WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP 

29 November 2004

NEWPORT YMCA manager Mark Coldrick hailed his side for 

recovering from last week’s 4-0 hammering by Bryntirion to 

register a 3-2 victory in a pulsating Newport derby with Llanwern 

at Newport Stadium. 

The Welsh League Division Two sides served up a cracker, with all 
five goals coming in the first half, with Lewis Summers and Chris 
Egitto twice outing YM in front, only for Llanwern to draw level 
both times through Matthew Currie and Anthony Shier.

 
The match was finally settled with a Gareth Lynch spot-kick before 
half-time. 

“We showed great bouncebackability,” enthused Coldrick. “We were 
well beaten last week, so it was important to get three points in 
the bag. 

“Performance-wise we were not great and have a lot to work on, but 
we are still in touch.”

He added: “Llanwern deserve a lot of credit for the way they 
played, and although they have not been getting the rub of the 
green at the moment, I’m sure it will turn.”

Llanwern boss Laurence Owen was not too downhearted.
“It may sound daft but myself and Gary Spink (assistant manager) 
were very pleased, even though it was a defeat,” Owen said. 

“We deserved at least a point because we gave them a battering in 

the second half. “But we made three mistakes, and you get punished 

for mistakes at this level.”

Up in Division One Caerleon grabbed an important 2-1 victory over 
Ely Rangers at Cold Bath Road. 

Richard Shier put them one up from the spot, but Rangers grabbed a 
scrappy equaliser just before the break.

But manager Dave Griffiths’ halt-time team-talk did the trick and 
the home side took the lead three minutes after the restart 
through a Mike Binnings header, his first goal for the club. 

They could have added more, but Griffiths was just pleased to get 
his first win in five games.

“It was an important victory and a much-needed three points,” he 
said. “Ely are the type of side that you have to battle against, 
and we did that especially, in the second half, and could have had 
a couple more.”

Back in Division Two Caldicot crashed 1-0 at Garden Village and 
will be looking for a better performance in tonight’s Gwent Senior 
Cup clash at home to Newport YMCA. 

Tredegar battled back from 2-1 to grab a 2-2 home draw against 
Porthcawl, which keeps them in fourth position. 

Jamie Thomas opened the scoring for John Lewis’ side from a free 
kick before the visitors drew level before the break and then 
taking the lead from the spot.

 
But substitute Shane Williamson, a recent signing from Cwmbran 
Celtic, secured a point with a magnificent 25-yarder. 

Boss Lewis said: “It is frustration at the moment because we 
dominated the first half but did not turn it into goals. We made 
it hard for ourselves by giving away sloppy goals, but came back 
strongly and could have clinched it. “We are still unbeaten in six

games but need a big win to boost confidence after two draws.”

In Division Three Croesyceiliog’s first season in the Welsh League 
continues to go great guns with a 2-0 home victory over Albion 
Rovers. 

They leapfrog the fellow Gwent side on goal difference but have as 
many as six games in hand on most teams in the division.
Risca were back in action and registered a 1-0 victory at Fields 
Park Pontllanfraith, and Treowen stay in the hunt after a fine 2-1 
win over Cwmamman. 

But there was heartache for Chepstow as they crashed 5-4 in an 
extraordinary match at Ystradgynlais. A Matt Owen double, plus 
goals from Nick Vassallo and substitute Chris Lillygreen kept Town 
in the hunt, but the game was close to being abandoned thanks to 
an extremely heavy pitch.

But Chepstow remain in decent shape in the league, only five 
points off second spot.

Tillery are Gwent’s sole representative in the last eight of the 
FAW Trophy after a battling 3-2 home victory over Llangeinor. Dai 
Smith opened the scoring for Tony Seymour’s side direct from a 
corner kick, but the amateurs grabbed an equaliser before 
half-time. 

Jamie Williams curled home a free kick to regain the advantage and 
Matthew Price looked to have settled it with a magnificent 
overhead kick, but the visitors grabbed one back near the end to 
narrow the deficit.

