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Press Reports, etc.
21 July 2008 by Terry Daley, South Wales Argus DIVISION Three outfit Goytre were on top form as several Gwent MacWhirter Welsh League clubs continued their pre-season preparations. Returning Goytre striker Andy Walsh grabbed a hat trick in a crushing 5-1 home success over Division One side Caldicot Town. Goytre’s other goals came from Graham Mason and Mark Jones (penalty) while the consolation for Caldicot, now under the managership of Simon Webber, came from Alex Watkins. Two other Division One clubs failed to win, Newport YMCA going down 2-0 at Division Three newcomers Newport Civil Service, while Croesyceiliog drew 2-2 at Blaenavon Blues. In a game of three 30-minute segments NCS followed up their 4-2 home midweek success over Croesyceiliog thanks to a late goal from Mickey Potts, Zac Osbourne and Ryan Fahey were on target for Croesyceiliog at Blaenavon, while Steve Perszewski (2), Matthew Currie and Robert Shire scored for Division Two outfit Llanwern at Elwood. Monmouth Town struggled to get over the long journey to near Norwich to face Eastern Counties League Premier Division side Dereham Town and found themselves 3-0 down at the break. However, they rallied well after the break when they reduced the arrears through a couple of Simon Wookey goals. * Midweek games: Tuesday: Lliswery v Newport YMCA (6.30pm). Thursday: Lucas Girlings (Cwmbran) v Risca United (6.45pm).
21 July 2008 by Terry Daley, South Wales Argus NEWPORT YMCA’S status as Gwent’s best MacWhirter Welsh League club will be severely tested in 2008-09 if they fail to cover the loss of three influential players. Striker Lewis Sommers netted 26 times, central defender Daniel Heath weighed in with 12, while versatile newcomer Leighton Burrows grabbed five as YMCA finished their Division One campaign in seventh position after a run to the semi-finals of the Welsh Cup. It all added up to the Mendalgief Road outfit’s best season in its 34-year history. Now, however, manager Mark Coldrick must recruit wisely if YMCA are to continue their march towards their intended target – a place in the top-level Principality Welsh Premier League. Sommers and Heath, both 23 and 6ft 5in, have departed for British Gas Business Premier South and South-West side Cinderford Town, whose managerial team are ex-Caerleon and Newport AFC duo Lee Relish and Jason Price, while 22-year-old Burrows, formerly of Caldicot Town, has linked up with BGB Premier outfit Clevedon Town, managed by Caerphilly-born Wayne Powell. “Of course it’s a blow to lose any player of quality, but to lose three is a huge disappointment,” said Coldrick. “But they all go with our best wishes because we would never stand in the way of anyone seeking the chance to play at a higher level. “They’ve all been told that if things don’t work out for them that they’ll be made welcome back here again.” Gareth Lynch is currently sidelined with a leg injury, but one piece of good news is that fellow 26-year-old defender Craig James has undergone surgery to a long-standing knee injury and should be fit for the 2008-09 opener at home to Gwent rivals Caerleon on Saturday, August 16. * Burrows’ switch to Clevedon means he will link up with a trio of fellow recruits who’ve also appeared for Gwent clubs in the past. Recent additions include former Cwmbran Town players Simon Heal, Rhys Williams and Chris Pearce, who joins from Caerleon.
FOUR CLUBS LOOK SET TO QUIT WELSH LEAGUE 21 July 2008 by Tony Poole, South Wales Evening Post
With the future of four clubs in the balance, the MacWhirter Welsh
Football League is set be based around just 50 clubs next season. The
situation will be viewed with irony at Morriston, who were relegated at
the end of last season. 19 July 2008 by Terry Daley, South Wales Argus LAST season's Welsh Cup semi finalists Newport YMCA have been handed a home tie against lower-level opposition in round one of the 2008-09 tournament on September 13. MacWhirter Welsh League Division One outfit YMCA will entertain Gwent neighbours Aberbargoed Buds or Aberdare-based Cwmaman Institute, who will face one another in a preliminary-round clash on August 16. YMCA reached the last four by knocking out a trio of higher-level clubs, Principality Welsh Premier League outfits Carmarthen Town, the then holders, Llangefni Town and Welshpool Town, all at their Mendalgief Road home, before succumbing to a fourth, Bangor City, 3-1 in the last four at.Newtown's Latham Park in April. Caerleon, who finished one place below YMCA last season in eighth position, face a tough challenge to get past visiting league champions Goytre United (Port Talbot) while other Division One clubs, Caldicot Town, Croesyceiliog, have also been handed home ties. Caldicot will host Ammanford, of Division Two, Croesyceiliog will receive Maesteg Park, but Cwmbran Town will be on the road against the students of UWIC.
