of the drop zone, provided three go down, with just three games left. However they can confirm their place in the league for another season by avoiding defeat against visiting Bridgend Street on Saturday, when relegated-threatened Bettws are at home to Tredegar Town. Chepstow Town 4 (Maurice Chambers; Dan Morgan; Richard Sharratt; Jason Thorn) Llanwern 2 (Alex North; Nicky Hooper) Chepstow are on the verge of promotion and can even progress as runners-up to champions Cardiff Metropolitan University. Victory at home against Treharris Athletic Western on Saturday will clinch a place in Division Two while mid-table Llanwern finish their season at Treharris on Friday, May 10. Treowen Stars 0 Newport Civil Service 0 Treowen can still go down if three are to be relegated, but they still have four games left the first of which is at Pontypridd Town on Saturday. This point confirms NCS status for the 2013-14 season although they had Steve Muir straight red-carded and they will further seek to improve their lot when hosting Newcastle Emlyn on Saturday.
GWENT WEDNESDAY PREVIEW 1 May 2013 by Terry Daley kick off 6.30pm, unless stated (figures in brackets relate to league positions of 16) Division One Celtic Park: Cwmbran Celtic (13) v AFC Porth (6) Simply a 'must-win' game this for Celtic, whose season of inconsistency is extremely easy to see when looking at their last-six game form including Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Ton Pentre. Are more than capable of beating the visitors here, but at the same token they are also more than capable of losing to them. If three are to go down, then Celtic are currently in the last relegation spot four points adrift of Goytre United, but with as many matches in hand. Porth, who complete their fixtures here, have also slipped up recently and a 3-0 home win over Caerleon on April 20 ended a run of three successive defeats. Form guide: Celtic: L W L W W L AFC Porth: W D L L L W Division Two: Recreation Ground: Aberbargoed Buds (2) v Ammanford (9) kick off 7.30pm Aberbargoed's habit of either winning or drawing came to an abrupt end at Briton Ferry Llansawel at the weekend, when they lost 5-1. Jordan Maisey got their consolation goal and they really do need not to lose this match-up because matters are very tight with seven clubs still able to clinch the two remaining top-three spots. Player-boss Alyn Jones is in charge of a strong squad which has only lost five times in 28 outings and here it seeks a season's double having won 3-2 at Ammanford on January 26. The visitors were in a much stronger position until a recent of run of three defeats in four although trail the hosts by only eight points and with two matches in hand. Form guide: Aberbargoed: D W D W D L Ammanford: D W L L W L Station Road: Ely Rangers (14) v Croesyceiliog (13) kick off 7.00pm Successive home wins which garnered nine goals means Croesyceiliog have secured Division Two football for 2013-14. The problem, or at least the main one, for player-manager Mark Waddon has been getting strikers Jody Jenkins and Zac Osbourne to score goals on a regular basis at the same time. Player-coach Jenkins has 21 and Osbourne is on 16 and should they both click together and some of the defensive frailties be sorted out, the Croesyceiliog could well be promotion contenders next time around. If only two go down, the the capital hosts are also safe but if it's to be three, then they are already relegated. Form guide: Ely Rangers: L L W D L L Croesyceiliog: D L D L W W Division Three: North Site: Bettws (15) v Abertillery Bluebirds (11) Abertillery's form improvement was halted by successive defeats, but a 2-1 home victory over Tredegar raises hopes of their survival. Indeed if only two are to be relegated out of the league, then they are safe and they are currently five points ahead of second-from-the-bottom Newcastle Emlyn with a match in hand. Luke Lewis has enjoyed a fine season and he is currently on 13 league goals for the campaign and here they seek a double, having won 3-0 at home on October 20 last year. The hosts have endured a tough season in winning only five times in 27 starts and here are bidding to avoid a fifth consecutive defeat. Form guide: Bettws: L D L L L L Abertillery: D W W L L W Larkfield Ground: Chepstow Town (4) v Llanwern (7) Chepstow will be desperate to win this county derby because they lost their last one, a 2-1 defeat at Risca United at the weekend. That reverse halted a run of four successive wins for Chepstow, who are just three points off a promotion slot with two games in hand. Llanwern can't finish any higher than fifth and it's been something of a frustrating nine months for them because at one stage they looked worthy promotions contenders. These teams drew 2-2 at Newport Stadium in late October of last year, although parity this time around will be of no use at all to the hosts. Form guide: Chepstow: D W W W W L Llanwern: L W W L L W Bush Park: Treowen Stars (12) v Newport Civil Service (9) Treowen are just about safe and still have five matches left in which to ensure they are again playing Division Three football again next season. Newly-appointed temporary boss Richard Molyneux has guided the side to a couple of draws and last Saturday's 3-0 win at Bettws. NCS will also start in winning form, indeed they are seeking a third successive victory having recently defeated Cardiff Grange Harlequins and Llantwit Major 2-1 at home at away respectively. They are safe from the drop and after this match-up, they finish with three home games against Newcastle Emlyn, Chepstow Town and Treowen. Form guide: Treowen: L L L D D W NCS: L D L L W W
PONTARDAWE TOWN ANNOUNCEMENT 30 April 2013 Pontardawe Town are pleased to announce that their local derby fixture versus championship contenders West End has been scheduled for this Thursday 2 May 2013, 6.30pm ko, at Afan Lido FC.
GWENT TUESDAY PREVIEW 29 April 2013 by Terry Daley kick off 6.30pm Division One (figures in brackets relate to league positions of 16) Sports Ground: Monmouth Town (7) v Taffs Well (2) Ten games ago, this match-up was being touted as a potential title decider but now nothing could be further from the truth following Monmouth's horrendous run of poor form. It gives me no pleasure at all in writing the Kingfishers' points haul from the last 30 on offer is just six after half a dozen defeats from those ten outings- and they failed to score in any of their last three matches. The club has never really recovered from a three-point reduction following a league-rule misdemeanour and the best Monmouth can hope for is two successive wins to round of their season to possibly finish in sixth place. The visitors have slipped behind promotion-seeking Haverfordwest County and are themselves out of form, having picked up only two wins out of their last six fixtures. These clubs drew 1-1 at Taffs Well on October 23 last year, although parity is of no use to either this time around. Form guide: Monmouth: L W D L L L Taffs Well: W D L W D L
GWENT SATURDAY ROUND-UP 29 April 2013 by Terry Daley HOME skipper Brendon Scott scored his 21st MacWhirter Welsh League goal of the season as Risca United halted Chepstow Town's march towards Division Three promotion. Risca emerged 2-1 victors at their Ty-Isaf Park home, but other results means they have dropped out of the race to go up although Chepstow can still be playing Division Two football in 2013-14. Elsewhere, Caerleon are relegated from Division One after suffering a 12th consecutive loss while Aberbargoed Buds' fell to a 5-1 away defeat which holds up their bid to reach the top flight for the first time. Chepstow are league returnees following a five-year absence and arrived to face Risca with seven successive wins in an eight-game unbeaten run. Risca began knowing far too many draws, 10 in 27 previous fixtures, was the reason they were on the verge of exiting the scramble for promotion. Ninety minutes later, Risca were indeed facing another season in the lower tier despite goals from Scott and lone-striker Rob Aldridge. The outcome means Chepstow are now fourth behind champions Cardiff Metropolitan University, AFC Llwydcoed and Pontypridd Town. Chepstow trail Llwydcoed and Pontypridd by four and two points respectively, but have a couple of matches in hand over both. Chepstow started the game in better fashion in terms of engineering goal chances, but it was Risca who took the lead when Scott headed home a cross from player-boss Paul Michael just a minute before the break. The visitors came out after the interval needing a good start, but found themselves 2-0 down after just 22 seconds when Aldridge netted his 12th league goal of the campaign following good work initially by right back Leigh Sharp. The goal drove Chepstow forward and when Richard Sharratt reduced the deficit by lobbing over advancing Risca goalkeeper Jon Chorley on 56 minutes, the opportunity was there for them to progress to yet another win. But although they had several good chances to have secured one, a defeat would have been very harsh on Risca, who forced a couple of fine saves out of visiting goalkeeper Colin Brimble. In the same division, Newport Civil Service moved closer to a mid-table spot with a fine away win while there were also victories for lowly duo Abertillery Bluebirds and Treowen Stars although Tredegar remain in relegation trouble. NCS had Gareth Bennett (penalty) and Mark Millinship on target in a 2-1 away victory at Llantwit Major with a Johny Dunn hat-trick earning Treowen a 3-0 win over Bridgend-based, relegation-threatened hosts Bettws. Abertillery entertained Tredegar and ran out 2-1 victors, indeed they netted all three with Michael Pritchard and Lewis Clark on the mark and an own goal accounting for Tredegar's total. If three are to go down, it means Tredegar are only four points ahead of the drop zone and they now have just one game remaining. Jordan Maisey's goal was the only bright moment in Aberbargoed's 5-1 defeat at Briton Ferry Llansawel, although are still second in Division Two while Undy Athletic cemented third place with a 4-1 home success over struggling Cardiff Corinthians. James Barnes (2), Andrew Larcombe and Ben Smith were their scorers, but Caldicot Town's top-three bid is over following a 3-0 away reverse at Maesteg-based Caerau. There was much better news, however, for Croesyceiliog, who retained second-tier status after overcoming visiting Ely Rangers in a seven-goal thriller. Croesyceiliog fell one down after just 10 seconds, but were 4-2 up by the interval with goals being scored by player-coach Jody Jenkins (2), Zac Osbourne and Jac Homan. The visitors did pull one back after the break, but also had a player sent off close to time as Croesyceiliog took their recent record to 16 points from the last 27. Newport YMCA stay 10th despite slipping to 1-0 home loss to Caerau (Ely), stand-in goalkeeper Julian Phillips only beaten in the very last minute. All three locally-based Division One clubs fell to defeats, Monmouth Town's title aspiration finally evaporating after a 2-0 home loss to new leaders Haverfordwest County, Cwmbran Celtic going down 3-1 at Ton Pentre while Caerleon's 1-0 reverse at Cambrian & Clydach means they will now play Division Two football in 2013-14. Relegation-threatened Celtic's scorer was Lee Challenger (penalty) and while goalkeeper Nicky Church saved a penalty, they also had Dominic Connor red carded. Mid-week fixtures (6.30pm kick offs, unless stated) Tuesday Division One: Monmouth Town v Taffs Well Wednesday Division One: Cwmbran Celtic v AFC Porth Division Two Aberbargoed Buds v Ammanford (7.30pm) Ely Rangers v Croesyceiliog (7.00pm) Division Three: Bettws v Abertillery Bluebirds Chepstow Town v Llanwern Treowen Stars v Newport Civil Service.
GWENT SATURDAY PREVIEW 26 April 2013 by Terry Daley CHEPSTOW Town travel to face Risca United knowing victory will take them one step closer to promotion to Division Two and condemn the hosts to another season in the lower tier of the MacWhirter Welsh League. All games kick off at 2.30pm. (figures in brackets related to league positions of 16). Division One Cambrian & Clydach (5) v Caerleon (16). A 3-0 home defeat at the hands of county rivals Cwmbran Celtic on Wednesday, their 11th successive reverse, has all but ended Caerleon's bid to remain in the top flight. Even though it's unclear exactly how many are to be relegated, it seems almost certain the Cold Bath Road club will end the season in bottom place. Scoring only 21 goals in 27 games has been the chief reason while the 60 goals conceded is the highest in the division. Cambrian & Clydach can still win the title for the second successive season and have five games remaining in which to catch leaders Taffs Well, who are only three points clear. Form guide: Cambrian & Clydach: L L W D L W Caerleon: L L L L L L Sports Ground: Monmouth Town (7) v Haverfordwest County (4). Monmouth lost 1-0 against visitors Aberdare Town on Tuesday, an outcome which severely dents their top-flight championship hopes. It means they have now taken just half a dozen points from the last 27 on offer, although they can still be proud of what they have achieved in their debut Division One campaign. Here they seek a season's double having won 4-3 at Haverfordwest way back in August of last year, although the visitors, too, have a lot riding on the outcome of this clash. The unbeaten-in-five west Walians are seeking promotion to the Corbett Welsh Premier League via a top-two finish. Form guide: Monmouth: W L W D L L Haverfordwest: L D W D D W Ynys Park: Ton Pentre (11) v Cwmbran Celtic (14). Two wins from their last three fixtures have vastly improved Celtic's hopes of avoiding a bottom-three finish, although they remain in the danger zone. Won 3-0 at Caerleon on Wednesday night with goals from Josh Bull (2) and Owen Cook and they now the side immediately above them, Bridgend Town, by only three points and with a couple of matches in hand. The visitors are not entirely out of trouble, but are unbeaten in four although three were drawn as was the club's fixture at Celtic Park (0-0) on February 23. Form guide: Ton Pentre: L L D W D D Celtic: L L W L W W Division Two. Old Road: Briton Ferry Llansawel (7) v Aberbargoed Buds (2). Aberbargoed are in pole position to earn the runners-up spot, having moved a point closer with a 0-0 away draw at Dinas Powys in mid-week. They are six points ahead of fourth-placed Caldicot Town and with a game in hand and have three matches remaining. Drawn games have been something of a hindrance for them and had they won half of the 10 games which ended in parity, then they would have by now already secured second slot. Inconsistency has been the problem for the home side, which must win of it is to retain its slim hopes of a top-three finish. Form guide: BFL: D D W W D L Aberbargoed: D D W D W D Athletic Ground: Caerau (5) v Caldicot Town (4). Caldicot's bid to clinch third position took a massive knock on Tuesday, when they were slammed 5-1 by hosts Croesyceiliog. It spelt an end to a magnificent 15-game unbeaten record, although the team's habit of drawing matches has held it back somewhat. Luke Blakebrough was on target for them at Croesyceiliog while it was good to see midfielder David Lloyd back in action following an health problem. The home side can also end the campaign in a top-three spot and registered a third consecutive victory by winning 4-1 at Newport YMCA in mid-week. Form guide: Caerau: W L L W W W Caldicot: W D W D D L Woodland Road: Croesyceiliog (13) v Ely Rangers (14). A fine return to goalscoring form helped player-coach Jody Jenkins to four in a brilliant 5-1 home success over Caldicot Town on Tuesday night, when co-striker Zac Osborne netted from the penalty spot. The quartet took Jenkins onto 19 league goals for the season while Osbourne now has 14 and if defensive frailties can be resolved, then the club can make good progress in 2013-14. If three are to be relegated, then player-boss Mark Waddon's side needs just a point to stay up and the only team which can catch them are the visitors, who host Croesyceiliog next Wednesday. However moral could be low in the capital outfit, which slumped to a 5-0 home defeat at the hands of champions Goytre last time out. Form guide: Croesyceiliog: W D L D L W Ely Rangers: W L L W D L Plough Road: Goytre (champions) v Ammanford (8). Goytre are worthy divisional champions and celebrated their new status with a 5-0 away triumph over hosts Ely Rangers in mid-week. Striker Luke Prosser took his season's league total to 33 by scoring four, although he now starts a two-game suspension for accumulation of bookings. Dan Richards was also on target as the title-holders secured a 21st victory in 27 league outings, taking their goal tally to 73 in the process. Although the visitors can still end the campaign in the top three, a trio of recent successive losses have seriously dented those hopes. Form guide: Goytre: W W L D W W Ammanford: W W L L L W Mendalgief Road: Newport YMCA (10) v Caerau (Ely) (9). YMCA's bid to end the campaign with a succession of home wins went up in smoke on Tuesday, when they lost 4-1 against Maesteg-based Caerau. Luke Young scored their only goal and the outcome ended YMCA's three-match unbeaten run and a mid-table position now is their only target. A lack of goals has been highly problematic and their total of 41 is the joint lowest in the division's top 10 and they were beaten 1-0 at Caerau (Ely) in late August The capital visitors have been equally inconsistent and a draw habit has held them back this season, 10 in 25 games although they won 4-3 at Briton Ferry Llansawel on Tuesday. Form guide: YMCA: L L W D W L Caerau (Ely): D L D L D W The Causeway: Undy Athletic (3) v Cardiff Corinthians (15). Unbeaten-in-eight Undy are in pole position to clinch third place and could yet overtake Aberbargoed Buds for the runner-up spot. Of those eight games, Undy have drawn four with three of those ending 0-0 meaning they are one of the meanest defensive units in the entire league. Undy have conceded just six goals in their last 11 outings, including half a dozen clean-sheets, and seek a season's double having won 4-0 in the capital on March 23. The without-a-win-in 12 visitors have endured a troublesome campaign and if more than one is to be relegated, then it's Division Three football for them in 2013-14. Form guide: Undy: W W D D W D Cardiff Corries: D L D L L L Division Three. Cwmnant-Y-Groes: Abertillery Bluebirds (12) v Tredegar Town (11). Abertillery's recent run of good form was ended with consecutive 2-1 home defeats by fellow-strugglers Newcastle Emlyn and champions Cardiff Metropolitan University. The most recent was on Wednesday, when Luke Lewis took his campaign league tally to 13 by scoring against the students. Tredegar ended a poor sequence of three successive losses by winning 2-1 at home against Cardiff Grange Harlequins last time out. This county derby offers almost certain divisional safety for the victors although parity would not be the end of the work for either club. Form guide: Abertillery: W D W W L L Tredegar: L W L L L W North Site: Bettws (Bridgend) (15) v Treowen Stars (13). Newly-appointed boss Richard Molyneux saw his side draw for the second time in four days last night, when Treowen held promotion-seeking AFC Llwydcoed to a 1-1 draw. Johny Dunn was on target for the Bush Park outfit, which has previously drawn 0-0 at home with second-placed Pontypridd Town on Tuesday night. The draws mean Treowen are gradually inching towards divisional safety and here travel west to face fellow strugglers Bettws are in deep trouble further down the table, although they have enough matches left in which to retain their league status for the 2013-14 season. Form guide: Treowen: W L L L D D Bettws: L L D L L L Windmill Ground: Llantwit Major (6) v Newport Civil Service (10). NCS appear certain to be playing Division Three football again next season and strengthened their cause with a 2-1 home success over Cardiff Grange Harlequins in mid-week. On target were Marc Gunter, with his seventh of the campaign, and Derice McLean as NCS ended a run of five without a win. It's a fact that NCS have lost less games, 10, then any of the bottom nine although one was 3-2 at home to Llantwit Major last September. The hosts were in with a shout of promotion, but three consecutive defeats, including two against Chepstow Town, have all but knocked them out of contention in their debut season. Form guide: NCS: D L D L L W Llantwit M.; L W D L L L Ty-Isaf Park: Risca United (5) v Chepstow Town (4). Massive county derby for both clubs with a win for the visitors meaning the end of the hosts' promotion bid. Risca have drawn far too many games, 10 in 27, although they start on the back of Wednesday's 1-0 win at Bridgend-based Bettws striker Rob Aldridge's 11th of the campaign settling matters. At the same time, Chepstow clinched a seventh successive victory by winning 2-1 at Llantwit Major, where Jason Thorn, for the 28th time, and Jack Harvey netted. Risca are seeking to beat last season's eighth-placed finish while Chepstow are in their first campaign back in the league following a five-year absence. Form guide: Risca: W L D L D W Chepstow: W W W W W W
GWENT THURSDAY REPORT 25 April 2013 by Terry Daley Treowen Stars 1 (Johnny Dunn) AFC Llwydcoed 1 (Chris Vardon). New Treowen boss Richard Molyneux saw his side secure a second draw in the space of four days, the outcome again inching the Bush Park outfit closer to Division Three safety. Former player Molyneux took over after previous manager Carl Evans stood down following last Saturday's 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Cardiff Grange Harlequins. His first game in charge was Tuesday's 0-0 draw with second-placed Pontypridd Town and this latest stale-mate puts Treowen two points clear of second-from-the-bottom Newcastle Emlyn and with a couple of games in hand. Johnny Dunn put Treowen ahead with a fine, long-range effort before Llwydcoed levelled matters through Chris Vardon's 14th league goal of the season. Treowen now return to action again on Saturday, when they visit struggling Bettws while Llwydcoed are also on the road at Newcastle Emlyn.
GWENT THURSDAY PREVIEW 25 April 2013 by Terry Daley Bush Park: Treowen Stars (13) v AFC Llwydcoed (4) Treowen picked up what could prove to be an invaluable point on Tuesday night, when they held second-placed Pontypridd Town to a 0-0 draw. The outcome ended a run of three successive defeats and now manager Carl Evans' men are at home again against another side with promotion ambitions. Here they will seek to avoid a season's double defeat, having lost 3-2 at Llwydcoed on December 1 last year. The visitors were last in action on Saturday, when they travelled back from Newport Civil Service as 3-1 victors to end a losing streak of two consecutive losses. Form guide: Treowen: L W L L L D AFC Llwydcoed: W W W L L W
GWENT MIDWEEK ROUND-UP 25 April 2013 by Terry Daley Tuesday Division One: Monmouth Town 0 Aberdare Town 1 (Sam Small) This results just about ends the Kingfishers' hopes of landing a first Division One title although mathematically they can still lift the silverware Division Two: Croesyceiliog 5 (Jody Jenkins 4; Zac Osbourne, penalty) Caldicot Town 1 (Luke Blakebrough) Jody Jenkins was on fire as Croesyceiliog took a giant stride towards safety with this win, which severely hits Caldicot's promotion hopes. Dinas Powys 0 Aberbargoed Buds 0 Another draw for Aberbargoed, although they now are in pole position to finish the season as runners-up to champions Goytre. Ely Rangers 0 Goytre 5 (Luke Prosser 4; Dan Richards) There was no holding striker Luke Prosser here as the newly-crowned champions secured a 21st win in 27 league outings. Newport YMCA 1 (Luke Young) Caerau (Jonathan Hood 3; Paul Evans) YMCA slipped to a disappointing defeat here and they have two home games remaining in which to secure a mid-table end to the campaign. Division Three: Treharris Athletic Western P P Llanwern This game was postponed because the visitors could not raise a side. Treowen Stars 0 Pontypridd Town 0 A home point from a draw against promotion favourites is always welcome and move Treowen nearer to safety. Wednesday Division One: Caerleon 0 Cwmbran Celtic 3 (Josh Bull 2; Owen Cook) Comfortable away success for Celtic, although they remain in the bottom three while it's all but over for basement outfit Caerleon. Division Three: Abertillery Bluebirds 1 (Luke Lewis) Cardiff Metropolitan University 2 (CMU are champions) Even though the visitors clinched the divisional title with this win, the outcome was still something of a disappointment for Abertillery's survival hopes. Bettws 0 Risca United 1 (Rob Aldridge) Risca remain clinging on to the shirt-tails of the promotion pack, but it would need something of a football miracle for them to go up now. Llantwit Major 1 Chepstow Town 2 (Jack Harvey; Jason Thorn) Prolific goalscorer Jason Thorn was again on the mark as Chepstow defeated the hosts for the second time in four days to move a step closer to promotion. Newport Civil Service 2 (Marc Gunter; Derice McLean) Cardiff Grange Harlequins 1 (Andrew Rowley). Crucial success for NCS, who had drifted towards the wrong end of the table and they have now five matches left in which to end the season in a mid-table spot.
GWENT TUESDAY PREVIEW 23 April 2013 by Terry Daley all 6.30pm kick offs, unless stated Division One: (figures in brackets relate to league positions of 16) Sports Ground: Monmouth Town (7) v Aberdare Town (5) Another chance for Monmouth to re-enter the title chase and still no reason why they can't turn around their recent unhappy form and progress to lifting a first Division One title. However to do that, they'd have to win all four of their remaining games to get 54 points leaders Taffs Well are already on 49 with the same amount of matches left and second-placed West End have 47 with six games to go. Start here on the back of a 3-0 home defeat by title rivals West End last Friday night, an outcome which means the Kingfishers' recent record is just six points from the last 24 on offer. Opened their campaign with a 3-3 draw at Aberdare back in August of last year, but a similar result this time will almost certainly end their championship ambitions. Form guide: Monmouth: D D L W D L Aberdare: D D W W L L Division Two: Woodland Road: Croesyceiliog (13) v Caldicot Town (4) If one to even two are to be relegated, then Croesyceiliog are save but if it's three, then they are battling with Ely Rangers to avoid the drop. Are nine points ahead of the capital outfit with both clubs having four games remaining with the two scheduled to clash at Woodland Road on April 27 and at Ely on May 9. Caldicot are vying with five other clubs, including Aberbargoed Buds and Undy Athletic, for the two remaining top-three slots and are actually unbeaten in 15 league games. However they have drawn no less than five of their last six games and including this match, have only three fixture left the same as third-placed Undy, who have a point more. Form guide: Croesyceiliog: W W D L D L Caldicot: D D D W D D The Murch: Dinas Powys (11) v Aberbargoed Buds (2) Aberbargoed are in pole position to finish runners-up to champions Goytre and were last in action on Saturday, when they defeated hosts Croesyceiliog 2-1. Not a great display by any stretch of the imagination, but Aberbargoed are unbeaten in their last nine league outings stretching back to mid February. However like Caldicot, they have drawn far too may games five of the mentioned nine and had they won just three of them, would by now have secured second place. The hosts' lost a five-game unbeaten run at the weekend, when they were beaten 3-1 at home by Goytre. Form guide: Dinas Powys: D D D W W L Aberbargoed: D D D W D W Station Road, Wenvoe: Ely Rangers (14) v v Goytre (champions) kick off 7.00pm This is Goytre first match since securing the divisional title with a 3-1 victory at Dinas Powys, where striker Luke Prosser took his season's league tally to 29 with one of the goals. Will start here as red-hot favourites to stretch their unbeaten run to a third match and will also seek a campaign double having won 2-0 at home at the start of September last year. Can also do county neighbours Croesyceiliog a massive favour by taking points off the hosts, who are the immediate side below the Woodland Road outfit. Ely mustered a fine 1-1 away draw with Undy on Saturday, a result which followed a 2-1 win at Cardiff Corinthians. Form guide: Ely Rangers: L W L L W D Goytre: D W W L D W Mendalgief Road: Newport YMCA (8) v Caerau (9) Mathematically YMCA can still finish in a top-three spot although the chances of that are extremely slim. However given all three of their remaining games are at home, now have the opportunity to end the season unbeaten in six. Were last in action 10 days ago, when they defeated visiting Ely Rangers 2-1 and here bid to avoid a campaign double defeat having lost 2-0 at Caerau on March 2. The visitors are seeking a third successive win following victories over Caerau (Ely) and Cardiff Corinthians. Form guide: YMCA: D L L W D W Caerau: W W L L W W Division Three: Bush Park: Treowen Stars (13) v Pontypridd Town (2) Treowen's recent poor form in terms of results, has meant they have slid towards the danger zone and if it's three to go down, then they head Newcastle Emlyn on goal difference only. However they do have four matches in hand and the 45 goals conceded in the lowest among the bottom nine clubs. But the flip side is they have scored less goals, 23 in 22 fixtures, than the entire division without doubt the reason they struggling at the wrong end of it. Pontypridd are on a fine run of form, are on the cusp of earning promotion to Division Two and were 2-1 victors at Llantwit Major last time out. Form guide: Treowen: D L W L L L Pontypridd: W W W D W W
GWENT WEEKEND ROUND-UP 22 April 2013 by Terry Daley MONMOUTH Town's MacWhirter Welsh League Division One championship bid is fast fading, but Goytre are celebrating after wrapping up the Division Two title with a 3-1 away win. Elsewhere, relegation-threatened Caerleon suffered another top-flight defeat although Chepstow Town maintained their hopes of Division Three promotion with a crucial home win over one of their closest rivals. Goytre's charge towards the championship silverware was held up in mid-week, when they could only draw 3-3 at Croesyceiliog. It meant they travelled to face Dinas Powys still needing a point to secure a second successive title win following last season's Division Three triumph. Goals from Luke Prosser, who now has 29 league goals for the campaign, Dan Richards and player-coach Simon Truman was good enough for Goytre to clinch a 20th win in 26 outings. We are delighted to have won the title and with four games still remaining, remarked Goytre player-manager Carl Evans. I'd like to thank every player who has appeared for us this season and, of course, to all of the hard-working committee and supporters who back us. The divisional runner-up spot is currently occupied by Aberbargoed Buds, who won 2-1 at Croesyceiliog thanks to goals from skipper Dafydd Brewer and Wayne Antoniazzi with Lewis Clare replying for the home side. It means Aberbargoed are now five points clear of fourth-placed Caldicot Town, who were not in action, and with a game in hand. If three are to be relegated, then Croesyceiliog are now just six points ahead of Ely Rangers with each club having only four games remaining. Immediately behind Aberbargoed are Undy Athletic, who, disappointedly, could only manage a 1-1 home draw with lowly Ely Rangers Gareth Cullimore netting to take his league tally to 24. Monmouth opened up the weekend's fixture list for local clubs by entertaining Swansea-based championship rivals West End. However the game proved a disaster for the out-of-form Kingfishers, who slumped to a 3-0 defeat and now trail leaders Taffs Well by nine points with both having a quartet of matches left to play. There was much better news, however, for lowly Cwmbran Celtic, who saw off visiting Barry Town 4-2. The win was Celtic's second in three games and although they are still second from bottom, they are only three points adrift of Bridgend Town and with a couple of games in hand. It looks almost certain that Caerleon will be playing Division Two football in 2013-14, their latest defeat, 3-0 at AFC Porth, keeping them firmly rooted to the bottom of the 16-strong section. If three go down, then it means Caerleon are already relegated although if it's only to be one club which loses its top-flight status then they have four games in which to climb away from danger. In Division Three, Chepstow entertained Llantwit Major and although they stay in fourth position, their 2-1 success means they are only a trio of points adrift of a promotion spot having played two games less. Chepstow now travel to face Llantwit Major in a quick-fire return on Wednesday, when another win will take them up to third place. There was disappointment for Risca United, whose habit of drawing matches again reared its ugly head again for the 10th time in only 26 league starts. While keeping a clean-sheet against already-promoted Cardiff Metropolitan University, who began having scored 93 goals 26 goals, is highly commendable, the 0-0 draw means Risca have now failed to score in four consecutive fixtures. They are 10 points off promotion and with only four games left and are now seventh, having been overtaken by Llanwern. They travelled to the capital to face Bridgend Street and returned 2-1 victors through goals from Mike Bishop and Alex North, his 16th of the season, to go sixth although they can not be promoted. Newport Civil Service hosted high-flying AFC Llwydcoed, but fell to a 3-1 reverse with player-secretary Steve Muir scoring his first league goal of the season. Also losing at home were Abertillery Bluebirds and Treowen Stars, both of whom remain in danger of being relegated out of the league providing three are to go down. Abertillery lost a four-game unbeaten record when losing 2-1 at home against fellow-strugglers Newcastle Emlyn, Luke Lewis grabbing his 12th goal of the campaign, while Treowen went down 2-0 against visiting mid-table outfit Cardiff Grange Harlequins. Mid-week fixtures (6.30pm kick offs, unless stated). Tuesday. Division One: Monmouth Town v Aberdare Town Division Two: Croesyceiliog v Caldicot Town Dinas Powys v Aberbargoed Buds Ely Rangers v Goytre (7.00pm) Newport YMCA v Caerau Division Three: Treharris Athletic v Llanwern Treowen Stars v Pontypridd Town Wednesday. Division One: Caerleon v Cwmbran Celtic Division Three: Abertillery Bluebirds v Cardiff Metropolitan University Bettws (Bridgend) v Risca United Llantwit Major v Chepstow Town Newport Civil Service v Cardiff Grange Harlequins Thursday. Division Three: Treowen Stars v AFC Llwydcoed
GWENT WEEKEND PREVIEW 19 April 2013 by Terry Daley Monmouth Town's 2-2 home draw with Ton Pentre on Wednesday night was another blow to their Division One title hopes while Goytre need just a point from a trip to Dinas Powys to be crowned Division Two champions. Tonight's game kick off at 6.30pm while all Saturday fixtures start at 2.30pm.
Friday (figures in brackets indicate league positions of 16) Division One. Sports Ground: Monmouth Town (7) v West End (3). Monmouth's hectic schedule continues against the Swansea-based visitors with a fourth match in eight days and they are currently half a dozen points adrift of leaders Taffs Well with both clubs having five games remaining. Injuries and the odd suspension have made their marks on the Kingfishers' bid to land a first Division One championship win with only six points being picked up out of the last 21 on offer. A late goal from Rob Laurie earned them a 2-2 home draw with visitors Ton Pentre on Wednesday night, when striker Nick Harrhy also scored. West End are just four points behind the table toppers with a couple of matches in hand and drew 1-1 at home with Haverfordwest County on Tuesday.