“It was good to get a win after a difficult spell,” said Tillery 
boss Tony Seymour. “We have had a nightmare spell with injuries 
and suspensions, but it is good to be flying the flag for Gwent in 
the last eight.”

WELSH LEAGUE PREVIEW

26 November 2004

Llanwern’s home clash with city rivals Newport YMCA at Spytty Park 

tomorrow kick-off 2.15pm) is a meeting of old mates, writes Ray Parker.

Laurence Owen, Llanwern manager, has known the YM managerial pair 

of Mark Coldrick and Darren Porretta for a long time.

Owen explained: “I grew up with them and we knocked around together. 

I ran a Sunday side, Royal Oak, and Mark was the skipper of the side 

and a whole gang of us went on holiday, so it all adds a bit of spice to 

the occasion.”

The Llanwern boss, his game at Merthyr Saints postponed last week,

took the opportunity of watching the YM suffer their first league defeat 

of the season, beaten 4-0 at home by Bryntirion.

He said: “I’ve long been a massive fan of the YM and the way they are 

run.I think they have a superb side and I don’t think it’s good for us 

that they suffered their first defeat.”

Matthew Payne is still out of the Llanwern line-up with a shoulder injury 

and Nathan Phillips, the former AFC Llwydcoed player who has moved 

to Newport for work could figure in the line-up. Steve Edwards missed 

YM game with Bryntirion because of work but they’re hoping he will 

return for the derby battle.

Tredegar have released two players, midfielder Matthew Saunders 

joining ENTO Aberaman while central defender Gareth Harding has 

decided to play local football.

Midfield player Sean Mainwaring is Tredegar’s only doubt for the home 

game with Porthcawl while defender Ross Mazurczak returns after a 

one-match ban. John Lewis, Tredegar manager, said: “It’s important 

to get the win because they are tucked in just behind us and we then 

face three successive away matches.”

Caerleon ended a run of four league and cup defeats, by gaining a point 

from a goalless draw with Briton Ferry last week. Now they will look to 

get one better against fellow strugglers Ely Rangers who have lost eight 

of their 13 First Division matches. One point separates the two clubs but 

home side Caerleon have four matches in hand.

Chepstow, after suffering two straight defeats, look to put matters right 

when they travel to newcomers Ystradgynlais who are struggling in their 

new environment. Barrie Vassallo, Chepstow’s assistant manager, said: 

“ Hopefully, with the position they are in, we can get back on the winning 

track.”

Tillery now carry Gwent hopes in the FAW Trophy following last week’s 

elimination of Croesyceiliog and Cwmbran Celtic.

Tillery’s game with Llangeinor was postponed because of ground 

conditions and will now be staged tomorrow.

Tillery, the Welsh League, Division Two club, are looking to end a run 

of four league defeats – three of them without a goal – but they are 

missing Richard Langley and Lee Bull, both serving a one-match ban 

after collecting five yellow cards. However, they could be boosted by 

the possible return of Dai Smith, who has been troubled by an ankle 

injury.

Cwmbran Town have been drawn at home to Afan Lido in the third 

round of the Welsh Youth Cup. Newport County are also at home, 

paired with Llanelli, while Caerleon travel to Aberystwyth.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP 

22 November 2004

NEWPORT YMCA’S unbeaten Welsh League record disappeared, and how, on Saturday, when the Second Division promotion-chasers suffered a crushing 4-0 home defeat by mid-table Bryntirion.

And YM had no complaints about the result. “We were totally outplayed,” was the honest appraisal of club official Viv Edwards.

“We just didn’t turn up,” he continued, “and Bryntirion were well organised and disciplined.

“They have had a large number of injuries, and now they have their players back I think they will surprise many teams.”

Bryntirion opened the scoring after 15 minutes, added another before half-time and two more in the second period.

“We had a couple of chances early in the second half, but didn’t take them,” added Edwards. “A neutral would really have enjoyed the game.” 

