Club News Archive April 2009 - Port Talbot Town Football Club

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Port Talbot Town Football Club - Principality Welsh Premier League - The GenQuip Stadium, Victoria Road, Port Talbot. SA12 6AD. Website best viewed 1024x768.

APRIL 2009

30th April 2009
Jones delight as squad sign for next season
Manager Mark Jones has expressed his delight in so far re-signing eleven of his squad for next season. “It is great for the club and I am really happy about this,” said Jones. “We will add to the squad over the summer but it was important to have continuity. Our first priority next season is to finish as high as possible and hopefully qualify for European football. We are going to have to reproduce the form we have shown since I arrived at the club, but it is going to be difficult.” Jones also mentioned the performance last weekend in the 4-0 win over Technogroup Welshpool, “It was a great performance from us, probably one of our best of the season.”

30th April 2009
Presentation night confirmed for May
The annual presentation evening will take place on Saturday, 23rd May at Port Talbot Town Football Club. A busy night is expected with the Reserves and Exiles winning their respective divisions together with the recent form of Mark Jones side in the Welsh Premier League. Entry is just £5 and the night starts at 7.00pm.

28th April 2009
Reserves are champions with four goal win
The 2nd Team have claimed the MacWhirter Welsh League Reserve Division West title with one game to spare. A comfortable 4-0 win over Garden Village at The GenQuip Stadium on Tuesday confirmed the championship ahead of Thursdays match away to Ammanford Town. Well done to everyone involved.

28th April 2009
Rogers takes clean sheet record into summer break
Kristian Rogers can sit back over the summer with two records firmly in his grasp. The former Wrexham goalkeeper is the only Port Talbot Town player to play in every minute of every competitive match this season but more impressively ends the season with the current longest run without conceding a goal by any goalkeeper or team in the Welsh Premier League. With three clean sheets in his sides last three games, the last time Rogers picked the ball out of the net was on the 11th of April when Tom Rowlands scored for Airbus UK Broughton in the 17th minute. Since then Rogers has played 343 minutes of football without being beaten while all the other seventeen clubs in the league have conceded at least one goal since then.

28th April 2009
Successor Rose has Golden Boot Griffiths in sight
Port Talbot Town striker Martin Rose claimed another two league goals on Saturday to confirm second place in the Principality Welsh Premier League Golden Boot award behind Llanelli striker Rhys Griffiths. Ironically Rose signed for Port Talbot Town in 2006 as a replacement for the Llanelli-bound Griffiths and has enjoyed similar success since his arrival. Griffiths claimed the Golden Boot award for the first time while at Port Talbot Town in 2005-2006 and claimed his fourth successive award this season with 31 league goals with Rose one place behind with 25. Rose has quickly become a fan favourite at The GenQuip Stadium and having signed a new contract at the club and being Griffiths junior by four years will be looking to top the scoring charts in the near future. Rose has made 80 Welsh Premier League starts for the club since his arrival and in that time has brought a fantastic return of 54 Welsh Premier League goals. In addition, while Griffiths made his Welsh Premier name with Port Talbot Town, Rose made his at Llanelli when he burst on the scene in 2004.

28th April 2009
Legg set for Llanelli leg-up?
Former Cardiff City and Swansea City defender Andy Legg is the early favourite to be confirmed as the new manager of Llanelli in the next few days. The Principality Welsh Premier League runners-up confirmed that current manager Peter Nicholas would not be offered a new contract when his current deal expires in May. Nicholas guided Llanelli to the Welsh Premier League title last season but had to settle for second place behind Rhyl this year as his experienced but ageing side failed to keep up with the ambitious, big-spending North Wales club.

28th April 2009
Former Blue Burrows retires after 16 Welsh Premier seasons
Defender David Burrows has confirmed his retirement after featuring in 16 Welsh Premier League seasons for a total of eight different clubs. Burrows signed for Port Talbot Town in 2007 after a spell as player-manager at Aberystwyth Town and made eight league appearances for the side before moving to Neath. His first match in the league was for Haverfordwest County in the inaugural 1992-1993 season.

