Pontypridd Town (News)

Unless otherwise stated all match reports relate to Division One

Saturday 22 July 2006

Pre-season friendly

Chepstow Town 1 - 7 Pontypridd Town

Despite James Ryan and Mike Jones failing late fitness tests, a bare bones Ponty squad were too sharp for an outgunned Chepstow team who nevertheless tried to play football throughout.

The visitors opened the scoring after six minutes when good work by Daniel Hooper and Andrew Hughes saw the ball reach Chris Summers in the area and he finished clinically.

The next goal came just over twenty minutes later when a hand ball gave Summers another chance to score from the spot and he made no mistake.

A Chepstow defender heads clear from Craig Holley (16) with Chris Summers waiting to pounce

Five minutes before half time the lead was extended from the spot again after Craig Holley was pulled down and this time Ryan Jenkins netted.

Jenkins scored again ten minutes after half time with a lovely turn and shot into the top corner before Summers got his hat trick thanks to a great ball from Hooper.

The same combination worked again with eleven minutes to go to put Ponty six up before Chepstow netted a deserved consolation seven minutes from the end.

However, Summers still wasn't finished and he scored the goal of the game with four minutes to go when he scored with a left foot shot from outside the box into the top corner of the net.

Pontypridd's next match is an away fixture a week on Saturday against Penrhyncoch FC.

Ponty squad: Mark Poole; Danny Street, Chris Davies, Craig Evans, Dan Marshall, Dean Morris, Andrew Hughes, Greg Perrott, Daniel Hooper, Ryan Jenkins, Chris Summers, Craig Holley.

Match report and photo by Clive Harry

PONTYPRIDD TOWN AFC - PRESS RELEASE: 19 JUNE 2006

In preparation for life in Division One, Pontypridd Town AFC have arranged a prestigious pre-season football friendly with Port Talbot Town of the Welsh Premier League. The game will be played on Saturday 5th August 2006 at Ynysangharad Park.

Pre-Season Football Friendly

Pontypridd Town v Port Talbot Town

Saturday 5th August 2006

Venue: Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd

Further details available at: www.pontytownafc.co.uk or by emailing the club at: info@pontytownafc.co.uk

Dan Goddard - Website Editor

Pontypridd Town AFC

Another major signing for Pontypridd [5th May 2006]

By Dan Goddard - Website Editor - website@pontytownafc.co.uk

In the face of competition from several other clubs, Pontypridd have signed centre back Ross Lloyd from Aberystwyth Town of the Welsh Premier League.

Lloyd, whose father Roger was Pontypridd manager in the early 1990's, played regularly in the League of Wales last season, first with Cwmbran Town and for the most part with Aberystwyth, where he clocked up 22 appearances and two goals.

Age and experience

Ponty manager Ryan Nicholls said of Lloyd's acquisition, “I think this is a major, major signing for the club. He comes highly thought of as a player, has League of Wales pedigree and lives locally which is a bonus.”

And Nicholls, who guided the Dragons to the Division Two championship last month, believes that the club's latest signing is another piece in a carefully-mapped team plan. “We already have a lot of experienced players and now we are gaining the benefits of youth. The last four signings, including this one, have all been 24 or below. We are building a team of both youth and experience.”

Pedigree

Nicholls signed Lloyd on the basis of his major strengths, “I am delighted to have signed another quality player from higher up the pyramid. Lloyd is a centre half with commanding presence and good pedigree. He can also play the ball on the floor and I will be looking for him to forge a good partnership with Mike Jones at the back.”

Lloyd, who celebrated his 24th birthday last Wednesday, played for Ponty at the age of 16 as well as youth spells with both Hereford United and Swansea City.

[Regularly updated news and comment at: www.pontytownafc.co.uk]

Pontypridd Town club e-mail address: website@pontytownafc.co.uk

Official Website: www.pontytownafc.co.uk

From: Website Administrator: Pontypridd Town AFC

Programme Information

If any clubs require Pontypridd Town pen pictures or squad news for their programme they can get them by e-mail from: clivej.harry@tiscali.co.uk.

They will still be sent out prior to away matches in hard copy but please get in touch if you would like information via the internet for downloading.

Similarly, I would be happy to use any details sent to me by visiting clubs.

Clive Harry, Pontypridd Town FC

Unless otherwise stated all match reports below relate to Division Two

Saturday 10 December 2005

Croesyceiliog 0 Pontypridd Town 2

Match Report By Clive Harry

Photos: http://www.pontytownafc.co.uk/pages/report_10122005.htm

Saturday was a big day in Division Two with all of the top four teams playing each other and, by the end of it, Ponty had moved to the top of the table as the only team to pick up all three points.

The visitors started well with new signing Chris Summers and Kerry Harding renewing their partnership of last season and forcing a number of corners.