Despite the loss, YMCA remain second in the table, nine points behind Pontardawe but with three games in hand.

In the same division Tredegar remain third after a 0-0 draw away to Caldicot.

“I felt we completely dominated the game, but couldn’t score,” said manager John Lewis.

“But we could even have lost because our goalkeeper, Chris Morris, pulled off a terrific save in the second half.” 

Caldicot’s goalkeeper, too, made two superb saves from a Nicky Ward header and Lawrence Davies’ effort. 

Despite the draw, Tredegar have now gone five games unbeaten.

Llanwern’s scheduled game at Merthyr Saints was called off around noon because there were three inches of snow on the pitch.

In Division One, Caerleon ended a losing run of four games, including two cup matches, with a 0-0 draw at Briton Ferry – but should have won.

Recently signed striker Morgan Harris should really have opened his account, but after rounding the home goalkeeper with 15 minutes to go, he somehow shot wide.

And in injury time he put a penalty kick over the bar.

And all this after Briton Ferry had been reduced to ten men as early as the 25th minute, when they had a player sent off following two bookable offences.

“We had all the possession and it was two points lost,” said manager Dave Griffiths, “but at least we stopped the rot of losing.”

In Division Three, Albion Rovers’ home game with Troedyrhiw, Chepstow’s home game with Treowen and Fields Park’s away game at Penrhiwfer were postponed because of waterlogged pitches, while Risca and Gelli were without a scheduled fixture.

RAY PARKER

LAST NIGHT'S FOOTBALL

18 November 2004

Tredegar Town, on a wet and windswept evening, eased into third 

place of the Motaquote Insurance League Division Two with a 3-1 

home win over Cardiff Corries last night.

John Lewis, Tredegar manager, said: “I was delighted with the win 

and the performance under the conditions. We played well 

throughout but let it slip in the last ten minutes or so, but that 

sometimes happens when you make changes.”

And one of those switches heralded the arrival of front runner 

Shane Williamson, the Cwmbran Celtic striker. He replaced Steve 

Edwards after 73 minutes and should have marked the occasion with 

a goal but delayed his shot too long.

However, by that stage Tredegar had made the game safe, although 

they should have won by a greater margin, their finishing often 

wayward. They took the lead with a perfectly-struck shot from Ian 

Morris and top scorer Lee Brooker got his eighth league and cup 

goal of the season in the 59th minute, immediately after Kris 

Morris had saved from Liam Grant, Corries’ most impressive player.

Nicky Ward whacked home a deflected free-kick six minutes from the 

end but Tredegar blotted their copy book in the 86th-minute, Grant 

scoring.

WELSH LEAGUE PREVIEW

17 November 2004

Tredegar Town bid for a fourth successive league and cup win when 

they entertain Cardiff Corries in the Motaquote Insurance League, 

Division Two tonight (kick-off 7.30pm) and victory will take them 

into third place, three points behind unbeaten Newport YMCA.

In-form Tredegar, who have scored 12 goals in their last three 

games, have two fitness worries – central defender Gareth Harding 

with an ankle injury and Ross Mazurczak, calf injury. Both failed 

to last the course in Saturday’s emphatic league cup victory at 

Pontypridd.

Jamie Edwards was a replacement for Harding while Matthews 

Saunders took over from Mazurczak.

John Lewis, Tredegar manager, said: “If we win it will give us our 

highest placing since I took over – and I would be delighted. It 

will be tough because they have achieved some decent results. But 

we are playing well and I am optimistic that we can achieve the 

right result.”

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

15 November 2004

Tredegar Town are certainly enjoying the Motaquote Insurance Welsh 

League, Shamrock Travel Cup, writes Ray Parker.

Manager John Lewis’ side have banged home 15 goals in two ties, 

and he wouldn’t mind a crack at Barry in the third round – just so 

long as it is at home.