NEWPORT CIVIL SERVICE CELEBRATE PROMOTION 16 July 2008 by Terry Daley, South Wales Argus NEWPORT Civil Service players, officials and supporters are still celebrating after finally securing promotion to Division Three of the MacWhirter Welsh League. The Bettws-based outfit retained their Gwent Senior League title in 2007-08, but were at first refused entry to the higher-grade league following a ground-criteria inspection. And when a Football Association of Wales appeal panel upheld that decision, it looked almost certain the NCS would be denied promotion for a second successive season. However NCS refused to give in and eventually appealed for a second time, a move which proved successful when another FAW panel, headed by football-loving Cardiff-based solicitor John Loosemore, finally gave the club the green light. “Everyone at the club is ecstatic and this is such a great time for us all,” beamed NCS secretary Tony Burrows. “The club was in the doldrums after the original decision not to let us in, but now we’ve all been lifted by the news. “I have to thank Mr Loosemore and his colleagues, who acted extremely professionally during their inspection and when we went to Cardiff for the second appeal. “In all fairness, we never had the required facilities when we won the title in 2006-07, but we felt we did this time around. “So we believe justice has been done and now we must try and recruit because we lost some, who moved on after our first appeal failed.” The club’s other good news is that they’ve been give five home games from their first six league matches, starting with the visit of Merthyr Tydfil-based Troedyrhiw on the opening day of the season - Saturday, August 16 NCS have also been handed a home Nathaniel League Cup first-round tie against Division Two outfit Llanwern, whose manager Laurence Owen was at Saturday’s friendly fixture against Cwmbran Town. Despite goals from Mark Millinchip (penalty) and Michael Potts, NCS, whose Steve Muir and Alan Little both struck the woodwork, slipped to a 4-2 defeat with their Division One visitors scoring via Lee Bishop (2), Steve Arthur and substitute Joey Carless.
HOMELESS QUINS SET TO QUIT LEAGUE 17 July 2008 by Terry Phillips, South Wales Echo GRANGE Quins are set to quit MacWhirter Welsh League football because they will not have a stadium to start the season. They are due to play at the new Cardiff Athletics Stadium during the coming season, but have now been told it will not be available until October at least. And, in a second shock Welsh League move, Pontypridd Town could merge with South Wales Amateur League club Treforest. Quins have been forced to cancel their pre-season match against a Cardiff City ‘Stars of the Future’ team to mark their move to the new stadium – and call off a Friday evening match against Ely Rangers on August 22. “I have told Welsh League officials we are unable to continue,” said Quins’ chairman and secretary Steve May. “We have not made that decision final yet, but it looks inevitable until somebody can help us. “The matches against Cardiff City and Ely Rangers were two of our big fund-raising events. We were to hold an open day at the same time as the Bluebirds’ came to play us – and we switched the Ely game to a Friday so that 100 or more members of the Groundhoppers could come and watch. “After all that has happened to Grange Quins over the last few seasons, I can’t see us carrying on in the Welsh League. “My personal circumstances have changed and I don’t have the time or energy to keep fighting.” Quins earned promotion to the Welsh Premier League for 2005-06, but struggled badly financially and were relegated immediately. Anybody willing to help Quins can contact May on 07841050774. Pontypridd Town are in talks with AFC Treforest about a merger. The new club would field a team in the Welsh League and play out of Treforest’s White Tips Stadium.
GWENT FOOTBALL: PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES 11 July 2008 by Terry Daley, South Wales Argus TOWN rivals Croesyceiliog and Cwmbran Town of the MacWhirter Welsh League Division One are in pre-season on Saturday - both 3.00pm kick offs. Busy Croesyceiliog, now under the sole managership of previous joint boss Neil Gilmore, will field two separate teams for the second successive week while the Crows begin their summer preparations with an away match against Newport Civil Service. Gilmore will send a senior side to tackle Somerset-based Western League outfit Welton Rovers while he will run the rule over a side containing younger players at Gwent County League Division Three champions Govilon. Last Saturday, Gilmore watched Jody Jenkins (2), Lee Mason and Daniel Clouth score in a 6-4 defeat at the hands of West Midlands League side Ledbury Town before the junior team was beaten 4-2 by the same hosts. Newly-appointed Cwmbran manager Gary Proctor will take his side the short distance to Bettws to face NCS, last season’s Gwent County League winners. NCS also host Croesyceiliog on Thursday, July 17 – kick off 6.30pm. * Craig Jones was Newport YMCA’s goalscorer in their 5-1 away friendly defeat at the hands of Welsh Premier League champions Llanelli last Monday. Hats off to the YM for providing a team for the game which was arranged to help Llanelli prepare for their forthcoming Champions League qualifying campaign. The Newport-based side was able to field a team which only contained three recognised regulars.