26th April 2009
Squad sign on the dotted line following impressive win
Manager Mark Jones has already started planning for next season by re-signing the majority of his current squad following Saturdays highly impressive 4-0 victory over Technogroup Welshpool at The GenQuip Stadium. To date Kristian Rogers, Martin Rose, Scott Barrow, Leigh De-Vulgt, Drew Fahiya, Lee Surman, Matthew Rees, Lee John, Gareth Phillips, Liam McCreesh and Karl Lewis have all signed for next season with negotiations continuing over the next few days with the remainder of the squad. The win on Saturday was the fifth consecutive victory for the side and extends Jones league record since his return to the club to just two defeats from nineteen games as well as confirming a fifth place finish for the side. The match also completed a superb personal achievement for goalkeeper Kristian Rogers who played in every minute of every competitive game this season. Also Gareth Phillips made his 100th Welsh Premier League start for the club while Shelton Payne became the only player this season to score after coming on as substitute, at feat he also achieved in the Welsh Cup this season! Unfortunately for Shelton however, he is also the only player in the squad not to have started a game!

26th April 2009
Derby defeat for Reserves brings title delay
The 2nd Team suffered a 2-1 defeat at local rivals Afan Lido on Saturday despite the side having the chance to claim the league title with a win. The defeat means that the side must win one of their remaining two games, starting with a home match against Garden Village on Tuesday night. The side then have one remaining fixture away to Ammanford Town before they take on Bettws in the Reserve Division Cup Final on Thursday, 14th of May at Maesteg Park. Kick off on Tuesday is at 7.15pm.

26th April 2009
Youth disappoint in last game of the season
The Under-19 side were comfortably defeated 3-0 by Pontardawe Town at The GenQuip Stadium on Sunday. The two sides drew 2-2 the week before but the visitors claimed a comfortable win in what was the sides last match of the season.

25th April 2009
Four goal win completes fifth place achievement
Port Talbot Town completed a remarkable turnaround on Saturday with a convincing 4-0 win over Technogroup Welshpool at The GenQuip Stadium to confirm a fifth place finish for Mark Jones side. It was the sides fifth consecutive league victory and also extended Mark Jones league record since his return to the club in December to just two defeats in nineteen games. Martin Rose opened the scoring on 15 minutes as Port Talbot dominated the game before Drew Fahiya grabbed a second for the side just before half-time with a well taken goal. Port Talbot continued to create chance after chance during the second half but did not extend their lead until the 85th minute when Rose spotted the keeper off his line and lobbed him in superb style from near the touchline. With the side cruising to victory, substitute Shelton Payne scored his second goal of the season with a long range effort into the bottom corner just two minutes later. The impressive performance signed off a superb return to the club for manager Mark Jones who has masterminded an amazing turnaround in fortunes.

25th April 2009
Principality Welsh Premier League round-up
With all issues regarding European places and relegation confirmed before the weekends action very few suprises occured on the last day of the season. Champions Rhyl claimed a 4-2 win at NEWI Cefn Druids helped by a brace from Matthew Williams while Llanelli also scored four in their 4-1 win over GAP Connah’s Quay. It was the number of the day as Porthmadog claimed a 4-1 win over Aberystwyth Town in one of the surprise results while Port Talbot Town claimed a 4-0 home win over Technogroup Welshpool with Martin Rose scoring twice. Craig Hughes scored an impressive hat-trick for Carmarthen Town as they cruised past Caernarfon Town 3-1 away from home while goals from Jack Christopher and Neil Thomas handed Haverfordwest County a 2-0 win at home to Neath. Bangor City warmed up for the Welsh Cup Final with a 3-1 win over Newtown while The New Saints defeated Airbus UK Broughton 1-0 at Park Hall thanks to a goal from Alex Darlington. In the remaining match Prestatyn Town edged past Caersws 3-2 through goals from Jack Lewis, Gareth Davies and Ian Griffths.