Tredegar – at home to Cardiff Corries in a Division Two match on 

Wednesday night – triumphed 6-1 at Pontypridd, having floored Garw 

9-1 in the opening round.

Lewis said: “It was an excellent performance, dominating the game 

and we played some sparkling football. There were some excellent 

performances, but Sean Mainwaring was outstanding.”

Lewis was also impressed with the display of 20-year-old Nicky 

Ward, who opened the scoring with a header from Ross Mazurczak’s 

free-kick. Lewis added: “I think he is a tremendous prospect.”

And Tredegar handed a first-team debut to 16-year-old central 

defender Darryl Tippins, who is from Brynmawr. He is skipper of 

the Gwent County youth team.

Tredegar’s other marksmen were Lawrence Davies, 2, Lee Brooker, 

Craig Evans and Steve Edwards.

First Division Caerleon suffered a shock home defeat, beaten 3-2 

by Third Division leaders AFC Porth, who got the winner a minute 

from the end. Caerleon twice led through Chris Pearce and Morgan 

Harris had an effort ruled out.

David Griffiths, Caerleon manager, said: “We played really well 

and created twice as many chances as in the previous three games. 

On the one hand I was pleased about that, but disappointed with 

goals we gave away.”

Risca put up a tremendous performance on mission impossible at 

Division Two leaders Pontardawe, who edged to a 2-1 win. Youth 

team player Rhys Iles scored for Risca and the visitors just 

missed out on extra time when Jay Hawker headed over the bar from 

close range. However, it was an excellent display by Risca, who 

had five youth team players in their squad.

Third Division Croesyceiliog had a nightmare tie at First Division 

Bettws, reduced to nine men in the first eight minutes. 

Croesyceiliog, beaten 2-0 with a goal in each half, had centre 

back Adrian Pearce given his marching orders, a decision which 

really upset the visitors. Pearce was deemed to be the ‘last 

defender’, but they had another player on the line. Bettws were 

awarded a penalty which they placed wide.

Four minutes later central midfield player Gareth Pattimore saw 

red for a challenge.

Newport YMCA powered into the next round with a 6-1 home win over 

ENTO Aberaman, making it seven league and cup wins in a row. YM 

scored through John Pardue, an own goal by Martin Edwards, Aaron 

Stewart, 2, Craig Jeavons and Leon Spargo. Ross Williams scored 

for Aberaman.

Chepstow suffered a 1-0 extra-time defeat at Penrhiwfer, the 

league newcomers scoring the game’s only goal in the second period 

of extra time.

Barrie Vassallo, Chepstow’s assistant manager, said: “On paper it 

was a game between two top-half Division Three sides, but on the 

field it was two poor sides. The only thing which pleased me was 

that it was not a league match.

“It was a bad performance, but at the end the players were 

genuinely hurt by the defeat.”

There was no hiding-place for luckless Fields Park Pontllanfraith, 

suffering a 10-0 defeat at UWIC, who scored five goals in each 

half. John Bray, Fields Park secretary, said: “We were completely 

overrun and had no answer to them.”

Caldicot lost 4-1 at home to Briton Ferry, who were a little 

flattered by the margin of victory. Caldicot fell behind but 

immediately hit back with a goal from Lloyd Stone, a glancing 

header following Wayne Morley’s free-kick. Gareth Cullimore missed 

a chance to put Caldicot ahead and immediately Briton Ferry hit 

them on the break to take an interval lead. Ross Lewis had an 

effort cleared off the line as the visitors scored two more goals 

in the second half.

Two headed goals from Ian Rosser and Darren Haines paved the way 

for Goytre’s 2-1 home win over Cwmamman, whose goal came from a 

penalty conceded by skipper Dean Taylor less than a minute after 

Goytre went ahead.

Albion Rovers beat Treharris 4-3. Albion were missing injured 

keeper Craig Maggotts and stand-in Robert Griffiths came in for a 

difficult game. Albion occupy ninth place in Division Three and 

have firmly put the troubles of last season behind them.