The home team’s Micky Dewar also had a half chance which he put over the top but the Dragons took an early lead in the fourth minute which they were not to relinquish. The goal came as a result of a Harding corner which he swung into the edge of the six yard box where Summers got up well to head home.

Croesy almost hit back immediately when James Stokes had a chance but lobbed wide.

However, Ponty were playing some fluid football with Liam Grant causing problems on the right flank and Harding almost got a second after twenty minutes with a low shot which was well held by former Cwmbran keeper Pat O’Hagan.

Four minutes later, O’Hagan saved the home side again with a superb tip over after Summers had made room for a snapshot from ten yards. Grant’s pace was still causing problems and he went close on the half hour mark when he volleyed just wide from a half cleared cross but he should have done better shortly afterwards when he dragged his shot just wide with Summers unmarked inside him.

The match should have been virtually settled four minutes after half time but a bizarre refereeing decision handed the home team a lifeline. Harding had been worked clear and pushed the ball past O’Hagan only to be upended by the home keeper just outside the area. With the Ponty attacker receiving treatment, everyone expected a mandatory red card to be produced only for a yellow card and an unproductive free kick to be the punishment, a decision which bewildered the visitors and amused the home bench and supporters.

Matters became heated for a period after the incident but the home side took advantage to gain a territorial edge for much of the second half. However, they were unable to create any clear cut chances with Ponty centre backs Mike Jones and Dave Penikett playing particularly well.

Conversely, the visitors looked dangerous on the break and Summers got clear in the 65^th minute but shot wide after riding a last ditch tackle from Ross Bristow. Mark Poole then got down well to hold a Croesy shot from outside the box before Summers put a decent headed chance wide from a Harding cross.

Nevertheless, the home side were probably still having more of the possession but generally didn’t threaten goal until the introduction of substitute Jody Jenkins who shot just wide with one of his first touches of the ball.

With three minutes to go, Jenkins again caused a problem when he turned a defender in the box to make room for himself but, after doing the hard work well, he put his shot just past the post.

Ponty finally made the game safe with just over a minute left when the offside trap was sprung and Harding drew O’Hagan before slipping the ball inside for Summers to net.

Pontypridd Town: Mark Poole; Lee Street (sub. James Ryan), Danny Street, Dave Penikett, Mike Jones, Andrew Hughes, Chris Summers, Craig Evans, Liam Grant (sub. Craig Holley), Kerry Harding, Will Penikett. Substitute not used: Ryan Nicholls.

The Dragons club now have another big game against second placed Garw Athletic on Saturday (ko 2pm) with the visitors in second place after winning their last nine games. Ponty will then be at home again on Tuesday evening (20^th) with a game against Abertillery Excelsior (ko 7 or 7.30pm).

SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER 2005

PONTYPRIDD TOWN 2 - 2 TON PENTRE

(Pontypridd Town won 7-6 on penalties, aet)

With four former Ton players in the home line-up, this always looked as if it would be a close game and it eventually took 120 minutes of football and 16 penalties to separate the two teams.

After an inconclusive opening, Pontypridd took an early lead after only six minutes with a strange goal. Danny Street made ground on the right flank and played an innocuous looking ball into the box which Kerry Harding attempted to flick on and the ball eluded defenders and keeper Jon Howe before slowly bouncing into the net.

The lead was short lived, however, with Ton back on terms within two minutes when Carl Thomas tried his luck with a direct free kick from just outside the box which home keeper Mark Poole did not collect cleanly and Ryan Shugar was on hand to net from close range.

This seemed to settle the visitors and they gained a slight edge but there was not much in the way of goalmouth action until in the 26th minute. Ton’s Allan Clarke swung a good ball into the box but it was fractionally too high for Andrew Seburn and his header went harmlessly wide.

Andrew Hughes then had a half chance for the Dragons when Howe’s punch fell at his feet but his first time shot went just over the bar.

Ponty were now having a decent spell with the interval approaching and it took a good last ditch challenge from Nathan Prygodzicz to clear from Harding when he looked to be getting clear.

The game had not settled into any sort of pattern and immediately after the interval it was the Bulldogs turn to gain the upper hand before taking the lead in the 60th minute when Raith Plant’s flicked header in midfield put Alyn Jones in the clear. The attacker kept his nerve and slid the ball past Poole to give the visitors the lead.

However, the setback seemed to spur Ponty on and they were back on level terms just seven minutes later. Some sloppy play by Ton in midfield ended with Mark Crutch giving the ball away to Andrew Hughes who played Harding into the clear on the right of the box. The Ponty striker struck his shot well but it also touched a defender’s foot to give Howe no chance and bring the match back to all square.

It was now the home team’s turn to get on top but without creating any clear cut chances and the seemingly inevitable extra time arrived without any further incidents.