24th April 2009
McCreesh commits to Blues with new contract
Influential midfielder Liam McCreesh has committed himself to Port Talbot Town by signing a new contract with the club. Still only 23, McCreesh is set to feature in his 150th Welsh Premier League match on Saturday having previously played for Afan Lido and Haverfordwest County. “I am delighted to announce that Liam has agreed a new deal with the club”, said Chairman Andrew Edwards. “Liam has been an important player for the club since signing in 2007 and it is especially pleasing as he is also a local lad and is a vital part of our plans for next season”. Further signings are expected over the weekend.

24th April 2009
Payne and Fahiya on target for Reserves
Shelton Payne and Drew Fahiya both scored for the 2nd Team on Thursday as they defeated Goytre United 2-1 at The GenQuip Stadium. The side are in action at Afan Lido on Saturday and need just two more points from their remaining three games to win the league.

22nd April 2009
Reserves move closer to title success
The 2nd Team moved back to the top of the MacWhirter Welsh Football League Reserve Division West on Wednesday night with a 5-0 win over Cwmamman United at The GenQuip Stadium. The squad were boosted by 1st Team regulars Liam McCreesh and Karl Lewis and it was Lewis who scored twice during the comfortable victory. The side are now back in action at home to Goytre United on Thursday night and have the chance to be confirmed as champions at Afan Lido on Saturday. Meanwhile the Reserve Division Cup Final between Port Talbot Town and Bettws will be held at Maesteg Park on Thursday, 14th May.

22nd April 2009
Exiles out to complete double on Friday night
The Port Talbot Exiles can add to their title success on Friday night when they take on Abercregan Refresh in the Final of the Port Talbot & District Division One Cup at Afan Lido.

21st April 2009
Gazza set to join Century club on Saturday
Should influential midfielder Gareth Phillips be named in the starting line-up for Saturdays home match against Technogroup Welshpool, it will be his 100th Welsh Premier League start for Port Talbot Town since he made his debut for the club in 2004 in a 1-0 defeat at home to Aberystwyth Town. Phillips joined Port Talbot Town from Newport County in 2004 after previously gaining Football League experience with Swansea City. A former Wales Under-21 International, Phillips made his Football League debut against Cambridge United in 1996 after impressing as Youth Team captain, turned professional in 1998 and went onto make 88 Football League appearances for the Swans. Phillips was also loaned out to Merthyr Tydfil and Carmarthen Town during his time at Swansea and collected a further four Welsh Premier appearances at Richmond Park. Phillips signed for Merthyr Tydfil in 2006 but returned to Port Talbot Town a year later under Tony Pennock. Despite scoring two Football League goals during his career with Swansea City, Phillips is yet to find the back of the net in a Welsh Premier League match and with victory on Saturday guaranteeing fifth place, it could be the ideal time to start.

20th April 2009
Reserves can move top with home win
The 2nd Team have the opportunity to return to the top of the MacWhirter Welsh League Reserve Division West table on Wednesday night when they take on Cwmamman United at The GenQuip Stadium. The side claimed a comfortable 5-2 win over Neath on Saturday and are also in action at home on Thursday night when they take on local rivals Goytre United. The side have also reached the Final of the Reserve Division Cup and will take on Bettws with the venue and date yet to be confirmed.

20th April 2009
Bond and Burgin feature in start of Swedish season
Former Port Talbot Town duo Chad Bond and James Burgin have both featured for Swedish club Ostersunds following their loan move from Swansea City. Burgin played in a 3-1 friendly win over Byasen while Bond started in the opening league match of the season but the side were defeated 3-0 by Carlstad United.

20th April 2009
Cup success for girls as new season recruitment starts
The Under-12 Girls Team claimed an impressive 1-1 draw with Cardiff City on Sunday and followed it up with a convincing 3-1 win over Caerphilly in the latest round of cup games. The side are now in action on Sunday at Pontypridd when they take on Pontypridd and Cyncoed. The side are now planning to make the step to playing Under-14 football next season and are looking to recruit new players as they move to eleven a side. Any girls interested should click here to contact Donna Brady for more details.