Tillery suffered a fourth successive Division Two setback, beaten 

3-2 at home by Pontyclun.

Mark O’Hara was Caldicot’s goal hero in their 1-0 reserve win at 

Seven Sisters in the second round of the Ace Window Systems Cup.

WELSH LEAGUE PREVIEW

12 November 2004

Caerleon have struck their first sticky patch of the season – two 

successive defeats in the First Division of the Motaquote 

Insurance Welsh League and an exit from the Welsh Cup.

Manager David Griffiths looks to put things right when his side 

entertain AFC Porth – top team in Division Three – in the second 

round of the Shamrock Travel (league) Cup (kick-off 1.45pm) 

tomorrow afternoon.

And he had a word of warning for his players. He said: “I don’t 

think it is going to be easy by any means. It is going to be as 

tough as any game this season.

“We have not won for three games and it is becoming as much a 

psychological and mental problem. But it would certainly be nice 

to get back on a winning run. A win would boost our confidence 

but, I repeat, it will not be easy.”

Caerleon have the experienced Adriano Girolami back in their side 

but they lose Lewis Andrews, who is not available, while Paul 

Brown is still missing.

Newport YMCA, second in Division Two, look for a seventh straight 

league and cup win when they take on ENTO Aberaman who are 

struggling in the same division. Midfield player Steve Edwards is 

available for YM having completed a two-match ban following a 

sending-off.

Division Three side Risca face a mission impossible trip to 

Pontardawe, top team in Division Two, while Second Division 

Caldicot, although with home advantage, face a demanding home 

meeting with Briton Ferry, mid-table in the top flight.

The return of midfield player Ian Morris following a hamstring 

injury has provided Tredegar boss John Lewis with a boost.

Morris was on target when they blitzed ENTO Aberaman with three 

goals in a seven-minute spell last week – after Aberaman had taken 

a two-goal lead inside 18 minutes – and he scored the winner at 

Morriston the previous weekend.

Lewis said: “He was outstanding in midfield against Aberaman and 

we were very good in the second-half, playing the type of football 

I would pay to watch!”

Tredegar, fourth in Division Two, bid for a third successive 

league win when they travel to Pontypridd for a second round tie. 

Lewis added: “We want to go as far as we can in this competition 

because it is our last chance of cup success.”

Lewis is still on the look-out for a central defender and another 

forward but added: “With a couple of signings we will not be far 

away. Even so, we have lost only one game by more than a one-goal 

margin, against Newport YMCA.”

Treowen manager Richard Davies, a goalkeeper in his playing days, 

still smarting from a four-goal defeat at Albion Rovers, is not 

too unhappy that his side are without a game.

He said: “We were struggling for a side and I played at 

centre-forward for the last 20 minutes. I will not be rushing to 

do that again, that’s for sure!”

Treowen will have Simon Lewis available for their next match and 

Davies added: “We have missed him and our confidence is a bit low 

at the moment and perhaps we could do with a new signing to lift 

things.” Treowen have lost their last two league games and have 

not scored a goal while conceding five.

RAY PARKER

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

08 November 2004

NEWPORT YMCA maintained their unbeaten league record and their 

Welsh League Division Two promotion push with a hard-fought but 

deserved 2-0 win at Tillery on Saturday, writes Paul Tully.

And the man they had to thank was young former Wales Youth striker 

Lewis Sommers, who slotted home both their goals.

His first was a cool finish following a goalmouth scramble just 

before half-time, and the second was even better midway through 

the second half after he had been put through.

YMCA had other chances, and Tillery, who had their moments, also 

had opportunities, but YMCA were generally the team in control.

“We knew it would be tough and Tillery made us fight for the 

points,” said YMCA’s Darren Porretta, “but we won and kept our run 

going and are in the position (second) we want to be in, though we 

realise there is a long way to go.”

Tredegar Town moved above Caldicot into fourth spot with their 4-2 

home win over ENTO Aberaman, hitting back from 2-0 down for the 

points.