Both teams had brought on all their substitutes and the pace of Ponty’s Martyn Shaw looked as if it might cause problems although it was home defender Dave Penikett whose shot sailed just over the bar after 95 minutes.

Shaw then got to the byline and crossed just too high for Richard Jago before a corner for the Bulldogs caused chaos with the ball being hacked clear from the home goal-line three times in a matter of seconds.

The second period saw Poole make a good save from Alyn Jones before Ponty’s Mike Jones was sent off for a second bookable offence.

The ensuing penalty shoot out was a high quality affair with Howe saving from Danny Street, who had been outstanding for the Dragons, and Poole saving from Paul Evans to make the score six all after 14 penalties. The unfortunate Andrew Seburn then put his spot kick wide for Lee Street to become a Ponty hero with a shot into the corner.

Pontypridd Town: Mark Poole; Danny Street, Dan Marshall, Dave Penikett, Mike Jones, Andrew Hughes, Craig Evans, Dean Morris, Richard Jago, Kerry Harding, Liam grant. Subs: Lee Street, Martyn Shaw, Will Penikett.

Scorer: Kerry Harding (2).

Ton Pentre: Jon Howe; Paul Evans, Allan Clarke, Mark Crutch, Nathan Prygodzicz, Ryan Shugar, Shaun Mainwaring, Andrew Seburn, Carl Thomas, Raith Plant, Alyn Jones. Substitutes: Lee Matthews, Kristian Orchard, Lyndon Williams.

Scorers: Shugar, Jones

Penalty Shootout

Pontypridd			Ton Pentre (1st)

D Street	SAVE	0-1	GOAL	Orchard
Hughes	GOAL	1-1	SAVE	Evans
Evans	GOAL	2-2	GOAL	Jones
Shaw	GOAL	3-3	GOAL	Shugar
W.Penikett	GOAL	4-4	GOAL	Williams
Morris	GOAL	5-5	GOAL	Matthews
Marshall	GOAL	6-6	GOAL	Crutch
L Street	GOAL	7-6	MISS	Seburn

Report by Clive Harry

Saturday 17 September 2005

Caldicot Town 0 - 0 Pontypridd Town

Much of the talk in the week preceeding the game had been of the Welsh Cup draw which resulted in Pontypridd being paired with Macron Welsh League champions Ton Pentre at Ynysangharad Park. Nevertheless, a visit to high scoring Caldicot who had scored four times in each of their previous home games was probably of greater importance in the overall scheme of things. As things turned out, there was never any likelihood of another goal rush on Saturday and Ponty probably should have collected all three points.

The home side almost had a chance in the second minute but Mark Poole came out of his goal smartly to collect a through ball. The visitors soon settled, however, and six minutes later a good move gave Andrew Hughes a sight of goal but, although his shot was well struck, the angle was too tight and home keeper James Smallcombe went full length to save. Richard Jago was then inches wide with a glancing header before Hughes again went close with a half chance.

The game was being played at a cracking pace and home skipper David Lloyd was prominent, firstly with a curling shot from the edge of the box after 15 minutes that was safely held by Poole and a minute later with a deflected effort that the Ponty keeper changed direction to save.

The home team should really have taken the lead on the half hour mark when Craig Evans dwelt on the ball in the area and was robbed by Jason Thorn but the striker shot straight at Poole. Four minutes later it was Ponty’s turn when Smallcombe made a good save from a Mike Jones header after a Dan Marshall free kick. The visitors were now grasping the initiative and went close two minutes before the break when Liam Grant beat two men on the edge of the area but his shot came back off the post. Almost immediately, Danny Street shot over from ten yards.

Ponty started the second half very positively when Grant got past two defenders to cross for Hughes but his header was cleared off the line. Grant then went close himself with a reflex header over the top from close range before a great run by Street gave himself a site of goal which he put well wide. Almost the only controversial moment of the game came in the 78^th minute when the hard working James Ryan was worked clear but had his heels clipped from behind. However, the Ponty player stumbled but tried to remain on his feet and his off balance shot was deflected for an unproductive corner when a stronger decision would have been more appropriate.

This half had developed into a much more one sided affair with the visitors coming forward at every opportunity but the final ball and some indifferent finishing let them down time after time. Credit should also go to a well organised Caldicot side and this season looks to hold plenty of promise for both sides.

Manager Ryan Nicholls was delighted with his team’s display but disappointed with a result which would probably have been acceptable before the match began.

Pontypridd Town: Mark Poole; Danny Street, Dan Marshall, Dave Penikett, Mike Jones, Andrew Hughes, Craig Evans, Dean Morris, Richard Jago, James Ryan, Liam Grant. Subs: Greg Perrott, Martyn Shaw, Lee Street.