Saturday. Division One. Dinas Park: AFC Porth (5) v Caerleon (16). Rock-bottom Caerleon's form guide does not include last night's home clash with Bridgend Town, the team currently one place above the drop zone. It's unclear exactly how many clubs are to be relegated to Division Two and Caerleon are in such a precarious position that they must hope that it's only one to go down. Were last in action in losing 2-0 at home against Ton Pentre and here they face a difficult ask to gain a positive result. It's not an impossible task though as the home side are on a run of three successive defeats, the most recent 3-2 at Barry Town, and they conceded 10 goals in those games. Form guide: AFC Porth: W W D L L L Caerleon: L L L L L
Celtic Park: Cwmbran Celtic (14) v Barry Town (8). Celtic's home game against Bryntirion on Tuesday was postponed because of a waterlogged playing surface and they suffered another blow 24 hours later, when they side immediately below them, Margam-based Tata Steel, won 1-0 at home to Goytre United. If three are to be relegated, then Celtic are three points from safety having played two games less than trail Bridgend Town. Hard to explain what is wrong with the side because its 29-goal total is the highest among the bottom four while it has conceded less, 45, then any of the bottom five. Barry are comfortable in middle table and were last in action on Tuesday, when they fell to a 1-0 away reverse at the hands of Cambrian & Clydach. Form guide: Celtic: L L L L W L Barry: L D W L W L
Division Two: Woodland Road: Croesyceiliog (13) v Aberbargoed Buds (2). Crucial county derby for both clubs, who both drew at home in mid-week - the home side 3-3 with champions-elect Goytre and Aberbargoed 0-0 with Briton Ferry Llansawel. Substitute Lewis Clare scored two late goals to give Croesyceiliog parity after Jamie Arnold had scored before the break, although they had skipper Jake Hayward send off. Croesyceiliog are seven points off the drop zone with five games left and have been beaten only once in their last seven fixtures. As seems likely and Goytre progress to win the division, it means Aberbargoed are battling with Undy Athletic and Caldicot Town for the two remaining promotion spots and they are two points clear of both with games in hand. Form guide: Croesyceiliog: D W W D L D Aberbargoed: W D D D W D
The Murch: Dinas Powys (10) v Goytre (1). Goytre were just 120 seconds from securing the divisional title on Wednesday night, when they conceded two late goals to draw 3-3 at Croesyceiliog. Leading scorer Luke Prosser took his campaign league tally to 28 with a brace and Graham Mason also netted but Prosser's brother, Matthew, was sent off. Player-boss Carl Evans' men need only a point from five remaining games to take to the silverware and if they fail to get it here, will try again at Ely Rangers on Tuesday. The home side start on the back of two thumping home wins, 6-0 and 10-0 against Ammanford and Cwmaman Institute respectively, and it must be noted that they've gone four games without conceding a goal. Form guide: Dinas Powys: L D D D W W Goytre: W D W W L D
The Causeway: Undy Athletic (3) v Ely Rangers (14). Undy defend in a seven-match unbeaten run and they are fresh from a 3-2 away win at Goytre, the outcome meaning manager Mark Crook's side became the only club this season to inflict a double defeat on the champions-elect. Are currently only a couple of points behind second-placed Aberbargoed Buds having played a match more. Have a fine recent defensive record of letting in only five goals in their last 10 league outings and that includes keeping six clean-sheets. The capital-based visitors have struggled all season, although they will begin here on the back of a 2-1 away success over bottom-but-one Cardiff Corinthians. Form guide: Undy: D W W D D W Ely Rangers: L W L L L W
Division Three. The Willows, Tremorfa: Bridgend Street (Cardiff) (8) v Llanwern (7). Have been classed as outsiders for promotion all season, Llanwern can now concentrate on a battle with county rivals Risca United for sixth spot. A lack of goals ultimately did for Llanwern, whose 49-goal total is the second lowest among the top eight although it's two more than second-placed Pontypridd Town. Have had 10 days off since losing 3-2 at home to Bridgend Street, who at one stage trailed 2-0 before Llanwern goalkeeper Ben Fletcher was sent off. The unbeaten-in-five hosts have finally found some consistency and go into this encounter on the back of four consecutive victories. Form guide: Bridgend St.: L D W W W W Llanwern: L L W W L L
Larkfield Ground: Chepstow Town (4) v Llantwit Major (5). Chepstow increased their promotions chances by thrashing visiting Bridgend-based Bettws 7-2 on Wednesday with goal from Jason Thorn 2, Jack Harvey, Dan Morgan, Matthew Board, Richard Sharratt and Rob Thorn (penalty) - Jason Thorn now on 26 for the season. It put Chepstow just three points behind third-placed AFC Llwydcoed with two matches in hand and manager Russell Griffiths' side has seven games left. The is match is the first of two between these clubs in the space of five days and there's little doubt that if one of them could secure a win and a draw, then that may be enough for them to progress to eventual promotion. The visitors have been highly inconsistent of late in terms of posting wins and were held 2-2 away by struggling Bridgend-based Bettws last time out. Form guide: Chepstow: D W W W W W Llantwit M.; D L W L W D
Shannon Close, Bettws: Newport Civil Service (11) v AFC Llwydcoed (3). Clash between two clubs whose recent form has not been the best with NCS losing 5-1 at home to champions-elect Cardiff Metropolitan University in mid-week, Phil Tranter netting his 13th goal of the season. They also had Gareth Wysome sent off and here seek to end a run of four without a win in aiming for an end-of-season mid-table spot. Shared eight goals at Llwydcoed back earlier in the season and that wasn't the last time their then-hosts conceded four goals to Gwent-based visitors. Promotion rivals Chepstow Town won 4-1 there last Saturday and previous to that, Llwydcoed were beaten 2-0 at fast-improving Abertillery Bluebirds. Form guide: NCS: D W D L D L AFC Llwydcoed: L W W W L L
Ty-Isaf Park: Risca United (6) v Cardiff Metropolitan University (1). While it's mathematically possible to Risca to gain promotion, no wins from three has all but knocked them out of contention. Their problem stands out a mile far too many draws and their total of nine from 25 games is the highest in the entire division. Had they won just four of those draws, then player-boss Paul Michael's team would now be third in the table. Here they face the already-promoted students, who are on the brink of landing the divisional title having scored no fewer than 93 goals in winning 21 and drawing two of 26 league fixtures. Form guide: Risca: D W W L D L CMU: W W W L W W
Bush Park: Treowen Stars (13) v Cardiff Grange Harlequins (9). Encounter between two of the most inconsistent teams in the entire league with Treowen still needing a few more wins to be safe from being relegated. If three go down, then they are just a trio of points and one position above the drop zone although they do have matches in hand over all of their rivals. However boss Carl Evans' outfit still have nine more games to cram in between now and the end of the season on May 11. The visitors are relatively safe in ninth position, but have lost their last three games and have only one left after this. Form guide: Treowen: L D L W L L 'Quins: W W D L L L
GWENT THURSDAY REPORT 19 April 2013 by Terry Daley Division One: Caerleon 0 Bridgend Town 2 (Jordan Edwards; Josh Bell, penalty) Caerleon slipped further towards being relegated from the top flight at Cold Bath Road, where they lost out to fellow strugglers Bridgend Town. The outcome was also bad news for Cwmbran Celtic, who are now six points behind Bridgend although they do have three games in hand. Jordan Edwards gave Bridgend a fifth-minute lead, which should have been doubled before the break had Jamal Easter not struck a post with a penalty. Another penalty was awarded to the visitors by match referee Darren Aide, this time striker Josh Bell confidently scoring from the spot with just three minutes remaining. By this stage, Caerleon boss Lee Relish and defender Rhys Aherne has both been sent off as the home side suffered an 18th defeat in 25 league fixtures. Caerleon return to action on Saturday, when they travel to face AFC Porth while Bridgend must wait until next Tuesday to be hosted by Pontardawe Town.
GWENT MID-WEEK ROUND-UP 19 April 2013 by Terry Daley Tuesday Division Three: Abertillery Bluebirds 5 (Luke Lewis 2; Lewis Clark; Lee Bancroft; Ioan Protheroe); Cardiff Grange Harlequins 3 (Liam Jeremy, Omar Abdillahi, Kier Yip) Abertillery stretched their unbeaten run to a sixth game as they continued their climb away from the lower-tier relegation zone. Luke Lewis took his season's league goal tally to 11 as Abertillery moved above county rivals Treowen Stars into 12th place. Abertillery have a fair chance to continue their run on Saturday, when they entertain struggling Newcastle Emlyn.
Bridgend Street 1 (Lee Mason) Treowen Stars 0 A Lee Mason goal at The Willows was enough to earn the home side victory as Treowen's relegation fears deepened. They drop below Abertillery Thursdays into 13th position, although they are three points better off then the team below them, Newcastle Emlyn, and with as many games in hand. Treowen return to action at the weekend, when they host mid-table outfit Cardiff Grange Harlequins at Bush Park.
Wednesday Division One: Monmouth Town 2 (Nick Harrhy; Rob Laurie) Ton Pentre 2 (Josh Powell; Jaymie Wearn) Monmouth's Division One title hopes took another knock when they had to reply on a very late goal from Rob Laurie to snatch a point. Josh Powell put the visitors in front on 19 minutes with Jaymie Wearn doubling the advantage some seven minutes after the interval. However just two minutes had elapsed when striker Nick Harrhy scored following a good save from Ton goalkeeper Jonathan Howe. But it looked all over for the Kingfishers until up popped Laurie to head in the equaliser to maintain their hopes in winning a first championship trophy. Monmouth are at home again on Friday night, when West End visit the Sports Ground.
Division Two: Aberbargoed Buds 0 Briton Ferry Llansawel 0 A goal-less stale-mate inches Aberbargoed closer to promotion, although it was a victory which they really needed at the Recreation Ground. It is their fifth draw from their last seven games, but on the plus side the result took their clean-sheet tally for the season to 10 from 25 league fixtures. Aberbargoed next travel to face county rivals Croesyceiliog on Saturday.
Croesyceiliog 3 (Lewis Clare 2; Jamie Arnold) Goytre 3 (Luke Prosser 2; Graham Mason) Former Goytre midfielder Lewis Clare struck two extremely late goals at Woodland Road to earn his side a point and deny the visitors right to call themselves Division Two champions. The draw means Goytre now need just one point from six remaining games to lift the championship silverware - starting with a trip to Dinas Powys at the weekend. In an incident-packed game, which produced nine yellows and red cards for Croesyceiliog's Jake Hayward and Goytre skipper Matthew Prosser, Clare scored on 89 and 90 minutes. By the 18th minute, it was already 3-1 to Goytre, who looked to have the three points wrapped up before Clare's late, late double. They led through a couple of goals from leading scorer Luke Prosser, who now has 28 league goals to his name, and Graham Mason with Jamie Arnold on the mark for the home side. Match referee Mark Dyson must have been up until the early hours compiling his report and in all honesty, there were several other players who could just as easily ended up in his notebook. Croesyceiliog stay at home at the weekend, when they are scheduled to receive Aberbargoed Buds.
Division Three: Chepstow Town 7 (Jason Thorn 2; Jack Harvey; Dan Morgan; Richard Sharratt; Matthew Board; Rob Thorn, penalty) Bettws 2 An emphatic success means Chepstow are still on course for promotion to Division Two as they completed a 15th win in 23 league starts. It takes them above Llantwit Major into fourth spot and they are now only three points adrift of AFC Llwydcoed with two games in hand. Jason Thorn's double means he now has 26 goals for the campaign and Chepstow and Llantwit Major now face each other in successive matches. They meet at Chepstow on Saturday followed four days later by the return at Llantwit Major
Newport Civil Service 1 (Phil Tranter) Cardiff Metropolitan University 5 NCS were level at 1-1 at the break at Shannon Close, but fell away after it as the students clinched promotion to Division Two. Each side had a player sent off, with NCS' Gareth Wysome seeing red, and the home side's goal came from striker Phil Tranter whose tally is now 13 for the campaign. NCS are at home on Saturday against promotion-seeking AFC Llwydcoed.
GWENT WEDNESDAY PREVIEW 16 April 2013 by Terry Daley kick offs 6.30pm, unless stated (figures in brackets indicate league positions of 16) Division One Sports Ground: Monmouth Town (7) v Ton Pentre (11) Monmouth ended a run of five games without a win on Sunday, when a goal from Nick Harrhy was enough to see off former champions Bryntirion Athletic. Only time will tell whether or not Monmouth need to win all six of their remaining matches, but if they did then a first Division One title could well be theirs. First-choice goalkeeper Keiron Blackburn had to sit out the game with Bryntirion because of injury, although if he again fails to recover then Monmouth have a very able deputy in Tom Pass. Ton make a quick return to Gwent following on from last weekend's 2-0 win at Caerleon and their 33-goal total from 23 games is the highest in the among the bottom seven. Form guide: Monmouth: L D D W L W Ton Pentre: W D L L D W Division Two Recreation Ground: Aberbargoed Buds (2) v Briton Ferry Llansawel (6) - 7.30pm Aberbargoed posted a fine 3-1 success at Caerau last time out to remain on course to end the campaign in the runners-up spot behind champions-elect Goytre. Have far too many draws on their record, although the upside is player-manager Jones' side has been beaten only four times in 24 league outings. With floodlights now installed, Aberbargoed can see the finishing line and a first Division One campaign is within reach. This is the first of two meetings between these clubs in 10 days with the visitors coming into this game on a hot run of scoring seven goals in each of their last two league matches 7-1 at home against Ely Rangers and 7-2 at Cwmaman Institute. Form guide: Aberbargoed: D W D D D W BFL: D W D D W W Woodland Road: Croesyceiliog (13) v Goytre (1) (6.15pm) If Goytre win here and Aberbargoed don't at home against Briton Ferry Athletic, then the Plough Road side will clinch the Division Two title. They will, however, have to return to winning ways having lost 3-2 at home to Undy Athletic on Saturday their second home defeat of the season. If there are to be three relegated, then Croesyceiliog are nine points clear of the drop zone and here start on the back of a 3-1 away defeat at the hands of Garden Village. When these clubs met way back in September of last year, hosts Goytre emerged 5-3 after being 3-1 down at one stage of a highly-entertaining clash. Form guide: Croesyceiliog: D D W W D L Goytre: D W D W W L Division Three Larkfield Ground: Chepstow Town (5) v Bettws (15) Chepstow were handed a massive boost on Tuesday night, when Llantwit Major were beaten 2-1 at home by Pontypridd Town although Russell Griffiths' side remain six points off a promotion spot with three matches in hand. Start on the back of Saturday's magnificent 4-1 away win over promotion rivals AFC Llwydcoed, with striker Jason Thorn grabbing two goals to take his season's league tally to 24, and a win here will take them up to fourth position. Chepstow scored 12 and conceded only two in winning all of their previous four games and following this clash, they face crunch home and away fixtures against Llantwit Major. Bettws are fighting a relegation battle, although one of their five wins this season was 4-2 against visiting Chepstow on February 16. Form guide: Chepstow: D W W W D W Bettws: D L D L L D Shannon Close, Bettws: Newport Civil Service (11) v Cardiff Metropolitan University (1) NCS were just 45 minutes away from starting their home game against Treowen Stars last Saturday, when it was postponed because of an unfit playing surface. Their last outing ended in a 0-0 home draw with Risca United on April 9 and while they are just six points off the danger zone, their 46-goal total is the highest among the bottom eight. NCS are actually unbeaten in seven league games since losing 3-2 against visiting Llantwit Major in late September. It doesn't come any harder than a visit from the divisional leaders, who have scored 88 goals in winning 20 and drawing three of their 25 matches with striker Ross Frame heading the league's goalscorers' charts with 37. Form guide: NCS: D D W D L D CMU: W W W W L W
GWENT TUESDAY PREVIEW 15 April 2013 by Terry Daley all 6.30pm kick offs. Division One: (figures in brackets indicate league positions of 16) Celtic Park: Cwmbran Celtic (14) v Bryntirion Athletic (9) Celtic were without a game at the weekend and were last in action last Tuesday, when they slipped to a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Aberdare Town. Chris Ham grabbed his second goal of the campaign after the break, when a vastly-improved display so nearly led to them earning them a point. If three are to be relegated, then they must start to win games and will certainly want to secure their first home victory since beating visiting Pontardawe Town 2-1 on February 9. The visitors lost 1-0 at Monmouth Town on Sunday and before that, had won by the same scoreline at Pontardawe on April 9. Form guide: Celtic: L L L L W L Bryntirion: W L W L W L Division Three: Cwmnanty-Y-Groes Field, Six Bells: Abertillery Bluebirds (13) v Cardiff Grange Harlequins (9) Abertillery's great-escape act continued at the weekend, when a Lewis Clark goal earned them a 1-0 success at Newcastle Emlyn. The victory lifted them out of the bottom three for the first time in many months and this match is a quick-fire return for these clubs. They met at Cardiff International Sports Stadium on March 30, when Luke Lewis was on the mark for Abertillery and Liam Jeremy for the 'Quins in a 1-1 draw. The visitors have also been inconsistent this season and one look at their last-six results form proves that three successive wins followed by three games without a victory. Form guide: Abertillery: L D D W D W 'Quins: W W W D L L The Willows, Tremorfa: Bridgend Street (8) v Treowen Stars (12) Treowen were denied a game on Saturday, when their scheduled fixture at Newport Civil Service was postponed just 45 minutes before kick off because of an unfit playing surface. If it's to be three down, then they are only as many points ahead of Newcastle Emlyn but with five games in hand. Here they seek a season's win double over the capital outfit, who they defeated 3-1 at Treowen on September 1 last year. The hosts were in action on Saturday, when they defeated rock-bottom Treharris Athletic Western 3-2 to stretch their recent unbeaten run to a third match. Form guide: Bridgend St.: W W L D W W Treowen: L L D L W L
GWENT WEEKEND ROUND-UP 15 April 2013 by Terry Daley MONMOUTH Town maintained their slim Division One title hopes with a 1-0 home win over former MacWhirter Welsh League champions Bryntirion Athletic on Sunday. Striker Nick Harrhy scored the all-important goal two minutes from the break to make up for the disappointing same-scoreline defeat at Pontardawe Town on Friday night. The victory are now seven points adrift of leaders Taffs Well, but with only one game in hand which is Wednesday's home game against Ton Pentre. At Pontardawe's Recreation Ground, the Kingfishers kicked off the league's weekend fixture list but fell to a 51st-minute goal from Chris Allen. Elsewhere in the top flight, relegation-threatened Caerleon lost again, as did runaway Division Two leaders Goytre while in the lower tier, Abertillery Bluebirds' surge towards safety continued with an away success. Caerleon hosted Ton Pentre at Cold Bath Road desperate for a win which would give some sort of hint that they are able to climb off the bottom of the table. However 90 minutes later, Ton emerged worthy 2-0 victors to condemn Caerleon to a 17th defeat in 24 league games. They have only six games remaining and if three are to be relegated, then they are currently 11 points adrift of 13th-placed Bridgend Town. Goytre hosted county rivals Undy Athletic knowing victory and a defeat for Ammanford at Dinas Powys would have handed them the Division Two title. But while Ammanford more than did their bit by losing 6-0, Goytre were beaten 3-2 their first home league reverse of the campaign. It all means Goytre still need one more point from their last half dozen fixtures, starting with Wednesday's visit to face county rivals Croesyceiliog. Undy moved up a place to third after taking a 3-0 lead via goals from James Barnes (penalty), Gareth Haywood and Chris Parry with Goytre just falling short after hitting back with strikes from Kyle Bassett and James Young. Sandwiched in between Goytre and Undy are Aberbargoed Buds, who elevated themselves up one to second with a fine 3-1 win at Maesteg-based Caerau. Wayne Antoniazzi, Jordan Harding and Dafydd Brewer were on target for player-managed Alyn Jones' side while Caldicot Town fell a couple of spots to fourth as a result of being held 2-2 at Caerau (Ely). Scoring for Caldicot were Luke Harris and Josh Brown as they stretched their unbeaten run to 14, although there was better luck for mid-table Newport YMCA. They hosted relegation-threatened Ely Rangers and on a pudding of a pitch, emerged 2-1 winners to rise one to seventh of 16. Credit must go to match referee Kevin Russell for allowing the game to start and to everyone on the pitch for trying to play some decent football on such a waterlogged surface. YM, though, took a deserved lead on 25 minutes when Potts' left-footed effort from outside the penalty area beat Hart low down. However when a free kick from Ely's Nick Gardiner was floated into the danger area, the ball came off central defender Craig Ford and into his own net for the equaliser. But with just six minutes left of the first period, midfielder Ben Lawrence lashed home a 20-yarder past Hart for what proved to be the winning goal. Both sides huffed and puffed after the interval, but neither did enough to secure any more goals on a pitch deteriorating by the minute. In the same division, Croesyceiliog travelled to take on Garden Village seeking a win which would just about end their relegation fears. But a 2-1 defeat, with Jody Jenkins getting their goal, means they are still nine points above the Ely Rangers with both clubs having six games left. In Division Three, Risca United fell further behind their promotion rivals in losing at third-placed Pontypridd Town 1-0 and have been overtaken by Chepstow Town. They posted a magnificent 4-1 away win at second-placed AFC Llwydcoed with a well-taken treble from Jason Thorn taking his league tally to 24 for the campaign. Maurice Chambers scored the other for Chepstow, who are now fifth just six points off a promotion spot with three games in hand. Both Tredegar and Abertillery did themselves a power of good with victories, the former 2-1 at home against Cardiff Grange Harlequins and the latter 1-0 at fellow-strugglers Newcastle Emlyn. Tredegar are up one to 11th after goals from Aaron Vaughan and Gareth Stevens, who struck 30 seconds from time, accounted for the 'Quins while Lewis Clark netted for Abertillery. The win for Abertillery means they are now unbeaten in five and they have lifted themselves out of the bottom three for the first time in months. The county derby between hosts Newport Civil Service and Treowen Stars was called off just 45 minutes before the scheduled kick off because of an unfit playing surface. Mid-week fixtures. (6.30pm unless stated). Tuesday: Division One: Cwmbran Celtic v Bryntirion Athletic. Division Three: Abertillery Bluebirds v Cardiff Grange Harlequins Bridgend Street v Treowen Stars Wednesday: Division One: Monmouth Town v Ton Pentre Division Two: Aberbargoed Buds v Briton Ferry Llansawel (7.30pm) Croesyceiliog v Goytre (6.15pm) Division Three: Chepstow Town v Bettws Newport Civil Service v Cardiff Metropolitan University Thursday: Division One Caerleon v Bridgend Town.
GWENT WEEKEND PREVIEW 12 April 2013 by Terry Daley A GOYTRE win and anything less than victory for Ammanford at Dinas Powys will mean the Division Two title for player-boss Carl Evans' side. In the same division, Caldicot Town are now second after MacWhirter Welsh League officials awarded them three points from their game at Ely Rangers in March, when it was abandoned in stoppage time with them leading 2-1. Tonight - kick off 6.30pm. Division One (figures in brackets relate to league positions of 16): Recreation Ground: Pontardawe Town (12) v Monmouth Town (7). First of two weekend games for title-chasing Monmouth, who are playing catch-up following a run of four without a win. They start here seven points behind leaders Taffs Well with a couple of games in hand and the Kingfishers are in action again on Sunday at home to Bryntirion Athletic. There's little doubt anything less than a win would seriously dent Monmouth's ambitions and are also out to clinch a season's double having defeated the west Walians 2-1 at home back in September of last year. Pontardawe played on Tuesday, when they lost 1-0 by visiting Bryntirion, although they've conceded fewer goals, 31, than any team in the bottom 10 and six less than Monmouth. Form guide: Pontardawe: L D W W L L Monmouth: W W L L D D
Saturday all 2.30pm kick offs. Division One: Cold Bath Road: Caerleon (11) v Ton Pentre (16). Caerleon's already precarious position at the foot of the table worsened on Tuesday, when they were beaten 3-0 at home by Swansea-based West End. It was defeat number 16 in 23 league starts and all the indications are that they will be making a return to Division Two for the 2013-14 campaign. It's not clear how many teams are to be relegated, but if it is to be just three then Caerleon are 11 points from safety with only a match in hand and with only six remaining after this clash. The visitors were held 2-2 at home by Margam-based Tata Steel in mid-week and are not entirely clear of the drop zone either. Form guide: Caerleon: L L L L L L Ton Pentre: D W D L L D
Division Two: Athletic Ground, Maesteg: Caerau (9) v Aberbargoed Buds (3). Aberbargoed moved above Undy Athletic in mid-week when they drew 1-1 at Caldicot Town, where Wayne Antoniazzi scored and Dean Randall and Jason Brewer were sent off. It was their third successive draw and fourth in fifth outings, results which could well cost them a place on Division One for the first time. Need to start putting some ticks in the win column and have seven games, including this one, to secure a top-three finish to the campaign. Like Caldicot, the hosts have drawn a lot of matches recently although they were beaten 4-3 at Croesyceiliog last weekend. Form guide: Caerau (Ely): W W D D D L Aberbargoed: W D W D D D Cwrt-Yr-Ala: Caerau (Ely) (10) v Caldicot Town (2). Caldicot had Ricardo McKenzie on target in a 1-1 home draw with promotion rivals Aberbargoed Buds on Wednesday, but he was later sent off and will sit out this clash. The outcome helped them maintain second position, but they now have only three matches left after this one to earn elevation back to the top flight. Their top scorer is Dan Saunders, who has 13 league goals to his credit as Caldicot have put together a 13-game unbeaten run. The hosts won 3-0 at already-relegated Cwmaman Institute last weekend and also may still achieve a promotion spot come the end of the season. Form guide: Caerau (Ely): W W D D D L Caldicot: W D D D W D Stafford Common: Garden Village (5) v Croesyceiliog (12). Croesyceiliog moved up one place and nine points clear of the drop zone with a 1-1 home draw against Cardiff Corinthians, who now can't move out of the bottom three. However it was a below-par display from player-boss Mark Waddon's men, who were grateful to a late Zac Osborne goal for a point. The outcome means they are now unbeaten in five and while three of those have been draws, parity again here would be more than welcome. The hosts have dropped from second to fifth and because all teams have matches in hand over them, they could yet finish below halfway. Form guide: Garden Village: W D L L D L Croesyceiliog: L D D W W D Plough Road: Goytre (1) v Undy Athletic (4). Goytre could be crowned as divisional champions should they win this local derby and Ammanford fail to emerge victorious from their game at Dinas Powys. However even of that scenario doesn't play itself out, then it's only a matter of time before Goytre get their hands on the silverware. Undy still have top-three ambitions and start her just a point adrift of second-placed Caldicot Town and with a game in hand. Undy, who have conceded just three goals in their last nine outings, are one of only two clubs to have defeated Goytre this season - winning 2-0 at home on February 23 with both goals coming from Gareth Cullimore. Form guide: Goytre: W D W D W W Undy: W D W W D D Mendalgief Road: Newport YMCA (8) v Ely Rangers (14). YMCA drew 1-1 at home with Aberbargoed Buds last time out, the first game in charge for defender Craig James, who has taken over as manager until the end of the season following the resignation of Simon Pratt because of work commitments. YMCA appear locked on for a mid-table place, although if they win all of their final four games, which are all at home, then they could possibly make the top three. Here they seek a season's double over the capital side, having won 2-0 at Ely on February 16, when skipper and goalkeeper Gareth Wesson netted from the penalty spot. The visitors are in relegation trouble and are eight points from safety having played a game more than fourth-from-the-bottom Dinas Powys. Form guide: YMCA: W D L L W D Ely Rangers: D L L L W L
Division Three: Merthyr Road: AFC Llwydcoed (2) v Chepstow Town (6). Chepstow are fresh on the back of a 4-0 mid-week win at Treowen Stars with goals by Jack Harvey (2), Jason Thorn and Maurice Chambers. The win, their 13th in 21 outings, took them above Llanwern with former Caldicot Town striker Thorn now on 21 goals for the campaign. Here they seek a fourth consecutive victory, but will have to play better than they did when losing 4-1 at home to Llwydcoed back in mid January. Llwydcoed are well placed to gain promotion, although they were beaten 2-0 away by lowly Abertillery Bluebirds last Saturday. Form guide: AFC Llwydcoed: L L W W W L Chepstow: W L D W W W Parc Emlyn: Newcastle Emlyn (13) v Abertillery Bluebirds (14). Massive clash which could ultimately means the victors retain their league status following extremely difficult seasons. While Abertillery's recent improvement has to be hugely admired, it must also be pointed out that far too many draws have kept them in the danger zone. Start here on the back of a 1-1 home draw with promotion-seeking Pontypridd Town in mid-week, when Luke Lewis took his campaign league tally to nine. The visitors actually lost 13 successive games, but regrouped enough to land successive wins over fellow strugglers Treharris Athletic Western and Treowen Stars. Form guide: Abertillery: D L D D W D Newcastle E.: L L L L W W Shannon Close, Bettws: Newport Civil Service (10) v Treowen Stars (12). NCS played out a goalless draw against visiting Risca United, their second consecutive game without scoring. That's highly unusual for them because their 46-goal league tally is the highest among the bottom nine with experienced striker Phil Tranter top of their scoring charts on 12. Treowen were beaten 4-0 at home by Chepstow Town in mid-week and while they are only four points off the danger zone, they still have nine games left after this one from which to ensure their league status. These two clubs meet again at Treowen on Friday, May 10, by which its hoped NCS will have secured a mid-table spot and the Stars their league status for another campaign. Form guide: NCS: D D W D L D Treowen: L L D L W W Ynysangharad Park: Pontypridd Town (3) v Risca United (5). Risca have enough games from which to earn enough points to gain promotion, but recent results of a couple of derbies suggest they may just miss out. A 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Treowen Stars was followed by Tuesday's 0-0 away draw with Newport Civil Service. It means they trail Pontypridd, who hold the lowest promotion spot of three, by a seven of points but with a match in hand. At the same time as Risca were drawing at NCS, Pontypridd were gaining a point from a 1-1 scoreline at Abertillery Bluebirds and it could be that eventually both of these clubs miss out to Llantwit Major in the promotion race, Form guide: Pontypridd: W L W W W D Risca: D D W W L D Sports Complex: Tredegar Town (11) v Cardiff Grange Harlequins (9). If three are to be relegated, then Tredegar are just five points from the drop zone with all five teams below them having lots of matches in hand. Player-boss Shane Davies' men went down 2-1 at Pontypridd Town last weekend, their 17th defeat in 27 league outings. This is Tredegar's final home game of the season, their two remaining matches being at Abertillery Bluebirds on April 27 and at Bridgend-based Bettws on May 4. The 'Quins are 10 points clear of the relegation places and appear locked on for a mid-table end to the season and were 2-0 winners at Tredegar in mid March. Form guide: Tredegar: L L W L L L 'Quins: L W W W D L
Sunday kick off 2.00pm. Sports Ground: Monmouth Town v Bryntirion Athletic. Because Monmouth are playing at Pontardawe tonight, it's impossible to do any preview of this clash. However what is certain is Monmouth will be seeking to avoid a season's defeat by the former champions, who won 2-1 at home back in August of last year. WELSH FOOTBALL TRUST COMMUNITY AWARDS11 April 2013 Please note that the Welsh Community Football Awards nomination window has officially opened and you are able to nominate at the following link:- http://www.welshfootballtrust.org.uk/pa ... wards.aspx There are 10 categories and its certain that there are people within all clubs who deserve to be nominated.
GWENT WEDNESDAY PREVIEW 10 April 2013 by Terry Daley Figures in brackets relate to league positions of 16
Division Two Jubilee Way: Caldicot Town (2) v Aberbargoed Buds (4) - kick off 7.15pm Caldicot are now unbeaten in 13 league games following a 2-1 home success over Garden Village, thanks to late goals from and David Biggs (penalty) and Dan Saunders. They have also been awarded three points from the abandoned-in-stoppage time game at Ely Rangers, where they were leading 2-1. I watched Aberbargoed gain a point from a 1-1 draw at Newport YMCA last Saturday, when the result stretched their unbeaten run to a fifth game. However like Caldicot, they appear to be drawing far too many games and parity again here will be of no real use to either club's top-three ambitions. Form guide: Caldicot: W W D D D W Aberbargoed: L W D W D D
Woodland Road: Croesyceiliog (13) v Cardiff Corinthians (15) - kick off 6.30pm Croesyceiliog edged a seven-goal thriller against visiting Caerau last weekend, when Zac Osbourne, Nick McGrath, Jamie Arnold and an own goal accounted for their total. The win put some daylight between them an the drop zone and they start here eight points clear with as many games remaining. It also took their goal tally to 46, which is the highest in the bottom seven and eight more than Aberbargoed Buds and Garden Village, who are third and fourth respectively. They will start here as firm favourites to secure a third consecutive success with the visitors on the brink of being relegated, having won just three times in 25 outings. Form guide: Croesyceiliog: L L D D W W Cardiff Corries: W D L L D
Division Three: Newport Stadium: Llanwern (6) v Bridgend Street (9) - kick off 7.15pm Although is mathematically possible for Llanwern to clinch a top-three finish, the reality is there are at least two clubs ahead of them who are in far better positions to secure promotion. Fell to a 4-1 away defeat to table-topping Cardiff Metropolitan University last time out, with Ben Hartrey getting their consolation goal. This is the first of two league fixtures in 10 days for these clubs, who meet again in the capital on Saturday, April 20. The visitors are 13 points behind Llanwern with three games in hand and were last in action on April 3, when the beat Bettws 3-0 at home. Form guide: Llanwern: W L L W W L Bridgend St.: W W W L D W
Bush Park: Treowen Stars (12) v Chepstow Town (7) - kick off 6.30pm Interesting local derby which if the home win, will probably mean they will retain their divisional status for the 2013-14 season. However a defeat will mean they still have some important points to pick up, although they have many games in hand over all clubs above and below them. Chepstow are 11 points adrift of third-placed Pontypridd Town and with five matches in hand so will be flat out for a win which would keep their promotion hopes alive. The clubs met on February 23, when Chepstow on 3-1 at Treowen, and it's interesting to note that they have scored an extra 29 goals from only one match more 52 as opposed to 23. Form guide: Chepstow: W W L D W W Treowen: L L L D L W
GWENT TUESDAY PREVIEW 9 April 2013 by Terry Daley 6.15pm kick offs, unless stated figures in brackets relate to league positions of 16 Division One: Cold Bath Road: Caerleon (16) v West End (7) Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Goytre United deepened Caerleon's relegation fears and all games are now 'must-win' for manager Lee Relish's side. Jamie Bennett got their goal, but it was only his side's 21st in 22 fixtures the lowest in the entire division although, oddly, Goytre United are 14 points better off despite conceding nine more goals. It was Caerleon's sixth successive defeat and here they face an in-form visiting side which has gradually climbed well away from the drop zone. West End romped to a 3-0 home triumph at the weekend and they are just eight points adrift of leaders with three games in hand. Form guide: Caerleon: L L L L L L West End: W W W D L W
Celtic Park: Cwmbran Celtic (13) v Aberdare Town (3) Celtic won for the first time in eight outings when completing a season's double over hosts Pontardawe Town, who they beat 2-1. The success, earned via goals from Lee Challenger (penalty) and Dominic Connor, moved Celtic out of the bottom three and was only their sixth of the campaign. Have conceded less goals, 43, in the bottom five and currently sit six points behind Goytre United having played four matches less. The visitors won 3-0 at Tata Steel on Saturday, are on a seven-game unbeaten run which has included clean-sheets in each of their last three outings. Form guide: Celtic: D L L L L W Aberdare: W D W D W W
Division Two:
Plough Road: Goytre (1) v Caerau (Ely) (10) Striker Luke Prosser was in fine form at the weekend when he scored four times in Goytre's 5-0 home success over relegation-threatened Cardiff Corinthians. Kristian Wharton was also on target as the champions-elect increased their lead over second-placed Aberbargoed Buds to 16 points each having just eight games remaining. It was win number 18 from 22 starts for player-boss Carl Evans' side with Prosser now on 26 league goals for the campaign nine behind Cardiff Metropolitan University's Ross Frame. Caerau (Ely) won 3-0 at already-relegated Cwmaman Institute and their current unbeaten seven-game run includes four draws one of which was a 1-1 result at home to Goytre on March 30. Form guide: Goytre: L W D W D W Caerau (Ely): W W D D D W
The Causeway: Undy Athletic (3) v Dinas Powys (13) Quick-fire return for these two clubs, who drew 0-0 at Dinas Powys on Saturday when Undy stretched their unbeaten run to a fifth match. Undy are becoming a solid defensive unit and in the eight games they've played since the start of February, they've kept five clean-sheets in conceding only three goals. It's an oddity that although they have a 23-goal striker in Gareth Cullimore, Undy actually fired blanks in four of those eight matches which includes three 0-0 draws. Dinas Powys have not won in five outings and are seven points above the drop zone but with a match in hand. Form guide: Undy: L W D W W D Dinas Powys: W D L L D D
Division Three:
Cwmnant-Y-Groes, Six Bells: Abertillery Bluebirds (14) v Pontypridd Town (3) Abertillery continued their remarkable recovery with a fine 2-0 home success over high-flying AFC Llwydcoed with goals coming from Luke Lewis and Tom Heard. It was young Lewis' eight league goal of the campaign and the outcome was Abertillery's first win in seven although they had drawn four of their previous six outings. One of those was 0-0 at Pontypridd's Ynysangharad Park on February 23 and here they face the same opponents, who are seeking a fourth consecutive victory. The last of those was a 2-1 home triumph over Tredegar Town and they will start here three points ahead of fourth-placed Llantwit Major, but having played two games more. Form guide: Abertillery: D D L D D W Pontypridd: D W L W W W
Shannon Close, Bettws: Newport Civil Service (10) v Risca United (5) - 6.30pm NCS lost 2-0 at Chepstow Town at the weekend and if three are to be relegated, are seven points clear of the drop zone with a match in hand. That defeat ended a four-game unbeaten run and here they will bid to overcome a 1-0 reverse at Risca on January 12. Having beaten Llantwit Major 1-0 at home last Wednesday, Risca would have been favourites to secure another victory when they hosted Treowen at the weekend. But Risca fell to a same-scoreline defeat and they are now seven points behind third-placed Pontypridd Town with a match in hand. Form guide: NCS: L W D D W L Risca: W D D W W L
GWENT SATURDAY ROUND-UP 8 April 2013 by Terry Daley MONMOUTH Town's MacWhirter Welsh League Division One championship hopes continued to flounder with a goal-less draw while striker Luke Prosser scored four times as the Division Two leaders Goytre closed in on the title. There was a much-needed victory for Cwmbran Celtic in the top flight, but Risca's Division Three promotion bid took a knock with a home derby defeat at the hands of Treowen Stars. Monmouth visited title rivals AFC Porth and couldn't break down their hosts as they stretched their games-without-a-win sequence to four two draws and as many defeats. It means the Kingfishers, who hit the post via Elliott Ford, trail table-topping Taffs Well by seven points - but with just one game in hand and they return to action on Friday night at Pontardawe Town. Celtic began at Pontardawe having dropped into the bottom three, but climbed out of it thanks to a fine 2-1 success. The outcome was Celtic first win in eight outings and the last time they were victors was when they beat Pontardawe by the same score at home on February 9. On target were Lee Challenger (penalty) and Dominic Connor with Celtic seeking a follow-up win on Tuesday, when they host Aberdare Town. At the bottom, there was more woe for Caerleon, who couldn't hang on to a 1-0 lead given to them by a Jamie Bennett goals at Goytre United, who ran out 2-1 winners. Goytre's 5-0 home win over relegation-threatened Cardiff Corinthians puts them 16 points clear of second-placed Aberbargoed Buds and with only eight matches remaining for both clubs. Kristian Wharton scored Goytre's other goal while both Aberbargoed and Undy Athletic, were both held to respective 1-1 and 0-0 away draws by Newport YMCA and Dinas Powys. I watched YMCA take a deserved 1-0 interval lead at Mendalgief Road thanks to a Ben Lawrence goal before a controversially-awarded indirect free kick lead to to leveller on 63 minutes. Home goalkeeper Gareth Wesson was harshly adjudged to have picked up the ball after appearing to parry away a shot with Wayne Antoniazzi eventually scoring. YMCA slipped to eighth, but all four of their remaining games are at home and the facts and stats are such that they can still clinch a top-three spot. The game was defender Craig James' first in charge of the team following the resignation of previous manager Simon Pratt, who stood down because of work commitments. Before the interval, YMCA were the better side as Aberbargoed struggled to gain a foothold. However the visitors finally woke up during the second period to earn a deserved point. Caldicot are now unbeaten in 14 and have moved up to sixth place after late goals by David Biggs (penalty) and Dan Saunders earned them a 2-1 success at home against Garden Village, the result ending a run of three consecutive draws. Croesyceiliog are unbeaten in four after easing their relegation fears thanks to coming out on top of a seven-goal thriller against visiting Maesteg-based Caerau. It was tit-for-tat as efforts from Zac Osbourne, an own goal, Nick McGrath and Jamie Arnold saw Croesyceiliog home, but a special mention for substitute Michael Dewar who kept a clean-sheet after taking over in goal for injured stopper James Peckham. The win takes Croesyceiliog up to 12 of 16 and they have the chance to further improve their position when they receive struggling Cardiff Corinthians at Woodland Road on Wednesday night. Risca entertained Treowen seeking a win which would have kept them in touch with the Division Three promotion pack. However a Steve Parfitt goal earned the visitors the win they needed to ease their relegation worries and it could have been more had Risca goalkeeper Jonathan Chorley not saved a Johnny Dunn penalty. Parfitt was later sent off after picking up a second yellow card and both clubs return to action with mid-week fixtures. Llanwern remain sixth after having only a Ben Hartrey goal to show for in a 4-1 away defeat at the hands of free-scoring leaders Cardiff Metropolitan University while Chepstow Town maintained their top-three hopes with a 2-0 home win over county rivals Newport Civil Service. Dale Clark and Ron Thorn netted for seventh-placed Chepstow with Dan Battle on target for struggling Tredegar Town in a 2-1 reverse at promotion-seeking Pontypridd Town. Fast-improving Abertillery Bluebirds arguably posted the result of the day, defeating visiting second-placed side AFC Llwydcoed 2-0 - thanks to goal from Luke Lewis and Tom Heard. But the game was marred by a 20-man brawl which resulted in Abertillery's David Gibbs and Mike Vagg plus a visiting player being straight red-carded. The win means relegation-threatened Abertillery's have now lost only once in seven and the run will help them start Saturday's home clash with Pontypridd in extremely high spirits Mid-week games (6.15pm kick offs, unless stated).