20th April 2009
Youth plan to finish season with home win
This Sunday the Under-19 side play their last match of the season with a home fixture against Pontardawe Town. The two sides played out a 2-2 draw last weekend. Kick off is at 2.30pm.

19th April 2009
Fourth place possible to complete Jones revival
Manager Mark Jones could emulate last seasons fourth place finish next weekend providing Carmarthen Town lose their remaining two games and Port Talbot Town defeat Technogroup Welshpool at The GenQuip Stadium next weekend. Fridays victory at Haverfordwest County moved the side into fifth place and represents the incredible turn around in form since Jones return to the club in December. With just two defeats in their last eighteen league games and top scorer Martin Rose scoring a vital goal in each of the last three games, Port Talbot Town are in fantastic form ahead of the last weekend of the season.

19th April 2009
Reserves move step closer to league title
A 5-2 win over Neath at The GenQuip Stadium on Saturday moved the Reserve Team upto second place in the table and just one point behind leaders Afan Lido. Port Talbot Town have three games in hand however and are in action in midweek with a double home fixture on Tuesday and Thursday.

18th April 2009
Principality Welsh Premier League round-up
Rhyl were confirmed as Princiaplity Welsh Premier League champions on Friday without kicking a ball as their closest challengers Llanelli were held to a 1-1 draw at Aberystwyth. Highly-rated youngsters Tom Bradshaw of Aberystwyth and Jordan Follows of Llanelli scored the goals. Airbus UK Broughton claimed the biggest win of the weekend as they defeated Technogroup Welshpool 5-0 thanks to goals from Tom Rowlands and a double each from Mark Cadwallader and Gary McConnell. Relegated Caernarfon Town held GAP Connah’s Quay to a 1-1 draw while Martin Rose was on target for Port Talbot Town as they defeated Haverfordwest County 1-0 at The New Bridge Meadow Stadium to complete the Friday fixtures. On Saturday Rhyl defeated The New Saints 2-1 to celebrate their title success in front of 1514 fans but at the other end of the table Caersws last a vital match 2-1 at home to NEWI Cefn Druids and now stay in the bottom two. In the remaining two games Bangor City drew 1-1 with Prestatyn Town while Carmarthen Town and Newtown played out a goalless draw.

17th April 2009
Rose strike moves Blues into fifth place
Top scorer Martin Rose scored the all-important goal of the game just before half-time on Friday night as Port Talbot Town defeated Haverfordwest County 1-0 at The New Bridge Meadow Stadium. It was a 23rd league goal of the season for Rose and he could have added to his tally with a penalty in the opening few minutes of the match but was denied by a fine save from home goalkeeper Lee Idzi. Manager Mark Jones brought Gareth Phillips and Drew Fahiya back into the starting line-up for the match while Haverfordwest named former Port Talbot Town players Luke Bowen, Dylan Blain, Dyfan Pierce and Craig Hanford in their side. Despite being denied from the spot Rose continued to cause problems for the Haverfordwest defence and had his reward on 45 minutes when he made no mistake having made space for himself inside the area. Haverfordwest battled back in the second half and created a number of chances but Port Talbot defended well despite having substitute Scott Evans sent off within three minutes of him coming on for two yellow cards. The victory moves Port Talbot Town into fifth place in the table before Saturdays fixtures.