CALDICOT TOWN – NEW MANAGER NAMED 25 June 2008 by Terry Daley, South Wales Argus CALDICOT Town have promoted assistant boss Simon Wetter to manager following the surprise resignation for personal reasons of Jason Pritchard. The 37-year-old has stood down after three successful seasons in charge of the Jubilee Way outfit, who he led to a Gwent Senior Cup triumph in 2007-08. Pritchard, who first played for the club when he was 16, managed the reserve side for two seasons before stepping up to take over the first team. In 2006-07, he led Caldicot back to Division One of the MacWhirter Welsh League for the first time in 12 campaigns and guided them to a respectable 11th-place finish last season. “I have other issues which I need to attend to and I will be making a decision over the coming months as to whether I will remain involved with the club,” said Pritchard. “I would like to thank everyone for all the help and support that I have received over the past three years. “I wish the team and the club all the very best for the future and hope that both are very successful.” Wetter, also 37 and who began appearing for the club at the same time as Pritchard, revealed he’s looking forward to his new challenge. “Jason Pritchard will be a very, very hard act to follow, but I will give it my best shot,” said Wetter, who will be assisted by last season’s second-team manager, Mark Anderson, whose replacement will soon be named. The club have also welcomed the return of Frank Rowberry who will run the East Gwent First Division side in 2008-09
DELIGHT FOR GRIFFITHSES AS DAVID BECOMES CHAIRMAN 23 June 2008 by Tony Poole, South Wales Evening Post
Maesteg Park stalwarts David Griffiths and his wife Dawn had plenty to
celebrate following Saturday's MacWhirter Welsh Football League AGM at
Tudor Park. While David begins a second stint as league chairman, Dawn
was the deserved recipient of a Merit Award. 21 June 2008 by Steve Jones, South Wales Echo PENTWYN Dynamos have appointed Mark Payne as their new manager. The MacWhirter Welsh League club, who finished the 2007-8 campaign as Division Three champions, will begin pre-season training on June 26 at Pentwyn Leisure Centre in Cardiff. Anyone interested in joining the Thursday sessions between 6.30-8pm should call 07786 002837.
CROWS SHOULD GET OUT OF THE STADIUM 6 June 2008 by Terry Daley, South Wales Argus SO Cwmbran Town have acted to halt their slump by replacing Spanish manager Guillermo Ganet with locally-based Gary Proctor, who served as a coach for a season under the late, great Tony Willcox in the late 1990s. I've taken some heavy-duty criticism for describing Ganet's 12-month reign as "disastrous" in a recent article. Oh right, so it was me who led the side to a 14th-place finish of 18 was it? It was me who was in charge of a team which took only 19 points from the last 72 on offer was it? And I suppose it was me who used more than 60 players in all competitions throughout the season? In fairness Cwmbran had precious little option than to appoint Ganet a year ago and when he took over, there were only a handful of players left from the previous campaign. However, it was clear the strife and strain of getting too many London-based players to perform adequately following a lengthy journey to Gwent would eventually impact poorly on the side's results. The Grows have slipped a long way since their heyday of five European sorties and in my opinion should now cut their cloth accordingly and get out of Cwmbran Stadium. The soulless ground is an athletics stadium with the added bonus of a football pitch and perhaps the club should return to its roots and return to the nearby Cwmbran Park to play its MacWhirter Welsh League Division One games. After all, the club's average home attendance in 2007-08 was just 60 and given the lack of football facilities the club actually uses at Cwmbran Stadium, then maybe the way forward for the Crows now is to downsize. Just look at what Cwmbran Celtic have achieved on their Celtic Park ground directly opposite Cwmbran Stadium. Now comes news of further development for Celtic in the in the shape of the Division Two club allocating some £1,500 to improve its MWL pitch and the two adjacent pitches on Celtic Park in the close season. "Our aim is to eventually play all our under-19s games on our MWL pitch rather than Cwmbran Stadium, as the costs of hiring the Stadium are prohibitive in our view," said Celtic general secretary Malcolm Jarrett. "We recognise that the pitch is not good enough to do this at present, but we hope that by allocating money to improve it each year, we will achieve this aim quite quickly. "To help fund the cost, the under-19s will play six of their home games next season on Celtic Park. "This will save us in the region of £1200 - £750 of which will be allocated to the ground improvements. The other half of the cost will be met from general club funds." So there we have a nice little challenge for Cwmbran Town - dump Cwmbran Stadium and move onwards and upwards! * A good source tells me that Clevedon Town's Caerphilly-born manager Wayne Powell is on the hunt for some Gwent-based talent ill time for the 2008-09 season in August. I won't embarrass anyone by naming names, but a defender with Newport YMCA, a Caerleon striker and a couple of Llanwern players have already been targeted by Powell, who appeared in the Football League for Bristol Rovers, Halifax Town and Hereford United before moving on to the non-league game and playing for Minehead, Bath City, Merthyr Tydfil, Mangotsfield United, Paulton Rovers and Hanham Athletic.