Tuesday. Division One: Caerleon v West End Cwmbran Celtic v Aberdare Town Division Two: Goytre v Caerau (Ely) Undy Athletic v Dinas Powys Division Three: Abertillery Bluebirds v Pontypridd Town Newport Civil Service v Risca United (6.30pm) Wednesday. Division Two: Caldicot Town v Aberbargoed Buds (7.15pm) Croesyceiliog v Cardiff Corinthians (6.30pm) Division Three: Llanwern v Bridgend Street (Cardiff) (7.15pm) Treowen Stars v Chepstow Town (6.30pm).
GWENT TUESDAY PREVIEW 1 April 2013 by Terry Daley Division Three: International Sports Stadium: Cardiff Grange Harlequins (8) v Chepstow Town (7) kick off 7.45pm. Chepstow are 13 points off third-placed Pontypridd Town, but they have no less than five matches in hand although Llantwit Major, who are fourth, remain favourites to go up. Nonetheless it's been a good first season back in the league for Chepstow, who start here on the back of a 3-3 draw at Bridgend Street on Saturday. Striker Jason Thorn scored once to take his campaign league tally to 18 and he is currently in the hunt to become the county's top goal-scorer. The hosts are one of the most improved teams in the division, last weekend's 1-1 home draw with Abertillery Bluebirds stretching their unbeaten run to four. Form guide: 'Quins: L L W W W D Chepstow: L W W W L D Shannon Close, Bettws: Newport Civil Service (10) v Abertillery Bluebirds (15) kick off 6.15pm. NCS are defending an unbeaten six-match run, but rustiness could be a problem because they haven't played since defeating visiting Bridgend Street 3-1 way back on February 28. Are nailed-on for a mid-table finish and are also seeking a season's double having won 2-1 at Abertillery back in April of last year, when Marc Gunter and Mark Millinship were on target. Abertillery, for whom Luke Lewis scored in that game, have improved of late - although had they won the three games they've recently drawn, then they would now be sitting three places higher. Start on the back of Saturday's 1-1 draw at fast-improving Cardiff Grange Harlequins and while parity would be a reasonable result for them, a win is far more important given their perilous position. Form guide: NCS: D L W D D W Abertillery: L W D D L D Sports Complex: Tredegar Town (11) v AFC Llwydcoed (2) kick off 7.15pm. Tredegar's inconsistent form looks likely to prevent them from gaining a mid-table spot, although they do appear to have accumulated enough points to maintain their league status. It's been a long, hard slog for the north Gwent outfit but a couple of bright features has been the excellent form of Jason Lewis and Chase Mullins. Tredegar lost 2-0 at high-flying Llantwit Major last Saturday, but their last home game produced a 3-2 victory over the same opponents back on March 19. The visitors are on course to earn promotion and seem to have recovered from a form blip to win their last two games including Saturday's 11-goal thriller at Treharris Athletic Western, Form guide: Tredegar: L D L L W L AFC Llwydcoed: L D L L W W
GWENT SATURDAY ROUND-UP 1 April 2013 by Terry Daley TITLE-CHASING Monmouth Town return to action on Monday afternoon determined to return to winning ways following a second successive MacWhirter Welsh League Division One defeat this time 2-0 away against defending champions Cambrian & Clydach. The Kingfishers entertain Margam-based strugglers Tata Steel (kick off 2.30pm) and welcome back first-choice central defenders Jacob Guy and Ben Evans, both of whom who missed Saturday's Division One game. Monmouth slipped two places to fifth as a result of their latest reverse and now trail leaders Taffs Well by eight points with only two games in hand. Elsewhere in the top flight there were defeats for struggling duo Caerleon and Cwmbran Celtic, but a thumping 6-1 away Division Two success for top-three chasing Undy Athletic. Celtic entertained former champions Goytre United and despite a brilliant display from goalkeeper Nicky Church, they slipped to a 2-0 defeat their fourth consecutive loss. Church made no less than eight noteworthy saves while his opposite number Lee Probert was rarely troubled on an afternoon when Celtic were minus seven first-choice squad members. Their lack of strength in depth was at times cruelly exposed by the visitors, who at stage of the second period put together a move consisting of close to 40 passes and also struck a post on two other occasions. Before the break Celtic had little or nothing to offer in terms of being an attacking force, although they did manage to improve after the interval to put some sort of pressure on the visitor's defence. However they were a well beaten side by end and they remain above the drop zone on goal difference only ahead of Bridgend Town, Tata Steel and Caerleon, who went down 3-2 at home to AFC Porth. Jamie Davies and Richard Shire were on target for Caerleon, who have now just nine games left in which to save their status. In Division Two, the result of the day was Undy Athletic's magnificent 6-1 away win over Ammanford in a what was a second versus fourth clash beforehand. Gareth Cullimore and James Barnes each struck twice, the latter including a penalty, to take their respective campaign goal tallies to 23 and eight while Adrian Evans and an own goal from their hosts made up the tally. Undy are now third with runway table-toppers Goytre inching closer to clinching the title with a point from a 1-1 draw at Caerau (Ely), where Kyle Bassett scored his netted his 10th league goal of the season. Newport YMCA defeated already-relegated visitors Cwmaman Institute 3-0 at Mendalgief Road with Dan Edwards, James Young and substitute Declan Flanagan scoring. YMCA, seventh, were minus skipper and goalkeeper Gareth Wesson with assistant manager Craig James standing in and he made light of the situation by keeping a clean-sheet thanks to a penalty save. Llanwern travelled to the Bridgend area seeking a quick-fire Division Three double over Bettws, having beaten them 5-2 at Newport Stadium last Wednesday. And despite being without 15-goal striker Alex North, who scored a hat-trick in that win, Llanwern moved above not-in-action Risca United into fifth spot thanks to a 2-1 success Nick Hooper getting both. Chepstow Town visited the capital to take on Bridgend Street and gained a hard-earned 3-3 draw to remain seventh, goals coming from Rob Thorn (penalty), Ashley Palmer and Jason Thorn, who now has 18 this season. Tredegar appear safe from the drop in 11th place, but suffered a 2-0 away defeat at the hands of promotion seekers Llantwit Major but Treowen Stars still have relegation fears following a 2-1 home reverse against fellow-strugglers Newcastle Emlyn. The outcome was certainly a surprise as the visitors had lost all of their previous 15 league games with Treowen even having to rely on an own goal to get on the score-sheet. Mid-week games. Tuesday. Division Three: Cardiff Grange Harlequins v Chepstow Town (7.45pm) Newport Civil Service v Abertillery Bluebirds (6.15pm) Tredegar Town v AFC Llwydcoed (7.15pm). Wednesday. Division Two: Cardiff Corinthians v Aberbargoed Buds (tba) Division Three: Risca United v Llantwit Major (6.15pm).
GWENT SATURDAY PREVIEW 15 March 2013 by Terry Daley TITLE-CHASING Monmouth Town host Ton Pentre on Saturday extremely keen to make up for having three points deducted for a breach of league rules - a decision which cost them the leadership of the top flight while Caerleon travel to face a basement battle with Goytre United. All games kick off at 2.30pm except Undy Athletic v Dinas Powys, which starts at 1.30pm. Division One (figures in brackets relate to league positions of 16). Glenhafod Park Stadium: Goytre United (15) v Caerleon (16). Success here for Caerleon will at least take them off the bottom of the table and above their equally-struggling hosts, who were beaten 3-0 at Monmouth last weekend Scoring goals has been a problem all season for Caerleon, who have lost their last three league games without finding the back of the net. Indeed the last time they scored was against Goytre United, who gained a 2-2 draw at Cold Bath Road in mid February. A similar outcome will be of no use to either club who've won only seven games between them this season. Form guide: Goytre United: L D W L W L Caerleon: D L D L L L Sports Ground: Monmouth Town (3) v Ton Pentre (11). Monmouth are bidding for a six consecutive victory having now gone no less than 240 minutes without conceding a goal. They start here only two points adrift of new leaders Taffs Well and with as many matches in hand as they chase a first Division One championship trophy. The Kingfishers are just one goal short of 50 for the campaign, although this particular match-up is against a visiting side which has a sound defensive record. Ton have let in only 26 goals in 19 games, the lowest total in the entire bottom 10, and it's four less than Monmouth in only one game more. Form guide: Monmouth: L W W W W W Ton Pentre: L L W D D W Division Two. Station Road, Wenvoe: Ely Rangers (14) v Croesyceiliog (13). Five points from an undefeated three-match run has given hope that Croesyceiliog can progress to maintaining their divisional status. This, in many ways, is a crunch clash against the side immediately below them and victory here, and other results going their way, could move them up three rungs. Struggled somewhat to defeat visiting bottom-placed Cwmaman Institute 2-1 last time out, but player-manager Mark Waddon's side has conceded just one goal in its last three outings. The hosts have won only four of 19 games and have not emerged victors since beating Cwmaman Institute 7-2 at home in mid December of last year. Form guide: Ely Rangers: W D L L L L Croesyceiliog: W L L D D W Plough Road: Goytre (1) v Garden Village (4). Following two successive defeats, Goytre have re-grouped with a win and a draw including Wednesday's 1-1 stalemate at Caldicot Town. It means player-boss Carl Evans side is 11 points clear of second-placed Ammanford with two games in hand and 14 ahead of Aberbargoed, who are third. Are just one goal shy of 50 for the campaign and the 21 goals conceded is the lowest total in the top nine and here face a quick-fire return having won 1-0 at Garden Village last Saturday. The side has won only three of its last 10 league matches and has not been away victors since winning 2-1 at Penrhiwceiber Rangers on November 10, 2012. Form guide: Goytre: W W L L W D Garden Village: L L L D W L Mendalgief Road: Newport YMCA (7) v Cwmaman Institute (16). It's been a good effort to gain a top-three spot for YMCA, although the likelihood is they will have to settle for something less by the season's end. Are only a couple of points adrift of third-placed Aberbargoed Buds, but they've played four matches more and have just seven remaining. Nonetheless this encounter offers YMCA a fair chance to recover from a 2-0 away loss at the hands of Maesteg-based Caerau. The visitors have endured an horrendous campaign and defeat here will confirm relegation to Division Three. Form guide: YMCA: W L W W D L Cwmaman Institute: L L L L L L The Causeway: Undy Athletic (8) v Dinas Powys (12) - kick off 1.30pm. Early kick off for Undy, who have done well in their debut season at this level under boss Mark Crook, whose side has lost just once in five. A top-three end to the campaign is still a possibility, but with only nine games left they must in reality go on a lengthy unbeaten run to achieve that. Striker Gareth Cullimore is second on the league's goal-scorer's list with 19 while at the other end, Undy have let in only one goal in their previous four games. Goals may be thin on the ground here as the visitors have only conceded five in as many matches, giving rise to the suggestion that parity could well reign. Form guide: Undy: L W D L W D Dinas Powys: L W D D W D Division Three: Cyncoed Campus: Cardiff Metropolitan University (1) v Chepstow Town (7). Chepstow have made a favourable impression in their return campaign and are still gunning for a top-three promotion spot. Are currently eight points behind third-placed Llantwit Major with two matches in hand and will entertain the same team on April 20. However this is an extremely difficult task to gain a positive result against highly-talented divisional leaders, who have scored 77 goals in only 21 outings. They've lost only twice in those games, although one was a 7-2 away hammering back in September last year at Chepstow. Form guide: CMU: W W W W W W Chepstow: W L L W W W Shannon Close, Bettws: Newport Civil Service (8) v Cardiff Grange Harlequins (9). NCS looked nailed on for a mid-table finish and here are seeking to stretch their unbeaten run to a fifth game. Netted no less than 14 goals in their last four matches, although oddly have yet to record a clean-sheet in 19 league fixtures. This is their third meeting of the season with the visitors, who won a home Welsh Cup tie 4-3 last August before a 1-1 league draw at the same venue in late November. The capital side were locked in a relegation battle until the introduction of former Cwmbran Town boss Gary Proctor as manager helped them climb away from the danger zone. Form guide: NCS: D L W D D W 'Quins: W W L L W W Ty-Isaf Park: Risca United (5) v Bettws (13). Risca's promotion bid continues following a week off after drawing 2-2 away against third-placed Llantwit Major. That draw was Risca's third in their last six games and their eighth in 20 league fixtures the highest total in the entire 48-strong league. Skipper Brendon Scott has been in terrific goal-scoring form again this campaign and requires only five more to beat last season's total of 22. His side has lost just three times and here will start favourites to land its 10th victory against a visiting team which is battling against dropping out of the league. Bettws stand just four points and one place off the bottom three although they do have matches in hand over all of their rivals. Form guide: Risca: W D W W D D Bettws: L W D W L D Athletic Ground: Treharris Athletic Western (16) v Llanwern (6). Llanwern travel aiming to get over the disappointment of Wednesday's 3-0 home Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Division One leaders Taffs Well. Must also get over the loss of striker Jonathan Kift, who has been ruled out of the rest of the season with a leg injury. Have just seven games left in which to clinch a top-three spot, although that is an extremely difficult task given they trail Llantwit Major by four points having played five more matches. The hosts are in all sorts of trouble at the very foot of the table and have accumulated just 12 of 66 possible points this season. Form guide: Llanwern: D L L D W L Treharris: L L W D L D Bush Park: Treowen Stars (12) v AFC Llwydcoed (2). Like Llanwern, Treowen are another club who may be suffering from semi-final-defeat blues having lost an FAW Trophy last-four tie 1-0 against Swansea Senior League side Kilvey Fords last Saturday. I watched that game and saw Treowen struggle up front and it was pretty clear to see why they have scored only 21 goals in 17 league outings. Having explained that, it also needs pointing out that boss Carl Evans has produced a very hard-working team which is capable to retaining its league status. Tough ask this though against the visiting promotion seekers, although Llwydcoed's current form is not the best and a home win can not be ruled out here. Form guide: Treowen: L W L L L D AFC Llwydcoed: W L D L L W
GWENT WEDNESDAY ROUND-UP 13 March 2013 by Terry Daley Nathaniel League Cup, semi final. Llanwern 0 Taffs Well 3 (Barrie Gunstone; Jamal Roberts, penalty; Mike Bishop, own goal). Llanwern failed to bridge a two-section gap, when they were beaten by holders and current Division One leaders at Newport Stadium. Striker Barrie Gunstone stooped low to head in a Tyrone Topper left-wing cross on nine minutes before Llanwern nearly levelled when Taffs Well goalkeeper Rhys Wilson beat out a Nicky Hooper after a long throw from Liam Palmer. Taffs Well increased their lead after 27 minutes when Jamal Roberts scored from the penalty spot following a foul on Tomas Wellington. That gave the visitors a 2-0 interval advantage with Llanwern's Ben Hartrey going close soon after the re-start when his goal-bound effort was deflected for a corner. Home substitute Gareth Davies saw his long-range effort tipped over by Wilson only for team-mate Mike Bishop to make it 3-0 with an unfortunate own goal with only five minutes remaining. Llanwern now return to Division Three action on Saturday when they visit bottom-placed Treharris Athletic Western with Taffs Well, who face Bryntirion Athletic in the final, scheduled to entertain Cwmbran Celtic on Tuesday 19th March. MacWhirter Welsh League. Division Two: Aberbargoed Buds A A Penrhiwceiber Rangers. Abandoned after 15 minutes due to serious injury to Penrhiwceiber player. Jubilee Way: Caldicot Town (Mitchell Slape) Goytre 1 (James Young) Division Three: Cardiff Grange Harlequins 2 (Gareth Cawley; Andres Coll) Tredegar Town 0.
GWENT WEDNESDAY PREVIEW 13 March 2013 by Terry Daley Nathaniel League Cup, semi final kick off 7.00pm Newport Stadium: Llanwern v Taffs Well. Llanwern are bidding to emulate their 2002 competition win while the visitors are defending the trophy they won last season. The home side must bridge a two-section gap against the Division One leaders, although this is, according to the form book, a clash between two teams who are currently a little off colour. Manager Gareth Morgan's men have a last-five league record of one win, a draw and three defeats while the visitors, under his sparring partner Lee Bridgeman, are 2-1-2 from the same amount. However you can often throw the form book out of the window in cup ties and there's little doubt that this match-up is not as cut and dried as the league placings suggest. The winners will face Bryntirion Athletic in the final. MacWhirter Welsh League. Division Two: kick offs 7.15pm. Recreation Ground: Aberbargoed Buds (3) v Penrhiwceiber Rangers (11). Draws are threatening to scupper Aberbargoed's ambition for a top-three finish and a 1-1 scoreline at Caerau (Ely) last Saturday was their third in their last six outings. Having pointed that out, player-boss Alyn Jones' side has matches in hand over all of its rivals and with an ambitious off-the-field plan continuing, Division One football could well be played at this venue in 2013-14. Striker Ross Fowler has scored penalties in each of the last two games to take his league tally to double figures while the 22 goals they have conceded is a total bettered only by leaders Goytre (20). Rangers start fresh from a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of second-placed Ammanford and only the bottom two, Cardiff Corinthians and Cwmaman Institute, have shipped in more goals. Form guide: Aberbargoed: D W D L W D Rangers: L W L L D L Jubilee Way: Caldicot Town (6) v Goytre (1). Caldicot begin still not knowing if their 2-1 abandoned-in-stoppage-time result against hosts Ely Rangers on March 2 is to stand and had that decision already been made, then they would now be in third position. Not withstanding that encounter, Caldicot are unbeaten in nine league and cup outings with striker Dan Saunders in good form with 10 goals to his credit including six in his last four games. After 14 straight wins from the season's start, Goytre wobbled a bit with two consecutive defeats although they bounced back with a 1-0 away win at Garden Village last weekend. Marksman Luke Prosser scored the only goal to now stand on 16 for the campaign and while the home side will need to win to maintain their top-three ambitions, a draw would suit the visitors more. Form guide: Caldicot: W W D D W D Goytre: W W W L L W Division Three: kick off 7.45pm. International Sports Stadium: Cardiff Grange Harlequins (9) v Tredegar Town (11). A Tredegar victory will take them up a couple of rungs to ninth and they need points urgently because all clubs below them, except bottom-placed Treharris Athletic Western, have matches in hand. Their most recent result was a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Bridgend Street, but their last away game produced a 2-2 at Treharris. In teenager Chase Mullins, Tredegar have a fine prospect and if they can also get someone else to match his recent goal run, then the north Gwent club should ensure their league status. In terms of results, the home side has been as equally as inconsistent this season although they've won three of their last five outings. Form guide: 'Quins: D W W L L W Tredegar: W W D L D L
12 March 2013 by Terry Daley MONMOUTH Town hopes of landing a first MacWhirter Welsh League Division One title has suffered a blow with the deduction of three points. The decision was ratified by the league's management committee after Monmouth had postponed a home game against Goytre United on January 12, when the town's rugby club claimed priority over a shared pitch. All member clubs must have first choice on their home pitch and the points loss means the Kingfishers, who went top after beating Goytre United 3-0 in the re-arranged game last Saturday, have slipped two places to third. However they are still only two points adrift of new table-toppers Taff Well, have a couple of matches in hand and are next in action against visiting Ton Pentre on Saturday. The management committee also discussed whether the result of the abandoned Division Two game between Ely Rangers and Caldicot Town on March 2 should stand. Caldicot were leading 2-1 when the match was called off in stoppage time because of an alleged attack on the referee by a home player. The management committee deferred a decision until Football Association of Wales action has been completed.
GWENT SATURDAY ROUND-UP 11 March 2013 by Terry Daley MONMOUTH Town are top of the MacWhirter Welsh League Division One table for the first time in their history following a 3-0 home success over Goytre United. However their reign will be short-lived as a league management committee on Monday night will ratify that the Kingfishers have been deducted three points for infringing rules regarding the postponement of a home game ironically against the same opponents on January 12. Officials of both the league and Monmouth have remained tight-lipped about what the exact problem was on the day of the original scheduled game. However I understand the issue of who between Monmouth and the town's rugby club has first choice on the pitch they share has been raised - Monmouth RFC playing at home on January 12 When the points are taken away, Monmouth will drop three to fourth although they will still be just a couple of points adrift of Taffs Well and with two matches in hand. On target for Monmouth against the struggling former champions were Daniel MacDonald, who later missed a penalty, Nick Harrhy and Jacob Guy. But divisional rivals Cwmbran Celtic and Caerleon both slipped to 2-0 away defeats, the former at Haverfordwest County and the latter at Bryntirion Athletic and the losses means they remain 12th and last of 16 respectively. Division Two table toppers Goytre returned to winning way following two consecutive defeats, their top scorer Luke Prosser scoring the only goal of the game Garden Village to take his season's league tally to 16 the same as MacDonald. A Ross Fowler goal helped Aberbargoed Buds to a 1-1 draw at Caerau (Ely) and up a place to third while Caldicot elevated themselves up a couple of rungs to eighth as a result of a same-scoreline draw against visiting Briton Ferry Llansawel Dan Saunders on target. However at the same management committee meeting which will punish Monmouth, Caldicot are expected to be granted three more points following the abandoned of a recent home game against Ely Rangers. The encounter was called off in stoppage time, with Caldicot leading 2-1, when a visiting player was alleged to have made an attempt to attack the match referee after he had been sent off. If the results stands, Caldicot will be up to third above Aberbargoed and only two points adrift of second-placed Ammanford. Although Croesyceiliog are still third bottom, a 2-1 home success over rock-bottom Cwmaman Institute puts them eight points clear of the drop zone. The visitors scored an own goal and Nick McGrath was also on target, but player-coach Jody Jenkins failed to take his league tally to 15 by hitting a post with a penalty. A successful spot-kick taker, however, was Risca United skipper Brendon Scott, who fired his 18th league goal of the campaign in the 2-2 away draw with Division Three promotion rivals Llantwit Major. Rob Aldridge also netted for fifth-placed Risca while Llanwern are immediately below them, Mike Bishop getting their only goal in a 3-1 home reverse at the hands of Cardiff Grange Harlequins. Chepstow maintained seventh position as a result of a fine 5-0 home victory over struggling Newcastle Emlyn Jason Thorn now has 17 for the season with a brace, Rob Sharratt (2) and Rob Thorn also scoring. Tredegar are down to 11th after losing 2-0 at home against Cardiff-based Bridgend Street while relegation-threatened Abertillery Bluebirds' mini revival came to an end with a 3-1 away loss at promotion-seeking AFC Llwydcoed. Another Division Three side out of luck were Treowen Stars, who failed to reach the FAW Trophy final as a result of losing 1-0 to Swansea Senior League outfit Kilvey Fords. In a keenly-contested contest at the home of Taffs Well FC, the west Walians fixed up a final meeting against Holywell Town or Caernarfon Town thanks to a 34th-minute penalty from defender Ashley Johns. Johns fired in after Treowen goalkeeper Cael Jones had been booked for bringing down striker Andrew Bonomi, who had missed a good chance after only 30 seconds and was to later fluff an even easier goal-scoring opportunity. Treowen were also wasteful in front of goal, the most noteworthy when central defender Jamie Russell put a far-post header wide from a James Cooper free kick. Treowen huffed and puffed without ever really testing diminutive opposition goalkeeper Marcus Collins and must take consolation from the £1,500 they've earned from their run to the semi finals. * Llanwern will bid to reach the Nathaniel League Cup final at Newport Stadium on Wednesday, when they host Division One title-chasers Taffs Well kick off 7.00pm with the victors to face another top-flight outfit, Bryntirion Athletic. Other Wednesday fixtures (7.15pm, except where stated). Division Two. Recreation Ground: Aberbargoed Buds v Penrhiwceiber Rangers. Jubilee Way: Caldicot Town v Goytre. Division Three. Cardiff International Sports Stadium: Cardiff Grange Harlequins v Tredegar Town (7.45pm).
GWENT SATURDAY PREVIEW 8 March 2013 by Terry Daley IT'S a big day for Division Three outfit Treowen Stars, who head to the Cardiff suburbs to try and clinch place in the FAW Trophy final. Treowen have already guaranteed themselves £1,500 for reaching the last four with the losing finalists receiving £3,000 and the winners £5,000. Kick off is 2.00pm while all MacWhirter Welsh League games have 2.30pm starts. FAW Trophy, semi final. Taffs Well AFC: Treowen Stars v Kilvey Fords. Treowen Stars' 1-1 away draw at Division Three rivals Abertillery Bluebirds last Saturday halted a run of three consecutive league defeats. Their last win was 2-0 away at Cardiff Grange Harlequins on January 26, although the squad's spirit under popular boss Carl Evans remains high. The Bush Park outfit will just about start as favourites to reach the final, although Evans and co. are only too aware of how tough a tie this will prove to be. Kilvey Fords may well only compete in Division One of the Swansea Senior League, in which they are currently sixth of 13, but they managed to knock out holders Sully Sports 3-2 in round four. The other semi final is an all-north Wales clash between Caernarfon Town and Holywell Town. MacWhirter Welsh League. Division One (figures in brackets relate to league positions of 16). Bryntirion Park: Bryntirion Athletic (13) v Caerleon (16). If Caerleon are to climb out of the bottom three, then it's this sort of match which they simply must start gaining all three points from. Goals have been the problem for the Cold Bath Road outfit with just 17 being scored in 18 league outings, the lowest tally in the entire division. They were not in action last weekend and previously were somewhat unlucky to go down 1-0 at home to title-chasing Monmouth Town. The home side have reached the Nathaniel League Cup final, but are also struggling to secure a much-needed victory and while current form suggest a draw, parity will be of no use to either side. Form guide: Bryntirion: L D L L L D Caerleon: L D L D L L New Bridge Stadium: Haverfordwest County (4) v Cwmbran Celtic (12) The inconsistency which has been a feature of Celtic's season has reared it's ugly head again and they are seeking to end a run of four league and cup games without a win. Lost 3-0 at Monmouth Town last weekend, but on their day Celtic can match most sides and now is the time for them to start doing it on a more regular basis. Celtic, who will be making their longest trip of the season, do have matches in hand over all their rivals, but after this clash is an away visit to current leaders Taffs Well. The hosts must finish in the top two if they are to return to the Welsh Premier League and current form dictates they start as firm favourites here to secure an 11th win in 18 league fixtures. Form guide: Haverfordwest: W W L W W W Celtic: W L W L D L Sports Ground: Monmouth Town (2) v Goytre United (15). Last weekend's 3-0 home triumph over Cwmbran Celtic put Monmouth just two points adrift of table-topping Taffs Well and with the same amount of matches in hand. The leaders face a tough game at Ton Pentre tonight and should they lose and the Kingfishers win, then they will top this level of football for the first time. Striker Elliott Ford scored in each of the last two games to take his season's league tally to nine while goalkeeper Keiron Blackburn kept clean-sheets in both. Not so very long ago the visitors were winning silverware for fun, but start here with the division's worst goals-against record of 48 in only 19 outings. Monmouth: W W L W W W Goytre United: L L D W W W Division Two. Cwrt-Yr-Ala: Caerau (Ely) (10) v Aberbargoed Buds (4). Aberbargoed returned to winning ways, although it took a late penalty by Ross Fowler to secure a 1-0 away success over rock-bottom Cwmaman Institute. Hardly an inspiring result it's true, but the clean-sheet was Aberbargoed's eighth of the campaign a total bettered only by the 10 of Division One high-flyers AFC Porth. Player-manager Alyn Jones' side has many games in hand over the two sides immediately above them, Garden Village and Ammanford, and remains well on course for a top-three finish. The capital hosts have lost just once in six league games and they can not be ruled out of further climbing the table because they are only half-way through their 30-match programme. Form guide: Caerau (Ely): D L W D W W Aberbargoed: D D W D L W Jubilee Way: Caldicot Town (8) v Briton Ferry Llansawel (7). Let's hope common sense prevails on Monday night, when the league's management committee will decide if Caldicot's 2-1 victory at Ely Rangers stands. The game was abandoned in stoppage time when they referee was allegedly the victim of an attempted attack by a home player. Had unbeaten-in-10 Caldicot been awarded the three points, they would now sit in third place on goal difference behind Ammanford. BFL have slipped down five places in recent weeks, although only leaders Goytre have scored more goals 47 as opposed to 45. Form guide: Caldicot: W W W D D W BFL: D L W L D W Woodland Road: Croesyceiliog (13) v Cwmaman Institute (16). Was Croesyceiliog's glass half full or half empty at the end of the last couple of games? Both ended 0-0, so you make you own mind up. What it does mean is they remain locked in the relegation dog fight, although successive clean-sheets does suggest player-boss Mark Waddon has at least got the defence organised. I watched them draw with visiting Undy Athletic last Saturday, when their goalkeeper James Peckham was the star although given the visitor's record this season, you'd think he would have less of a busy afternoon here. Indeed Cwmaman have managed to secure just two of 66 points, have conceded 83 goals while scoring just 17 in 21 league fixtures. Form guide: Croesyceiliog: W W L L D D Cwmaman Institute: L L L L L L Stafford Common: Garden Village (3) v Goytre (1). Football's habit of biting back has certainly come true in the case of Goytre, who following 14 straight wins from the season's start, have lost two successive games. That doesn't, however, make them a bad side overnight and I am convinced player-manager Carl Evans' team will soon bounce back. Goytre are currently 11 points clear of second-placed Ammanford and with three games in hand, although they may need to be at their very best here to gain a positive result. The hosts have recovered from their own mini-slump of losing three consecutive matches and they've drawn 2-2 with Newport YMCA and beaten Ammanford 2-1 in their last two fixtures. Form guide: Garden Village: L L L W D W Goytre: W W W W L L Division Three: Merthyr Road: AFC Llwydcoed (2) v Abertillery Bluebirds (15). From absolutely nowhere, Abertillery have found the sort of form associated with higher-placed sides. Here, manager Adrian Howells' team is aiming to stretch its unbeaten league run to a fourth game and it conceded only one goal in the last three fixtures. Abertillery are still in relegation trouble, but they have matches in hand over all their rivals, except Bridgend-based Bettws, and are up against a home side struggling somewhat. This fixture would have been a forgone conclusion a few weeks ago, but Llwydcoed have not won in four so maybe this is the ideal time to play them. Form guide: AFC Llwydcoed: W W L D L L Abertillery: L D L W D D Larkfield Ground: Chepstow Town (7) v Newcastle Emlyn (14). Successive triumphs and the visitors' horrendous run of 10 successive league defeats has Chepstow red-hot favourites to land the three points. Indeed this is a extremely quick-fire return for these two clubs, who met last Saturday at Newcastle Emlyn. Chepstow made the long journey home in high spirits having secured a 5-2 win with striker Jason Thorn's hat-trick taking his season's league tally to 15. All runs, good or bad, eventually come to and end but it's very difficult to imagine anything else than a home success here. Form guide: Chepstow: W W L L W W Newcastle E.: L L L L L L Newport Stadium: Llanwern (5) v Cardiff Grange Harlequins (11). While still in the promotion hunt, Llanwern boss Gareth Morgan's men may well one eye on Wednesday's home Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup final against Division One leaders Taffs Well. Llanwern ended a barren spell by securing a fine 1-0 win over second-placed AFC Llwydcoed last time out and that means they are just four points of a top-three spot. They have, however, played more games than all of their rivals and indeed have just seven remaining following this clash. The capital visitors are as inconsistent as most and are most certainly not safe from dropping out of the league quite yet. Form guide: Llanwern: D D L L D W 'Quins: L D W W L L Windmill Ground: Llantwit Major (3) v Risca United (6). Given they trail the hosts by four points and having played two more matches, this is an encounter which Risca simply can't afford to lose. They start in good form though, although they were held 2-2 at home by Llanwern a week last Saturday when skipper Brendon Scott scored to take his campaign total to 17. Risca have drawn more games, seven, in the entire division and another here would seriously dent their promotion bid. The home side has made a favourable impression in its debut season, although perhaps a telling fact is the three defeats suffered have all been against other promotions seekers Cardiff Metropolitan University, AFC Llwydcoed and Pontypridd Town Form guide: Llantwit M.; L L W D W W Risca: L W D W W D Sports Complex: Tredegar Town (9) v Bridgend Street (Cardiff) (12). Tredegar have only nine games remaining and if there are to be three teams to be relegated, then maybe a couple more wins will ensure their safety. It's been something of a difficult season for manager Shane Davies, but a shining light is the form of 17-year-old Chase Mullins. The youngster has netted six times recently, including both goals in his side last outing a 2-2 away draw with rock-bottom Treharris Athletic Western. The visitors defeated the same club at the same venue 1-0 last weekend and this is a crucial game because they trail Tredegar by only three points but having played the same amount of games less. Form guide: Tredegar: L W W D L D Bridgend St.: D L W L L W
GWENT SATURDAY ROUND-UP 4 March 2013 by Terry Daley MONMOUTH Town took a step closer to a first MacWhirter Welsh League Division One title victory by defeating visiting county rivals Cwmbran Celtic 3-0. However second-tier side Caldicot Town must wait a week before discovering if a 2-1 scoreline at Ely Rangers is to allowed to stand after the match referee abandoned the game in stoppage time following an alleged attack on him by a sent-off home player. Celtic travelled to face Monmouth on the back of a 0-0 home draw with Ton Pentre, their first clean-sheet since posting one against the same opponents 28 games and 13 months previously. Monmouth were fresh from a 1-0 away success at Caerleon and began knowing leaders Taffs Well had been beaten by the same scoreline at home by AFC Porth on Friday night. And it was the hosts who proved better in front of goal as Nick Harrhy (2) and Elliott Ford scored to secure both an 11th win in 17 outings and second place in the 16-strong top flight. The Kingfishers are now just a couple of points behind Taffs Well and the clubs' clash at Monmouth on April 30 is widely being seen as a potential championship decider. Celtic, who remain in 12th position, had defender Stephen Peel sent off for kicking out at an opponent. Caldicot visited Ely following a 2-1 mid-week Gwent Senior Cup final home success over Celtic, an outcome which stretched their unbeaten league and cup run to 10. It looked as though goals from Dan Saunders and David Biggs (penalty) had further increased the sequence before an Ely player took exception to the red card shown to him in stoppage time by match referee Lewiss Edwards. The player was restrained from allegedly attacking Mr. Edwards, who subsequently called off the incident-packed game. The official had earlier dismissed another home player plus Caldicot duo Alex Lawry and Luke Blakebrough with a league official confirming the organisation's management committee deciding whether the match be replayed at its next meeting on March 11. Had the result stood, then the three points would have meant Caldicot moving up to third place, but they are currently eighth. The controversial ending came just days after Caldicot confirmed their popular midfielder David Lloyd has been forced to retire because of an arthritic knee problem. A club statement reads: David, or 'Daisy' as we have affectionately called him, has been a great servant to the club over many years and his contribution that he brings to the team will be sorely missed. We wish David all the very best for the future and hope that in some capacity he will still be able to provide some form of input. Aberbargoed Buds moved up three rungs to fourth as a result of a late penalty from Ross Fowler snatching a 1-0 success at rock-bottom Cwmaman Institute while Newport YMCA slip down one to fifth after being beaten 2-0 at Maesteg-based Caerau. I visited Woodland Road for the derby between Croesyceiliog and Undy Athletic, who were denied victory by several fine saves from home goalkeeper James Peckham. The stopper prevented Andrew Larcombe (twice), Gareth Cullimore, who also blazed over when well placed, and James Barnes from scoring while player-coach Jody Jenkins came closest to netting for the hosts in a 0-0 stale-mate. Croesyceiliog, who drew by the same scoreline for the second successive week, are still 13th while the well-earned point moved Undy up a couple of spots to eighth. In the lower tier, Llanwern entertained second-placed AFC Llwydcoed at Newport Stadium and emerged 1-0 victors with Alex North clinching the points with a 55th-minute header. It was his 12th league goal of the campaign, although Llanwern were also indebted to goalkeeper Ben Fletcher for some fine saves, including a penalty stop his fifth spot-kick save of the season. Chepstow Town made the long trip to face struggling Newcastle Emlyn and returned 5-2 winners although they remain seventh. Chepstow, who are 11 points off a promotion spot with five matches in hand, saw Jason Thorn grab a hat-trick with other goals coming from Richard Sharratt and skipper Mark Dunn. There was a 1-1 derby draw between Abertillery Bluebirds and Treowen Stars, Richard Clarke putting the home side ahead before visiting midfielder Kyle Butler hit a spectacular, 30-yard equaliser five minutes from time. Abertillery remain 15th, but are now unbeaten in three while Treowen elevated themselves up one into the top 10. * Llanwern will have home advantage when they entertain Taffs Well at Newport Stadium in a Nathaniel League Cup semi-final tie on Wednesday, March 13 kick off 7.00pm. The winners face Bryntirion Athletic in the final at a venue and on a date yet to be announced.