16th April 2009
Blues and Bluebirds in battle for fifth place on Friday night
Port Talbot Town can take a big step forward in their ambitions to claim a fifth place finish on Friday night when they travel to The New Bridge Meadow Stadium to take on Haverfordwest County. The West Wales side currently occupy fifth place but are just two points ahead of Port Talbot Town who sit in seventh with Bangor City currently holding sixth place. Port Talbot Town also have an outside chance of emulating last seasons fourth place finish if they can win their two remaining games but this would also rely on Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Bangor City losing all their remaining games. The fact that the side are in such a position is testament to the turnaround under manager Mark Jones who returned to the club for a second spell in charge in December. The commitment and attitude of the players under Jones and coach Paul Reid has been incredible with just two league defeats from an amazing seventeen games. Former Port Talbot Town players Craig Hanford, Dylan Blain, Dyfan Pierce, Gareth Elliott and Luke Bowen are expected to be named in the Haverfordwest County squad for the match while current Haverfordwest coach Mark Evans played for Port Talbot Town previously under Mark Jones.

14th April 2009
Jones - “The team spirit is excellent”
Manager Mark Jones has spoken about the spirit in his squad of players following a six point double win over Airbus UK Broughton and Neath over the Easter weekend. “We have had two games in 48 hours and two wins”, said Jones. “That’s a great effort by the lads. The team spirit is excellent and the players keep churning out the wins and we’ve come such a long way in a short time. It wasn’t a great game, especially the first half, but we had a chat at half-time about doing the right things and we did that second half”. Jones also has ambitions for the remainder of the season despite only having two games left, “We can still finish fifth which would be a tremendous achievement”, he added. “With the game on Friday at Haverfordwest the ball is in our court”. Martin Rose scored his 50th and 51st Welsh Premier League goals for the club with a goal in both games and he is now third in the goalscoring chart behind Rhys Griffiths of Llanelli and Porthmadog’s Marc Lloyd-Williams.

14th April 2009
Reeso commits with contract extension
Influential captain Matthew Rees has signed a new contract with Port Talbot Town until May 2010. The former Millwall and Swansea City defender has been a hugely influential player at the club over the last five seasons and is only 15 Welsh Premier League starts away from becoming the clubs record appearance holder in the league, a title currently held by local legend Robert Cockings with 155 starts. Rees signed for Port Talbot Town in 2004 on his release from Swansea City having previously played for Millwall, Aldershot, Dagenham & Redbridge, Crawley Town and Newport County. Rees also gained International honours for the Wales Under-21 side and was named in the full Wales squad by then manager Mark Hughes for a friendly against the United States. “I am delighted to announce that Matthew Rees has agreed a new contract”, said Chairman Andrew Edwards. “Matthew has been a hugely influential figure during his time with the club and his commitment ahead of next season is massive boost as we look to build on our excellent form since the return of manager Mark Jones”. Rees joins Scott Barrow and top scorer Martin Rose who have also committed themselves for the new season.

14th April 2009
Blues host latest Soccer School for Easter break
Following on from a number of previously successful events, Port Talbot Town Football Club again host a Soccer School held in conjunction with the Welsh Football Trust and South Wales Police this week for junior players in the area. The two day event takes place on Wednesday and Thursday with coaching for the young players from 1st Team players Gareth Phillips and Lee John who have both taken their UEFA badges to run the soccer school. Former Wales and Celtic striker John Hartson was on hand at the last event to hand out awards and another special guest is arranged to further enhance the profile this week. “The soccer school is a real success”, said South Wales Police Liason Officer and Port Talbot Town Junior Coach Ian Wozencroft. “Everyone enjoys and are keen to know when the next one is, I have even had parents saying it was the best soccer school that they had taken their children to. Hopefully it will go from strength to strength from the events that we have recently held. We have had players from Afan Lido, Trefelin, Margam and Corus as well as ourselves and there was also nearly a quarter that didn’t have a club as well as a few girls too. It has been a very positive step forward”.

13th April 2009
Derby win brings six point return from Easter double
Matthew Thompson and Martin Rose scored the all-important goals on Easter Monday as Port Talbot Town defeated local rivals Neath 2-0 at The GenQuip Stadium. Mark Jones side did not make the breakthrough until the 87th minute however when Thompson capitalised on a mistake by Neath goalkeeper Wyn Walters to score from the edge of the area and with the momentum in their favour Rose added the second in injury time. It was the second win in three days for the side as they followed on from Saturdays 2-1 home win over Airbus UK Broughton. The double victory has left Port Talbot with the opportunity to finish as high as fifth if they can claim maximum points from Fridays match at Haverfordwest County although if other results continue in their favour and Mark Jones side can also defeat Technogroup Welshpool on the last day of the season then a fourth place finish is still an outside possibility. The chance that this is still possible is credit to Mark Jones, his backroom staff and the players who have been superb since his return to the club.