NEW CROWS BOSS INSPIRED BY WILLCOX 3 June 2008 by Terry Daley, South Wales Argus NEWLY-APPOINTED Cwmbran Town manager Gary Proctor has revealed he takes inspiration from late Crows boss Tony Willcox. The immensely-popular Willcox died aged 47 in April, 2003, after leading Cwmbran to the inaugural League of Wales title in 1992-93, five European campaigns, a League Cup final and three Welsh Cup finals Proctor served under Willcox and his assistant Roger Gibbins as a coach for a season in the late 1990s before rejoining the club as director of football in November. Now he finds himself in the hot-seat after the club this week parted company by mutual consent with Guillermo Ganet, the Spaniard who led them to a 14th-placed MacWhirter Welsh League Division One last season. “I must say to start with I’m very honoured to be manager of this club which is still highly thought of in Welsh football circles,” said Cardiff-based Proctor, who has also been in charge of both Llanelli and now-defunct Rhayader Town on the top-flight Principality Welsh Premier League “However there is much hard work to do if it is to regain its past status and people should not be under any illusions about that. “But if I achieve half of what Tony Willcox did here at this club, then I’ll be well satisfied. “Tony was a superb manager who I enjoyed working with and this club deserves to be back at the top because he did so much to keep it there.” One of the first matters Proctor is concerned with his setting up an under-18 team and Cwmbran have advertised for a manager to run the side on its official website. “It’s crucial we have our own youngsters coming through and we have also upgraded our reserve side. “They played in the Newport and District League last season and will now enter the MWL East Reserve Division. “I’ve also arranged three pre-season friendlies at Newport Civil Service on Saturday, July 1, at Haverfordwest County on July 19 and at Llanelli seven days later.” Ganet’s departure means Cwmbran will no longer have the London-based players he provided with Proctor now already busy with assembling a locally-based squad.
CWMBRAN BRING GANET REIGN TO AN END 29 May 2008 from South Wales Argus CWMBRAN Town and manager Guillermo Ganet have parted company by mutual consent to end the Spaniard's disastrous 12-month spell in charge of the Crows. Director of football Gary Proctor has succeeded Ganet with a brief to steer the Crows back to the top-flight Principality Welsh Premier League, from where they were relegated at the end of the 2006-07 season. London-based Ganet leaves Cwmbran after they finished 14 of 18 in Division One of the MacWhirter Welsh League - avoiding the drop by just 11 points. Following relegation from the PWPL, Cwmbran targeted first-time promotion and appointed Ganet to replace Sean Wharton in May 2007 - despite the fact he was still chairman of English club Berkhamsted Town. The Spaniard brought with him a near full squad of foreign-born, London-based players, which was soon dubbed "League of Nations XI" by critics. However following a brief pre-season campaign, which included games in such football backwaters as Stamford in Lincolnshire and Corby in Northamptonshire, the Crows led the table following a 2-0 home win over Caldicot Town on October 6. But it didn't last - the stats prove it although, coincidently, Cwmbran's slump in form in taking only 19 points from the last 72 on offer came after Ganet resigned from Berkhamsted four days after that victory over Caldicot. It all started to go wrong when Ganet was forced to replace the vast majority of his original squad following a financial dispute with those players and in total, he used a quite remarkable 50 throughout the campaign. "We would like to express our extreme gratitude to Guillermo Ganet and his London-based players for their loyalty in travelling great distances for home matches, let alone away games," said Cwmbran chairman Mike Lewis. "We believe the way forward is with a local management team and players and in Gary Proctor, we now have a manager well versed in Welsh domestic football." Cwmbran's gamble in appointing a manager based nearly 200 miles away and with little or no knowledge of local football (Ganet was briefly in charge of UWIC in 2006-07 before they were relegated to Division Two) spectacularly backfired off the field as well as on it. An encouraging 185 spectators turned out for the home derby against town-rivals Croesyceiliog last August - yet by the beginning of March, only 33 bothered to turn up for visit of Bryntirion Athletic at a soulless Cwmbran Stadium. It all meant that Cwmbran had lost over half their average home attendance figure from their last season in the top flight - 60 compared to 131 - and with little hope of any of them returning if Ganet remained in charge of the Crows.