GWENT SATURDAY PREVIEW 1 March 2013 by Terry Daley There are local derbies in all three divisions of this weekend's fixture programme, headed by the top-flight clash between Monmouth Town and Cwmbran Celtic. In the second tier, it's Croesyceiliog v Undy Athletic while Abertillery Bluebirds entertain Treowen Stars in Division Three with all Saturday fixtures now reverting to 2.30pm kick offs. Division One (figures in brackets relate to league positions of 16). Sports Ground: Monmouth Town (4) v Cwmbran Celtic (12). Having watched both clubs over the past week, I feel confident in writing this could well be a lot closer than the respective league positions suggest. The home side struggled somewhat to win 1-0 at Caerleon last Saturday while Celtic went down 2-1 at Caldicot Town in a Gwent Senior Cup semi-final tie on Wednesday night. Celtic substitute Josh Bull scored and it's vital he starts if his side is to secure its sixth victory in 17 league outings while the Kingfishers are just five points off leaders Taffs Well and with two matches in hand. A draw would benefit the visitors more and they are one of only three clubs to have beaten Monmouth in a league game this season, winning 3-1 at home in August of last year. Form guide: Monmouth: D W W L W W Celtic: D W L W L D Division Two. Athletic Ground: Caerau (11) v Newport YMCA (3). A fine run of form has taken YMCA into the division's top three despite being the lowest goalscorers among the first five. They've also played more games than all their rivals, but they've kept four clean-sheets in losing only one of their last half dozen league matches. Six of YMCA's remaining eight games of the campaign are at home including the last four and the visit of current second-placed Ammanford on final day of the season, May 11, is being keenly anticipated. The Maesteg-based home side has a perfect playing record of 6-6-6, YMCA hoping they'll have enough devilment about them to post an 11th victory from 23 league starts. Form guide: Caerau: W L L W W D YMCA: W W L W W D Woodland Road: Croesyceiliog (13) v Undy Athletic (8). Interesting-looking derby from which both of these inconsistent sides will want to emerge as victors for different reasons as they head to the business end of the campaign. Croesyceiliog posted three successive wins, but have since gone as many matches without a win while after losing a trio of fixtures, Undy have been beaten just once in their last four outings. Croesyceiliog will be seeking a season's double having won 4-1 at Undy back in August of last year and the outcome of this could well depend on who wins the shoot-out between the clubs' leading marksmen. The home team has player-coach Jody Jenkins on 14 league goals with Undy's Gareth Cullimore five ahead. Form guide: Croesyceiliog: W W W L L D Undy: L L W D L W Glanaman Road: Cwmaman Institute (16) v Aberbargoed Buds (7). On the face of it, this match-up looks like being an ideal opportunity for Aberbargoed to re-kindle their hopes of a top-three finish. However their recent form has been extremely patchy with a series of draws seeing them slip down five places. They have games in hand over all of the clubs above them, but to drop any points here would most definitely be regarded as something of a disaster. The hosts have picked up only two points out of a possible 60 and with just 10 games remaining, seem destined to be playing Division Three football in 2013-14. Form guide: Cwmaman Institute: L L L L L L Aberbargoed: D D D W D L Station Road, Wenvoe: Ely Rangers (14) v Caldicot Town (5). Caldicot will hope to celebrate Wednesday's 2-1 home Gwent Senior Cup semi-final win over Cwmbran Celtic by maintaining their bid for a top-three finish. Strikers Mitchell Slape and Dan Saunders were on target as Caldicot set up a final meeting with Monmouth Town at Newport Stadium in April 17. Caldicot are unbeaten in their last 10 league and cup fixtures and a win here and other results going their way, could see them rise to second behind leaders Goytre. The hosts are locked in a battle to save their divisional status and here Caldicot seek a campaign double having won 3-0 at home on January 12. Form guide: Ely Rangers: D W D L L L Caldicot: W W W D D W Division Three. Cwmnant-Y-Groes Field, Six Bells: Abertillery Bluebirds (15) v Treowen Stars (11). Abertillery have suddenly found some very good form and go into this local clash not having conceded a goal in each of their last two unbeaten games. A 1-0 win over Llanwern at Newport Stadium was followed by a credible goal-less draw at high-flying Pontypridd Town. At the same time, Treowen's bid to secure themselves another season at this level has come off the rails somewhat and a run to the FAW Trophy semi finals appears to have sidetracked their focus. After three successive defeats, even a point would be an improvement for the visitors while parity won't be quite the same for the hosts - who still need a few more ticks in the W column. Form guide: Abertillery: L L D L W D Treowen: L L W L L L Newport Stadium: Llanwern (6) v AFC Llwydcoed (2). Llanwern were denied mid-week match practice when their Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup semi final against Division One leaders Taffs Well failed to take place because of a floodlight problem at Cambrian & Clydach's home ground. The game will now be played at Newport Stadium on Wednesday March 13, after Llanwern won the toss of a coin to decide the new venue. Here they face a tough task to return to winning ways following three draws and two defeats and are bidding to gain revenge for a 3-2 away at Llwydcoed in September, 2012. However the visitors' current form is equally as inconsistent and their three-games-without-a-win sequence includes a 4-4 home draw with Newport Civil Service two weeks ago. Form guide: Llanwern: W D D L L D AFC Llwydcoed: W W W L D L Parc Emlyn: Newcastle Emlyn (14) v Chepstow Town (7). Chepstow ended a run of two successive defeats by with a 3-1 home win over county rivals Treowen Stars last weekend. They start here 13 points off a promotion spot in their comeback season, although they do have three games in hand over Llantwit Major. This is the first of a quick-fire double meeting for these two clubs, who clash again at Chepstow next weekend. The home side are in free-fall and have conceded 31 goals in losing eight consecutive league games including 15 in the last three. Newcastle E.: L L L L L L Chepstow: L W W L L W
GWENT WEDNESDAY REPORT 28 February 2013 by Terry Daley Caldicot Town 2 (Mitchell Slape 14; Dan Saunders 48) Cwmbran Celtic 1 (Josh Bull 82). Gwent FA Senior Cup semi-final. IN-FORM Caldicot outscored Celtic at their Jubilee Way HQ to set up a Gwent Senior Cup final meeting with Monmouth Town next month. The home side went in front shortly before the quarter-hour mark when striker Mitchel Slape headed in Riccardo McKenzie's left-wing cross, the only noteworthy incident of a pretty dire opening 45 minutes. The was more action in the first five minutes of the second period than there had been in the entire first half, three bookings and another Caldicot goal all being registered by the 50th minute. Rivals midfielders Riccardo McKenzie and Craig Cheedy were both yellow carded following a clash and from substitute Kojo Ofori's resulting well-flighted free kick, Dan Saunders became the second Caldicot striker to score by expertly side footing home from close range. Visiting marksman Shane Williamson soon became the next booking, for a foul on home goalkeeper Matthew Sandiford, with Celtic finally getting into the match. They might have reduced the arrears had midfielder Richard Cress not missed the ball at the far post from Chris Ham corner and they had to wait until eight minutes from time before they were finally able to pull one back. Celtic introduced Michael Baugh and within seconds of him entering the fray, fellow-substitute Josh Bull had swept home a left-footed shot from inside the penalty area. Match referee Michael Picket has to have all his wits about him as some challenges became highly illegal and as the game entered stoppage, the was a mass free-for-all near as corner flag after Celtic defender Stephen Peel had clattered into Ofori. Mr. Picket took the names of several players of both sides and there was even a verbal set-to between a number of spectators and players as the field emptied - an unsavoury ending to an honest game of football. Caldicot and Monmouth will meet at Newport Stadium on Wednesday, April 17 kick off tba.
GWENT WEDNESDAY PREVIEW 27 February 2013 by Terry Daley Gwent Senior Cup semi final 7.00pm kick off Jubilee Way: Caldicot Town v Cwmbran Celtic. Last-four clash which really could go either way with the home side in the best current form having now gone nine Division Two games without a defeat. Their latest outing was last Saturday's 4-2 away win over Penrhiwceiber Rangers, where Dan Saunders scored a hat-trick with the other goal coming from Luke Blakebrough. At the same time, Celtic were drawing 0-0 at Ton Pentre and they've won only one of their last four Division One matches although were unbeaten in six league and cup games previously to that. The winners will face Division One title chasers Monmouth Town in the final at a venue and on a date yet to be announced although Caldicot's web-site says its likely to be Newport Stadium.
GWENT TUESDAY PREVIEW 26 February 2013 by Terry Daley Nathaniel League Cup, semi final kick off 7.00pm. (at King George V New Field, Cambrian & Clydach FC) Llanwern v Taffs Well. Llanwern continue their bid to emulate their 2002 competition success, although they'll start as massive underdogs to overcome the league's current top club and cup holders. Indeed Llanwern's recent form does not lend itself to any thoughts that they could force a shock result here, but isn't that the perfect recipe for a cup upset? The Steelmen were in action last Saturday, when they drew a Division Three game 2-2 at county rivals Risca United the outcome stretching their games-without-a-win sequence to five (three draws and two defeats). The night before Llanwern drew at Risca, there was a 3-1 away victory for Taffs Well at Bridgend Town and they've won their last five Division One games and are unbeaten in 12 league matches since losing 2-1 at home to Pontardawe Town way back on August 31, 2012. The winners face Bryntirion Athletic, who reached the final last week by defeating West End 1-0 at Goytre United FC.
GWENT SATURDAY ROUND-UP 25 February 2013 by Terry Daley A SOLITARY goal from Elliot Ford against hosts Caerleon maintained Monmouth Town's MacWhirter Welsh League Division One title hopes. In the Division Two, leaders Goytre lost for a second successive game following 15 straight wins from the start of the season, this time going down 2-0 at county rivals Undy Athletic, while the lower-tier derby between Risca United and visiting Llanwern ended all square at 2-2. Monmouth turned up at an aptly-named Cold Bath Road knowing they had fallen eight points adrift of table-topping Taffs Well, who had won 3-1 at Bridgend Town on Friday night. But although putting in a far from a convincing display, the Kingfishers did enough to earn a 1-0 success over struggling Caerleon with Ford netting his eighth league goal of the campaign on 22 minutes. He latched on to a fine through ball from attacking midfielder Daniel MacDonald before firing past advancing home goalkeeper Richard Lancaster. Frustratingly for Caerleon, they could well have been 2-0 ahead at that stage had not former goalkeeper Keiron Blackburn saved well from Mike Williams and striker Olly Beckett lobbed the ball over the onrushing stopper and the bar. Ashley Ford went close before the break with a long-range effort, but there were no noteworthy incidents in either penalty area after it on a pitch looked as though it had been used beforehand for some sort of tractor-racing contest. The uneven surface and the freezing cold temperature made for a very scrappy affair, although credit to both sides for trying. The defeat means Caerleon remain 14th of 16 and they are not in action until March 9, when they visit Bryntirion Athletic, while Monmouth are up a couple of places to fourth and next host Cwmbran Celtic on Saturday. Celtic will be fresh from a 0-0 home draw with Ton Pentre, although they will be minus Owen Cook who was sent off just before the interval. Goalkeeper Nicky Church ensured the point with a penalty save from Ton's Jaymie Wearn with Celtic staying in 12th position with their third draw in 18 outings. Goytre travelled to Undy's The Causeway home on the back of a shock 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Dinas Powys. But despite the return from suspension of their leading scorer Luke Prosser, Goytre drew a blank again in slipping to a 2-0 loss with eighth-placed Undy's own top goal-getter Gareth Cullimore netting both including a penalty to take his league tally to 19. Goytre still head not-in-action Ammanford by 11 points and with a game in hand while Newport YMCA are up a place to third despite being held 2-2 by visiting Garden Village. YMCA had to recover from a 2-0 deficit before they could claim the point, firstly Aaron Stewart reducing the arrears and then Nicky Potts levelling in stoppage time at Mendalgief Road. Continually-improving Caldicot Town are just a point behind YMCA in fifth position after they won 4-2 at Penrhiwceiber Rangers where striker Dan Saunders took his season's tally to nine with a hat-trick which was supplemented by a goal from Luke Blakebrough. Croesyceiliog remain one spot off the bottom three, but worked extremely hard to earn a decent point from a 0-0 draw at Dinas Powys the team who won at Goytre the previous week. Risca and Llanwern had drawn 2-2 at Newport Stadium only nine days before and the same scoreline doesn't really help either club's promotion hopes. Skipper Brendan Scott had scored twice, including a penalty, and Anthony Southard had replied as the game entered its final 10 minutes with Llanwern's Alex North netting from the spot to again earn parity. Risca are still fifth and Llanwern sixth and the next three positions are also filled by local teams with Chepstow Town and Newport Civil Service both winning at home and Tredegar Town drawing away. Chepstow proved too good for visiting Treowen Stars, who they defeated 3-1, the same score which NCS beat Cardiff-based Bridgend Street while Tredegar and hosts Treharris Athletic Western were locked up at 2-2. For Chepstow, goals came from Sam Rushworth, Dan Morgan and Tony Shire - although they had Ashley Palmer sent off - with Johnny Dunn replying for Treowen, who remain 11th. NCS' Marc Gunter fired in a brace of goals with his side's other coming via an opponent while both of Tredegar's efforts at Treharris coming via 17-year-old Chase Cummins, including a penalty. Relegation-threatened Abertillery Bluebirds are certainly making a fist of their fight against dropping out of the league and their 0-0 draw at promotion-seeking Pontypridd Town was their second successive clean-sheet following last Wednesday's 1-0 at Llanwern. Tuesday fixture (7.00pm). Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup semi final (at Cambrian & Clydach FC): Llanwern v Taffs Well (winners meet Bryntirion Athletic in final).
GWENT SATURDAY PREVIEW 22 February 2013 by Terry Daley THE outcome of the derby between Caerleon and Monmouth Town could be of huge significance to each side's ambitions, the hosts desperate for a win which would ease their relegation fears and the visitors requiring three points to maintain their title hopes. All games kick off at 2.00pm. Division One (figures in brackets relate to league positions of 16) Cold Bath Road: Caerleon (14) v Monmouth Town (6). Crucial county clash which neither team can afford to drop points from with the visiting Kingfishers sure to start as hot favourites to secure a 10th win from 16 league outings. Caerleon, beaten 3-0 at Ton Pentre last weekend, have picked up a trio of draws in their last six games - but they have only won three times in 17 starts and have only 13 games remaining. Monmouth are just two points adrift of leaders Taffs Well, have a couple of matches in hand and defeated visiting defending champions Cambrian & Clydach 2-1 last Saturday. Most telling statistic is Monmouth, seeking a season's double having won 3-1 at home last November, have scored 42 times in 15 games while Caerleon have netted just a goal a game from 17 matches. Form guide: Caerleon: D L D L D L Monmouth: W D W W L W Celtic Park: Cwmbran Celtic (12) v Ton Pentre (9). Having done extremely well to go six league and cup games without defeat, Celtic have suffered two losses in their last three matches. That has halted their march up the table and they are currently only four points ahead of third-from-the-bottom Caerleon although head coach Della Cheedy's men do have two matches in hand. Fell to a 2-1 reverse at Goytre United last time out and they have also suffered off-the-field bad luck with a grant application towards the cost of installing floodlights being turned down by the Welsh Ground Improvements because of insufficient funds. The visitors begin on the back of a comfortable 3-0 home success over Caerleon although they will be aware Celtic have won their last four home league matches. Form guide: Celtic: W D W L W L Ton Pentre: D W W L L W Division Two: Recreation Ground: Aberbargoed Buds (5) v Briton Ferry Llansawel (3). Aberbargoed's lengthy unbeaten run came to and end with a shock 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Maesteg-based Caerau, an outcome which pushed them down two places. A series of draws has also blunted their progress towards promotion and given the visitors now occupy third position, this is vital clash for both teams. BFL have played three more games, yet have conceded 38 goals in 20 matches while Aberbargoed have let in just 21 in 17. Aberbargoed have played far more home games than all their rivals, so victory here is verging on the 'must' and it's true to suggest a draw would suit the west Walians better. Form guide: Aberbargoed: D D D W D L BFL: D L W L D W The Murch: Dinas Powys (10) v Croesyceiliog (13). To say Croesyceiliog should have comfortably won last Saturday's home game against high-flying Ammanford is a huge understatement. Player-boss Mark Waddon's men should have been 5-1 to the good at the break before eventually slipping to a 3-2 defeat. At the same time, Dinas Powys became the first side this season to take points off runaway leaders Goytre with a massively shock 1-0 success at Plough Road. That made it four unbeaten and given Croesyceiliog's 45-goals conceded total is the highest in the top 13 plus they've kept only one clean-sheet, then a point will definitely be a good result here. Form guide: Dinas Powys: L L W D D W Croesyceiliog: D W W W L L Mendalgief Road: Newport YMCA (4) v Garden Village (6). After three consecutive defeats, YMCA have stormed back to post four wins from five to re-enter the race for a top-three finish. Goalkeeper and skipper Gareth Wesson kept three clean-sheets in those five games and even managed to score from the penalty spot in last weekend's 2-0 away success over Ely Rangers. Will be seeking some sort of revenge for a 1-0 defeat at Garden Village back in November of last year and are also bidding for a third successive home victory. The visitors ended a four-games-without-a-win sequence with a 2-0 home triumph over Penrhiwceiber Rangers and are just a point adrift of YMCA and with a match in hand. Form guide: YMCA: L W W L W W Garden Village: W D L L L W Glasbrook Field: Penrhiwceiber Rangers (9) v Caldicot Town (7). Although they stretched their unbeaten run to eight last time out, a 0-0 home draw with Caerau (Ely) was in fact a disappointing result for Caldicot. Frustratingly, they'd now be in second position had they won three of the five games they've drawn and a top-three finish is most certainly not out of the question. They are only three points behind third-placed Briton Ferry Llansawel, who have played one game more, and their current run began following a 5-3 home defeat at the hands of Rangers last November. Although a match for most sides on its day, the home team is a tad inconsistent and seems destined to end the campaign in a mid-table spot. Form guide: Rangers: W W D L W L Caldicot: W W W W D D The Causeway: Undy Athletic (8) v Goytre (1). Interesting match-up between two clubs who are seeking to bounce back from suffering 1-0 defeats, the home side at Briton Ferry Llansawel and the away team at home to Dinas Powys. That ended Goytre's magnificent run of 15 straight wins from the season's start although they remain firm favourites to land the divisional title. Undy are only half a dozen points adrift of third spot and with a couple of games in hand, but patchy form suggests they may have to settle for less. The hosts certainly need the three points and with the visitors keen to makes amends, this could well end in a high-scoring draw. Form guide: Undy: L L L W D L Goytre: W W W W W L Division Three: Larkfield Ground: Chepstow Town (13) v Treowen Stars (11). Chepstow have acquitted themselves fairly well following their return to the league, but recent form suggests they may have to eventually settle for an end-of-season mid-table spot. Are currently 13 points adrift of a promotion place and with three games in hand and start here on the back of a disappointing 4-2 away defeat at Bridgend-based Bettws. Treowen have gone off the boil lately and if three are to be relegated out of the league, then they need to pick up another few wins. They are also fresh from a hugely disappointment, a 1-0 home loss to bottom-placed Treharris Athletic Western and parity here would be something of a boost for both clubs. Form guide: Chepstow: W L W W L L Treowen: D L L W L L Shannon Close (Bettws): Newport Civil Service (8) v Bridgend Street (13). Although they've only won once in five, NCS have not really had the rub of the green lately, witness last weekend's 4-4 draw at second-placed AFC Llwydcoed who equalised with the very last action of the game. A rather leaky defence means they have the joint third-worse goals-against record in the division while their 41-goal tally is 11 better than fourth-placed Pontypridd who they trail by 14 points. Experienced striker Phil Tranter is enjoying a good season and in scoring at Llwydcoed, took his campaign's league total to 11. The Cardiff-based hosts are struggling near the drop zone and were 2-0 home losers to Risca United last time out, although they seek a season's double having won 4-2 at NCS in November, 2012. Form guide: Bridgend St.: W L D L W L NCS: W D L W D D Ynysangharad Park: Pontypridd Town (4) v Abertillery Bluebirds (15). Abertillery gave themselves a massive tonic on Wednesday night, when they won 1-0 against county rivals Llanwern at Newport Stadium. Lee Bancroft was the goalscorer to earn his side only its third win and second clean-sheet in 14 league outings and the result moved it above Treharris at the bottom. This, however, is a very difficult task for Abertillery to gain another positive result made harder by the fact Pontypridd's manager watched Wednesday's game. The home side's defence has conceded just 17 goals in 18 games, but the hosts find scoring far more harder having netted only 30 times, the joint lowest in the top seven. Form guide: Pontypridd: W W D L W L Abertillery: L L D L L W Ty-Isaf Park: Risca United (5) v Llanwern (6). Risca are more than capable of clinching promotion and won their last two games, at Bridgend Street and then-leaders AFC Llwydcoed, without conceding a goal. Skipper and dead-ball expert Brendon Scott leads the way with 15 goals, a very good total given he is not a striker, while his side have other regular scorers to fall back on. Llanwern massively underachieved on Wednesday in losing 1-0 at home to then-basement side Abertillery Bluebirds and seek to end a run of four without success. The home team are certainly favourites to pick up the three points, but these sides drew 2-2 at Newport Stadium only nine days ago. Form guide: Risca: W L W D W W Llanwern: W W D D L L Treharris Athletic Western (15) v Tredegar Town (9). Although beaten 2-0 at home by leaders Cardiff Metropolitan University, the outcome ended a three-game unbeaten run for Tredegar and they look capable of a mid-table finish. However all teams below them have games in hand and this is no easy ask for the north Gwent side, which will have only nine games remaining following this clash. Previous to the CMU reverse, Tredegar had drawn 2-2 at NCS, won 4-3 at home against Risca and had beaten hosts Newcastle Emlyn 4-0. This, however, is a difficult game to assess with the basement hosts fresh from a fine 1-0 away triumph at Treowen last weekend.
Treharris: W L L L L W Tredegar: L L W W D L
GWENT WEDNESDAY REPORT 21 February 2013 by Terry Daley Llanwern 0 Abertillery Bluebirds 1 (Lee Bancroft) A 73rd-minute goal by Lee Bancroft at Newport Stadium took Abertillery of the bottom of the Division Three and above Treharris Athletic Western. Bancroft fired in from close range to end a run of five games without a win, the success being their first since the 3-0 home defeat of Bettws way back in October of last year. Llanwern are now four without victory and in all honesty, they never really got going until after Bancroft scored his third league goal of the campaign. They went onto hit the crossbar twice while several half-chances were also missed as Abertillery held out for only their third success in 14 league outings. They now travel to face fourth-placed Pontypridd Town on Saturday, when Llanwern visit county rivals Risca United.
GWENT WEDNESDAY PREVIEW 20 February 2013 by Terry Daley Division Three (7.15pm kick off). Newport Stadium: Llanwern (6) v Abertillery Bluebirds (16). County derby which will have a vastly different scenario for either club should they be losers with the home side losing ground in the promotion race and the visitors one step closer to relegation from of the league. Let's hope Llanwern manager Gareth Morgan has recovered from the concussion picked up when Pontypridd Town's Nathan King clattered into him last Saturday, when the Steelmen fell to a 2-0 home defeat. Morgan's men are seeking to end a run of three matches without a win while Abertillery, under chairman/manager Adrian Howells, have gone five games since picking up three points. They lost 5-1 at home to third-placed Llantwit Major last weekend and although they have many matches in hand over all team above them, Abertillery face a huge task to get out of danger. Form guide: Llanwern: L W W D D L Abertillery: W L L D L L
GWENT SATURDAY ROUND-UP 18 February 2013 by Terry Daley A FREAK injury to Llanwern manager Gareth Morgan overshadowed the local football scene at the weekend, when he was forced to receive hospital treatment for concussion. Morgan was watching his side playing Pontypridd Town at Newport Stadium in a MacWhirter Welsh League Division Three clash, when visiting striker Nathan King clattered into him after making a tackle on a Llanwern player near the touch-line. The force of the collision knocked Morgan off his feet and as he fell to the ground, he banged his head on the pitch-side dug-out. Because his brother Rhodri Morgan was unavailable to carry out his normal physio duties, the Llanwern boss received treatment from Pontypridd's. However after the game, he was driven to a Cardiff hospital where he was eventually released after taking medical treatment and advise on concussion. I was suffering from blurred vision, sickness, was shaking quite a lot and had an unbelievable pain in my head, revealed Morgan, who has also managed Croesyceiliog and Cwmbran Celtic. Llanwern eventually lost the game 2-0 and drop one place to sixth position although they can move back up to fifth with victory over visiting Abertillery Bluebirds on Wednesday. In Division One, Monmouth Town maintained their title hopes with a a home success but there were away defeats for both Caerleon and Cwmbran Celtic while Goytre lost their 100 per cent record Monmouth moved three points closer to leaders Taffs Well thanks to a 2-1 victory over defending champions Cambrian & Clydach. The teams were locked at 1-1 before Monmouth's Daniel MacDonald scored his 15th league goal of the campaign from the penalty spot to secure the win. Cwmbran Celtic had Owen Llewellyn on the mark at Goytre United, but it was the home side which prevailed 2-1 thanks to an 85th-minute winner while relegation-threatened Caerleon were completely out of luck in going down 3-0 at Ton Pentre. Runaway Division Two leaders Goytre were red-hot favourites to make it a 16th straight victory since the season's against visiting mid-table outfit Dinas Powys. But football always finds a way of producing upset results and the visitors 1-0 win was certainly that even though Goytre were again minus suspended top scorer Luke Prosser. Another side slipping to a shock 1-0 home defeat was Aberbargoed Buds, at home to Caerau, now down one two places to fifth, while going in the opposite direction was Newport YMCA. They travelled back from Ely Rangers as 2-0 victors with skipper and goalkeeper Gareth Wesson scoring a penalty and midfielder Alex Jenkins a late clincher. Undy also dropped a position, they are now eighth following a 1-0 loss at Briton Ferry Llansawel, but Caldicot moved above them despite being held 0-0 at home by Caerau (Ely). I watched lowly Croesyceiliog take a 67th-second lead via player-coach Jody Jenkins' 14th league goal only for visiting Ammanford to eventually run out 3-2 winners. Defender Mark Morris netted Croesyceiliog's other goal, but they now are only three points above the drop zone. In Division Three, Risca United remain on course for promotion following a fine 2-0 win at Cardiff-based Bridgend Street long-range efforts from Ricky Malson and Chris Thomas counting. There were no other winners in the lower tier, although travelling Newport Civil Service were denied the three points when they conceded a goal to the very last kick of their match at promotion-seeking AFC Llwydcoed. That goal completed a remarkable eight-goal thriller with NCS' goal coming from Phil Tranter, his 11th league effort of the campaign, Mark Millinship, Thomas Elwood and Lewis Sweetland. Chepstow only had goals from Mark Dunn and Jason Thorn (12th of the season) to show for in a 4-2 defeat at Bridgend-based Bettws, Treowen Stars had Jason Mann sent off in a 1-0 home reverse to Treharris Athletic Western while Tredegar Town were beaten 2-0 by visiting table-topping Cardiff Metropolitan University. Sadly Abertillery Bluebirds now prop up the entire 48-strong league following a 5-1 home defeat at the hands of high-flying Llantwit Major, Martin Roan their sole goal-getter. * Wednesday fixture. Division Three: Newport Stadium Llanwern v Abertillery Bluebirds (7.15pm) * The previously-postponed Gwent Senior Cup semi-final between hosts Caldicot Town and Cwmbran Celtic has been re-arranged for Wednesday, February 27 kick off 7.00pm.