13th April 2009
Principality Welsh Premier League round-up
A number of derby matches took place in the Principality Welsh Premier League on Monday. Bangor City headed the calendar as they welcomed Caernarfon Town to Farrar Road but were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw despite taking the lead through Kevin Lloyd. The New Saints needed a 90th minute goal from Alex Darlington to defeat Technogroup Welshpool 2-1 while Port Talbot Town also left it until the last few minutes of the match as they defeated Neath 2-0 at The GenQuip Stadium through goals from Matthew Thompson and Martin Rose. GAP Connah’s Quay picked up a 3-1 home win over Porthmadog thanks to a brace from Michael Cronshaw while an early goal from Danny Desormeaux was enough for Airbus UK Broughton to edge past NEWI Cefn Druids 1-0. A Chris Melia penalty earned Caersws a draw against Newtown while Rhyl moved another step closer to the league title with a convincing 4-1 win over Prestatyn Town. The match at Prestatyn was watched by the biggest crowd of the weekend as 1280 people attended the game.

11th April 2009
Rose hits half century ahead of Easter Monday derby
Port Talbot Town warmed up for the Easter Monday derby against local rivals Neath with a 2-1 win over Airbus UK Broughton at The GenQuip Stadium on Saturday. Despite the visitors taking the lead early in the match, Port Talbot Town came back to win through goals from Karl Lewis and Martin Rose, his fiftieth Welsh Premier League goal for the club while for Lewis it was his first goal since his move from Afan Lido. Mark Jones side return to action at The GenQuip Stadium on Easter Monday when they entertain neighbours Neath. The match was originally fixtured for New Years Day but was called off in controversial circumstances by referee Brian James and he will again be in the middle on Monday for the much-anticipated derby. Neath currently have a no less than eight former Port Talbot Town players in their squad in Chris Pridham, Carl Shaw, Stephen Pockett, David Burrows, Michael Waters, Richard French, Rob Folland and Kerry Morgan and another keenly contested encounter is expected. Port Talbot Town won the reverse fixture at the Gnoll on Boxing Day 3-2 with a last minute winner. Admission for the match is £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and £1 for kids. Kick off is at 2.30pm.

11th April 2009
Baker at the double for title chasing Reserves
Sam Baker scored twice for the 2nd Team on Saturday as they claimed a 2-1 win away at Newcastle Emlyn to move the side upto second place in the table. The side are now just one point behind Pontardawe and the two sides meet at the Recreation Ground on Tuesday night in what is now a crucial match in the challenge for the league title. Afan Lido remain in third and could also move upto second place on Tuesday.

11th April 2009
Principality Welsh Premier League round-up
Just three games took place on Saturday as Rhyl all but claimed the league title with a vital 1-0 win at Llanelli while Marc Lloyd-Williams became the first player to score 300 league goals as he scored in Porthmadog’s 2-1 win at home to Haverfordwest County. In the remaining match Port Talbot Town claimed a 2-1 win over Airbus UK Broughton through goals from Karl Lewis and Martin Rose.

10th April 2009
Jonah excited over Easter home double
Manager Mark Jones has spoken about this weekends double home fixture as his side take on Airbus UK Broughton on Saturday before turning their attentions to the derby against Neath on Easter Monday. “I am very much aware of the derby games between Neath and Port Talbot,” said Jones. “They are passionate affairs and it’s great to be involved in these games. We play Airbus two days earlier but it makes no difference to us. Andy Dyer has done a fantastic job steering Neath to relative safety in the Welsh Premier League. He has been under pressure all season but he got his team to come good at the right time. It is no good getting a good start and then going into free fall. I watched Neath beat my old club Carmarthen Town recently and they were outstanding. I think Port Talbot and Neath are two in-form teams at the moment and it should be a really good game. I hope it will be entertaining and we get a good turnout.” Midfielder Liam McCreesh will miss Saturdays match as he serves the second match of a two match suspension but will be available for the Easter Monday derby against Neath. Admission for both games is £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and £1 for kids. Both games kick off at 2.30pm.