CALDICOT TOWN PLAYER BANNED FOR SEVEN MONTHS 28 May 2008 by Terry Daley, South Wales Argus CALDICOT Town midfielder David Lloyd has been suspended from all football-related activity until 2009 after being found guilty of technically assaulting a match referee. The offence ocurred in the dressing-room area of Caldicot’s Jubilee Way ground following the club’s 2-1 home MacWhirter Welsh League Division One defeat at the hands of Dinas Powys on April 22 Lloyd, 25, was was found guilty at a Football Association of Wales disciplinary hearing and the seven-month suspension will last for a period up to and including December 31. An FAW disciplinary department spokesman said: “I can confirm David Lloyd, of Caldicot Town FC, has been suspened from all football related activity for techically assaulting a match official.” The FAW’s disciplinary guidelines lists three separate levels of assault of which technical assault is one. It’s understood Davies directed foul and abusive language towards the referee and also made jesticulating movements at the match offical. A suspension from all football related activity prohibits an individual from any involvement in football. This includes, but is not limited to: * Attending any association football match played at a ground under the jurisdiction of the FAW. * Participating in any association football match played at a ground under the jurisdiction of the FAW. * Attending or participating in any training activities connected to any club under the jurisdiction of the FAW. * Conducting any administrative duties connected to football or a football club. “It was a fair hearing and the club would like to thank all the relevent parties for their full co-operation,” said Caldicot manager Jason Pritchard, who led his club to a 10th-place finish last season. * Cwmbran Celtic’s Nicky Hughes and Risca United’s Daniel Gunter will both miss the start of the 2008-09 season after being handed three-match suspensions.
BRYNTIRION FAIL TO PUT THE BRAKES ON GOYTRE 28 May 2008 by Terry Phillips, South Wales Echo BRYNTIRION Athletic, managed by Fran Ford, just missed out on proving a major hit for sponsors Nathaniel Car Sales. The Bridgend-based company are main sponsors of Bryntirion Athletic, who reached the final of the Nathaniel Car Sales Cup against Goytre United. It was a tough test for Bryntirion in the final against a Goytre team who had won the MacWhirter Welsh League title for the second time in three years. But Ford and his players defeated Goytre twice in the league and that must have given them hope. This time, though, Goytre United emerged winners, winning the final 2-0, to clinch a Welsh League and cup double. Richard Ryan scored both Goytre United goals, while Bryntirion hotshot Robbie Walters, 23, could not find the goal he needed to bring up a half century for the season. Bryntirion finished fifth in Welsh League Division One and they will want to press on and mount an even stronger challenge next season. Cameroon-born goalkeeper Alain Fouanguim, aged 21, had a good first season with Bryntirion, who include former Cardiff City youth team player Mike Chunuonsee, 19, in their squad. Gavin Thomas shone during the League Cup final. The pacy midfield player won a Welsh League championship medal with Bettws and is a key figure for Bryntirion, who are also well served by young centre-backs Reece Williams and Lewis Williams. Both are aged 20. Reece is from Blaenavon and played youth football for Port Talbot Town before joining Cwmbran Town. Lewis joined Bryntirion from Garw and both were impressive for most of the League Cup final. Unfortunately, Reece was sent off after a poor tackle and a confrontation with a Goytre player. Steve Conaty of Goytre was sent off after a separate incident.
FIRST-HALF STRIKES PUT MARTYRS ON CUP GLORY ROAD 28 May 2008 by Terry Phillips, South Wales Echo MERTHYR Tydfil swept to success in the MacWhirter Welsh League Youth Cup final at Bryntirion Athletic. The Martyrs’ quality shone through as three goals in the first half sealed victory. Inside three minutes captain Chris Penny opened the scoring when he was on the end of a flowing move down the left wing to side foot home from a Marcus Griffiths pass. Kalim Ali looked certain to add to the lead when Christian Evans missed a bouncing ball, but the Merthyr striker could only roll his shot wide of a post. Ross Porter’s header from a corner was tipped onto the bar by Rob Draiper and Matthew Harris’ rebound was cleared off the line. The second goal came after half an hour when a Thomas Harris cross-cum-shot deceived Draiper who could only palm the ball onto the bar and Ali was on hand to put the follow-up in. The midfield battle was heating up when Matthew Harris was booked for a foul as he fought with Ceri Morgan to get the upper hand over Pontardawe skipper Luke Braidwood. Ali’s claims for a penalty were waived away by referee Paul Fisher, but on the stroke of half-time Merthyr all but secured the trophy. A long ball through the middle found Griffiths and the centre forward went in bravely on the oncoming Draiper to head in. Although Pontardawe came into the match more after the break, Marcus Clyne in the Merthyr goal wasn’t seriously troubled. Town’s James Harper then had a penalty appeal turned down before another Ali shot was deflected onto the bar. Draiper was on hand again to thwart Ali and with 10 minutes left Penny nearly scored his second. A superb turn and shot by the captain was deflected onto the upright by the diving Draiper who saved his side from an even heavier defeat.