Aberaman scored their goals from the two chances they created in 

the opening 30 minutes, Tredegar pulling one back before half-time 

through centre back Lee Brooker with a header from a right-wing 

cross.

Craig Evans grabbed the equaliser when he calmly took the ball 

around the Aberaman ’keeper, and a three-goals-in-a-15-minute-spell

was completed when Lawrence Davies netted from 15 yards.

Some fine interpassing with Davies brought a superb fourth goal 

for Ian Morris, but he later blotted his copybook by missing a 

penalty.

“We were outstanding and played some excellent football,” said 

manager John Lewis.

Llanwern manager Laurence Owen was far from happy with his side’s 

1-0 defeat away to Cardiff Corries.

“They are scrapping for everything, the same as we are,” said 

Owen, “but they were easily the worst side we have played and we 

were abysmal.

“We played well in the second half at Pontypridd the previous 

week, and had we played as well as that again we would have won. 

We were looking for at least a point, but though we had a couple 

cleared off their line we were always chasing the game.”

Caldicot paid the price for lack of match practice when they were 

beaten 3-1 at Porthcawl in only their second game in five weeks.

They also had a number of new players in their side, including 

17-year-old goalscorer Kyle Smith, Luke Chorley and goalkeeper 

Danny Brimble.

They conceded two bad goals defensively in the first 15 minutes of 

a scrappy game, but when Smith slid in to pull one back 15 minutes 

from time they felt they might grab a point, but almost from the 

restart Porthcawl scored again to clinch it.

“We have a young squad, 13 of the 14 on duty were under 23, so the 

future’s bright. We just have to be patient,” said club spokesman 

John Burrows. “The five weeks with just one game before Saturday 

meant we were sluggish at the start and could not find our rhythm.”

In Division Three Risca grabbed three vital points in their 

basement battle with bottom side Newcastle Emlyn, winning 3-0 to 

leave their opponents pointless.

Centre back Rhys Redman gave Risca the lead before half-time with 

a far-post header from a free kick, but early in the second half 

Risca were reduced to ten men when fellow centre back Rhys 

Williams was sent off for dissent.

But Risca played their best football when a man short, and 

completed the win with goals by 17-year-old striker Rhys Iles on 

the hour, with a superb chip over the ’keeper, and by Chris Wilson 

ten minutes from time, when he slipped the ball under the ’keeper 

after being put through.

“We seemed very tense in the first half,” said club spokesman 

Stuart Luckwell, “but surprisingly seemed to relax when down to 

ten men. It was an important win.”

Fields Park/Pontllanfraith felt they deserved what would have been 

a crucial point from their trip to top-six side Caerau Ely, but 

were pipped 3-2 after leading 2-1 at half-time.

The bottom-three side fell behind early on, but striker Anthony 

Vegas headed in after 20 minutes after the home goalkeeper had 

punched a free kick to him, and five minutes later right 

midfielder Craig Jones rifled home from close range after the best 

passing move of the game.

But early in the second half Caerau equalised after a scramble 

from a free kick and went on to sew it up ten minutes from time.

Croesyceiliog lost 3-0 at second-in-the-table and promotion 

favourites Treharris and had no complaints.

Joint manager Chris Evans said: “We had our biggest hiding in 

three years. We were muscled out of it by a good side.”

However, Croesy’s cause was not helped by the loss of central 

midfield player Carl Evans with a knee injury just before the 

interval, which they reached on level terms.

Albion Rovers picked up three much-needed points with a 4-0 home 

win over mid-table Treowen, though they were gifted a couple of 

simple goals.

Left-back Dale Roberts gave them the lead with a header before 

half-time, and pressure on the Treowen defence brought further 

goals by Luke Ash and John Lilygreen before Lee Morgan and Ash 

combined from halfway to set up the fourth, which Ash drilled home 

with his left foot.

Treowen felt they should have been a few goals up before Albion 

scored, but the Newport side had much the better of the second 

half.