10th April 2009
Blues join Welsh Premier Super Seven with UEFA Licence
Port Talbot Town are one of just seven Principality Welsh Premier League clubs to be awarded a UEFA Licence. The award is a result of the continued excellent work of the club’s UEFA Licensing Officer Wayne Edwards who has once again steered the club through the many obstacles to gain this recognition. “On behalf of the club I would like to thank and congratulate Wayne on his efforts once again this season,” said Chairman Andrew Edwards. “Without Wayne’s excellent work on this project we would not achieve the UEFA Licence and the award is deserved recognition for his commitment to this”.

10th April 2009
Exiles gain first silverware of the season
The Port Talbot Exiles won the Port Talbot & District League Division One title this week. The side, managed by Brian Jones, have been in excellent form all season and everyone at the club would like to congratulate them on this fantastic achievement.

7th April 2009
Rose aims for fiftieth strike in Easter home double
Top scorer Martin Rose has the chance to claim his 50th Principality Welsh Premier League goal for Port Talbot Town this weekend as Mark Jones side play an Easter home double on Saturday and Monday. On Saturday Port Talbot Town take on Airbus UK Broughton at The GenQuip Stadium before local rivals Neath are the visitors on Easter Monday. Rose is currently on 49 goals for the club but has not scored since the 2-1 win over Technogroup Welshpool a month ago and the Easter weekend home double will offer him a great chance to return to form in front of goal. Liam McCreesh will miss Saturday’s match as he serves the second match of his two match suspension but will be available for selection on Easter Monday against Neath. Darren Davies is expected to return to the squad at the weekend after missing last weekends win at Porthmadog with a slight injury but has competition for his place from Matthew Thompson and Karl Lewis who both impressed in the starting eleven at the weekend, Thompson opening the scoring with a superb individual goal. Kick off in both games is at 2.30pm.

5th April 2009
Barrow on the goal trail again with winning strike
Scott Barrow scored his second goal in as many games on Saturday as he grabbed the winner for Mark Jones side in a 2-1 win at Porthmadog. With Liam McCreesh suspended and Darren Davies failing a fitness test, Matthew Thompson and Karl Lewis both returned to the starting line-up and it was Thompson who opened the scoring on 40 minutes with a long range effort. Porthmadog equalised on 78 minutes through Eifion Jones but Barrow earned his side the three points with just five minutes remaining when his run from the half-way line was followed by a superb finish to complete an excellent individual goal.

5th April 2009
Reserves reach Cup Final
Goals from David Brennan and Matthew Jones handed the Reserves a 2-1 win over Pontardawe on Saturday in the Semi Final of the Reserve Division Cup.

5th April 2009
Principality Welsh Premier League round-up
The weekend action started on Friday night as Llanelli kept the pressure on Rhyl at the top of the table with three points at Haverfordwest County. Stuart Jones scored the only goal of the game in the 90th minute. GAP Connah’s Quay put their off field problems behind them with a 3-1 win at home to Prestatyn Town while Caersws remain in the bottom two after a 1-0 defeat at home to Technogroup Welshpool, Paul Roberts scoring the only goal. Carmarthen struggled at home to NEWI Cefn Druids but earned a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Jamie Horwood while Aberystwyh Town claimed a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Newtown thanks to goals from Glyndwr Hughes and Tom Bradshaw. Port Talbot Town added to Porthmadog’s problems with a 2-1 win at The Traeth through goals from Matthew Thompson and Scott Barrow while Rhyl maintained their advantage at the top with a 1-0 victory at home to Airbus UK Broughton. The weekend fixtures were completed on Sunday as Neath claimed a 2-1 win at home to Caernarfon Town while in The Loosemores Challenge Cup Final The New Saints defeated Bangor City 2-0 at Newtown.