CAMBRIAN’S PROGRESS DELIGHTS EL TEL 28 May 2008 by Terry Phillips, South Wales Echo TERRY Venables had plenty of praise for Cambrian and Clydach Vale BGC for maintaining their excellent rate of progress in Welsh football. Cambrian and Clydach’s first team finished ninth in MacWhirter Welsh Football League Division One, the highest place they have achieved. They were in South Wales Amateur League Division One in 2003-4, winning that title and following that with two more championships – at Welsh League Division Three and Division Two levels. In their debut season in Division One, Cambrian earned a highly creditable ninth place finish and will look to improve on that next season. “The people in Cambrian and Clydach work incredibly hard and they have done such a lot in terms of football and for the young people of the area,” said Venables when he was back in the Rhondda. “They have fantastic facilities available for the children now and it’s great to see. “This is a hotbed of football talent. “Cambrian and Clydach BGC have done really well in the Welsh League and I applaud their achievements in climbing through the divisions. They also put a lot of time and effort into youth football for boys and girls, which is great to see.” Venables, 65, is president of the Cambrian Village Trust and chairman of the Cambrian and Clydach football section.
DYNAMOS PAIR IN SHOCK DEPARTURE 28 May 2008 by Anthony Woolford, South Wales Echo ON the last day of the season, the Pentwyn Dynamos were due to receive the trophy for winning the Division Three MacWhirter Division Three title, no-one realised just how memorable the day would become. Before the players had time to sit down in the changing rooms at Canolfan Cwmaman, manager Lee Stephens and assistant Phil Clay announced that the final league fixture against Cwmaman Institute would be their last in charge of the Dynamos. The shell-shocked players gazed around the changing room expecting a punchline which never came. During the season, the Dynamos changing room was vibrant and full of laughter, but news of the resignations, hours before the trophy was to be lifted, saw the atmosphere change as the players began to realise the lasting impact that this decision would have. The Dynamos, who were guaranteed the title regardless of the result, had to pick themselves up in a short space of time to ensure that they went out with a bang. Cwmaman Institute beat Pentwyn 7-1 in the earlier fixture and stood to be the only team to do the double over the Cardiff club. In the end the capital club triumphed 4-2 in a hard fought match, which was tied at 2-2 going into the final five minutes. As the final whistle blew, it was hard to fathom which team was the more unlucky of the two – Cwmaman, who knew their chances of promotion in their first season in the Welsh League were dashed or Pentwyn, who knew they were about to lose their management team. As the trophy was presented to captain Lee Grant, his speech was a dedication to manager Stephens for his commitment and desire during his reign at Pentwyn. “Lee Stephens took the position three years ago and nearly earned us promotion in his first year,” said Grant. “We went even closer in his second season. The third, and final, year saw a few more introductions, including assistant Phil Clay. “The partnership was almost certainly the reason why the Dynamos were promoted to the Second Division for the first time in their existence.”
RYAN'S DOUBLE SEALS GLORY FOR GOYTRE 22 May 2008 by Tony Poole, South Wales Evening Post
Goytre United's captain, Darren Lyons receives the Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup from Wayne Griffiths, Managing Director, Nathaniel Car Sales Limited GOYTRE United rounded off a memorable season in completing a league and cup double. The Port Talbot side outwitted Bryntirion Athletic in the Nathaniel Cars Welsh League Cup final at Afan Lido to make the double dream come true. They became the first side since Ton Pentre in 2001 to do the double thanks to two goals from Richard Ryan, taking him on to the 54-goal mark for the season. This formed the second occasion for Goytre to lift the cup – they beat Pontardawe, 3-1, in the 2005 final at Ton Pentre – but were losing finalists a year ago to Afan Lido. In at times a feisty final, both sides were reduced to 10 men – Bryntirion captain Rhys Williams was dismissed in the 67th minute and five minutes later Steve Conaty followed him to the sidelines. Bryntirion, who were appearing in a first final, made the more productive start, but chances were few and far between during the first half. After just 90 seconds, Ryan turned a Jonny Walkley corner just wide of goal while Bryntirion’s Jonathan Cuss had a shot blocked. Cat and mouse tactics were then the order of the day, as both sides strove to remain error free. The best chance that the Bridgend side created came after half an hour when Gavin Thomas drove a low cross into the penalty area. Goytre goalkeeper Chris Curtis missed it, but 49-goal hitman Robbie Walters did the same at the back post. Towards the end of the half, Bryntirion captain Rhys Williams got in the way of a shot from Ryan, and it was goal-less at half time. Goytre had the ball in the net on 57 minutes through Dean Johnston, but it was ruled out for off side. Soon after Ryan went to ground in the penalty area, but referee Wayne Stephens waved play on, and the best chance then fell to Goytre’s Steve Conaty. The Port Talbot side’s playmaker, Danny Thomas, sent Conaty one on one with Bryntirion goalkeeper Allain