GWENT SATURDAY PREVIEW 15 February 2013 by Terry Daley Division One (figures in brackets indicate league placings of 16) all 2.00pm kick offs. Goytre's game at Garden Village on Wednesday was postponed, so player-manager Carl Evans' side will seek its 16th straight win since the season's start against visiting Dinas Powys. Glenhafod Park Stadium: Goytre United (16) v Cwmbran Celtic (12). Celtic returned to winning ways with a 2-1 home win over Pontardawe Town with midfielder Rakesh Patel on the score-sheet for the second successive league game. Head coach Della Cheedy has this week re-signed Steffan Marchant from Division Two outfit Croesyceiliog while allowing Michael Dewar to move in the opposite direction to also join his former club. In an extremely tight bottom half of the division, a couple of wins will push Celtic towards the safety of a mid-table and here they face a reasonable chance of gaining another positive result. The hosts are but a shadow of the team which not so long ago dominated the competition and they start having won just twice in 16 starts. Form guide: Goytre United: L L L L L D Celtic: D W D W L W Sports Ground: Monmouth Town (6) v Cambrian & Clydach (2). Monmouth will want to do much better here than in their last home game - 4-3 defeat at the hands of Barry Town, who trailed 3-1 at one stage. The Kingfishers, though, rid themselves of that frustrating outcome by bouncing back to win 3-2 at one-from-the-bottom Bridgend Town. Striker Elliott Ford was on the score-sheet in that Brewery Field match-up to take his season's league total to seven This, however, is a much more difficult task as the defending champions have made steady progress to sit just five points adrift of leaders Taffs Well. Form guide: Monmouth: W D W W L W Cambrian & Clydach: W D L L W W Ynys Park: Ton Pentre (9) v Caerleon (14). It's a telling fact that had Caerleon won on the four games they've drawn in their last six outings, they'd be in the ninth place which Ton Pentre sit in. The inability to kill teams off is holding back manager Lee Relish's side, although new strike signing from Newport YMCA Olly Beckett has scored a goal in each of his two appearances. He, and his colleagues though must keep up that ratio because only 15th-placed Bridgend Town have scored less goals than Caerleon 15 as opposed to 17. One look at the hosts' form guide will reveal they, too, are inconsistent and a point each here would not be the end of the world for either side although Caerleon need to win far more for obvious reasons. Form guide: Ton Pentre: L D W W L L Caerleon: D D L D L D Division Two: Recreation Ground: Aberbargoed Buds (3) v Caerau (11). Aberbargoed are on a lengthy unbeaten run and have lost only three times in 16 league outings under player-manager Alyn Jones. They are following up a score-less draw at Undy, their seventh clean-sheet of the season and the 20 goals they've conceded is the second lowest in the top 14. The one down side is they've drawn four of their last five games, although it must be pointed out some of those were gained in difficult away games Caerau begin after being convincing 4-0 winners at Cwmaman Institute, although they are still sitting only points away from the drop-zone. Form guide: Caerau: L W W L L W Aberbargoed: W D D D W D Old Road: Briton Ferry Llansawel (4) v Undy Athletic (6). Despite inconsistency over recent games, Undy remain only three points adrift of second-placed Ammanford. Boss Mark Crook's side drew a blank in last weekend's 0-0 home draw with Aberbargoed Buds, not a bad result given the visitors' lengthy unbeaten run. Undy will be seeking a season's double over their west Wales hosts, who they beat 2-1 at home in mid-January striker Gareth Cullimore scoring two of his 17-goal total this season. On their day, BFL are a match for anyone, but their recent form is extremely patchy and because of that it's true to say they can't afford to drop points here. Form guide: BFL: L D L W L D Undy: W L L L W D Jubilee Way: Caldicot Town (7) v Caerau (Ely) (13). Caldicot's bid for a sixth consecutive league win failed at Cardiff Corinthians last Saturday, but a 1-1 draw continued their remarkable rise since the appointment of Jason Pritchard and Mark Williams as joint managers. The pair have produced a hard-working side with a sound togetherness and with forwards Luke Harris, Dan Saunders and Mitchel Slape in good form. That makes predicting anything other than a home victory very difficult, although Caldicot are almost certain to be made to work hard to gain another positive result. The capital visitors may well be struggling at the wrong end of the season, but they have lost only once in their last five outings. Form guide: Caldicot: W W W W W D Caerau (Ely): L D W D L W Woodland Road: Croesyceiliog (12) v Ammanford (2). I watched Croesyceiliog lost 2-0 at Newport YMCA last weekend and have to reveal it was not one of their best displays of the season. However if the service to strikers Jody Jenkins and Zac Osbourne, who have scored 24 goals between them, can be improved then this is a game manager Mark Waddon's side is capable to winning. There is also a case of revenge being on the menu here as Ammanford won 5-2 at home when the sides met in November of last year. The visitors have not won any of their last four games including respective 3-2 and 2-1 home defeats at the hands of Aberbargoed Buds and Goytre. Form guide: Croesyceiliog: L D W W W L Ammanford: W W D L D L Station Road, Wenvoe: Ely Rangers (14) v Newport YMCA (5). While a title is out of the question, a top-three finish is still on the cards for YMCA although they've only 10 games remaining to achieve that. Boss Simon Pratt's team has emerged victorious three times in its last four matches, not a bad return seeing it was previously highly inconsistent. This is a match-up in which YMCA will start as favourites to land the three points and a win plus other results going their way could see them rise to second place. Relegation-threatened Ely have won only four times in 17 league starts although they've scored five more goals then YMCA in three matches less. Form guide: Ely Rangers: L D W D L L YMCA: L L W W L W Plough Road: Goytre (1) v Dinas Powys (10). Goytre's game at Garden Village on Wednesday was postponed, so this encounter has player-manager Carl Evans' men seeking their 16th straight win since the season's start. Just how many more they need to be crowned champions remains to be seen and again it's a difficult task here to see anything less than a home triumph. Goytre require just three goals to hit the 50 mark while their clean-sheet total stands at six, two behind Division One outfits AFC Porth and Haverfordwest County. The visitors lack match practice having not played since a 1-1 draw at Ammanford and only three times since winning 1-0 at Croesyceiliog on November 12, 2012. Form guide: Goytre: W W W W W W Dinas Powys: L L L W D L D Division Three: Cwmnant-Y-Groes: Abertillery Bluebirds (15) v Llantwit Major (3). Abertillery's fight against relegation out of the 48-strong league continues with a tough task to gain a positive result against a visiting side seeking first-time promotion. Boss Adrian Howells' side was last in action a week last Saturday, when they lost 2-0 at home against county rivals Chepstow Town. Their 18-goal total is the lowest in the division, although they've played only 12 games five less than the team immediately above them, Newcastle Emlyn. The visitors have won only one of their last three outings, but will begin as favourites to an 11th victory in 16 starts. Form guide: Abertillery: L W L L D L Llantwit M.; W W W L W D Merthyr Road: AFC Llwydcoed (2) v Newport Civil Service (8). Although a match for any opposition on their day, inconsistency has prevented NCS from having a place in the promotion race. Nonetheless they still have the target of a top-six finish and with experienced striker Phil Tranter in good form currently, then that is not an impossible task. Their form of only one defeat in six actually stretches back to late November of last year and they've played just four times in 2013. Llwydcoed look good enough to go up, but must recover from last weekend's surprise 1-0 loss at Risca United only their third defeat in 17 games. Form guide: AFC Llwydcoed: W W W W W L NCS: D W D L W D North Site, Bettws Road: Bettws (Bridgend) (13) v Chepstow Town (7). Chepstow are only 10 points off a promotion slot and have three games in hand, so first-time elevation is certainly not out of the question. However the feeling is manager Russell Griffiths' team just falls short of being consistent enough witness the recent 4-2 home reverse at the hands of struggling Cardiff Grange Harlequins. But with proven goalscorers such as Jason Thorn and Mark Dunn continuing to find the mark, then it's going to be a very interesting last three months for them. Bridgend-based Bettws are just one point off the drop zone, but with enough matches in hand to eventually climb to safety. Form guide: Bettws: W L L L W D Chepstow: D W L W W L The Willows, Tremorfa: Bridgend Street (12) v Risca United (6). Risca were denied third place when a stoppage-time goal by hosts Llanwern produced a 2-2 draw at Newport Stadium on Wednesday night. Skipper Brendon Scott (penalty) and Jonathan Payne got the goals and with only three losses times in 18 starts, player-boss Paul Michael's outfit is classed as genuine contenders to go up. The previous game saw Scott again score from the spot to secure a 1-0 home victory over then-leaders AFC Llwydcoed, The hosts have won just four of 18, although I watched them play well to gain a deserved point from a 1-1 draw at Risca last November. Form guide: Bridgend St.: W W L D L W Risca: L W W L W D Newport Stadium: Llanwern (5) v Pontypridd Town (4). Llanwern failed to go third in mid-week thanks to a 2-2 home draw with Risca United, James Harmer and Liam Palmer netting. Are certainly capable of giving any opposition a very good run for their money, but the lack of a genuine out-and-out goalscorer is their chief problem. Nonetheless boss Gareth Morgan are only a point adrift of third-placed Llantwit Major and victory here would be a massive tonic ahead of their forthcoming League Cup semi final against Division One leaders Taffs Well. Pontypridd have recently lost several players, including former Cwmbran Town striker Chris Summers to a double-leg fracture, and have not won in three games. Form guide: Llanwern: W L W W D D Pontypridd: W W W D L L Sports Complex: Tredegar Town (9) v Cardiff Metropolitan University (1). Tredegar face a huge task here against the free-scoring leaders, although they do go into the clash in good form. Last weekend's 2-2 away draw against Newport Civil Service made it three unbeaten and perhaps visiting Tredegar on a cold February Saturday afternoon may not appeal to the students. Manager Shane Davies' side look comfortable in mid-table, but they've played more games than all other clubs, 19, and must continue their run if they are not to get sucked into a relegation battle. CMU look nailed-on to go up and have scored no less than 67 times in only 17 league outings and were 5-1 home winners over basement side Treharris Athletic Western last time out. Form guide: Tredegar: L L L W W D CMU: W W W W W W Bush Park: Treowen Stars (10) v Treharris Athletic Western (16). Treowen are fresh from a 3-1 home FAW Trophy quarter-final win over Wrexham-based Borras Park Albion. However the fine run has blunted their league progress and it means they are only six points off a relegation spot. But manager Carl Evans' men have played just 14 league matches and the feeling is they are well capable of gaining to enough wins to ensure safety. The visitors are in all sorts of trouble at the very bottom of the division and have won just once in 18 league outings. Form guide: Treowen: L D L L W L Treharris: L W L L L L
TREOWEN STARS DISCOVER FAW TROPHY SEMI-FINAL OPPONENTS 14 February 2013 by Terry Daley TREOWEN Stars have been paired against Swansea Senior League side Kilvey Ford for a place in the FAW Trophy final. The winners of the club's last-four clash, at an as-yet-unnamed neutral venue on Saturday, March 9, will the victors of the all-Welsh Alliance showdown between north Wales sides Holywell Town and Caernarfon Town. Kilvey Ford are the competition's lowest-ranked club, but they knocked out holders Sully Sports 3-2 in round four while Treowen defeated Wrexham-based Borras Park Albion 3-1 at their Bush Park home ground in last Saturday's quarter final. The FAW Trophy winners will collect £5,000, the runners-up £3,000 while the two losing semi-finalists will each receive £1,500. FAW Trophy semi-final draw: Kilvey Ford (Swansea Senior League) v Treowen Stars (MacWhirter Welsh League); Holywell Town v Caernarfon Town (both Welsh Alliance). Ties to be played to a conclusion on neutral grounds on Saturday, March 9.
GWENT WEDNESDAY ROUND-UP 13 February 2013 by Terry Daley Division Two. Garden Village P P Goytre. Division Three. Llanwern 2 (James Harmer, 35; Liam Palmer 90) Risca United 2 (Brendon Scott, 9 penalty; Jonathan Payne 80). A STOPPAGE-TIME thunderbolt from Llanwern's Liam Palmer rescued a point at Newport Stadium - just when it appeared Risca were set to move up to third place. Risca defender Jonathan Payne had seemingly scored an 80th-minute winner by netting at a corner which had been spilled by home goalkeeper Ben Fletcher. But up popped Palmer to fire in a 25-yarder to which means the sides remain in fifth and sixth positions respectively. Risca skipper Brendon Scott had given his side a ninth-minute lead by scoring from the penalty spot with midfielder James Harmer scoring a well-executed equaliser ten minutes from the break. Llanwern are at home again on Saturday, when they entertain fourth-placed Pontypridd Town while Risca visit Bridgend Street.
GWENT WEDNESDAY PREVIEW 13 February 2013 by Terry Daley Division Two (kick off 7.45pm). Stafford Common: Garden Village (8) v Goytre (1). Being guided exclusively by current form and statistics, then it really is extremely difficult to make a case for anything other than an away victory here. Goytre are seeking to emerge as victors to take their record to a remarkable 16th straight win since the campaign's start. The table-toppers are the division's top scorers with 47 in 15 outings while the home side's total of 26 in 19 is the lowest in the top 14. Garden Village slipped to a third successive defeat in losing 2-1 at Caerau (Ely) last Saturday, when Goytre made it 45 points out of 45 in winning by the same score at second-placed Ammanford. Garden Village: D W D L L L Goytre: W W W W W W Division Three (kick off 7.15pm). Newport Stadium: Llanwern (5) v Risca United (6). Interesting derby which besides local bragging rights, also has the reward of third place on offer for the winners. Llanwern are seeking to extend their unbeaten run to a fourth game and manager Gareth Morgan's side has lost just once in its last seven league and cup matches, stretching back to late November, 2012. The visitors have also recovered from something of an inconsistent spell and doubtless player-boss Paul Michael will be keen to follow up Saturday's 1-0 home win over then-leaders AFC Llwydcoed with another positive result. Parity from a draw would keep the promotion interest alive of both clubs in this the first of a quick-fire double meeting with the second scheduled to be played out at Risca on the 23rd of this month. Llanwern: W W L W W D Risca: D L W W L W
GWENT SATURDAY ROUND-UP 11 February 2013 by Terry Daley ON a day when all three top-flight teams picked up valuable points, Division Two leaders Goytre made it 15 wins out of 15 and Risca United re-joined the lower-tier promotion race with a home success over the table toppers. Monmouth Town opened the weekend's action on Friday night, when they emerged 3-2 away winners over Bridgend Town Ben Evans, Elliott Ford and Nick Harrhy on target for the Kingfishers. The win takes them up a couple of places to fifth, still seven points adrift of leaders Taffs Well but with a couple of matches in hand. Cwmbran Celtic also returned to winning ways by defeating visiting Pontardawe Town 2-1 with goals from Rakesh Patel and Owen Llewellyn while goalkeeper Nicky Church made his comeback following five months out with a serious back injury. Celtic are now 12th and are three points and two positions better off than county rivals Caerleon, who gained a valuable point from a 2-2 home draw against bottom-placed Goytre United. Netting for the Cold Bath Road outfit were Luke Palmer and Olly Beckett, the latter scoring for the second time in three games since his move from Division Two side Newport YMCA. There's simply no stopping Goytre from their march towards clinching the Division Two championship title and they could even afford to give second-placed Ammanford a goal start as early as the fifth minute before they eventually won 2-1. Forward Kyle Bassett's eighth league goal of the campaign and central defender Matthew Prosser's second were enough for player-boss Carl Evans' side, which now heads Ammanford by 14 points and with two games in hand. Aberbargoed Buds remain third after returning home with a point from a goal-less draw at Undy Athletic, who drop to sixth after being overtaken by Newport YMCA 2-0 home winners over county rivals Croesyceiliog. I watched midfielder Ben Lawrence take advantage of visiting goalkeeper James Peckham dropping of Alex Jenkins' 29th-minute free kick to give his side an interval lead at Mendalgief Road. And although Peckham did very well to save Lawrence from making it 2-0 soon after the start of the second period, he had little chance as substitute Aaron Cotter did just that with a fine finish nine minutes from the end of a dour battle. Croesyceiliog, down one to 12th, failed to land a fourth successive as 23-goal strike force of Jody Jenkins and Zac Osbourne fired blanks while worthy-winners YMCA, up three to fifth, are only two points off s top-three place. In the same division, Caldicot Town were foiled in their attempt for a sixth consecutive league triumph when hosts Cardiff Corinthians scored an 88th-minute equaliser to force a 1-1 draw. Luke Harris had given Caldicot a deserved 25th-minute lead and they remain seventh in the 16-strong section behind Undy on goal difference only. In Division Three, Llanwern are still fifth following a fine 3-3 away draw at Llantwit Major, who led 2-0 after just 10 minutes but had to level via a penalty with just a couple of minutes remaining. Alex North's brace of goals took his season's tally to double figures while Jonathan Kift's effort was his seventh. Risca had the difficult task of trying to get a positive result from a home game with leaders AFC Llwydcoed but managed it thanks to an 88th-minute penalty from skipper Brendon Scott, his 14th goal of the campaign. The 1-0 success means Risca are just a point and a place behind Llanwern with the two clubs now set to clash at Newport Stadium on Wednesday night. Chepstow Town stay seventh after falling to a disappointing 4-2 home defeat at the hands of struggling Cardiff Grange Harlequins, Rob Thorn (penalty) and skipper Mark Dunn scoring, while the county derby between hosts Newport Civil Service and Tredegar Town ended all square at 2-2. Veteran striker Phil Tranter scored twice for eighth-placed NCS to take his league total to 10 with Tredegar, still ninth, replying through Ryan Caniff and Chase Mullins. Abertillery Bluebirds' scheduled match at Newcastle Emlyn was postponed. Division Three side Treowen Stars defeated visiting north Wales-based Borras Park Albion 3-1 after extra time to reach the semi finals of the FAW Trophy. It was all square at 1-1 at the end of normal time with goals being scored for Treowen by Carl Thorne, Jamie Russell and Josh Evans. * Wednesday fixtures. Division Two: Garden Village v Goytre (7.45pm). Division Three: Llanwern v Risca (7.15pm). * The previously-postponed Gwent Senior Cup semi-final between hosts Caldicot Town and Cwmbran Celtic has been re-arranged for Wednesday, February 27 kick off 7.00pm.
GWENT SATURDAY ROUND-UP 4 February 2013 by Terry Daley GOYTRE made light of being minus suspended top scorer Luke Prosser by overcoming a stubborn Newport YMCA side to post a 14th successive Division Two victory since the season's start. Top-flight sides Caerleon, Cwmbran Celtic and Monmouth Town were all beaten while Llanwern became the highest-placed local team in the lower tier thanks to a five-star home display at Newport Stadium. Prosser sat out table-topping Goytre's game with his brother Matthew moving from his usual central-defensive role to replace him in attack against YMCA, who began on the back of a fine 1-0 home win over promotion-seeking Briton Ferry Llansawel. For a little over 50 minutes the visitors more than matched their hosts, who clearly were struggling because of a lack of competitive match fitness having played only three league games since winning 2-0 at YMCA's Mendalgief Road way back on October 27 last year. Early on, Goytre missed a few half chances with YMCA skipper and goalkeeper Gareth Wesson making a couple of important stops. YMCA did manage to get forward enough to suggest they weren't at Plough Road just to make the numbers up, although they didn't cause any worries for Wesson's opposite number Scott James. Eventually pacey forward Kyle Bassett fired past Wesson for his seventh goal of the campaign nine minutes from the break, but the lead lasted just 120 seconds as YMCA striker Nick Potts levelled matters with a neat finish. As the second period began, it was obvious the next goal was going to be crucial and from the moment Calum Miles headed in Corey Jenkins' left-wing cross on 52 minutes, it was Goytre who looked the more capable of going on to secure the three points. YMCA sent on Nicholas Medhurst as a substitute, although within five minutes he made an impact at the wrong end of the field by scoring an own goal past Wesson. There was still 13 minutes remaining, but during that time Goytre could well have added to their total as YMCA poured forward seeking to reduce the deficit. Goytre were worthy winners, but credit to YMCA, who drop to eighth, for making a fist of it although it now seems certain they will now have to settle for a mid-table end to the season. Elsewhere in Division Two, there were wins for Undy Athletic, Caldicot Town and Croesyceiliog while Aberbargoed Buds' game at Dinas Powys was postponed. Undy are up to sixth after goals from Andrew Larcombe, with a header on his club debut from Llanwern, and James Barnes earned them 2-0 success at Maesteg-based Caerau while Caldicot are just one place behind following a fifth consecutive victory. However it was only late goals from Simon Jones and David Lloyd which helped them defeat visiting basement outfit Cwmaman Institute 3-2 striker Mitchell Slape had earlier put the Jubilee Way side ahead. Croesyceiliog continued their march away from the drop zone as a goal double from player-coach Jody Jenkins helped them win 2-1 at home against Penrhiwceiber Rangers, manager Mark Waddon's men winning for the third successive league match to go 11th of 16. Llanwern were bidding for a third triumph in four Division Three matches when entertaining Newcastle Emlyn and got it with an impressive 5-2 score-line thanks to goals from James Harmer (2), Liam Palmer, who fired in from 35 yards, Alex North and Jonathan Kift. The win takes manager Gareth Morgan's men up to fifth and above Risca United, who were beaten 4-3 away by county rivals Tredegar Town who trailed 3-1 after just 20 minutes. Rob Aldridge, Ian Turner and Brendon Scott had put Risca in control, but ninth-placed Tredegar stormed to victory with efforts from Chase Mullins (2), Daniel Battle and Ian Pettit counting. Chepstow recovered from the disappointment of being knocked out of the Welsh Cup the previous week by winning 2-0 at one-from-the-bottom Abertillery Bluebirds. Richard Sharratt and Ashley Palmer netted the goals which maintained Chepstow's seventh position while Newport Civil Service are just one spot behind after defeating bottom-placed hosts Treharris Athletic Western 3-2. Marc Gunter, Dave Mellon and player-coach Ben Burrows were on the mark for the city side, but Treowen Stars are down to 10th after losing 3-0 at home against the promotion-seeking students of Cardiff Metropolitan University. In Division One, Monmouth Town were on course to victory over visiting Barry Town as a hat-trick from central midfielder Rob Laurie had them 3-1 up. However the Kingfishers uncharacteristically let the lead slip as Barry stormed back to clinch an unlikely 4-3 success which dents the home side's title hopes. They drop down couple of rungs to seventh while Celtic couldn't hold onto a second-minute lead given to them by midfielder Rakesh Patel in losing 2-1 at rock-bottom Margam-based Tata Steel. Celtic are now 12th and in losing by the same score at Pontardawe Town, Caerleon, who scored via Chris Bickerton, dropped down to one from the bottom at the half-way point of their 30-fixture programme. *The previously-postponed Gwent Senior Cup semi-final between hosts Caldicot Town and Cwmbran Celtic has been re-arranged for Wednesday, February 27 kick off 7.00pm.
GWENT SATURDAY PREVIEW 1 February 2013 by Terry Daley MacWhirter Welsh League (all 2.00pm kick offs). Newport YMCA are fresh from a fine home win over high-flying Briton Ferry Llansawel, but now comes an even harder task to become the first team this season to take points from Division Two leaders Goytre, who won all 13 league games. Division One (figures in brackets relate to league positions of 16). Sports Ground: Monmouth Town (5) v Barry Town (3). Monmouth have not played a league game since beating visiting Caerleon 3-1 as long ago as November 17 last year, since when they've played just three cup games winning only one. Before the weather-induced break from league fixtures, the Kingfishers were flying high in second position and are actually unbeaten in eight top-flight games. However they remain in contention for the championship title, currently trailing leaders Taffs Well by just four points and with two matches in hand. Barry's recent form is patchy, but they do start on the back of reaching the Welsh Cup quarter finals thanks to a 2-1 home success over Division One rivals Pontardawe Town. Form guide: Monmouth: W W W D W W Barry: L L W L L W Recreation Ground: Pontardawe Town (12) v Caerleon (14). Having earned parity in three of their last four league games, Caerleon head west with confidence fairly high. However they have played just one league game since losing 4-0 at Haverfordwest County on November 24, 2012. That was a hard-earned 1-1 home draw with Bryntirion Athletic on January 12 and boss Lee Relish's squad has a more experienced look about it than earlier in the season. The visitors can be a match for anyone on their day, although it's hard to see anything other than a share of the spoils here. Form guide: Pontardawe: D L W D W L Caerleon: L L D D L D Sports Ground, Margam: Tata Steel (15) v Cwmbran Celtic (12). The words postponement and Celtic seem to go hand in hand these days, Wednesday's calling off of their away Gwent Senior Cup semi-final tie at Caldicot Town being the seventh successive match falling victim to inclement weather. Head coach Della Cheedy's side has not lost in six league an cup fixtures, but lacks any sort of match fitness. Celtic have not played a competitive game since a 4-2, home success over Cambrian & Clydach on December 8 last year. The home team has struggled from the very off following promotion from the second tier and this match-up represents a fair chance for Celtic to stretch their unbeaten run. Form guide: Tata Steel: L W L L W D Celtic: L L D W D W Division Two: Athletic Ground: Caerau (11) v Undy Athletic (7). A trio of consecutive reverses has seen Undy slip from being potential top-three-finishing candidates to being very much on the back foot. However there is most certainly no reason whatsoever why manager Mark Crook's men can't return to their previously good form. Having pointed that out, the pressure is very much on here and they simply can not afford to lose this encounter. The home team had targeted a third-successive victory at Caldicot Town last Saturday, but were beaten 5-2 by Undy's closest rivals. Form guide: Caerau: W D L W W L Undy: W L W L L L Jubilee Way: Caldicot Town (8) v Cwmaman Institute (16). Caldicot are one of the most improved sides in the entire 48-strong league and here are chasing a fifth successive league victory. Their form boost has taken them clear of the drop zone and they will begin this match only six points off a top-three spot. There are no longer any egos on display at Caldicot, where joint managers Jason Pritchard and Mark Williams have installed a work ethic which is producing wins. The struggling visitors will be seeking their first league success at the 17th attempt and their last fixture saw them lose 3-2 at home to Croesyceiliog on January 12. Form guide: Caldicot: D L W W W W Cwmaman Institute: D D L L L L Woodland Road: Croesyceiliog (12) v Penrhiwceiber Rangers (9). The battle to avoid the drop continues for Croesyceiliog, who because of a lack of inactivity have not lost since the 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Dinas Powys way back on November 14, 2012. Since, boss Mark Waddon's men have drawn and won at home against Briton Ferry Llansawel and Newport YMCA and beaten Cwmaman Institute away. The teams drew 2-2 at Penrhiwceiber in late October last year, when striker Zac Osbourne netted one of the 11 league goals he has scored this season the same number as player-coach Jody Jenkins. Rangers are a decent mid-table side and they were last in action two weeks ago, when they drew 3-3 at home with Aberbargoed Buds. Form guide: Croesyceiliog: D L L D W W Rangers: D L L W W D The Murch: Dinas Powys (10) v Aberbargoed Buds (3). Along with leaders Goytre, unbeaten-in-nine Aberbargoed are the league's hottest in-form side and here start following last Saturday's brilliant 3-2 success at second-placed Ammanford. That lifted them into a promotion spot and with the club continuing to improve facilities at their Recreation Ground home, Division One football in 2013-14 can not be ruled out. Player-boss Alyn Jones' side will go second if they only pick up a point here and Ammanford lose at Briton Ferry Llansawel. The hosts earned a fine 1-1 draw at Ammanford on January 12, but had previously lost 3-1 at Caldicot Town a week before Christmas. Form guide: Dinas Powys: L L W D L D Aberbargoed: W W D D D W Plough Road: Goytre (1) v Newport YMCA (6). Table-topping Goytre have scored no less than 42 goals in winning all 13 of their league matches since the campaign's start. Remarkably though, they've played only three league games since winning 2-0 at YMCA'S Mendalgief Road home as long ago as October 27 last year. The visitors will be full of confidence and will be looking for a third league win on the trot, last Saturday's 1-0 home success over Briton Ferry Llansawel making it five clean sheets this season. The home side are obviously hot favourites to secure the three points, but YMCA are a team capable of producing a positive result when its least expected. Form guide: Goytre: W W W W W W YMCA: L W L L W W Division Three: Cwmnant-Y-Groes: Abertillery Bluebirds (15) v Chepstow Town (7). Can't find any side which is lacking competitive football more than Abertillery, who are five points behind the team above them, Cardiff Grange Harlequins but with the same amount of matches in hand. Since losing 3-2 at Chepstow on October 27 last year, manager Adrian Howells' team has played only TWO league games and the last was a 1-1 draw at Treharris Athletic Western on December 8, 2012. Chepstow have been playing on a regular basis during the same period, although they have lost their last two league and cup outings - conceding four goals in each. On the face of it, Abertillery will simply be glad to cross the white line and in all honesty a point for them could prove to be the catalyst for better times ahead. Form guide: Abertillery: L L W L L D Chepstow: D W W L W Newport Stadium: Llanwern (6) v Newcastle Emlyn (11). Another home game for Llanwern, who won both of their recent league and cup matches including last weekend's 2-1 home success over basement side Treharris Athletic Western. That placed manager Gareth Morgan's side just six points off a top-three promotion spot, although they really do need to take more of the goal-scoring chances they create. Their 25-goal tally is the lowest among the division's six leading clubs while their total of five-defeats total is the highest. However given the visitors are on the crest of a slump, this is a good opportunity for Llanwern to improve on that goal total against a team which has leaked 46 goals in only 16 games. Form guide: Llanwern: L L W W L W Newcastle E.: L L L L L L Sports Complex: Tredegar Town (10) v Risca United (5). County derby which is of crucial importance to both of these local sides, but for vastly different reasons. Tredegar are just four points above the drop zone and have played more games than any of their fellow strugglers. Risca are only half a dozen points off a promotion place with a match in hand and have lost only twice in 14 league outings. A point would not be the end of the world for either club, although the visitors will start as the favourites to secure the three points. Form guide: Tredegar: L W L L L W Risca: W L D L W W Athletic Ground: Treharris Athletic Western (16) v Newport Civil Service (9). Inconsistency has blighted NCS' campaign and perhaps a mid-table place will have to do for the side joint bossed by Ian Burman and Martin Elwick. They do, though, posses the highest goal total of any of the bottom eight clubs 32 in 15 games and that is five more than third-placed Pontypridd Town. Only one defeat in their last four league outings would suggest the city club are more than capable of gaining a win here. However Burman watched Treharris lose 2-1 against Llanwern at Newport Stadium last Saturday and will be aware this will not be an easy game despite the hosts' bottom-place status. Form guide: Treharris: L D L W L L NCS: D L D W D L Bush Park: Treowen Stars (8) v Cardiff Metropolitan University (2). Tough ask this for Treowen, who ended a four-games-without-a-win sequence by being 2-1 victors at Cardiff Grange Harlequins last time out. Look comfortable in a mid-table spot, although here will seek to become the first side to take points off the students in seven league matches. That won't be easy for manager Carl Evans' hard-working side, which has scored just 19 goals in 13 league fixtures. Compare that statistic with the 59-from-15-games total of the visitors and it's clear to see why many will see a point as a good result here for the home team. Form guide: Treowen: W L D L L W CMU: W W W W W W
GWENT WEDNESDAY PREVIEW - MATCH POSTPONED 30 January 2013 by Terry Daley Gwent Senior Cup semi final (7.00pm kick off, to be played to a conclusion): Jubilee Way Caldicot Town v Cwmbran Celtic. The home side starts on the back of a 5-2 home Division Two success over Caerau last Saturday, when Dan Saunders' double took him to seven league goals for the season. It was their fourth consecutive league and victory and doubtless confidence is sky high among the squad, joint managed by Jason Pritchard and Mark Williams. Celtic, too, are in good form in terms of being unbeaten in five league and cup matches although lack of match practice could be a problem for head coach Della Cheedy's team. It has not crossed the white line in a competitive game since a 4-2 home Division One win over defending champions Cambrian & Clydach way back on December 8 last year and has since suffered six successive postponements. The winners will face Monmouth Town in the final.
CELTIC 'KEEPER RETURNS 29 January 2013 by Terry Daley CWMBRAN Celtic goalkeeper Nicky Church has been given the all-clear to return to training - six months ahead of scheduled after rupturing a spleen and being told he would be sidelined for a year. The 26-year-old stopper was injured during in an away Gwent Senior Cup game at Risca United last august and spent several days in the Royal Gwent Hospital's intensive care unit. He was later kept under observation in a general ward before being discharged to his Malpas home: It's great news and I can't wait to get fit enough again so that I can return to playing, said a delighted Church. I attended the medical appointment with Della Cheedy (Celtic head coach) and I'd like to thank him and everyone else within the club for their valued help since I picked up the injury. Thanks also to all my friends and family and, of course, in particular to my girlfriend Becky Willis. Initially we were looking at me being out on a long-term basis, but my recovery has gone really well and my aim now is just to get my head down and work hard in training to see where it takes me. Cheedy commented: This will be like a new signing for us after being without Nicky (Church) for virtually for the whole season until now. It will obviously be a few weeks before he reaches full match fitness, but it's great to have him back. Gareth Williams has done a superb job for us in Nicky's absence and obviously he will not be easy to dislodge. It will be great for the club to have two excellent goalkeepers now vying with each other for the number-one spot.
GWENT SATURDAY ROUND-UP 28 January 2013 by Terry Daley CHEPSTOW Town's hopes of Welsh Cup glory ended in a defiant defeat after visiting Haverfordwest County denied them a place in the quarter finals for the first time. Boss Russell Griffiths' side failed to bridge a two-division gap as the west Walians travelled home winners of an incident-packed, seven-goal thriller. Elsewhere, inclement weather meant only five local clubs managed MacWhirter Welsh League action - but ALL secured wins. Chepstow were bidding to secure a last-eight spot for the first time in their 135-year history, but by the break where in all sorts of problems. At that stage, they trailed 2-0 and had also suffered two other massive blows of seeing Jason Thorn miss a penalty and Andrew Wenzel being sent off. It was 3-0 on 70 minutes, but within 60 seconds Thorn gave them hope by reducing the deficit before hope rose even more when Chris O'Sullivan scored and own goal make it 3-2. It should have soon been 4-2 had the Division One outfit not missed a penalty of their own, but they did manage fourth 10 minutes from time. With five minutes remaining, Chepstow skipper Mark Dunn got on the score-sheet - only for Haverfordwest to see the game out. Griffiths later praised his battling troops: I couldn't have have asked any more of my players and on a better day, it could have been us who went through, he remarked. The sending off (of Wenzel) was harsh and you wonder what would have happened if we had also had 11 men throughout. We put lots of pressure on them towards the end, but couldn't quite get another goal. But good luck to Haverfordwest and we can now concentrate on improving our league position. In Division Two, Aberbargoed Buds stretched their unbeaten run to a ninth match and climbed two rungs to third after a fine, 3-2 success at second-placed Ammanford. Tony Rees (2) and Dafydd Brewer where their scorers as Ammanford were defeated for the first time nine outings. Later they were handed a second boost when they discovered promotion rivals Briton Ferry Llansawel had lost 1-0 at home to Newport YMCA, who moved about not-in-action Undy Athletic into sixth spot. Central defender Daniel Heath got the only goal from the penalty spot after Declan Flanagan had been brought down, although Nick Potts and Lee O'Connor could well have made the score-line even bigger. Caldicot Town beat Maesteg-based Caerau 5-2 at home and the win, which elevated them up three places to seventh, was their fourth on the trot as efforts from Dan Saunders (2), Jim Munday, Luke Harris and an own goal counted. I watched Llanwern return to winning ways by seeing off basement Division Three side Treharris Athletic Western 2-1 at Newport Stadium. However it's difficult for me to recall such a fortuitous goal as scored by striker Jonathan Kift, whose right-wing, last-minute cross from a couple of yards from the corner flag, sailed over the head of visiting goalkeeper Matthew Evans and into he net. All teams deserve a little luck now and again in all honesty, Llanwern had done enough to warrant the three points after Ricky Amos had given them an interval lead which was cancelled out by Craig Reddy's 85th-minute leveller. The victory failed to lift Llanwern up from sixth place, although one club on the up is Treowen Stars, who were 2-0 victors in the capital over Cardiff Grange Harlequins. James Cooper and Kyle Butler grabbed the goals to send manager Carl Evans' team up two spots to eighth and with games in hand over all clubs above them except Chepstow. * Wednesday fixture (7.00pm, to be played to a conclusion). Gwent Senior Cup semi final: Jubilee Way Caldicot Town v Cwmbran Celtic (winners meet Monmouth Town in final).
AFAN LIDO ANNOUNCEMENT 24 January 2013 Paul Reid has decided to resign as Manager of Afan Lido Football Club due to personal reasons, with immediate effect. Afan Lido Football Club would like to thank Paul for all his hard work and effort during his time in charge Paul has however, decided to remain as Afan Lido Academy Director, continuing the excellent work he has progressed with the youngsters at the club. Afan Lido Football Club will be making a further announcement during the next week, regarding Pauls replacement.
MID-WEEK GWENT DERBY POSTPONED 22 January 2013 by Terry Daley WITH four inches on snow lying on the Newport Stadium playing surface, it was no surprise when Wednesday's Division Three derby between hosts Llanwern and Risca United was postponed as early as Tuesday afternoon. Llanwern are scheduled to entertain Treharris Athletic Western at the venue on Saturday, when Risca are without a game.
GWENT SATURDAY ROUND-UP 21 January 2013 by Terry Daley ALL 23 of Saturdays scheduled MacWhirter Welsh League matches were snowed off with Chepstow Town boss Russell Griffiths welcoming the season's two-week extension. The mass white-out, including Chepstow's home clash with Cardiff-based Bridgend Street, leaves Griffiths' side still with two-thirds of its 30-fixture Division Three programme remaining. Promoted Chepstow played catch-up right from the season's start because Pontyclun's ultimately unsuccessful appeal against relegation took so long and now a series of postponement means they've played only 10 league games. They've many games in hand over all other teams, seven in the case of Tredegar Town, but they'll fall even further behind this Saturday, when Division One outfit Haverfordwest County visit Larkfield Ground for a Welsh Cup last-16 tie. To be honest, it would have been a serious issue without the extension so I am really pleased league officials have taken the decision, remarked Griffiths, who team is currently seventh of 16. Without it, we may have been forced to play three games a week during the run-in and with not all players available for every match, then that would have certainly presented a problem for us. We have lost two of our last three and because of that and the amount of games we still have to play, we are seeking to bring in a couple of new players. We are always on the look out anyway, but circumstances now means we do need to sign two players and we hope to do that soon. We can still finish in the top three (for promotion) and while I am aware it's a football clichι, we really are taking matters one game at a time. The season extension is the league's third consecutive campaign, although only matches called off after a certain date will be allowed to be played in the extra two weeks. A league statement reads: The MacWhirter Welsh League season has been extended a fortnight to Saturday, May 11 (the following day for youth-team fixtures), but only for games which have not been rearranged to date. Only fixtures postponed from and including Saturday, December 22, 2012, can be scheduled during this period of extension. Including the December 22 fixture programme last year, only 33 of 95 league matches have been completed and with the current inclement weather already threatening this Saturdays matches, the back-log could well yet be lengthened. * There is one Division Three game planned for Wednesday, when Newport Stadium will host a county derby between Llanwern and visiting Risca United kick off 7.15pm. Llanwern, 23 points from 14 games, are sixth while Risca are the county's highest-placed club in fifth with three more from the same amount of fixtures. A date or a neutral venue for Llanwern's Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup semi final against holders and current Division One leaders Taffs Well have not yet been announced. The winners will meet the victors of the other last-four tie between top-tier sides Bryntirion Athletic and Swansea-based West End.
GWENT SATURDAY PREVIEW 18 January 2013 by Terry Daley The MacWhirter Welsh League season has been extended a fortnight to Saturday, May 11 (the following day for youth-team fixtures), but only for games which have not been rearranged to date.