4th April 2009 - Report by Mark Pike
Josh earns International selection for Swiss tournament
Wales’ most promising young football players will represent our country as part of a four day friendly international tournament in Switzerland. Our Congratulations to to former Port Talbot Town junior player Josh Pike on his selection to represent Wales in the tournament. Josh currently playing his football at Swansea City Under-16 but is seen at the club on a regular regular basis watching our first team play The first match is scheduled against the home nation Switzerland on Tuesday 14th April before playing Belgium (15th), and travelling home the following day. Josh has been a regular of the South Wales Regional development squad for the past two and a half years and the 17 players were chosen from an initial selection of 50. An experience Josh will never forget, his hard work, commitment, attitude and desire has certainly played a huge part in his selection. Manager and Welsh Football Trust Technical Director Osian Roberts is looking forward to seeing how his young protégés play competitively, and is keen to watch their developments alongside their European counterparts. Roberts said: “There are a number of very promising talents emerging from the development squad that is heading to Switzerland. It will be a challenging time for the boys involved, but a great lesson which I am certain will help them to progress and develop with the end aim of creating a side which can confidently compete on the international stage in future years.” We wish Josh all the very best for forthcoming trip to Switzerland and hope this is the start of a very bright future for a very committed player.

2nd April 2009
McCreesh serves first of two match suspension
Midfielder Liam McCreesh will sit out Saturdays Principality Welsh Premier League match at Porthmadog as he serves the first of a two match suspension for his accumulation of yellow cards this season. McCreesh was on target last Sunday as Port Talbot drew 2-2 with league leaders Rhyl at The GenQuip Stadium and his unavailability will force manager Mark Jones to change his regular team selection. Meanwhile Darren Davies sat out training this week to receive treatment on a slight knock picked up in the draw with Rhyl but is expected to be declared fit for Saturday’s match while on-loan Swansea City midfielder Scott Evans is expected to return to the squad after missing the last few weeks through injury. Kick off at Porthmadog is at 2.30pm.

2nd April 2009
Reserves in Semi-Final action this weekend
The 2nd Team are away to Pontardawe Town on Saturday in the Semi-Final of the MacWhirter Welsh Football League Reserve Division Cup.

1st April 2009
International football at GenQuip Stadium on Thursday
On Thursday evening The GenQuip Stadium will host an International match between Wales Under-18‘s and their Scottish counterparts in the Carnegi Centenary. The match has been arranged by the Welsh Schools Football Association and is credit to the recent improvements to the ground that the club have been chosen to host such a fixture. Kick off is at 7.00pm.

1st April 2009
Former Blues set for Swedish debut against Ersboda
James Burgin and Chad Bond have arrived in Sweden on an initial three-month loan deal with third division side Ostersunds FK from Swansea City and the former Port Talbot Town duo could both make their debuts in the Swedish domestic league next week when Ostersunds are in action at Ersboda SK on Wednesday, 8th April. Burgin scored seven goals in all competitions for Port Talbot Town this season in 22 starting appearances.

1st April 2009
Under-12‘s title hopes end with derby draw
The Under-12 side played host to local rivals Afan Lido Rangers on Monday night in a game that both sides needed to win to keep their title hopes alive. In a competitive match neither side could gain the advantage however, although Callum Margetson almost scored the winner for Port Talbot minutes from time with a fine shot from outside the area that just cleared the crossbar.

1st April 2009
Place in Cup Final at stake across the juniors this weekend
Three of our junior sides are in Knockout Cup semi-final action this Saturday as the Under-12 side take on Corus Steel while the Under-14 side take on Porthcawl Whites. Completing the trio is the Under-16 Blues who take on Cwmafan BGC in their respective fixture. More details available on each teams page.