Fouanguim, who denied the ex-Maesteg Park and Gwynfi man. But Bryntirion, who had five players booked, had captain Rhys Williams sent off in the 67th minute for threatening to head-butt Michael Chaves. And two minutes later, Goytre made the breakthrough with a goal of stunning proportions. Johnston found Danny Thomas wide on the right, and Ryan duly swept home his low cross. Numbers were then evened up when Goytre’s Conaty was sent off on 72 minutes for a nasty challenge on Craig Rees. But Bryntirion created precious little during the second half – and didn’t have a big finish in them. Close to time the Goytre pairing of Danny Thomas and Ryan almost doubled the lead, and four minutes into time added on they managed it. A perfectly weighted pass from Chaves freed Ryan, who rounded off a golden season for the Glenhafod Park men in easily beating goalkeeper Fouanguim. Ex-Briton Ferry man Danny Thomas, who only returned to the Welsh League scene in January from Neath League club Onllwyn, was the deserved recipient of the man-of-the-final. MATCH FACTS Bryntirion Athletic: A Fouanguim, C Rees, I Gearie, R Williams (capt), L Williams, M Chunuonsee (J Williams 52 mins), G Thomas, M Dando, R Walters, J Cuss, A Carpenter (D Hamilton 87). Substitutes (not used): C Thomas, R Cronick, L Piotrowski. Red card: R Williams 67 Yellow cards: J Cuss 16, C Rees 41, I Gearie 67, R Walters 71, D Hamilton 93 Goytre United: C Curtis, M Chaves, I Turner, J Meacock, I Morgan, J Walkley, S Conaty, D Johnston, R Ryan, D Thomas, D Lyons (capt). Scorers: R Ryan 69, 94 Substitutes (not used): R Penny, P Lenihan, R Needs, M Stanton Red card: S Conaty 72 Yellow card: D Thomas 16 Referee: Wayne Stephens (Llanelli) Man-of-the-final: Danny Thomas (Goytre United)
RYAN’S BRACE HELPS GOYTRE DOUBLE UP 21 May 2008 from South Wales Echo RICHARD Ryan took his Goytre United goals tally for the season to 53 when he scored twice in last night’s Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup final at Afan Lido. Each team had a player sent off during an ill-tempered match in which Goytre completed a trophy double. They had already won the MacWhirter Welsh League Division One title for the second time in three seasons and added the League Cup with an emphatic win against Bryntirion. It is the second time they have won this competition in the last four seasons and they were runners-up to Afan Lido a year ago. Man of the match Daniel Thomas netted after 56 minutes, but that effort was disallowed because he was offside. Then Goytre took the lead from the best move of the match which ended with Thomas squaring for Ryan to fire home from 10 yards after 71 minutes. The opening goal came a minute after Bryntirion had young defender and captain Reece Williams, 20, sent off. Ryan’s second goal came in the last minute, though by then Steve Conaty of Goytre had been dismissed for a foul – and referee Wayne Stephens (Llanelli) could easily have sent more players off.
COLDRICK OUT TO BUILD ON YM’S SUCCESS 19 May 2008 by Terry Daley, South Wales Argus JUST moments after the curtain had been brought down on Newport YMCA’s most successful season in their 35-year history, manager Mark Coldrick threw down the gauntlet to his squad to further improve on a seventh-placed MacWhirter Welsh League Division One finish. Already assured as being the county’s highest-placed MWL club, manager Mark Coldrick’s men duly completed their 19th win in 34 outings – finishing only one point adrift of Lido, three off Bryntirion Athletic, fifth, and just eight behind ENTO Aberaman Athletic, who were fourth. Throw in a Welsh Cup semi-final appearance which netted the club a cool £15,000 and you can see why the future is indeed bright for a club which flirted with Division One relation last season. “We’ll take the rest now to recharge to the batteries and we are looking forward to improving on what we’ve achieved this season, said Coldrick. “At the start of this season, we set ourselves a top-half finish in the table (18 strong), but we had to change that to a top-six aim when we were at the races to better it. “So the target we’ll set them next season will be a top-six finish and we’ll see where we go in the cups. “We’ve improved every year since I’ve been involved with the club and I see no reason why we shouldn’t be able to do so next season “We’ll be looking to improve things off the field as well and the main thing is we are all going in the right direction.” The turnaround in fortunes is remarkable for a club which only avoided the drop by 10 points in 2006-07 and all this after this campaign had began with three successive defeats. “Simon Pratt (coach and academy director) coming on board with his different coaching tactics certainly helped and we’ve tried to get a bit of discipline into the lads,” continued Coldrick. “Apparently our disciplinary record this season is second to none and I understand on the points system which operates, we are 50% better off this season than last. “That says everything we are trying is being taken on board by the players and we are obviously delighted with that.” A Junior Borg double and one from Lewis Sommers, his 26th league and cup goal of the season, at Mendalgief Road led to this routine victory over a youthful Lido side, which rarely threatened to strike back. Newport YMCA: G Wesson, J Martin, G Ford, G Lynch, C James, A Jenkins (c), J Borg (R Holyoake 76), S Edwards, L Sommers, L Burrows, F Yafai (D Cueto 61). Sub not used: J O’Brien, Alex Stewart, Aaron Stewart. Goals: Borg (11 and 74), Sommers (24).