Only
fixtures postponed from and including Saturday, December 22, 2012,
can be scheduled during this period of extension. Dinas Park: AFC Porth (2) v Caerleon (14). Caerleon have drawn three of their last four league games and in all honesty, another here would most certainly be regarded as a good result for manager Lee Relish's men. I watched them gain a point last Saturday, when a stoppage-time penalty from debutant striker Olly Beckett earned parity from a 1-1 stale-mate with Bryntirion Athletic. It was a battling display from Caerleon and one they will have to repeat here if they are have any chance of moving out of the three-strong drop zone. By co-incidence, Porth have also drawn three of their last quartet of matches and here defend an unbeaten four-game home record. Form guide: AFC Porth: W D D L W L Caerleon: L L D D L D Bryntirion Park: Bryntirion Athletic (10) v Cwmbran Celtic (11). Just to get a competitive game in will be a massive bonus for Celtic, who have not played a league fixture since a fine 4-2, home success over defending champions Cambrian & Clydach on December 8, 2012. They did get some practice on a 3G pitch on January 5, when they lost a friendly 1-0 against Division Three side Abertillery Bluebirds. During the intervening period, Bryntirion have twice managed to cross the white line both games being against Gwent opposition, a 2-1 NCSL Cup win over Risca United and a 1-1 league draw at Caerleon last Saturday. They are currently the entire league's draw specialists with five from their last six games and have an even younger squad than Celtic's Form guide: Bryntirion: D D D D L D Celtic: L L D W D W Ynys Park: Ton Pentre (9) v Monmouth Town (5). Because of cup commitments and postponements, this will be Monmouth's first league game since the 3-1 home victory over Caerleon way back on November 17, 2012. Since, the Kingfishers have been knocked out of the Nathaniel Car Sales and Welsh Cup, but managed to reach the Gwent Senior Cup final with a 4-3 after-extra time win over Aberbargoed Buds Here they seek to stretch their unbeaten league run to a seventh game and victory could take them up as high as second place. The hosts have an even split of 19 goals scored and conceded in 14 outings and were beaten 5-3 at leaders Taffs Well last time out. Form guide: Ton Pentre: D L D L W L Monmouth: D W W D W W Division Two. Recreation Ground: Aberbargoed Buds (5) v Newport YMCA (7). The Buds start unbeaten in eight league games, although a trio of draws from the last four has cost them a spot in the top three. Nonetheless, they trail third-placed Briton Ferry Llansawel by only a single point and with three games in hand. With the recent installation of floodlights, they can now be classed as genuine contenders to be playing Division One football in 2013-14. YMCA prevented their losing sequence to a third game with last weekend's fine, 3-1 home win over county rivals Undy Athletic and parity could well reign here. Form guide: Aberbargoed: W W D D W D YMCA: W L W L L W Woodland Road: Croesyceiliog (12) v Cardiff Corinthians (15). Croesyceiliog are gradually shrugging off their inconsistent tag and are seeking to stretch their run of unbeaten league matches to four. Striker Zac Osbourne is enjoying his best run of goalscoring in senior football and currently has 11 to his credit. Here he and his colleagues have a reasonable opportunity to improve both sequences and it would be a major shock if manager Mark Wadden's side does not take all three points. Following a brief revival, the relegation-threatened visitors have lost three of four and have averaged conceding three goals in each of their 17 league fixtures. Form guide: Croesyceiliog: D L L D W W Cardiff Corries: D D W L L L Stafford Common: Garden Village (4) v Caldicot Town (10). Although seven points and six positions separate these clubs, it's Caldicot who are the in-form of the two and are bidding for a fourth consecutive win. Joint managers Jason Pritchard and Mark Williams have done a fine job and should their side win the couple of matches in hand they have, then a top-three place in not beyond them. This game certainly won't be an easy task from which to gain anything positive from, although the hosts were beaten 4-2 at home by Maesteg-based Caerau last time out. In three of the four previous games to that at this venue, Undy Athletic, with a 3-0 win and Aberbargoed Buds, thanks to a 0-0 draw, both returned home with points, but Newport YMCA lost 1-0. Form guide: Garden Village: W L D W D L Caldicot: W D L W W W Plough Road: Goytre (1) v Cwmaman Institute (16). Goytre are after a 14th successive victory since the season's start while the visitors have only two draws from 16 league outings. And when you consider Cwmaman have conceded no less than 66 goals in the process, then it's not to easy to see why the home side are red-hot favourites to take the three points. Those stats and facts would make anyone believe being without suspended top scorer Luke Prosser would really pose no problem for Goytre player-boss Carl Evans' men. However the only thing certain in football is nothing is certain and it's top v bottom games such as this which often throw up me most unusual of results. Form guide: Goytre: W W W W W W Cwmaman Institute: D D L L L L The Causeway: Undy Athletic (6) v Ammanford (2). Undy have gone right off the boil and will be extremely keen here to put a tick of the W column and end a run of four matches without success. If they are to re-join the title race, then manager Mark Crook's side must start to put together a run of wins over such teams as Ammanford, who are six points clear having played two matches less. Striker Gareth Cullimore scored in last weekend's 3-1 reverse at Newport YMCA to take his season's league total to 17, six adrift of the league's top goalscorer, Cardiff Metropolitan University's Ross Frame. Ammanford have lost only twice in 14 league games, although they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Dinas Powys last Saturday. Form guide: Undy: L W L D L L Ammanford: W W W W W D Division Three: Abertillery Bluebirds (15) v Cardiff Grange Harlequins (14). It's proving to be a difficult campaign for Abertillery, have not won in three games and their last win was 3-0 against fellow-strugglers Bettws which was as long ago as October 20, 2012. This relegation clash is very difficult to pin down in terms of who will take the three points, so a draw can not be ruled out although that particular outcome may not be of use to either side. An Abertillery win will not, sadly, take them out of the drop zone although they do have matches in hand over all their rivals. The visitors have improved of late and here will begin on the back of a fine, 3-0 home success over Llanwern. Form guide: Abertillery: L L W L L D 'Quins: L D L W D W Cyncoed Campus: Cardiff Metropolitan University (2) v Risca United (5). Tasks to gain a positive result don't come any harder than a trip to face free-scoring, second-placed opponents although this will be a challenge Risca will relish. Player-boss Paul Michael's side was 1-0 home victors over Newport Civil Service last Saturday and are just six points adrift of third-placed Pontypridd Town with a game in hand. However the capital-based students are one of the league's most consistent sides and here will begin unbeaten in 12 games since the campaign's start scoring 46 times. But Risca have several players who know where the back of the net is and this is by far from being the banker home win the league placings may suggest. Form guide: CMU: W W W W W W Risca: W L D L W W Larkfield Ground: Chepstow Town (7) v Bridgend Street (13). Interesting-looking battle between two clubs who have both posted some disappointing recent results. Chepstow lost 4-1 at home against top-of-the-table AFC Llwydcoed last weekend, their second defeat in three league outings stretching back to December 1, 2012. On form, they are more than capable to defeating any opponent and this game does offer a sound chance for them to return to winning ways. After some success following a managerial change, the capital-based visitors have not won in three league outings. Form guide: Chepstow: D W W L W L Bridgend St.: D W W L D L Newport Stadium: Llanwern (6) v Bettws (12). After consecutive wins plus reaching the NCSL Cup semi finals, Llanwern came down to earth with a bit of a bump in losing 3-0 at Cardiff Grange Harlequins. Missing a host of goal-scoring chances was part of the problem for the Steelmen, who are currently three places and six points off a promotion spot. Under normal circumstances, they would be overwhelming favourites to return to winning ways but the visitors have won three of their last six. That is a distinct improvement for them given their poor start to the season and here they will begin following a 3-0 home win over Bridgend Street. Form guide: Llanwern: W L L W W L Bettws: W W L L L W Sports Complex: Tredegar Town (9) v Llantwit Major (4). Tredegar are the sort of team who just do enough each season to retain their league status and they seem capable of doing so this time around. Last weekend's 3-0 win over Newcastle Emlyn was not only their best away result of the campaign, but it also took them into the top ten. Here thought, manager Shane Davies' side will have to be at its very best if it is to continue that sort of form. The visitors, league debutants, are an efficient outfit which is well capable of sustaining its promotion challenge. Form guide: Tredegar: L W L L L W Llantwit M.; W W W W L W Treowen Stars (10) v Newport Civil Service (8). This is a county derby between two clubs who could yet finish in a much higher end-of-season position given a fair rub of the green. That is something which they haven't really had in 2012-213 and both camps will see this as a chance to returning to winning ways. Treowen have not played a league game since a 4-1 home defeat by Llantwit Major on December 8, although they did win an FAW Trophy tie 2-1 at non-leaguers Ton & Gelli last time out. NCS were unlucky to lose 1-0 at Risca United and have experienced striker Phil Tranter keen to improve on his eight-goal league total. Form guide: Treowen: W W L D L L NCS: D L D W D L
NATHANIEL CAR SALES LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW 15 January 2013 by Terry Daley LOWEST-RANKED Llanwern have been drawn against title-chasing Division One outfit Taffs Well for a place in the Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup final. The semi-final tie offers Llanwern the chance to continue their quest to repeat their 2002 competition win while manager Gareth Morgan led Croesyceiliog to success in the event in 2011. Taffs Well are the holders, having defeated Cambrian & Clydach 2-0 in last season's final at Ton Pentre's Ynys Park home ground, The winners will face the victors of the all-Division One clash between Bryntirion Athletic and West End. * Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup semi-final draw: Bryntirion Athletic v West End; Llanwern v Taffs Well. Dates and venues tba.
GWENT SATURDAY ROUND-UP 14 January 2013 by Terry Daley A STOPPAGE-TIME penalty from debutant striker Olly Beckett earned struggling Caerleon a crucial home Division One point while in the second tier, leaders Goytre won for the 13th successive time since the season's start. Risca remain the county's highest-placed Division Three club after a single-goal victory over Newport Civil Service while Tredegar Town posted their best away result of the campaign a 4-0 triumph at Newcastle Emlyn. A whole series of postponements meant Beckett had to wait the best part of a month to make his Caerleon bow following his move from Division Two outfit Newport YMCA. But he proved Olly on the spot, literally, as he blasted home that penalty to deny visiting Bryntirion Athletic the three points. They, managed by former Cwmbran Town striker Francis Ford, had looked nailed on for victory as they led via Matthew Jones' 25th-minute effort. However just when it appeared Caerleon would be slipping to a ninth defeat in 14 outings, match referee Darren Adie rather harshly deemed visiting defender John Budd had handled in the area, Beckett dispatching the resulting penalty with ease to earn parity at 1-1. In all honesty, Bryntirion have a solid argument that they should have deserved to win because until Beckett's leveller, the only other shot they had on target was on 65 minutes when midfielder Luke Palmer struck the crossbar. Caerleon's best performer by far was goalkeeper Josh Rowland, who ironically was at fault for the goal when he failed to attempt to gather the ball before Jones fired home at the far post. That error apart, Rowland, up from the club's reserve, gave an assured display in both shot-stopping and ball handling on a glue-pot of a pitch. Not a great performance from manager Lee Relish's Caerleon side, but a point is better than nothing - especially given it had not played since November 24, 2012. Credit must go to all involved, match officials included, on an afternoon when both sets of management and substitutes would have been better wearing flippers rather than boots in the dug-out area! Title-chasing Goytre had Lee Jenkins, Callum Miles and Kyle Bassett on target in a 3-1 away success over bottom-but-one Cardiff Corinthians, but they paid a high price for making it 39 points out of 39 the loss for the next three matches of sent-off striker Luke Prosser. He was straight red-carded a early as the fifth minute for an alleged head-butt and he will now sit out the matches against Penrhiwceiber Rangers, Newport YMCA and Ammanford. Aberbargoed Buds remain fifth after recovering from a 3-0 deficit by only the 32nd minute to grab a point from a 3-3 draw at Penrhiwceiber, where Ross Fowler scored twice from the penalty spot and Jordan Harding the equaliser. Undy Athletic slipped a place to sixth and hosts Newport YMCA moved up to seventh after the city outfit won 3-1 at their Mendalgief Road HQ. Lee O'Connor and Nicky Potts put YMCA 2-0 ahead, Gareth Cullimore's 17th goal of the campaign reduced the arrears 10 minutes into the second period but a late Daniel Edwards effort made it 3-1 as YMCA made it seven wins from 17 league outings Caldicot Town, still 10th, recorded a third straight league win as goals from Richardo MacKenzie, Mitchell Slape and Luke Harris engineered a 3-0 home success over Ely Rangers while there was a welcome victory for Croesyceiliog. They travelled to basement outfit Cwmaman Institute, where a 3-2 win moved them up three places to 12th and out of the three-strong drop zone. Luke Fernquest, and own goal and Zac Osbourne, with his 11th of the season, were the goalscorers with club officials singing the praise of goalkeeper James Peckham for a solid display. Fifth-placed Risca's Ben Hurley went from hero to zero against visiting NCS, scoring the only goal of the game before getting sent off at Ty-Isaf Park while Llanwern (sixth) paid the price for missed chances in losing 3-0 at Cardiff Grange Harlequins. Last time out, Llanwern reached the Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup semi finals with a 2-0 home win over Cwmaman Institute, but manager Gareth Morgan was clearly unimpressed with his side's latest display. Sadly, we missed five good chances at 0-0 and went on to pay the price in the final 20 minutes when 'Quins took advantage, he remarked. We didn't pass the ball well enough at times and I have to wonder whether there was a bit of 'after The Lord Mayors Show' about us. In the in the end, for finishing their ('Quins) chances, I think we got what we deserved and the test now is how we bounce back next week and in our for consecutive home games over the next three weeks. Chepstow Town boss Russell Griffiths admitted his side were completely off the boil in only having a Mark Dunn goal to show for in a 4-1 home defeat at the hands of promotion-seeking AFC Llwydcoed. Tredegar made the long trip to Newcastle Emlyn seeking to halt a run of three successive league reverses and did it in style with goals from Chase Mullins (2), Wayne Savage and Luke Pothercary the 4-0 win moving them up three positions to ninth. Treowen Stars took time away from Division Three duties to make the trip to face South Wales Amateur outfit Ton & Gelli Boys' Club to seek a place in the last eight of the FAW Trophy and goals from Kristian Shephard and Josh Evans secured a 2-1 victory for manager Carl Evans' men, * The length of the season's extension will be announced after Monday's MacWhirter Welsh League management committee meeting. Also on the agenda is the draw for the semi finals of the Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup. Division Three Llanwern, competition winners in 2002, will be included alongside three Division One sides, Bryntirion Athletic, Taffs Well and Swansea-based West End.
GWENT SATURDAY PREVIEW 11 January 2013 by Terry Daley Two top-flight clubs, Caerleon and Cwmbran Celtic, are in home action while Division Two leaders Goytre visit the capital to seek a 13th successive Division Two win since the start of the season. All games kick off at 2.00pm. Division One (figures in brackets relate to league positions of 16). Cold Bath Road: Caerleon (14) v Bryntirion Athletic (10). Match fitness, or to be precise the lack of it, could be the problem here for Caerleon, who have not played since losing 4-0 at Haverfordwest County as long ago as November 24, 2012. Striker Olly Beckett has been waiting the best part of a month to make his club debut since signing from Newport YMCA. If Caerleon are to climb away from the danger zone, then he simply he has to hit the ground running in terms of goalscoring. The visitors, without a win in seven league games, start on the back of last Saturday's 2-1 home Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup victory over Division Three outfit Risca United - although they are only six points better off having played a game more. Form guide: Caerleon: L L L D D L Bryntirion: L D D D D L Celtic Park: Cwmbran Celtic (11) v Haverfordwest County (3). Good test this for Celtic, who were unbeaten in five league and cup games before an enforced break due to inclement weather. Their last outing was a fine, 4-2 home success over defending champions Cambrian & Clydach and although they faded somewhat during the last 15 minutes, a form repeat could well help them gain a fifth win in 13 league outing. I watched Haverfordwest win 2-0 at Barry Town last month and they looked an extremely well-organised side and they've since defeated visiting Bridgend Town 5-0. This clash will also be of interest to Chepstow Town, who host Haverfordwest in a Welsh Cup last-16 tie in two weeks time. Form guide: Celtic: L L D W D W Haverfordwest: L W W L W W Division Two. Jubilee Way: Caldicot Town (10) v Ely Rangers (11). With only one defeat in their last five league outings, Caldicot joint bosses Jason Pritchard and Mark Williams will doubtless feel this is a game their side can do well in. Indeed it seeks a third-successive victory and should they gain one and other results go their way, Caldicot could be sitting as high as seventh place. Acquitted themselves extremely well in only losing a League Cup tie 1-0 at Division One high-flyers Taffs Well last time out and will benefit from the return of striker Mitchell Slape from suspension. The visitors are also in fair form considering their league position and among their recent results was a 4-4 home draw with Aberbargoed Buds in December 1. Form guide: Caldicot: L W D L W W Ely Rangers: W D L D W D Riverside Ground, Radyr: Cardiff Corinthians (15) v Goytre (1). Could this be unlucky 13 for leaders Goytre, who have won all 12 of their league fixtures scoring no less than 39 goals and conceding just 14? They were, however, beaten 2-0 at Division One Pontardawe Town last weekend in a Welsh Cup tie - their third cup defeat of the season. Here, though, they will be odds-on to defeat the basement side which has posted just one win in 13 outings, although that was a 4-1 home success over Newport YMCA on December 17. Since, the capital hosts have drawn and lost in league outings although they only went down at third-placed Briton Ferry Llansawel by the odd goal in five last Saturday. Form guide: Goytre:: W W W W W W Cardiff Corries: D D W L D L Glanaman Road: Cwmaman Institute (16) v Croesyceiliog (14). If Croesyceiliog are to eventually climb away from the danger zone, then it's this sort of game from which they simply must gain all three points. They do start in good spirits having secured a last-minute 2-1 home success over county rivals Newport YMCA, with striker Zac Osbourne scoring once to take his season's total to 10. This match-up, though, won't be easy. I saw Cwmaman lose at Llanwern at Newport Stadium last Saturday, when they looked a useful side at times. However they did lack fire power and it was easy to see why they 12-goal total from 15 league fixtures is the lowest in the entire 16-strong division. Form guide: Cwmaman Institute: L D D L L L Croesyceiliog: L D L L D W Mendalgief Road: Newport YMCA (9) v Undy Athletic (6). Having lost eight of their first 16 games, the feeling is that YMCA are locked on for a mid-table finish to the season. Such is the tightness of the table that while manager Simon Pratt's men are only eight points off a top-three spot, they are only six points off the relegation danger zone and much now will depend on how YMCA react to the loss of departed striker Olly Beckett, now of top-flight outfit Caerleon. Undy have been equally inconsistent lately and are missing injured marksman Gareth Cullimore and begin here on the back of disappointing 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Penrhiwceiber Rangers. This game marks the start of the second half of the season for manager Mark Crook's side and while he and Pratt will most definitely want to win, a draw here would not be the end of the world for either. Form guide: YMCA: L W L W L L Undy: L W L W L L Division Three. International Sports Stadium: Cardiff Grange Harlequins (14) v Llanwern (6). Llanwern's confidence is sky high after reaching the Nathaniel League Cup semi finals, but they need to start winning on a more regular basis if they are to re-join the promotion pack. Manager Gareth Morgan's side currently trails third-placed Pontypridd Town by eight points, but with a game in hand and last time out in the league won 3-2 at Tredegar Town. Here they will seek some sort of revenge having lost a seven-goal thriller at this venue against the 'Quins in a Welsh Cup, round-one tie back in early October last year. The home side, now led by ex-Cwmbran Town boss Gary Proctor, drew 1-1 at Bridgend Street last weekend although they have scored less goals, only 12 in 14 starts, than any other club in the lower tier. Form guide: 'Quins: L L D L W D Llanwern: W D W L L W Larkfield Ground: Chepstow Town (7) v AFC Llwydcoed (2). Big test this for Chepstow, who are still in the Welsh Cup and who host Division One outfit Haverfordwest County on January 26 for a place in the last eight. Here they face a visiting side which is only one point off leaders Cardiff Metropolitan University and with a match in hand. Chepstow won't move up even if they win, but a success is simply a must if they are to hold onto the short-tails of the promotion pack. Llwydcoed are seeking a fourth consecutive league victory and they are the entire league's second-highest goal scorer behind CMU, with 42 in just 14 outings Form guide: Chepstow: W D W W L W AFC Llwydcoed: D W L W W W Parc Emlyn: Newcastle Emlyn (10) v Tredegar Town (11). One look at the form guide of each of these two struggling clubs gives the impression that even a point will be something of a bonus. Tredegar were 3-1 home losers to Chepstow Town last time out and manager Shane Davies will be keen to put a tick in the W column following three consecutive defeats. Here they visit a side which was thrashed 6-0 at bottom-club Treharris Athletic Western, who have reportedly increased their playing budget. Nonetheless home moral must be low after so many successive defeats and maybe Tredegar can prove good enough to make the long journey home as victors. Form guide: Newcastle E.: L L L L L L Tredegar: D L W L L L Ty-Isaf Park: Risca United (5) v Newport Civil Service (8). Interesting-looking local derby which had it taken place a few weeks before Christmas, may have been a banker home win in many people's minds. However Risca have become a touch inconsistent while at at the same time NCS have quickly become a team hard to defeat witness last Saturday's fine 1-1 home draw with promotion-seeking Pontypridd Town. Risca, however, do have more fire-power in such established scorers such as Brendon Scott, Ian Turner and Rob Aldridge while NCS recently lost striker Scott Lanyon to Treharris. A draw would harm Risca's hopes of maintaining an interest in the promotion race while parity would continue NCS' recent form improvement. Form guide: Risca: D W L D L W NCS: W D L D W D
GWENT SATURDAY ROUND-UP 8 January 2013 by Terry Daley LLANWERN remain on course to emulate their 2002 League Cup win, but Caldicot Town and Risca United slipped out following away defeats as did Goytre in their much-postponed Welsh Cup quarter-final at Pontardawe Town. In the MacWhirter Welsh League, there was a last-minute win for Croesyceiliog over county rivals Newport YMCA while Monmouth Town clinched a place in the final of the Gwent FA Senior Cup thanks to semi-final hosts Aberbargoed Buds missing TWO penalties. Llanwern, of Division Three, hosted Division Two strugglers Cwmaman Institute at Newport Stadium and started as slight favourites against a side which had only managed two draws in 13 league outings. They had, however defeated Treowen Stars and Bridgend Town to get to the Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup quarter finals, so the pre-match warning was there for manager Gareth Morgan's men. By the break, they were 1-0 ahead thanks to a well-executed 21st-minute volley from striker Daniel Cueto - although he, Ricky Amos and Jonathan Kift all wasted chances before the break. Had they been taken, then they would have to killed off Cwmaman. However the visitors appeared to take heart from the fact they remained in contention and the truth is they could well have been in the lead before goals from Kift and substitute Alex North in the final six minutes put Llanwern in the semi finals. Morgan, who won the competition as boss of Croesyceiliog in 2011 and is in his first season in charge following a spell with Cwmbran Celtic, later spoke of his team's success. We were fabulous in the first half, but were very wasteful in front of goal, he remarked. All of our players contributed and nobody has been more influential than our captain, Ben Fletcher (goalkeeper). I'm delighted to be in the last four alongside three amazingly-wealthy Division One teams (Bryntirion Athletic, Taffs Well and Swansea-based West End). Us being still in means we are the team them they all want to draw, but we are the team going into it with absolutely no pressure whatsoever with a squad full of lads who never would have dreamt of being there. I'm proud of the lads, but most of all I am delighted for our committee of Alan Watkins, Dave Jones and Carolynn Purcell because they are a fabulous support to us. What a turnaround from a club that looked like it may have been in danger of going out if existence and losing 13 players last Summer! They deserve it as much as the players. We will enjoy the semis with zero pressure! Caldicot, also of Division Two, slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Taffs Well while Division Three side Risca are out after going down 2-1 at Bryntirion. Goytre were beaten 2-0 at Pontardawe and can now concentrate on their bid to land the Division Two title, they lead the table having won all 12 of their league games. In the second tier, Croesyceiliog looked set for a home draw with YMCA, the hosts having scored both goals at that stage a penalty from Zac Osbourne, his 10th league goal of the campaign, and an own goal by Lewis Clare. However up popped Daniel Clouth to give Croesyceiliog a last-minute win, the success taking manager Mark Waddon' men to just one point away from safety. Undy Athletic only had a goal from James Barnes to show for in a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Penrhiwceiber Rangers and they remain in sixth position. In Division Three, league returnees Chepstow Town continued their fine form by winning 3-1 at Tredegar Town Wayne Savage scoring for the home team and Jason Thorn (2) and Ashley Palmer for the visitors. Mid-table Newport Civil Service had striker Phil Tranter scoring his eight league goal for the season in a 1-1 home draw with promotion-seeking Pontypridd Town club officials later praising 19-year-old Nathan Williams for an outstanding display. Monmouth scrapped through to the final of the Gwent Senior Cup by winning a seven-goal thriller at Aberbargoed, who found visiting goalkeeper Keiron Blackburn in top penalty-saving form. The Kingfishers led 3-1 before the home side struck back to level matters at 3-3. Blackburn first prevented Wayne Antoniazzi scoring from 12 yards and he repeated the feat when he saved Ross Fowler's last-kick penalty. Tony Rees, Jordan Harding and Anthony Hughes scored for Aberbargoed with Daniel MacDonald (2), Dan Compton and new signing Chris Hyde on target for Monmouth, who now meet the winners of the January 30 semi-final between Caldicot Town and Cwmbran Celtic.
CWMBRAN CELTIC'S FLOODLIGHT BID 31 December 2012 by Terry Daley CWMBRAN Celtic are hoping it will be third time lucky as the club continues its bid to further improve its ground and facilities. Celtic have twice been previously turned down for grants from fund-organisation Welsh Grounds Improvements. Celtic are currently in their third campaign in the top flight at their Celtic Park home after climbing through the divisions following promotion from the Gwent County League in time for the 2005-06 season. We have submitted our annual grant application to the WGI, confirmed Celtic's projects manager Malcolm Jarrett, who is also the club's acting general secretary. We have included three different items this year in the hope we get approval for one of them and, of course, our main priority is for the floodlights. This will be the third successive year we have applied for a grant for the floodlights and last time we were told that as our pitch was close to a main road and residential premises, we needed to get planning approval before they would consider awarding us a grant. This planning approval has now been obtained, so we are hoping they will now look favourably on this year's application. Also we have included a couple of less-costly schemes in our application. One is for the erection of 18-metre-high fencing behind both our goals to prevent balls flying into our neighbours' gardens at one end and hitting vehicles in Cwmbran Stadium car-park at the other end. While this work is obviously not included on the FAW's priority list, it is a priority for us in order that we do all we can to maintain good relations with our neighbours and the installation of this fencing will help that. The third scheme is for the installation of a PA system at our Celtic Park ground. Spectators visiting us are entitled to be aware of any team changes from the match programme and to general information such as substitutions during games. * The Welsh Grounds Improvements is the sister organisation of the Welsh Football Trust and a joint venture between the WFT and The Football Association of Wales. The company receives funding from the FAW to distribute as grant aid to clubs in the following FAW affiliated leagues: Huws Gray Cymru Alliance, MacWhirter Welsh, Spar Mid-Wales, Lock Stock Welsh Alliance, Guy Walmsley Welsh National (Wrexham) and the Corbett Welsh Women's Premier.
SECOND GWENT FA SENIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL DATE 31 December 2012 by Terry Daley ABERBARGOED Buds will host Monmouth Town in a Gwent FA Senior Cup semi-final tie on Saturday, January 5, 2013 kick off 2.00pm. The winners will clinch a final meeting with either Caldicot Town or Cwmbran Celtic, who play the other last-four tie at Jubilee Way on Wednesday, January 30 kick off 7.00pm.
GWENT WEEKEND ROUND-UP 31 December 2012 by Terry Daley RAIN-LASHED playing surfaces caused the entire MacWhirter Welsh League fixture programme to be wiped out over the weekend with officials now poised to order an extension for the third successive season. All of the weekend's 17 scheduled games, including the 11 involving local teams and starting with Croesyceiliog' trip to Garden Village on Friday night, were victims of inclement weather. The mass call-offs means the league's hope of using the two festive weekends for the first time in years fell foul of inclement weather - on December 22, only two of 18 matches went ahead. The League's Newport-based fixtures secretary, Tony Griffiths, confirmed the organisations management committee will soon reveal how long the campaign is to be extended. In view of the prolonged bad weather, it's inevitable that the season will have to be extended, explained Griffiths. The period of extension will be decided by the League's management committee at its meeting on Monday, 14th January. The last time no games were postponed because of adverse weather was on Saturday, November 17, since when only 43 of 96 scheduled fixtures have been completed and just nine of the last 58. This Saturday, three local sides, Caldicot Town, Llanwern and Risca United, will again not be in league action as the trio bid to reach the quarter finals of the Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup. A fourth, Goytre, will also not be involved in a league game, instead the Division Two leaders will try for the fifth time to play their Welsh Cup round-three tie against Division One side Pontardawe Town.
GARDEN VILLAGE V CROESYCEILIOG OFF TONIGHT 28 December 2012 by Terry Daley TONIGHT'S Division Two game between hosts Garden Village and Croesyceiliog has been last postponed because of an unfit playing surface.
GWENT WEEKEND PREVIEW 28 December 2012 by Terry Daley FESTIVE fixtures continue on Friday with Croesyceiliog visiting west Wales while wins for Monmouth Town and Goytre on Saturday could see them sit on the top of the Division One table and reach the last eight of the Welsh Cup respectively. FRIDAY (kick off 7.45pm). Division Two. Stafford Common, Kingsbridge: Garden Village (3) v Croesyceiliog (14). MATCH POSTPONED Having watched Croesyceiliog's last two games, a 1-0 home defeat by Dinas Powys and a 2-2 draw against visiting Briton Ferry Llansawel, I am aware player-manager Mark Waddon was desperately short of numbers because of injuries and work commitments. With a full squad available, Croesyceiliog can be a match for anyone although here they face a very difficult task to end a run of five matches without a win. Young striker Zac Osbourne is now scoring on a regular basis and should player-coach Jody Jenkins also return to form, then a mid-table spot is not beyond the home club. In a recent series of home games, the hosts beat Newport YMCA 1-0, slipped up 3-0 against Undy Athletic, drew 0-0 with Aberbargoed Buds and defeated Briton Ferry Llansawel 3-1. Form guide: Garden Village: W W W L D W Croesyceiliog: W L D L L D SATURDAY. Welsh Cup, round three (kick off 1.30pm, to be played to a conclusion). Plough Road: Goytre v Pontardawe Town. Fourth time of asking for this tie which with Division Two leaders Goytre bidding to join county neighbours Chepstow Town in the last 16 and also for the first time in their history. They will start having won all 12 of their league games. Goytre don't simply reply on 15-goal Luke Prosser because player-coach Simon Truman has six and Kyle Bassett five although the two defeats they've suffered this season were in Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup and Gwent FA Senior Cup ties. The visitors are seventh of 16 in Division One and the winners will earn a round-four visit to Jenner Park at take on another top-level side, Barry Town. Division One (all games kick off at 2.00pm): Cold Bath Road: Caerleon (14) v West End (Swansea) (6). This is a key game for Caerleon because a poor run of results has seen them slump to second from bottom of the 16-strong division. They have the third-worst scoring record of just 13 in as many games, although manager Lee Relish has moved to improve that strike rate. He will give a debut to striker Olly Beckett, who has a decent record of goalscoring with Division Two side Newport YMCA over recent seasons. The visitors are on a good run of form, although they could only draw their last two games 0-0 at AFC Porth and 1-1 at home to Bryntirion Athletic. Form guide: Caerleon: L L L D D L West End: D W W W D D Celtic Park: Cwmbran Celtic (11) v Aberdare Town (12). Celtic will start full of confidence on the strength of an unbeaten run of five league and cup games including a fine 4-2 home victory over defending champions Cambrian & Clydach last time out. The form has helped them get away from the relegation zone and this match-up offers head coach Della Cheedy's side to further enhance its bid for mid-table security. I watched them defeat Cambrian & Clydach and in young former Abertillery Bluebirds striker Josh Bull, Celtic have a raw talent who could well prove to be their talisman. Aberdare may be a bit rusty having not played a league game since losing 2-0 at home to AFC Porth as far back as October 27 Form guide: Celtic: L L D W D W Aberdare: D W W D D L Sports Ground: Monmouth Town (4) v Tata Steel (Margam) (16). Inactivity last weekend meant Monmouth slipped a place to fourth - but with three teams above them all in away action, the a win for the Kingfishers could take them to the very top of the league. That would be the first time for the club to achieve that since they were formed 136 year ago and here they seek their eighth win in 13 league starts. Joint managers Barry Burns and Robin Pick, though, will certainly tell their troops that this clash won't the as easy as it may appear for them to gain a victory from. Although the visitors are last in the 16-strong division, the 23 goals conceded is not only the lowest among the bottom five but it's the same total as Monmouth. Form guide: Monmouth: D W W W W W Tata Steel: L L L W L L Division Two: Cwrt-Yr-Ala: Caerau (Ely) (11) v Undy Athletic (6). After recovering from an inconsistent spell by landing three successive victories, Undy slipped to a hugely disappointing 1-0 home defeat at the hands of closest rivals Caldicot Town last time out. That was their first blank in 14 league games and here they face hosts who are a equally inconsistent That makes it extremely difficult to predict what will happen and if this ends all square, then I don't believe it would do any side any harm. Undy, though, will be flat out to post a ninth win from 15 starts although it's worth pointing out that the home side has only conceded 16 goals in 11 league games. Form guide: Caerau (Ely): L L D W D L Undy: L L W L W L Riverside Ground, Radyr: Cardiff Corinthians (15) v Aberbargoed Buds (4). Aberbargoed were the only local side in action last weekend, when they defeated visiting Cwmaman Institute 4-0. That took player-manager Alyn Jones' men to just a point away from third spot and they have a couple of games in hand over the club immediately above them, Garden Village. Jones' squad for that game against Cwmaman included no less than five 17-year-olds, although they are sure to turn to some more established players for this particular task. A word of warning here because while several weeks ago this may have looked like a foregone conclusion, the bottom-but-one hosts lost just once in five including a 4-1 home success over Newport YMCA and a 3-3 draw at Caldicot Town. Form guide: Cardiff Corries: L D D W L D Aberbargoed: W W W D D W Mendalgief Road: Newport YMCA (8) v Ammanford (2). A real tough test this for YMCA because apart from leaders Goytre, Ammanford are the league's most in-form side and have won six successive games. However YMCA were the last team to down the west Walians colours, 2-0 at Ammanford on September 22 which goals were scored by Olly Beckett and Nicky Potts. Beckett has recently joined Division One outfit Caerleon and it will be interesting to discover how struggling-for-form YMCA will cope without their leading scorer over the past couples of seasons. Among Ammanford's victims in their fine run of wins were visiting duo Caldicot Town, who were beaten 4-1 and Croesyceiliog 5-2. Form guide: YMCA: L L W L L L Ammanford: W W W W W W Division Three: Cwmnant-Y-Groes: Abertillery Bluebirds (14) v Bridgend Street (12). Abertillery have won only two of 12 league games, although this is a game which they feel they have the capabilities of emerging victorious from. Manager Adrian Howells led his side to a 1-1 draw at bottom-placed Treharris Athletic Western last time out, but it's wins they need if they are to be still playing at this level in 2013-14. Lack of match practice could be the problem for Abertillery because that draw with Treharris was on December 8 and the previous league outing was a 3-1 defeat at Llantwit Major as long ago as November 10. The visitors had gone three unbeaten following a managerial change, but went down 4-3 at highly-flying AFC Llwydcoed three weeks ago. Form guide: Abertillery: L L W L L D Bridgend St.: L L D W W L North Site: Bettws (Bridgend) (13) v Tredegar Town (11). With three defeats in their last four league outings, Tredegar are seeking a much-needed win towards their bid for mid-table respectability. Their last success was a 2-1 home win over struggling Treharris Athletic Western on November 17, since when they've lost 2-0 at Bridgend Street and 3-2 against visiting Llanwern. They will doubtless target this particular game as a 'must-win' and with the hosts being as equally inconsistent, then manager Shane Davies team could well gain a positive result here. Following an unbeaten four-game sequence, Bettws have lost two successive games the last one 6-3 at Newport Civil Service three weeks ago. Form guide: Bettws: D W W W L L Tredegar: L D L W L L Larkfield Ground: Chepstow Town (7) v Treharris Athletic Western (16). Chepstow are still playing catch-up following a red-tape delay to the start of their season and here will feel they can return to winning ways following a 2-1 defeat at Pontypridd Town at beginning of the month. They will, however, still be on something of a high after recently reaching Welsh Cup last 16 for the first time in their 134-year-old history following a 2-0 win over Anglesey side Gwalchmai. A win won't move Chepstow up any places, but it would be their sixth in nine outings while it's a completely different story for the visitors. Treharris have drawn three times in their last six league games, but those are the only points they have gathered in 12 fixtures although they will give debut to established striker Scott Lanyon, signed this week from Newport Civil Service. Form guide: Chepstow: W W D W W L Treharris: D L D L D L Windmill Ground: Llantwit Major (4) v Newport Civil Service (9). NCS will start with a recent improved run of form which includes a 6-3 home victory over Bridgend-based visitors Bettws on December 8. Veteran striker Phil Tranter netted four times to take his season's tally to seven with fellow-marksman Scott Lanyon also on the mark to move onto five goals. However Lanyon's subsequent departure to Treharris could well dent NCS' hopes of an end-of-season top-six spot. This is an extremely difficult task against in-form hosts although don't make the mistake that NCS won't be up for the challenge. Form guide: Llantwit M.; D W W W W W NCS: L W D L D W Ynysangharad Park: Pontypridd Town (3) v Risca United (5). If Risca are serious about a top-three finish, then this is a game that they can't really afford to drop any points from. Risca, though, will begin with sky-high confidence having knocked out Division One high-fliers Monmouth Town of the Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup in their last game. Before that, player-manager Paul Michael's troops won 5-1 at Cardiff Grange Harlequins - although a first clean-sheet in seven games would be far more important here. The home side is seeking a fifth consecutive success and their run includes wins over Tredegar Town, Llanwern and Chepstow Town. Form guide: Pontypridd: W D W W W W Risca: D W L D L W
VILLAGE V CROESY ON FRIDAY MATCH POSTPONED 26 December 2012 On Friday, 28th December 2012, Garden Village entertain Croesyceiliog in a Division Two fixture. Kick off is at 7.45pm.