Pontypridd now take two weeks off League action to play ENTO Aberaman in the Shamrock League Cup this Saturday (24^th) before the big Welsh Cup clash against Ton Pentre a week later.

Report by Clive Harry

Sunday 18th September 2005

Pontypridd Ladies 4- 1 Dinas Powys

Pontypridd Town Ladies celebrated receiving their new kit, kindly sponsored by Leek and Weston estate agents, with a convincing 4-1 win at home to Dinas Powys.

Ponty started strongly and created a number of good chances before Lisa Durham deservedly put Ponty in front midway through the first half. Durham soon added her second and Sheila Heffernan made it 3-0 to Ponty just before half time.

Ponty continued to dominate an entertaining game in the second half and player/manager Bethan Davies struck Ponty's fourth with the visitors reply proving no more than a consolation goal.

For their next match Pontypridd Town Ladies face a tough trip to Swansea City on Sunday, kick off 2pm

Saturday 10 September 2005

Pontypridd Town 3 - 2 Pontardawe AET (90 mins 2 - 2)

FAW Welsh Cup, Round One

Liam Grant scored in the 119th minute of this thrilling cup tie to send Pontypridd into the second round of the FAW Welsh Cup at the expense of Welsh League second division champions Pontardawe.

A goal mid-way through the first half from Andrew Hughes gave Ponty a 1-0 lead going into the interval. But first division Pontardawe rallied early in the second half with two goals to go 2-1 ahead.

Pontypridd manager Ryan Nicholls brought on some pacey substitutes and the change in strategy worked as Hughes got his second goal from the penalty spot with five minutes left of normal time.

Both 'keepers produced fine saves as extra-time dwindled away and the prospect of penalties became a distinct reality.

But with the last attack of the game Ponty's Liam Grant went on a mazy dribble down the left wing, beating a defender and rifling home a low shot which whizzed past the visiting 'keeper at his near post.

The goal sparked scenes of mass celebration from the home fans as Liam Grant was mobbed by his team mates. Ponty will find out their reward for this hard-fought victory, and what was the biggest upset of the first round, when the second round draw is made.

Pontypridd have now played five games this season and are unbeaten, winning four and drawing one.

Pontypridd manager Ryan Nicholls was delighted with the win saying,"Pontardawe are a good side who are proving they can hold their own in a higher division. They pushed the boys right to their limits but I feel we always had that extra something in reserve to win the game, and so it proved."

By Daniel Devons-Goddard [website@pontytownafc.co.uk]

Saturday 13 August 2005

Pontypridd Town 3 - 0 Garden Village

Pontypridd got their Macron Welsh League campaign off to a brilliant start with a comprehensive 3-0 victory against Garden Village at Ynysangharad Park.

Will Penikett gave Ponty an early lead and this was followed by an outstanding individual goal from Liam Grant, to give Ponty a commanding 2-0 lead at half-time.

To their credit Garden Village battled hard and had some excellent chances to score but Will Penikett added his second and Ponty's third in the second half to wrap up the points.

FULL REPORT & ACTION PHOTOS:

http://www.pontytownafc.co.uk/0506_repWL001.htm

From: Website Administrator, Pontypridd Town AFC

NEW WEBSITE

Pontypridd Town AFC are delighted to announce their new club website which went online 5th August 2005. The website covers all aspects of the club - including photographs, match reports and statistics. Please visit us at: www.pontytownafc.co.uk From: Website Administrator, Pontypridd Town AFC

TUESDAY 15 MARCH 2005

PONTYPRIDD TOWN 3 - 2 TREDEGAR TOWN

Pontypridd Town moved up to second place in the Welsh League Division Two thanks to an exciting 3-2 victory over promotion rivals Tredegar Town.

Ponty played some good stuff early on and went two up thanks to goals from Wayne Price in the second minute and Kerry Harding in the eighteenth.

However, once the visitors had settled, they played some excellent football and deservedly got a goal back through Mark Dunn after 36 minutes.

They opened the second half in similar vein and equalised after 52 minutes before having a goal disallowed for offside. Ponty defended desperately at times but fought back towards the end and, with 81 minutes gone, the ball was only half cleared after a Ponty attack and Rob Jones drove a low left foot shot into the net from the edge of the box to clinch a vital win for the home side.

Report by Clive Harry

Latest News

29 November 2004

Pontypridd Town have appointed former Leeds United. Cardiff City and Carmarthen Town player Ryan Nicholls as joint manager with Brian Gibson.

Nicholls made his debut in Saturday's 3-0 win over Seven Sisters after a long lay off with cruciate ligament damage. Unfortunately, Nicholls damaged medial ligaments in the other knee during the game, an injury which will keep him out for three months.

Clive Harry

Pontypridd Town FC

Established

1904