Afan Lido's 'keeper Rory McCreish makes a point-blank save in the second half at Newport YMCA
YM's Gareth Wesson makes a fine save at the other end (pictures by Tony Griffiths)
16 May 2008 by Terry Daley, South Wales Argus NEWPORT YMCA bring down the curtain on what has undoubtedly been their most successful season in their 35-year-old history tomorrow, when they host Afan Lido at Mendalgief Road (kick off 11.30am). YMCA will finish in their highest-ever position in Division One, seventh, to end the campaign for the first time as Gwent's highest-placed MacWhirter Welsh League side. There was also the magnificent Welsh Cup run which produced a first semi-final appearance following a trio of wins over Principality Welsh Premier League outfits Carmarthen Town, the then holders, Llangefni Town and Welshpool Town as Mendalgief Road became a graveyard for top-flight clubs. It all came to an end at Newtown's Latham Stadium last month when Bangor City emerged 3-1 winners before they went on qualify for the UEFA Cup via a victory over Llanelli in the final at the same venue. And all this after YMCA had began the season as long ago as August 7, 2007 with a 1-0 away Gwent Senior Cup defeat at the hand of another eventual winner, Caldicot Town. "It's been a long, hard season for us all and in all honesty, everyone deserves a rest now," said YMCA manager Mark Coldrick. "We'll take a break after this match, but it won't be far off when we will have to start preparing for next season." For the visit of the Lido, who failed to gain promotion back to the PWPL as a result of finishing sixth, Coldrick will be unable to call on a quartet of first-team regulars. Out are striker Aaron Stewart, central defender Daniel Heath, midfielder Rob Wigmore and the versatile Alex Stewart. * Cwmbran Town's explanation they failed to turn up for an away Division One game at Garw on April 5 because a mini-coach containing their London-based players was held up by a traffic jam on the M4 near Reading, was accepted by the League's management committee. The Crows could have faced a fine and a points deduction, but there was bad news for the club this week. Victories for Taffs Well and Pontardawe Town, 5-1 at home over Caldicot Town, for whom Andrew Edwards scored, on Wednesday, saw them drop two positions to 14th at the end of their first season at this level following relegation from the PWPL.
GOYTRE CLINCH THE TITLE IN STYLE 15 May 2008 by Tony Poole, South Wales Evening Post
Goytre United gained a comfortable 3-0 home win over Caerleon to lift
the MacWhirter Welsh League championship for the second time in three
seasons. During a topsy-turvy season in the top flight, the Port Talbot
side proved the most consistent, losing just six of their 34 league
fixtures.
GOYTRE AIM TO MAKE THEIR POINT – AND TAKE TITLE 13 May 2008 by Terry Phillips, South Wales Echo GOYTRE United will receive the MacWhirter Welsh Football League trophy at their Glenhafod Park home tonight – if they avoid defeat against Caerleon. A point will be enough to see Goytre overtake Dinas Powys – who have finished their season – and clinch the title. But Caerleon have one of the best away records in the division and Goytre are unlikely to find it an easy evening. They could also finish as Gwent's top club if Afan Lido beat Newport YMCA in the only First Division match this Saturday. Goytre are still chasing two trophies – the League title and Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup. They face Bryntirion Athletic in the cup final on Tuesday, May 20 (7pm) at Afan Lido. And the big danger for Goytre hopes on that night will be Bryntirion striker Robbie Walters, who has 49 goals to his name in all competitions this season. Bettws, Barry Town and Cardiff Corries have been promoted from Division Two, while Tredegar Town escaped the drop with a 1-0 win at West End. Troedyrhiw, Briton Ferry and Pontyclun are the three teams to go down. In Division Three, Penrhiwceiber Rangers almost filled the third promotion spot following their 3-1 win over Monmouth. They will join Pentwyn Dynamos and Newcastle Emlyn if they avoid defeat at home to Cwmamman United tomorrow, while the only other team who could gain promotion AFC Llwydcoed were held to a 4-4 home draw against Llantwit Fardre. Division One – Tonight: Goytre United v Caerleon (7.30pm); Tomorrow: Pontardawe Town v Caldicot Town (at Morriston Town); Saturday: Newport YMCA v Afan Lido (11.30 am) Division Two – Tomorrow: Caerau Ely v Garden Village. Division Three – Tonight: Merthyr Saints v Risca United; Seven Sisters v Aberbargoed Buds; Tomorrow: Penrhiwceiber Rangers v Cwmamman United.
TREDEGAR'S RELEGATION FEARS ALL IN PAST 12 May 2008 by Terry Daley, South Wales Argus THERE wasn't much to shout about on the field as eight local football teams failed to register a single MacWhirter Welsh League victory - although Tredegar Town did have something to cheer in escaping relegation from Division Two. Player-manager |