GWENT FA SENIOR CUP SEMI FINAL 26 December 2012 from Steve Bright, Caldicot Town FC
Caldicot Town v Cwmbran Celtic
GWENT SATURDAY ROUND-UP 24 December 2012 by Terry Daley ABERBARGOED Buds were the only local side in MacWhirter Welsh League action, a 4-0 home success over struggling Cwmaman Institute taking them up to fourth place in the Division Two table. Striker Ross Fowler scored twice, the first from the penalty spot, with other goals coming from John Edwards and player-boss Alyn Jones, who came on as a substitute after the break. There was nothing really remarkable about the win, after all the bottom-placed visitor have now conceded no less than 63 goals in only 15 league matches. However what was is Aberbargoed named five 17-year-olds in their 16-strong match-day squad goalkeeper Alec Lewis and Keiron Thomas starting, Alex Lipiatt and Jordan Maisey coming off the bench while Lewis Nutt remained an unused substitute. Young players are the life-blood of all clubs at every level and we are lucky here that we have such fine talent at youth level, said Aberbargoed director-of-football John Lewis. We had no qualms about putting these young lads in and those who played all did well. We also gave a debut to midfielder Nyran Bird, who we recently signed from Ton Pentre Aberbargoed now have 26 points from 13 outings and are only a point behind third-placed Garden Village with two games in hand and have a good chance of gaining another three on Saturday, when they travel to the capital to tackle one-from-the-bottom Cardiff Corinthians. In the league's only other game to go ahead, Haverfordwest County's 5-0 home Division One success over Bridgend Town took them above Monmouth Town into fourth position in the 16-strong. However the result favoured struggling Caerleon, who remain two points adrift of Bridgend but now with a match in hand over the Brewery Field club. There is a full programme of fixtures at the weekend with all three local sides in home Division One action - Caerleon host Swansea-based West End, it's the visit of Aberdare Town for Cwmbran Celtic while Monmouth entertain Tata Steel, of Margam. The action starts on Friday night, when Croesyceiliog visit Garden Village for a Division Two encounter kick off 7.45pm. * The postponement of Goytre's home Welsh Cup, round-three tie against Pontardawe Town means takes priority over league matches and will now be played at their Plough Road HQ on Saturday. Division One side Pontardawe were originally drawn at home in the last-16 clash, but new competition rules state clubs forfeit ground advantage if the ties is twice postponed. The winners face a trip to Jenner Park to face another top-flight outfit, Barry Town, with Goytre seeking to reach the quarter finals for the first time in their 110-year-old history. The re-schedulement of the game against Pontardawe, means Goytre's home league game with Caldicot Town must now be allocated a new date. * Cwmbran Celtic's away Gwent Senior Cup semi final against Caldicot Town will take place on Wednesday, January 20, kick off 7.00pm. The winners will face Aberbargoed Buds or Monmouth Town, whose last-four clash was postponed last week and will now be played on an-as-yet unnamed date.
GWENT SATURDAY PREVIEW 21 December 2012 by Terry Daley Because of postponements, Monmouth Town and Goytre are again seeking historic wins although the inclement weather could still have a big say in which games actually go ahead on Saturday. All league games kick off at 2.00pm while the Welsh Cup tie will start at 1.30pm and be played to a conclusion. Division One (figures in brackets relate to league positions). Dinas Park: AFC Porth (1) v Monmouth Town (3). Not that it will count for anything, but the last time unbeaten-in-seven Porth lost was on October 6 when visiting Monmouth won a Welsh Cup, round-one tie 6-5 on penalties following a 0-0 after-extra-time draw. It's highly unlikely that this will end in another goalless stalemate, the home side having netted 18 goals in their subsequent seven league and cup outings with Monmouth racking up 22 from eight games since. However it's a fact that Porth are top of the league's Clean-Sheet list with eight in 13 starts while Monmouth have yet to register one in 12 matches. The teams also drew a league game 3-3 at Monmouth and victory here will end a 134-year-old wait for them to sit at the top of this level of football. Form guide: AFC Porth: W D W D D W Monmouth: D W W W W W Aberaman Park: Aberdare Town (12) v Caerleon (14). This is a key game for Caerleon because a poor run of results has seen them slump to second from bottom of the 16-strong division. They have the third-worst scoring record of just 13 in as many games, although manager Lee Relish has moved to improve that strike rate. He will give a debut to striker Olly Beckett, who has a decent record of goalscoring with Division Two side Newport YMCA over recent seasons. The home side was starting to put together a fair unbeaten run of league games until they were beaten 2-0 at home by AFC Porth. Form guide: Aberdare: D W W D D L Caerleon: L L L D D L Division Two. Recreation Ground: Aberbargoed Buds (6) v Cwmaman Institute (16). On the face of it, this match-up does represent a good chance for Aberbargoed to return to winning ways following a couple of credible away draws at Ely Rangers and Garden Village. The visitors lost all of their 10 opening league fixtures before rallying to gain parity from visits to Caldicot Town and Cardiff Corinthians. However they have since slumped to heavy defeats against Undy Athletic (6-0) and Ely Rangers (7-3) the 13 goals taking the number conceded in 14 league games to no less that 59. Victory here for player-boss Alyn Jones' team, whose home Gwent Senior Cup semi final against Monmouth on Wednesday was postponed, could take them up to as high as fourth position. Form guide: Aberbargoed: W W W W D D Cwmaman Institute: L L D D L L Athletic Ground: Caerau (13) v Newport YMCA (8). Four successive away defeats have seriously dented YMCA's previous record of having one of the best on-the-road records in the entire 48-strong league. It has meant a halt to their bid for a top-three spot and it won't help matters that they have lost striker Olly Beckett to Division One outfit Caerleon. Manager Simon Pratt's side were unlucky to lose 3-2 at Penrhiwceiber Rangers last Saturday, when a missed last-kick penalty prevented it from staging a complete recover from a three-goal deficit. The home team were 2-1 home winners over Rangers the previous weekend and while they will be all out to clinch a victory, a point here for YMCA would not be the end of the world. Form guide: Caerau: D L W D L W YMCA: W L L W L L L Woodland Road: Croesyceiliog (14) v Ely Rangers (12). Having watched Croesyceiliog's last two games, a 1-0 home defeat by Dinas Powys and a 2-2 draw against visiting Briton Ferry Llansawel, I am aware player-manager Mark Waddon was desperately short of numbers because of injuries and work commitments. With a full squad available, Croesyceiliog can be a match for anyone and here they stand a fair chance of ending a run of five matches without a win. Young striker Zac Osbourne is now scoring on a regular basis and should player-coach Jody Jenkins also return to form, then a mid-table spot is not beyond the home club. The visitors have also struggled this campaign, but ended a three-games-without-a-victory sequence last weekend with a fine 7-3 home success over basement outfit Cwmaman Institute. Form guide: Croesyceiliog: W L D L L D Ely Rangers: W W D L D W The Causeway: Undy Athletic (5) v Cardiff Corinthians (15). After recovering from an inconsistent spell by landing three successive victories, Undy slipped to a hugely disappointing 1-0 home defeat at the hands of closest rivals Caldicot Town last time out. That was their first blank in 14 league games and several weeks ago and a visit from the struggling capital outfit may at first seem like a fair opportunity to bounce back from a defeat. However the Corries have suddenly found some form in the shape of just one defeat in five including a 4-1 home success over Newport YMCA and a 3-3 draw at Caldicot Town. There is a huge incentive though here for Undy as victory will take them up to third position behind leaders Goytre and Ammanford. Form guide: Undy: L L W L W L Corries: L D D W L D Division Three. The Willows, Tremorfa: Bridgend Street (12) v Llanwern (6). After successive defeats against fellow-promotion contenders Llantwit Major and Pontypridd Town, manager Gareth Morgan's men bounced back by winning 3-2 at Tredegar Town a week last Saturday. If Llanwern are to be considered serious contenders to go up, then this is the sort of game from which they simply can not afford to drop any points. Llanwern are certainly good enough to take all three here, although they failed to win their last two home games. The visitors had gone three unbeaten following a managerial change, but went down 4-3 at highly-flying AFC Llwydcoed two weeks ago. Form guide: Bridgend St.: L L D W W L Llanwern: W D W L L W Shannon Close, Bettws: Newport Civil Service (13) v Newcastle Emlyn (14). NCS will start with a recent improved run of form which includes a 6-3 home victory over Bridgend-based visitors Bettws on December 8. Veteran striker Phil Tranter netted four times to take his season's tally to seven with fellow-marksman Scott Lanyon also on the mark to move onto five goals since his recent arrival. The visitors are on the crest of a slump and their run of five consecutive defeats began when they lost 2-0 at Llanwern in late October. A goalless stalemate is highly unlikely as NCS' last six games have produced an even for and against total of 40 goals. Form guide: NCS: L W D L D W Newcastle E.: W L L L L L Ty-Isaf Park: Risca United (4) v Llantwit Major (5). Am always wary of labelling a game 'must-win', but in this case Risca really do need to take all three points against the in-form league debutants. Out to improve on a record of four successive victories, including 3-0 and 3-1 wins at Llanwern and against visiting Abertillery Bluebirds respectively, the visitors are five points clear of Risca and have a match in hand. Risca, though, will begin with sky-high confidence having knocked out Division One high-fliers Monmouth Town of the Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup in their last game. Before that, player-manager Paul Michael's troops won 5-1 at Cardiff Grange Harlequins - although a first clean-sheet in seven games would be far more important here. Form guide: Risca: D W L D L W Llantwit M.; L L W W W W Leisure Complex: Tredegar Town (11) v Cardiff Grange Harlequins (15). With three defeats in their last four league outings, Tredegar are seeking a much-needed win towards their bid for mid-table respectability. Their last success was a 2-1 home win over struggling Treharris Athletic Western on November 17, since when they've lost 2-0 at Bridgend Street and 3-2 against visiting Llanwern. On the day they were beaten at Bridgend Street, the hosts were managed by former Cwmbran Town boss Gary Proctor. He is now in charge of the Quins, who won in his first game in charge last weekend when they defeated visiting Treharris. Form guide: Tredegar: L D L W L L 'Quins: L L L D L W Bush Park: Treowen Stars (8) v Pontypridd Town (3). Tough challenge for Treowen, whose poor run of form suggest a mid-table spot is probably the likely finishing place for them. Having explained that, there's no doubt that manager Carl Evans' side can more than hold their own against any opponents on their day. Need to tighten up at the back though because they've shipped 15 goals in losing three of their last four league games. The visitors are seeking a fifth consecutive success and their run includes wins over Tredegar Town, Llanwern and Chepstow Town. Form guide: Treowen: W W L D L L Pontypridd: W D W W W W Welsh Cup, round three. Plough Road: Goytre v Pontardawe Town. In compliance with new competition rules, this tie has been switched to Goytre following two postponements at the home ground of top-tier outfit Pontardawe. The Division Two leaders are bidding to join county neighbours Chepstow Town in the last 16 and also for the first time in their history. They will start having won all 12 of their league games, although the only two defeats they have suffered this season were in Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup and Gwent Senior Cup ties. The visitors are seventh of 16 in Division One and the winners will earn a round-four visit to Jenner Park at take on another top-level side, Barry Town.
GWENT WEDNESDAY PREVIEW 19 December 2012 by Terry Daley Division One (kick off 7.30pm): Rhiw Dda'r: Taffs Well (2) v Cwmbran Celtic (11). MATCH POSTPONED Clash of two very in-form teams with the visitors starting on the strength of an unbeaten run of five league and cup games. I saw their last outing, a 4-2 home win over defending champions Cambrian & Clydach, and there were elements in that game which suggest Celtic are now more than capable of further climbing the table. On the other hand there were also phases in that match which head coach Della Cheedy will seek to correct and in all honesty, a point here will be seen as a huge bonus towards the side's continuing development. The hosts are unbeaten in eight league games stretching back to their last reverse, a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Pontardawe Town on August 31. Form guide: Taffs Well: D D D W D W Celtic: L L D W D W Gwent FA Senior Cup, semi final (kick off 7.30pm). Recreation Ground: Aberbargoed Buds v Monmouth Town. MATCH POSTPONED Intriguing-looking last-four tie which will be the first to be played under Aberbargoed's newly-installed floodlights. The home side are seventh in Division Two while the visitors are hunting a third successive championship win and are currently in third position in Division One. Monmouth will only be too aware that the last time they visited this venue for a semi final in this competition, on December 31, 2011, they were beaten 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2, after-extra-time draw. The winners will face either Caldicot Town or Cwmbran Celtic, that particular tie not having yet been allocated a date.
GWENT TUESDAY ROUND-UP 18 December 2012 by Terry Daley Division Two. Caldicot Town 3 (Mitchell Slape; David Lloyd, pen; Simon Jones) Dinas Powys 1 (Gareth Tedstone). CALDICOT climbed three places to 10th with this win at their Jubilee Way home, where the visitors had two players sent off by Newport referee James Williams. In total, Mr. Williams saw fit to issued no fewer than nine yellows and two reds as Caldicot gained revenge for a 4-3 defeat at Dinas Powys in mid-August. The home side took a fortuitous fifth-minute lead when DP goalkeeper's attempted clearance flew past him after he'd kicked the ball at Caldicot striker Mitchell Slape. First two see red was DP defender Nicky Bruce, who was deemed to have lunged when making a tackle and just five minutes later, it was 2-0 on when midfielder David Lloyd scored from the penalty spot after Luke Blakebrough had been brought down. Within three minutes. DP's skipper Adam Raymond picked up two bookings to reduce his team to nine men but they continued to get forward enough to score via Gareth Tedstone's low, near-post drive. However when DP keeper Lack repeated his earlier error, this time off the shins of substitute Simon Jones, eight minutes from time it settled matters once and for all. Referee James Williams saw fit to issue no less than nine yellow and two reds and in all honesty, it simply wasn't a dirty game although some were for verbal indiscretions.
18 December 2012 from AFC Llwydcoed AFC Llwydcoeds players can look forward to 2013 with lots of anticipation. AFC Llwydcoed's Division Three campaign will re-start on 5th January 2013 (2.00pm) at home against Bettws. AFC Llwydcoed are currently in second position of the three promotion places. Manager Leighton Price will be looking to maintain the players' fitness with the help of Coach Ian Doherty and Fitness Coach Les Mellor. This will be the key to the opening games in January. On Saturday January 12th they travel to Chepstow Town. AFC Llwydcoed's Reserve Division West squad have a home game over the Christmas period on Saturday 29th December (2.00pm) against Cambrian & Clydach, a victory would be welcome for Manager Gareth Morgan, Co-Manager Kevin Spencer and their squad. AFC Llwydcoeds 2013 year could be one to remember.
GWENT TUESDAY PREVIEW 18 December 2012 by Terry Daley Division Two. Jubilee Way: Caldicot Town (15) v Dinas Powys (7). WITH only one defeat in five league and cup games, including a 1-0 win at close-rivals Undy Athletic, confidence is high in the Caldicot camp. Victory here will move Caldicot up two places, and three if the win is by a big enough margin, while an away success well take Dinas Powys above Aberbargoed Buds into sixth position. Dinas Powys, though, have recovered somewhat from a run of four successive league and cup defeats by winning 1-0 at Croesyceiliog and drawing 1-1 at Cardiff Corinthians. The teams met at Dinas Powys on August 18, when the Caldicot slipped to a 4-3 defeat, David Lloyd, Samir Misbah and Grant Thompson on target for them. Caldicot: L L W D L W Dinas Powys: D L L L W D
GWENT SATURDAY ROUND-UP 17 December 2012 by Terry Daley DESPITE not kicking a ball in anger between them, the title bids of both Monmouth Town and Goytre's were strengthened on a day when only one local side managed any competitive action. However even though they recovered from a three-goal deficit, Newport YMCA eventually slipped to a 3-2 away Division Two defeat at Penrhiwceiber Rangers missing a last-kick penalty to deny themselves a point. Monmouth were scheduled to host former champions Bryntirion Athletic, but an unfit playing surface caused the game was postponed and that meant a Barry Town win over visiting Haverfordwest County would have taken them above the third-placed Kingfishers. But Barry's 2-0 defeat means Monmouth still head them by a couple of points, but they now have two matches in hand over the Jenner Park club which remains fourth. Monmouth, chasing a third successive divisional title, are two points adrift of leaders AFC Porth, who they visit on Saturday. Division Two table-toppers Goytre had the disappointment of seeing their Welsh Cup last-16 against hosts Pontardawe Town become a victim of a very late postponement yet later celebrated the fact that one of their closest rivals were beaten. Briton Ferry Llansawel lost 3-1 at Garden Village, an outcome which meant the hosts leap-frogged the visitors into third position. Goytre remain nine points ahead of second-placed Ammanford having played a game less and that will be two on Saturday because of the re-scheduled Welsh Cup tie with Pontardawe. YMCA trailed hosts Penrhiwceiber Rangers 2-0 at the break and soon it was 3-0 before goals by Nicky Potts and Alex Jenkins made for an exciting finale. However it was the usually-dependable John 'Frankie' Pardue who was the villain as his last-gasp penalty, awarded after Aaron Stewart had been fouled, struck the crossbar and away to safety. Victory would have elevated YMCA a position to seventh and they are again in away action on Saturday, whey they travel to face Maesteg-based Caerau. Mid-week games (7.30pm, unless stated). Tuesday: Division Two Caldicot Town v Dinas Powys (7.15pm). Wednesday: Division One Taffs Well v Cwmbran Celtic. Gwent FA Senior Cup, semi final Aberbargoed Buds v Monmouth Town.
GWENT FA SENIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL DATE 15 December 2012 by Terry Daley ABERBARGOED Buds will play their first game under newly-installed floodlights on Wednesday 19th, when they host Division One outfit Monmouth Town in the first of this season's Gwent FA Senior Cup semi finals. The game at the Recreation Ground will kick off at 7.30pm with the winners facing either Caldicot Town or Cwmbran Celtic - whose last-four tie has not yet been allocated a date. Gwent FA Senior Cup, semi finals: Wednesday, December 19 kick off 7.30pm. Recreation Ground: Aberbargoed Buds v Monmouth Town. TBA - Jubilee Way: Caldicot Town v Cwmbran Celtic.
15 December 2012 Barry Town have reappointed Gavin Chesterfield as Manager of the Welsh League team after a satisfactory meeting between the Chairman and Mr Chesterfield. The Club would like to thank those who have enquired about the former vacancy.
GWENT SATURDAY PREVIEW 14 December 2012 by Terry Daley Division Two leaders Goytre travel to west Wales to seek further Welsh Cup glory on Saturday while victory for Monmouth Town could take them to the top of the Division One table for the first time in their 136-year-old history. All games kick off at 2.00pm with the cup match being played to a conclusion. DIVISION ONE. Cold Bath Road: Caerleon (14) v Cwmbran Celtic (11). This is a crucial derby for both sides as they each continue their bids to claw themselves away from the wrong end of the 16-strong top-tier table. In terms of recent form, the hosts will start as underdogs and depending on your point of view, manager Lee Relish's troops will be either ring-rusty or well-rested having not played since losing 4-0 at Haverfordwest County on November 24. Celtic, on the other hand, will start full of confidence on the strength of an unbeaten run of five league and cup games including last weekend's fine 4-2 home victory over defending champions Cambrian & Clydach. Caerleon are certain to give a debut to striker Olly Beckett, who has been brought in from Newport YMCA to boost a record of only 13 games in as many games. Form guide: Caerleon: L L L D D L Celtic: L L D W D W Sports Ground: Monmouth Town (3) v Bryntirion Athletic (9). Monmouth continue their title bid against the former champions and start on the back of an unbeaten league run of seven games and their last top-level defeat was 2-1 on September 1 at Bryntirion. However their last two games have resulted in 3-2 home League and Welsh Cup losses, although the latter was against Corbett Welsh Premier League side Bala Town. The Kingfishers last home league fixture saw them prevail 3-1 against Caerleon on November 17, when prolific scorer Daniel MacDonald took his season's tally to 14. The visitors are without a win in seven outings, but the four draws on their record includes games at high-flying clubs such as Taffs Well and AFC Porth, who they shared eight goals with. Form guide: Monmouth: D W W W W W Bryntirion: L D D D D L DIVISION TWO. Jubilee Way: Caldicot Town (11) v Aberbargoed Buds (6). Caldicot, in many respects, are still finding their feet under joint managers Jason Pritchard and Mark Williams but here will begin with sky-high confidence having won 1-0 at close rivals Undy Athletic last Saturday. However they have since lost giant striker Zaki Misbah to Division Two rivals Caerau (Ely), although in Mitchel Slape they still have a 6ft-plus presence up front. Aberbargoed are on the crest of a wave form wise, although their last two games ended in stalemate at Ely Rangers (4-4) and Garden Village (0-0). Both clubs have similar scoring records, 21 as opposed to 22, and they key here could be the defensive capabilities with the home side having conceded 28 in 13 and the visitors only 15 in 12. Form guide: Caldicot: L L W D L W Aberbargoed: W W W W D D Woodland Road: Croesyceiliog (14) v Caerau (12). Croesyceiliog are currently suffering from a lack of numbers, for various reasons, and really need to start winning if they are to climb out of the three-strong drop zone. I watched them being desperately unlucky to lose 1-0 at home against Dinas Powys and then again when they had to claw back a 2-0 deficit before drawing 2-2 against visiting Briton Ferry Llansawel. Player-coach Jody Jenkins came off injured in that last game and if Croesyceiliog are to survive, the striker must return to his previous prolific goalscoring ways. The visitors were 2-1 home winners over Penrhiwceiber Rangers last time out after losing 3-1 at table-topping Goytre last time out and just three points better off than the hosts. Form guide: Croesyceiliog: W L D L L D Caerau: D L W D L W Glasbrook Field: Penrhiwceiber Rangers (10) v Newport YMCA (7). If you look at each clubs' form guides, it's not too difficult to come to the conclusion that this encounter could easily end in parity. YMCA are playing away for the third successive league match and if they are to hang onto the shirt-tails of the promotion pack, they simply must improve on 1-0 and 4-1 defeats at Garden Village and Cardiff Corinthians respectively. They will be without one of their leading scorers over recent seasons, Olly Becket who has joined top-level side Caerleon, but still have others who know where the back of the net is. The home team is currently on something of the crest of a slump although they last time they visited Gwent, they emerged 5-3 victors at Caldicot Town. Form guide: Rangers: L L D L W L YMCA: W L L W L L DIVISION THREE. Cwmnant-Y-Groes Field, Six Bells: Abertillery Bluebirds (14) v Tredegar Town (11). Abertillery have won only two of 12 league games, although this is a game which they feel they have the capabilities of emerging victorious from. Manager Adrian Howells led his side to a 1-1 draw at bottom-placed Treharris Athletic Western last weekend, but it's wins they need if they are to be still playing at this level in 2013-14. Tredegar are slightly better off, five points to be exact, but they have played more games, 15 as opposed to just 11 and that represents the halfway stage of their fixtures. Not quite a 'must win' game for either side although a draw here would probably suit the visitors more. Form guide: Abertillery: L L W L L D Tredegar: L D L W L L The Willows, Tremorfa: Bridgend Street (12) v Treowen Stars (8). After looking capable of sustaining a promotion drive, Treowen have gone off the boil somewhat and start with only one point gained from the past 12 on offer. In those four games, manager Carl Evans' troops have leaked 14 goals and were beaten 4-1 at home by high-flying Llantwit Major recently. There are also problems at the other end because their 17-goal total is fourth lowest in the 16-strong section although Treowen can be a match for most if they strike form. The visitors lost 4-1 at AFC Llwydcoed - for the first time in four games since a recent managerial change and will be slight favourites to land the three points here. Form guide: Bridgend St.: L L D W W L Treowen: W W L D L L Larkfield Ground: Chepstow Town (7) v Newport Civil Service (9). Mid-table county derby clash between two clubs who will start full of confidence following good wins last time out. The hosts are on a high after reaching the last 16 of the Welsh Cup for the first time in their 134-year-old history after travelling all the way to Anglesey to defeat Gwalchmai 2-0. NCS saw off visiting Bridgend-based Bettws 6-3 last Saturday, when vastly-experienced striker Phi Tranter scored four times. Having played only eight league games, Chepstow are playing catch-up and even though they are only a point adrift, NCS have played five more times and a draw would satisfy them more than the hosts. Form guide: Chepstow: W W D W W L NCS: L W D L D W Welsh Cup, round three. Recreation Ground: Pontardawe Town v Goytre. Division Two leaders Goytre seek to join county neighbours Chepstow Town in the last 16 by taking on the top-tier outfit in a tie which postponed from last Saturday. Goytre have won all 12 of their league games, but the only two defeats they've suffered have been in Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup and Gwent FA Senior Cup games. The home side are seventh of 16 in Division One and the winners will earn a round-four visit to Jenner Park to take on another top-level side, Barry Town.
CARDIFF GRANGE HARLEQUINS APPOINT NEW MANAGER 13 December 2012 Cardiff Grange Harlequins are pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Proctor as the clubs new manager. The former Bridgend Street, Cwmbran Town and Llanelli manager, Gary takes over the reins immediately as the club look to consolidate their position in the Welsh League. The club wish him well. The Quins would also like to place on record their thanks to Mike Wadden for his efforts and input over the last three seasons and wish him well for the future.
ELY RANGERS REARRANGED FIXTURE ON SATURDAY 13 December 2012 Ely Rangers have a rearranged home Division Two fixture on Saturday 15 December versus Cwmaman Institute (2.00pm).
GWENT SATURDAY ROUND-UP 10 December 2012 by Terry Daley CHEPSTOW Town will reach the last eight of the Welsh Cup for the first time in their 134-year-old history if they defeat visiting Division One outfit Haverfordwest County next month. Manager Russell Griffiths' Division Three side, established in 1878 and the lowest-ranked competition survivors, made light of a 500-mile round to Anglesey to defeat Lock Stock Welsh Alliance hosts Gwalchmai 2-0. In the top-flight, Cwmbran Celtic stretched their unbeaten league and cup run to a fifth game with a home success, Caldicot Town won 1-0 at close-proximately rivals Undy Athletic in Division Two while lower-tier club Newport Civil Service hit visiting Bridgend-based Bettws for six. But it's Chepstow who rightly take the headlines after goals from Jason Thorn and Sam Rushworth earned them a home tie against Haverfordwest in the new year. Griffiths was naturally extremely delighted when he spoke as he and his squad made their way to Chester on Saturday for a well-deserved night on the town. Make no mistake, we were worthy winners and we are very pleased with the draw as well because anyone would want a home game first and foremost, remarked Griffiths. We respect Haverfordwest and understand they were a Welsh Premier League club for many years before being relegated a couples of years ago. But we will prepare properly and be ready for them and this win has been dedicated to the 20 or so of our supporters who made themselves heard throughout. It was a great effort on their behalf to travel all that way and their presence lifted the lads and we know they, and others, will back us again in the next round. Division Two leaders Goytre were also in the hat for the last-16 draw and have been handed an away clash against Division One Barry Town provided they get past another top-level side Pontardawe Town on Saturday in a tie postponed at the weekend. However there was no luck for Monmouth Town, who slipped out after being beaten 3-2 at home by Welsh Premier League side Bala Town the sending off of Kingfishers' Rob Laurie playing a big part in their loss. Jacob Guy and prolific scorer Dan MacDonald got the goals for Monmouth, who are now free to concentrate on their challenge for the the Division One championship title. Cwmbran Celtic entertained defending champions Cambrian & Clydach and eventually emerged 4-2 winners to move up a couple of places to 11th in the 16-strong top flight. However head coach Della Cheedy's men were hanging on somewhat as the title holders reduced the arrears after being at one stage 4-0 down. In terms of goals-scoring, the home side had it all its own way before the interval as goals flew in from Josh Bull, his sixth league goal of the campaign, Rakesh Patel and Lee Challenger (penalty) earned them 3-0 lead. By the hour mark, it was a commanding 4-0 advantage on 66 minutes when Owen Cook netted, but the introduction of substitute Josh Ryall by the visitors had a major impact as Jason Bertorelli (70 mins) and Ceri Morgan (80) made for a difficult final 10 minutes or so. Celtic's next outing is on Saturday by travelling to face county rivals Caerleon, who will give a debut to striker Olly Beckett - signed last Thursday from Division Two side Newport YMCA. Caldicot were grateful to a goal from Mitchell Slape and a magnificent save from teenage goalkeeper Matthew Sandiford for their victory at Undy while Aberbargoed Buds picked up a point from a 0-0 draw at Garden Village where they had Wayne Antoniazzi sent off. In Division Three, Jonathan Kift (2) and Ricky Amos were on target as Llanwern won 3-2 at Tredegar Town, who replied via Ian Morris and Dan James, while NCS striker Phil Tranter scored four times in a 6-3 home success over Bettws. Also netting where Tranter's fellow-striker Scott Lanyon and player-coach Ben Burrows while Rhys Hodges scored for Abertillery Bluebirds in a 1-1 stale-mate at Treharris Athletic Western. The game though was incident-packed as Abertillery also had Joe Heard taken to hospital with a knee injury and Brett Morgan sent off. Griff Jones was on target for Treowen Stars, but they found Llantwit Major simply too good in losing 4-1 to the promotion-seeking visitors. There are no mid-week games. * Welsh Cup, round four draw: Barry Town v Pontardawe Town or Goytre; Carmarthen Town v Bala Town; Chepstow Town v Haverfordwest County; Flint Town United v Caerau (Ely); Gap Connah's Quay v Bangor City; Newtown v Airbus UK Broughton; Prestatyn Town v West End; The New Saints v Rhyl. Ties to be played to a conclusion on the weekend of January 26/27, 2013. * Caldicot Town, Llanwern and Risca United will all be included in this evening's Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup quarter-final draw.
GWENT SATURDAY PREVIEW 6 December 2012 by Terry Daley DIVISION One high-flyers Monmouth Town and lower-tier outfit Chepstow Town face two extremely different tasks against north Wales opponents to make Welsh Cup progress, the former hosting Bala Town while the latter having to make a 500-mile round trip to face Anglesey outfit Gwalchmai. All league games kick off at 2.00pm with cup ties starting at 1.30pm and being played to a conclusion. Division One (figures in brackets indicate league position): Celtic Park: Cwmbran Celtic (13) v Cambrian & Clydach (5). Celtic appear to be over a bad patch which included a successive series of defeats and here will be bidding to stretch their unbeaten league and cup run to a fifth game. That has helped them move out of the danger zone and victory from this game, and if Ton Pentre fail to win at Bryntirion Athletic on Friday night, will move them up a couple of places. An encounter against defending league champions will always be a stern test, but the visitors are going through something of an indifferent spell and arrive with only one win in four games. Celtic will be out to avoid a third defeat of the season by the title-holders, having twice lost 1-0 at Cambrian & Clydach in league and Welsh Cup matches. Form guide: Cambrian & Clydach: W W L W D L Celtic: L L L D W D Division Two: Garden Village (5) v Aberbargoed Buds (6). Having played the vast majority of their first 10 games at home, Aberbargoed must now play a whole series of away fixtures and here they face the team immediately above them in the 16-strong division. Player-manager Alyn Jones saw his side share an eight-goal thriller at Ely Rangers last time out a result which halted a winning run of four successive games. Aberbargoed are only two points adrift of a promotion-zone spot with games in hand, although if they are to retain interest in clinching a top-three place then this is a games they can't afford to lose. They seek a campaign double here having secured a 1-0 home success over Garden Village back on August 25, when Dean Randall netted the game's only goal. Form guide: Garden Village: L W W W W L Aberbargoed: L W W W W D The Causeway: Undy Athletic (4) v Caldicot Town (12). Quick-fire return for these close-proximately clubs, who recently played a Gwent Senior Cup quarter final at Caldicot who won 2-1. They followed that up by defeating Goytre 3-2 in a League Cup tie, although their last league fixture produced a 5-2 home defeat at the hands of Penrhiwceiber Rangers. Following a blip in form, Undy have won heir last three league games - although top scorer Gareth Cullimore is an uncertain starter here having picked up an injury in last Saturday's 3-0 win at Garden Village. Undy also won a league encounter 2-0 at Caldicot in late August and a season's double could see them rise to as high as second position. Form guide: Undy: L L L W WW Caldicot: L L L W D L Division Three: Shannon Close, Bettws: Newport Civil Service (12) v Bettws (11). Until a few weeks ago, NCS would have been firm favourites to gain three points over the visitors, who have struggled at the wrong end of the table since the season's start. However Bettws suddenly put together a run if three straight wins, although their last outing was a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of promotion-seeking Pontypridd Town. NCS drew 1-1 at Cardiff Grange Harlequins a week ago last Wednesday their second draw in a recent run of three games without a victory. Parity would not be the end of the world for NCS, although a win would certainly help them move closer to the safety of a mid-table place. Form guide: NCS: L L W D L D Bettws: L D W W W L Athletic Ground: Treharris Athletic Western (16) v Abertillery Bluebirds (14). Clash between two struggling sides desperate to end a poor run of results which is threatening their league status. Abertillery have won only twice in 10 games while the hosts have yet to register a victory from the same amount of matches. Game time, or rather the lack of it, could be Abertillery's problem here because their last league action was back on November 10 - when they lost 3-1 at Llantwit Major. Treharris were beaten 7-2 at home by Llanwern in League Cup tie last weekend and this match-up does offer hope that Abertillery can return to winning ways. Form guide: Abertillery: L L L W L L Treharris: L L D L D L Bush Park: Treowen Stars (11) v Llantwit Major (4). Not an easy game this for Treowen, who have not won any of their three league outings since they defeated visiting Abertillery Bluebirds in early October. Having explained that, manager Carl Evans' men were extremely unlucky to go down 3-2 at high-flying AFC Llwydcoed last Saturday. However anything less than that kind of form could prove to be not enough against the league debutants, who are gunning for a fifth consecutive victory. Treowen's 16-goal total is the lowest in the entire top 12 and while I am absolutely positive they will want to win here, a draw would not spell the end of their hopes of a recording their best-placed finish. Form guide: Treowen: L W W L D L Llantwit M.; L D W W W W Welsh Cup, round three. Maes Meurig: Gwalchmai v Chepstow Town. Talk about a trip into the unknown! And doubtless the near 500-mile round trip will be as difficult a hurdle to overcome fort Chepstow than this tie against the Lock Stock Welsh Alliance League hosts. The Anglesey outfit were in away action last Saturday, when they triumphed 4-0 at Nefyn United, and this, oddly, will be their first home match since October 27 Chepstow were beaten 2-1 at home by Pontypridd Town at the weekend and are the lowest ranked club of the 32 survivors while the north Walians are the third lowest. Sports Ground: Monmouth Town v Bala Town. Monmouth will certainly not want a repeat of last Saturday's shock 3-2 home Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup defeat at the hands of Division Three side Risca United. This time, however, the boots will be on the other feet because it's now the turn of the Kingfishers to start as underdogs against the top-level Welsh Premier League side. Monmouth, whose defeat by Risca ended a 12-match unbeaten run, are second of 16 in Division One while the north Wales outfit is currently fifth of 12 - and among their squad is Tredegar-born former Wales under-21 international goalkeeper Ashley Morris. Other fixtures. Division One: AFC Porth v Goytre United; Bryntirion Athletic v Ton Pentre. Division Two: Caerau v Penrhiwceiber Rangers; Cardiff Corinthians v Ammanford; Dinas Powys v Cwmamman Institute. Division Three: AFC Llwydcoed v Bridgend Street; Cardiff Grange Harlequins v Cardiff Metropolitan University; Pontypridd Town v Newcastle Emlyn.
GWENT SATURDAY ROUND-UP 3 December 2012 by Terry Daley DIVISION Three outfit Risca United made it unlucky 13 for Monmouth Town by capturing the scalp of the high-flying, top-tier side and move into the last eight of the Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup. Former winners Llanwern are also through while Division One Cwmbran Celtic gained what could well prove to be a valuable on-the-road point and Goytre maintained their title hopes with a 12th straight Division Two win. Risca arrived for an NCSL Cup tie against hosts Monmouth, who'd put together a a dozen-game unbeaten league and cup run stretching back to September 1. So when striker Nick Harrhy put the Kingfishers 1-0 up, no-one could have predicted that player-manager Paul Michael and his troops would eventually be celebrating a 3-2, after-extra-time success against a host side placed 34 rungs higher. But that's how it panned out after skipper Brendon Scott (penalty) and then Rob Aldridge had both equalised Harrhy's goals with 16-year-old Muno Kawana grabbing the winner in the first period of extra time and the outcome was all the more surprising as Risca were unable to call on five first-team regulars. The last-eight draw will also include Risca's Division Three rivals Llanwern, whose striker Jonathan Kift grabbed a hat-trick in the 7-2 away win over bottom-placed Treharris Athletic Western. Also on netting for manager Gareth Morgan's men were Ricky Amos (2), Andrew Larcombe and Alex North to keep Llanwern on track to emulate their League Cup win of 2001. Cwmbran Celtic visited the Brewery Field to tackle Bridgend Town and returned home with a point from a 1-1 draw. Lee Challenger (penalty) was on target for Celtic, who moved up one place to 13 of 16 and above Caerleon whose away game at defending champions Cambrian & Clydach was postponed because of an unfit playing surface. Goytre began against visiting Maesteg-based Caerau bidding to get over a shock, 3-2 mid-week Gwent Senior Cup defeat at Caldicot Town and did just that thanks to a 3-1 victory. Leading scorer Luke Prosser took his season's league tally to 15 with a double with Kristian Wharton also netting as Goytre made it 36 points out of 36 points and they now lead second-placed Ammanford by 10 although both still have 18 games remaining. Undy Athletic are fourth following a 3-0 away triumph at Garden Village, where Tom Hooper, James Barnes (penalty) and Dan Jarman netted. However there was bad news when Undy lost 15-goal marksman Gareth Cullimore with a knee strain which could sideline him for an unspecified number of weeks. Newport YMCA made the trip to the capital to face a Cardiff Corinthians side which had previously drawn only twice in 12 league fixtures. John 'Frankie' Pardue put YMCA 1-0 ahead, but even though goalkeeper Gareth Wesson saved a penalty it all went wrong for manager Simon Pratt's side as it fell to a shock 4-1 defeat. Aberbargoed Buds shared an eight-goal thriller at Ely Rangers while also gaining a point were a vastly under-strength Croesyceiliog in drawing 2-2 against visiting Briton Ferry Llansawel. The Buds, who remain sixth after letting slip a 4-2 lead, scored via Wayne Antoniazzi (2) and Jordan Harding (2) while also scoring twice was Croesyceiliog striker Zac Osbourne. His side looked down and out when it lost prolific goalscorer Jody Jenkins to injury by the time it was trailing 2-0 to the title-chasing west Walians. But a turning point and a life-line for Croesyceiliog came when BFL were reduced to 10 men on 72 minutes when defender Ross Hudson was sent off for allegedly swearing at the match referee. However it was to be another 11 minutes before Osbourne made it 2-1 - although within another three he had levelled matters to earn his 14th-placed side a crucial point. Croesyceiliog, with chairman and former manager Chris Evans making a return to dug-out duties, were minus 16 players - so this indeed was a remarkable achievement to hold one of the division's best teams. In Division Three, there were defeats for Chepstow Town, 2-1 at home against Pontypridd Town, Treowen Stars, 3-2 at AFC Llwydcoed, and Tredegar Town, 2-0 away at Bridgend Street, Jason Thorn was on target for Chepstow while scoring both of Treowen's goals was Kristian Sheppard. The Division Two game between Caldicot Town and Dinas Powys and Abertillery Bluebirds' home Division Three clash against leaders Cardiff Metropolitan University were both postponed because of unfit playing surfaces. There are no mid-week fixtures.
EVANS LEAVES TATA 1 December 2012 from Tata Steel FC Tata Steel FC are disappointed to announce that First Team Coach Paul Evans has left the club to become part of Welsh Premier side Afan Lido's coaching staff. Paul along with fellow coaches Steve Lewis and Les Redwood guided the team to three promotions in four seasons which is a remarkable achievement. The club would like to thank Paul for all his hard work and effort over the last few years and wish him well at his new club. Steve and Les will continue to manage First Team affairs for the rest of the season.
GWENT SATURDAY PREVIEW 30 November 2012 by Terry Daley WHILE Caerleon and Cwmbran Celtic are on the road seeking much-needed top-flight points, Division One rivals Monmouth Town host lower-tier side Risca United bidding for a place in the last eight of the Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup . All league games kick off at 2.00pm while cup ties start at 1.30pm and are to be played to a conclusion. Division One. Brewery Field: Bridgend Town (13) v Cwmbran Celtic (14). Following a horrendous run of successive defeats, Celtic have recovered well enough to have put together a run of three unbeaten league and cup games That includes a 1-1 draw at AFC Porth and a 3-2 home victory over Margam-based Tata Steel and this encounter offers head coach Della Cheedy's men of a good chance to stretch that sequence to a fourth match. The home side are well known for having a fair-sized playing budget and that has put them in the category of being massive under achievers. Another fair pointer is Celtic's 16-goal total is the highest in the bottom six while Bridgend conceded nine goals in losing their last two outings - including a 5-1 defeat at Monmouth Town. Form guide: Bridgend Town: L D L W L L Celtic: L L L L D W King George V New Field: Cambrian & Clydach (5) v Caerleon (12). Caerleon simply need something from this match-up if they are to stop a poor run of form which is beginning to threaten their top-flight status. Boss Lee Relish's men have only managed a 2-2 home draw with Pontardawe Town since winning 3-1 at Barry Town back on September 4. An away game at the home of the defending champions is most certainly a challenge to gain anything positive although the title holders will start having not won any of their last two games. That includes Tuesday's 5-2 defeat at Barry, although it's clear Caerleon will have to be at the very top of their game to stop the rot. Form guide: Cambrian & Clydach: W W L W D L Caerleon: L L L D L L Division Two. Jubilee Way: Caldicot Town (12) v Dinas Powys (8). While Caldicot failed to win each of their last two league outings, morale has since been boosted by a couple of fine home cup wins over county rivals. Undy Athletic were beaten 2-1 in a Nathaniel League Cup tie last Friday before Caldicot recovered from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Goytre 3-2 in a Gwent Senior Cup quarter final on Wednesday night. Zaki Misbah (2) and substitute Luke Harris were on target for Caldicot, although this won't be an easy task for against the visitors - who I saw win 1-0 at Croesyceiliog a week last Saturday. They were a well-organised side, albeit Croesyceiliog were under strength, and Caldicot will certainly have to bring their cup form into this game if they are to earn a first league win in three matches. Form guide: Caldicot: L L L W D L Dinas Powys: D D L L L W Riverside Ground, Radyr: Cardiff Corinthians (15) v Newport YMCA (7). YMCA have a very good away record over recent seasons and although they were beaten 1-0 at Garden Village last time out, manager Simon Pratt's side will be favourites to clinch a second win in three games. The home club is going through a very difficult time and start here with only two draws from 12 league fixtures in which they have conceded 41 goals. Having explained that, those two draws have come in the Corries' last couple of games and suggest this may not be as easier a task as it looks on paper. And given YMCA have lost three of four, this is an encounter which appears to be far from being cut and dried. Form guide: Cardiff Corries: L L L L D D YMCA: D W L L W L Woodland Road: Croesyceiliog (14) v Briton Ferry Llansawel (3). Croesyceiliog were 1-0 losers against Dinas Powys last time out, when they had no fewer that 12 players sidelined for various reasons. Player-boss Mark Waddon will want at least half of those to be available for this clash, which is against a side seeking a second successive promotion. However the visitors are actually on a current poor run of form with three defeats in four including last Saturday's 2-1 home reverse at the hands of unbeaten leaders Goytre. Player-coach Jody Jenkins was unfit for the Dinas Powys clash and a return to his previous prolific goal-scoring form is a must if Croesyceiliog are to move away from the drop zone. Form guide: Croesyceiliog: D W L D L L BFL: W W L W L L Station Road, Wenvoe: Ely Rangers (11) v Aberbargoed Buds (6). Aberbargoed are here aiming for a fifth consecutive league victory and with games in hand over all the teams above them, they are very much in the hunt for a top-three spot. Most of their 10 games, however, have been played at home and this is a fixture which will doubtless revive memories of Aberbargoed's disastrous visit to this venue on November 10. That resulted in a 6-1 Welsh Cup defeat for player-manager Alyn Jones' team although Ely have since conceded seven goals in losing successive league and cup games. Aberbargoed will feel they are more than capable to turning that cup defeat around and while they will want another win, a draw would not be the end of the world. Form guide: Ely: L D L W D L Aberbargoed: W L W W W W Stafford Common: Garden Village (4) v Undy Athletic (5). This is just the type of challenge Undy love to undertake and don't rule them out of stopping the home side's bid for a sixth successive league win. Undy start here having beaten visiting Briton Ferry Llansawel 2-1 before thrashing hosts Cwmaman Institute 6-0 although there was the disappointment of losing last Friday's Nathaniel League Cup tie 2-1 against local rivals Caldicot Town. The home side's last match produced a 1-0 home win over Newport YMCA and it is seeking a season's double having won 2-1 at Undy in middle August. Garden Village don't score many goals, 16 is the lowest in the top 14, but neither do they concede much, 12 is second lowest in the entire 16-strong division, leading to thoughts that this has parity written all over it. Form guide: Garden Village: L W W W W W Undy: W L L L W W Plough Road: Goytre (1) v Caerau (13). Goytre are flying high in their debut second-tier season and have won all 11 of their league fixtures since the campaign's start. Striker Luke Prosser is currently fourth in the goal-scorers' chart with 13 and he opened the scoring in Wednesday's Gwent Senior Cup quarter final at Caldicot Town. Central defender Kristian Wharton made it 2-0 before Goytre were, amazingly, defeated 3-2 by the home side. Player-boss Carl Evans was suspended for that game and he plus forward Kyle Bassett, who was a substitute, will return to the starting line-up against a visiting side struggling at the wrong end of the table. Form guide: Goytre: W W W W W W Caerau: D L D L W D Division Three. Cwmnant-Y-Groes, Six Bells: Abertillery Bluebirds (14) v Cardiff Metropolitan University (1). Tasks to don't come any harder for a struggling side than a visit from free-scoring table-toppers and it's difficult to make a case here for Abertillery to gain a positive result against the students. Manager Adrian Howells has witnessed his team win only twice in 10 league fixtures and it won't help that a series of postponements has meant Abertillery have not played since losing 3-2 at Chepstow Town as long ago as October 27. During the same period, CMU have won three successive games including a 9-2 thrashing of Tredegar Town. CMU are the 48-strong league's top scorers with 50, although the 26 they've leaked is the highest among the division's top eight. Form guide: Abertillery: L L L W L L CMU: W D W W W W Merthyr Road: AFC Llwydcoed (2) v Treowen Stars (8). A visit to the second-placed side may not be the ideal fixture to seek a first win in three league games, but Treowen could find the hosts still licking their wounds. Llwydcoed were then leaders when hosting Cardiff Metropolitan University two weeks ago but dropped a place as a result of a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of the students Treowen were doing quite well until losing 4-0 to CMU and then only drawing 3-3 at bottom-placed Treharris Athletic Western. If they are to be serious contenders for promotion, then it's games such as this which they can't really afford to lose. Form guide: Llwydcoed: W W W D W L Treowen: W L W W L D The Willows, Tremorfa: Bridgend Street (13) v Tredegar Town (10). Tredegar ended a poor sequence of results by defeating visiting Treharris 2-1 on November 17, but will find the hosts more difficult to get the better off. The home side are unbeaten in both of the games they have played since a managerial change and I saw them play well in drawing 1-1 at Risca United recently. Player-boss Shane Davies' Tredegar side is just seven points off a top-six spot yet is only half a dozen above the danger zone - so this really is a crucial match-up. Given neither are prolific goalscorers, this could well end up all-square and that's an outcome which would help both teams in their quest to get away from the bottom end of the table. Form guide: Bridgend St.: W D L L D W Tredegar: W L L D L W Larkfield Ground: Chepstow Town (7) v Pontypridd Town (3). Apart from leaders Cardiff Metropolitan University, these two are currently the division's most in-form clubs. Chepstow, late starters because of a red-tape induced delay, have lost only once in seven outings since returning to the league while the visitors have seven wins a draw from 11 fixtures. Chepstow were 1-0 winners over county rivals Risca United a fortnight ago while Pontypridd prevailed 3-1 at Bridgend-based Bettws last weekend. If you offered both a draw right now, they would probably take it and parity would certainly aid the promotion aspirations of each. Form guide: Chepstow: W W W D W W Pontypridd: D W W D W W Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup, round three. Sports Ground: Monmouth Town v Risca United. Top v bottom-flight clash with the home side sure to start as favourites to secure a spot in the last eight. Including last Saturday's 3-1 home win over Caerleon, second-placed Division One outfit Monmouth are unbeaten in 12 League and cup games scoring no less than 35 goals in the process. However Risca are fresh from Wednesday's 5-1 away win over Cardiff Grange Harlequins, an outcome which took them up three places to third Josh Clayton, Ian Turner, Rob Aldridge, skipper Brendon Scott and player-boss Paul Michael getting the goals. Athletic Ground: Treharris Athletic Western v Llanwern. Chance here for Llanwern to regain some confidence following successive Division Three defeats at the hands of promotion rivals Llantwit Major and Pontypridd Town. The bottom-placed hosts have failed to win any of their 10 Division Three matches although one look at the results from the first two rounds will give a clear warning that Llanwern must not underestimate Treharris. Division Two side Croesyceiliog (5-4 on pens following a 2-2 draw) and then-Division One leaders Barry Town (2-1) were both defeated at this venue.
GWENT WEDNESDAY ROUND-UP 28 November 2012 by Terry Daley Division Three. Cardiff Grange Harlequins 1 (Kier Yip) Newport Civil Service 1 (Darren Woodcock) Despite a 20th-minute goal from Darren Woodcock, his fourth league goal of the campaign, NCS had to settle for a point at the Cardiff International Sports Stadium where Kier Yip grabbed an equaliser for the capital hosts. Neither side are in action on at the weekend, with NCS, who remain 11th of 16, next receiving Bettws on Saturday, December 8th when the 15th-placed 'Quins are at home to Cardiff Metropolitan University. Gwent Senior Cup, quarter final. Caldicot Town 3 (Zaki Misbah 2; Luke Harris) Goytre 2 (Luke Prosser; Kristian Wharton) Zaki Misbah struck a late winner at Jubilee Way as Caldicot completed a remarkable comeback to set up a semi-final clash with Division One outfit Cwmbran Celtic. Goytre striker Luke Prosser had given the visitors a 95-second lead before central defender Kristian Wharton's 57th-minute goal has put his side in control at 2-0 in this all-Division Two clash. However the home side roared back to draw level with Misbah glancing in a header and then Luke Harris slotting in from close ranger after being set up by fellow-substitute Kojo Ofori. And just when it appeared as this last-eight tie was destined for extra time, up popped Misbah to drill home a low shot to ensure a second successive home derby win for Caldicot in the space of five days following on from last Friday's 2-1 Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup win over Undy Athletic. Both teams now return to league action on Saturday, when Caldicot host Dinas Powys and Goytre entertain Caerau at their Plough Road base. * The other last-four Gwent Senior Cup tie is between Monmouth Town and Aberbargoed Buds.
GWENT WEDNESDAY PREVIEW 27 November 2012 by Terry Daley Division Three (figures in brackets refer to league placings). Cardiff International Sports Stadium: Cardiff Grange Harlequins (15) v Newport Civil Service (11) kick off 7.45pm. Clash between two clubs who certainly need the points and NCS will see this as a fair opportunity of securing a second win in four games. The home side slumped to a 5-1 defeat at the hands of visiting Risca United last Wednesday to stretch their games-without-a-win sequence to five. NCS were last in action on November 17, when they lost 4-2 at Bridgend Street - an outcome which ended a mini revival of two games unbeaten. The teams have met already this season, visiting 'Quins beating an under-strength NCS outfit 4-3 after extra time in a Welsh Cup tie on August 18. Form guide: 'Quins: W L D L L L NCS: L L L W D L Gwent Senior Cup, quarter final. Jubilee Way - Caldicot Town v Goytre kick off 7.00pm. Both Division Two clubs were in action last weekend, Caldicot Town progressing to the last eight of the Nathaniel League Cup with a 2-1 home win Undy Athletic on Friday night while leaders Goytre made in 11 wins out of 11 thanks to a same-scoreline win at Briton Ferry Llansawel the following afternoon. The teams have squared up to each other twice already this campaign, goals from Kyle Bassett (2) and substitute Graham Mason earning Goytre a 3-0 home league victory on September 22. However when this particular tie took place at this venue on October 24, it was abandoned at 0-0 following an injury to home goalkeeper Matthew Sandiford who has since, thankfully, made a full recovery. The winner will host Cwmbran Celtic for a place in the final while the other last-four clash sees Monmouth Town entertain Aberbargoed Buds.
GWENT FRIDAY REPORT 23 November 2012 by Terry Daley Nathaniel League Cup, round three. Caldicot Town 2 (Dan Saunders 2) Undy Athletic 1 (Gyles Thompson). (After extra time, 1-1 at 90 minutes) A goal in the very last minute of extra time from striker Dan Saunders earned Caldicot a place in the last eight plus local bragging rights from this much-anticipated all-Division Two clash Saunders got on the end of a low, driven cross from central defender Nicky Bright at the far post to net from close range and spark wild celebrations by all players and squad members. The goal was certainly tough on an Undy, who turned up at Jubilee Way with no less than eight former Caldicot players in their 16-strong squad and began much the better of the two sides. However it was Saunders who opened the scoring when he latched onto a though ball to slip it past advancing visiting goalkeeper James Smallcombe. Caldicot, though, levelled matters five minutes before the break with a controversial 'Geoff Hurst'-type goal awarded after a linesman spotted Gyles Thompson effort had crossed the line after bouncing down off the crossbar. The reason this game went on to remain at 1-1 until the 120th minute was in general due the fine goalkeeping of both Smallcombe and opposite number Matthew Sandiford. You'll be pushed to watch a game with as two good stoppers as the pair and some of their saves would have graced much-higher level games. But just when all and sundry were preparing for a penalty shoot-out, Saunders popped up to fire the winners and ensure Caldicot be the first side through to the quarter finals. Caldicot will return to league action on Saturday, December 1, when they host Dinas Powys while Undy visit Garden Village on the same day.
GWENT WEEKEND PREVIEW 23 November 2012 by Terry Daley COUNTY and Division Two rivals Caldicot Town and Undy Athletic open the weekend's fixtures by clashing at Jubilee Way on Friday night for a place in the last eight of the Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup. FRIDAY. Nathaniel League Cup, round three (7.00pm). Jubilee Way: Caldicot Town v Undy Athletic. Much-anticipated all-Division Two clash between two extremely-close proximity rivals whose squads both contain several former players of the opposition. On form, Undy will be the favourites to progress having won both of their last two games while Caldicot posted a draw and a defeat. Undy also emerged 2-0 winners of a MacWhirter Welsh League game at the same venue back in late August, when ex-Caldicot striker Gareth Cullimore netted one of the 16 goals he has scored this season. SATURDAY. MacWhirter Welsh League (2.00pm kick offs, except where stated). Division One. Celtic Park: Cwmbran Celtic (14) v Barry Town (6). Celtic will go into this clash against the former table-toppers in good heart and seeking to stretch their unbeaten league and cup run to a fourth game. That is certainly progress because it follows hard on the heels of a miserable run of seven successive league defeats. There's not much wrong with Celtic that a little more luck can't help with and it's worth pointing out that their 16-goal total is the highest in the bottom six while the 25 they've conceded is the lowest among the last five teams. Barry arrive having lost both of their last two league outings, including a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Monmouth Town in late October. Form guide: Celtic: L L L L D W Barry: W W W W L L Bridge Meadow Stadium: Haverfordwest County (9) v Caerleon (12) (2.30pm). Long trip west this for Caerleon, whose recent league form has meant they've slipped down the table towards the danger zone. They drew 2-2 at home against Pontardawe Town, but start here on the back of a 3-1 away reverse at second-placed Monmouth Town last weekend. With a record of just 13 goals scored in 12 matches, Caerleon simply must begin to find the back of the net on a far more regular basis and I understand manager Lee Relish's search for a striker has taken him far and wide. The hosts failed to win their last two matches since winning 3-0 at Caerleon in late September, when the Gwent club had two players sent off. Form guide: Caerleon: L L L L D L Haverfordwest: L W D L W L D Division Two. Old Road: Briton Ferry Llansawel (3) v Goytre (1). This could well turn out to be the league's match-of-the-day with both teams vying for the divisional trophy after being promoted at the end of last season. Goytre will be bidding for an amazing 11th straight league win since the start of the campaign and victory here would put them nine points clear of the hosts. Prolific scorer Luke Prosser has 12 so far, but Goytre are not a one-trick pony as player-coach Simon Truman has six, Richie Jeremiah five and Kyle Bassett four. BFL have gone off the boil slightly having lost twice in their last three league matches including a 2-1 defeat at Undy Athletic on November 10. Form guide: BFL: W W W L W L Goytre: W W W W W W Woodland Road: Croesyceiliog (14) v Aberbargoed Buds (6). It's getting close to the stage where Croesyceiliog must start to pick up points on a far more regular basis, although I watched them being unlucky in losing 1-0 at home to Dinas Powys last Saturday. Player-boss Mark Waddon was unable to call on no fewer than 11 squad members for that game and getting them fit again has now become the club's number-one priority. Aberbargoed will arrive in good form having won a whole series of home games, although they must banish all thoughts of last weekend's shock home FAW Trophy defeat at the hands on non-leaguers STM Sports. A draw would probably suit Aberbargoed better, although it wouldn't be the end of the world for the hosts - whose last league win was a 3-0 at Cardiff Corinthians on October 10. Form guide: Croesyceiliog: D W L D L L Aberbargoed: W L W W W W Mendalgief Road: Newport YMCA (7) v Caerau (13). Inconsistency is stopping the progress of YMCA, whose chairman Viv Edwards was recently voted onto the Football Association of Wales' council. One look at their form guide suggest they will often flirt with the top three, but that may not be good enough for manager Simon Pratt's side. Indeed it has lost three of the last four league outings and YMCA are currently also on a run of a trio of home league and cup games without a victory. But they can do lowly Croesyceiliog a favour here by defeating the visitors, who have won only twice in a dozen starts. Form guide: YMCA: D W L L W L Caerau: D L D L W D Division Three. Windmill Ground: Llantwit Major (4) v Chepstow Town (7). First competitive meeting of these two clubs, who won promoted from their respective feeder leagues at the end of the 2011-12 campaign. Both were forced to wait for their fixtures to start because of a red-tape enforced delay, but each has settled in well to their new surroundings. I watched Llantwit Major win recently at Llanwern and on that day, they looked a well-organised outfit with the capability of scoring from anywhere on the park. Chepstow have lost just once in seven starts and Llantwit Major only twice in 10, so it's possible party may rule here an outcome which will not be treated with too much dismay I am sure by either camp. Form guide: Llantwit M.; W L D W W W Chepstow: W W W D W W Shannon Close, Bettws: Newport Civil Service (11) v Abertillery Bluebirds (14). This clash is equally important to both clubs, which needs the boost of a much-needed win, although each has gone only two matches without such a result. But you get the impression, for various reasons, that it's going to be a long slog between now and the end of the campaign for both of them. NCS probably have the better claim towards progression, mainly because their 24-goal haul is bettered only by the 16-strong division's top three while only bottom-placed Treharris Athletic Western have conceded more than the 27 Abertillery have leaked. Form guide: NCS: L L L W D L Abertillery: L L L W L L Sports Complex: Tredegar Town (10) v AFC Llwydcoed (2). Tough clash for Tredegar in terms of league placings, although both will start on the back of two extremely different results. Tredegar were 2-1 home winners over basement side Treharris Athletic Western while Llwydcoed's moral took a hefty knock in a 5-0 home thrashing at the hands of now-leaders Cardiff Metropolitan University. The home side has four wins from 13 league matches under player-boss Shane Davies and another from this game could well lead to the start of a mid-table finish at the season's completion. The visitors, on the other hand, will be dead keen to get back on the horse after last weekend's fall and Tredegar must be at the top of their game to gain anything here. Form guide: Tredegar: W L L D L W Llwydcoed: L W W D W L Bush Park: Treowen Stars (8) v Newcastle Emlyn (9). Treowen's are proving a good outfit under the guidance of boss Carl Evans and this represents a fine chance to continue their recent fine form. It was a long, hard slog to avoid relegation last season, but Bush Park is a far more happier place these days although some more goals would certainly not go amiss. Evans' troops have netted just 14 times in 10 league games, although Treowen have won half of those and drawn another. The visitors are on a streak of three successive defeats including a 2-0 home reverse at the hands of Llanwern in late October. Form guide: Treowen: W L W W L D Newcastle E.: L L W L L L Nathaniel League Cup, round three (1.30pm kick offs, ties played to a conclusion). Sports Ground: Monmouth Town v Risca United. Top v bottom-flight clash with the home side sure to start as favourites to secure a spot in the last eight. Including last Saturday's 3-1 home win over Caerleon, second-placed Division One outfit Monmouth are unbeaten in 12 League and cup games scoring no less than 35 goals in the process. However Risca are fresh from Wednesday's 5-1 away win over Cardiff Grange Harlequins, an outcome which took them up three places to third Josh Clayton, Ian Turner, Rob Aldridge, skipper Brendon Scott and player-boss Paul Michael getting the goals. Athletic Ground: Treharris Athletic Western v Llanwern. Chance here for Llanwern to regain some confidence following successive Division Three defeats at the hands of promotion rivals Llantwit Major and Pontypridd Town. The bottom-placed hosts have failed to win any of their 10 Division Three matches although one look at the results from the first two rounds will give a clear warning that Llanwern must not underestimate Treharris. Division Two side Croesyceiliog (5-4 on pens following a 2-2 draw) and then-Division One leaders Barry Town (2-1) were both defeated at this venue.
GWENT WEDNESDAY REPORT 22 November 2012 by Terry Daley Division Three. Cardiff International Sports Stadium: Cardiff Grange Harlequins 1 (Carl Fitzgerald) Risca United 5 (Josh Clayton; Ian Turner; Brendon Scott; Paul Michael; Rob Aldridge) A comprehensive win for Risca elevated them up to third place in the Division Three table while the hosts remain second bottom of the 16-strong section. Risca now travel to face high-flying Division One side Monmouth Town on Saturday for a Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup tie while the 'Quins are next in action on Wednesday, November 28 when the entertain Newport Civil Service.
GWENT WEDNESDAY PREVIEW 21 November 2012 by Terry Daley Division Three. Cardiff International Sports Stadium: Cardiff Grange Harlequins (15) v Risca United (5) - 7.45pm. Risca need to win this battle of two out-of-form teams to reignite their promotion challenge, which has recently faltered because of a sequence of just a win and a draw from their last four league outings. They went down to a 1-0 away defeat at the hands of county rivals Chepstow Town last Saturday, although victory here and a failure by Pontypridd Town to defeat visiting Treowen Stars will see player-boss Paul Michael's men move up a couple of places to third. The hosts are in even worse shape in terms of points gathering and here start having accumulated just four from a possible 36 this season. The sides met at Risca on the opening weekend of the 2012-13 campaign on August 11, when goals from pre-season signing Ian Turner and skipper Brendon Scott earned them a 2-0 success. Form guide: 'Quins: L W L D L L Risca: W D W L D L Ynysangharad Park: Pontypridd Town (4) v Treowen Stars (8) - 7.00pm. POSTPONED - WATERLOGGED PITCH Tough task this for manager Carl Evans' men, who are seeking avoid their run of games without a win to three following a 4-0 away reverse against Cardiff Metropolitan University and a 3-3 draw at Treharris Athletic. There was, however, a victory to savour last weekend when Treowen won 2-0 at Cardiff & District League Division One outfit Creigiau thanks to goals from Lewis Coote and Keiron Cook. Pontypridd are unbeaten in seven league matches and their last outings produced a 2-1 home success over promotion rivals Llanwern on November 10. A win for either team will move it up up a single position and Treowen may take comfort from knowing the hosts' 19-goal total is the joint lowest in the top seven. Form guide: Pontypridd: W D W W D W Treowen: W L W W L D
GWENT SATURDAY ROUND-UP 19 November 2012 by Terry Daley TWO goals from prolific scorer Luke Prosser helped Goytre into the last 32 of the Welsh Cup while a fifth straight Division One success elevates Monmouth Town into second place in the MacWhirter Welsh League table. Undy Athletic continued their recent reassurance with a six-goal away Division Two victory while in the lower tier, Chepstow Town moved up a couple of positions to seventh following a 1-0 home win over county rival Risca United. Goytre got past visiting Caerau 3-1 in an all-Division Two tie which has been switched from the home of the Maesteg-based opponents following the previous Saturday' postponement. Supplementing Prosser's goal double was a strike from James Young as Goytre set up a round-three trip to face Division One outfit Pontardawe Town on the weekend of December 8/9. We played well enough to secure the win and will now put the cup to the back of our minds until next month, said Goytre player-boss Carl Evans, whose side heads the Division Two table following 10 consecutive wins since the campaign's start. Top-level debutants Monmouth are sweeping all before them although their latest victims were struggling Caerleon, who travelled home 3-1 losers. On target for the Kingfishers were Nick Harrhy, Daniel MacDonald, with his 14th league goal, and Rob Laurie while Josh Brown grabbed Caerleon's consolation effort. Monmouth, jointly managed by Barry Burns and Robin Pick, are now just a point adrift of leaders Taff Well, but they do have a game in hand, while Caerleon remain fourth from bottom of the 16-strong section. Undy travelled to basement outfit Cwmaman Institute hot favourites to land a seventh win in 12 starts and they justified the tag with a comprehensive 6-0 success taking them up three rungs to fifth. Striker Gareth Cullimore took his league tally to 16 with a double while Chris Parry, with a superb 30-yard effort, Lewys Dowler, Wayne Morley and an own goal made up the total. Caldicot Town also have joint bosses in Jason Pritchard and Mark William and the pair were hoping to stretch their unbeaten run to a third Division Two game when their side hosted Penrhiwceiber Rangers. However rank bad defending allowed Rangers to score three times in the opening 30 minutes before they progressed to a 5-3 victory with Dan Saunders (2) and Simon Crook on the mark for Caldicot. In the same division, both Croesyceiliog and Newport YMCA fell to 1-0 losses, the latter at home to Dinas Powys and the former at Garden Village. You had to have some sympathy for Croesyceiliog player-manager Mark Waddon, who was minus 11 squad members and was only able to name himself and player-coach Jody Jenkins as substitutes. Jenkins had no chance of going on because he was injured which left Waddon with no option but to enter the fray as early as the 15th minute, when striker Alex Cooke picked up a knock. However Waddon, whose only other appearance this season was as a late substitute in the 5-5 draw at Caerau (Ely) at the back end of September, acquitted himself well as his side headed towards a deserved draw. But his opposite number Mark Dunford popped up with a late header to condemn Croesyceiliog to the narrowest of all defeats and they stay second from bottom. YMCA, now seventh, couldn't continue their fine away form when visiting Garden Village, who scored the game's only goal with the very last kick of the first period. In Division Three, Chepstow had leading scorer Jason Thorn to thank for gaining all three points against visiting fourth-placed Risca as they moved up to seventh although the home team have games in hand over all of the team above them. However Chepstow's Richie Sharratt now faces a suspension after being sent off for picking up two yellow cards. Newport Civil Service had goalkeeper Adam Cueto taken off injured in a 4-2 defeat at Cardiff-based Bridgend Street, where joint player-boss Ian Burman was forced to don the gloves. Scoring for NCS, who drop to 11th, were Scott Lanyon and Phil Tranter while a Jason Lewis double, including a late penalty, helped Tredegar Town to a 2-1 home win over bottom-placed Treharris Athletic Western. Tredegar now leapfrog NCS into 10th spot with their fourth victory in 13 outings while there was mixed fortunes for Aberbargoed Buds and Treowen Star in FAW Trophy round-four ties. Hosts Aberbargoed somehow managed to engineer defeat from the jaws of victory when throwing away a three-goal lead before drawing 3-3 after extra time with non-leaguers STM Sports. The visitors capped a remarkable recovery by winning a high-scoring penalty shoot-out 9-8 with Leon Young missing the crucial spot-kick Dean Randall (2) and Jordan Harding netting the regulation goals for Aberbargoed. Treowen had much better luck when visiting Cardiff & District League side Creigiau, running out 2-0 victors thanks to goals from Lewis Coote and Keiron Cook. Mid-week games. Wednesday: Division Three: Cardiff Grange Harlequins v Risca United (7.45pm) Pontypridd Town v Treowen Stars (7.15pm).
AFC LLWYDCOED SATURDAY SUMMARY 19 November 2012
AFC Llwydcoed's first team and reserves had matching scores on Saturday losing both games by five goals to nil.
AFC Llwydcoed entertained Cardiff Met University in the Welsh League Division Three match of the day and collapsed to a 5-0 defeat. Cardiff Met punished Llwydcoed for some below standard play, the passing and defending was woeful.
Cardiff Met were helped on their way by Llwydcoed who conceded two own goals. Ross Frame (2) and Alex Dockree added the other goals. Cardiff Met are now four points ahead of Llwydcoed who have two games in hand.
AFC Llwydcoed's Welsh League Reserve Division West team travelled to West End who are currently on top and gave a gutsy display. They contained West End for long periods in the first half before the hosts found to many spaces and added five goals a miserable weekend for the managers/coaches, players and officials of the Club
GWENT SATURDAY PREVIEW 14 November 2012 by Terry Daley Victory for Monmouth Town over visiting county rivals Caerleon could, depending on other results, take the Kingfishers to the top of the Division One table for the first time in the club's 107-year history. All league/cup and trophy games kick off at 2.00pm. |
