Club News Archive August 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.

AUGUST 2009

31st August 2009
Jones plans for Challenge Cup victory on Tuesday night
Manager Mark Jones takes his side to his former club on Tuesday with a win in his plans. Port Talbot Town are in action against Carmarthen Town at Richmond Park in their second match of the Loosemores Solicitors Challenge Cup and Jones has stated his intentions to progress in the competition having already defeated local rivals Neath in the opening match. “We already have three points and Carmarthen and Neath have already dropped points by drawing with each other last week”, said Jones. “A win on Tuesday can put us very close to qualifying for the next round and that is our intention as we want to progress in the competition. We have a big squad of players, I will be making changes on Tuesday, and it is upto the players who come in to stake their claim for a place in the team against The New Saints on Saturday”. Kick off at Carmarthen is at 7.30pm.

29th August 2009
Rhyl claim easy victory over disappointing Blues
Port Talbot Town suffered a 2-0 defeat at champions Rhyl on Saturday with the result rarely in doubt. Despite a decent start to the game, Mark Jones side offered little after Rhyl took the lead on 32 minutes through Matthew Williams and extended their advantage through returning striker Lee Hunt just before half-time. A treble substitution by Jones brought Port Talbot back into the match midway through the second half as Martin Rose, Karl Lewis and Liam McCreesh were replaced by Mark Jones, Gareth Phillips and Lloyd Grist and it was Jones who came closest to bringing his side back into the game when he hit the crossbar in the last ten minutes. One positive from the match however was an encouraging starting debut for new signing Daniel Thomas who replaced the injured Lee John.
Click here for Rhyl match report and photos

27th August 2009
Rose looking for another Belle Vue double
Martin Rose scored twice at Rhyl last season and would relish the same again this weekend. The striker and regular club top-scorer was on target twice as Port Talbot Town claimed a 3-2 win over Belle Vue last season and make the long journey to the Welsh Premier League champions this Saturday with Rose looking to start his scoring form for the season on the biggest stage. Last seasons victory was the first time Port Talbot had claimed any points at Rhyl and will approach Saturdays match with a much stronger squad of players including goalkeeper Lee Kendall who last season helped Rhyl to the league title. Mark Jones side have kept two clean sheets from their opening two games but only a single goal from Drew Fahiya against Elements Cefn Druids on the opening weekend has been the return upfront. With competition in the squad now stronger than ever with new signings Mark Jones and Daniel Thomas pushing for a place in the attacking line-up, Rose and Drew Fahiya, who scored the third goal in the win at Rhyl last season, know they are under the same pressure as every other player in the starting team. Kick off at Belle Vue on Saturday is at 2.30pm with the coach leaving The GenQuip Stadium at 7.45am. Supporters places are available on the coach at £10 each.

27th August 2009
Lee Trundle - The Port Talbot Town connection
A look back at how Port Talbot Town have been involved in some memorable moments of the strikers career. Lee Trundle is set to make his surprise return to Swansea City this weekend on-loan from Bristol City as Paulo Sousa’s side welcome Watford to The Liberty Stadium the same afternoon as Port Talbot Town take on Trundle’s former club Rhyl in the Welsh Premier League. With Trundle now back at Swansea City, we look back at few key moments in Trundle’s career that all seemed to involve Port Talbot Town Football Club -
Moment 1 - October 2000. Port Talbot Town make the journey to champions Rhyl on Saturday but back in October 2000 Rhyl were the visitors to Victoria Road and a certain new signing for the visitors caused quite a stir. The match was played on Sunday avoid clashing with Wales International against Norway in Cardiff as then Port Talbot Town manager David Rees confidently prepared his side for a home match against a Rhyl team that had lost five of their opening six games. Rhyl Director Mickey Thomas had acted bravely in the transfer market during the build-up to the match however and had financed a £10,000 transfer for young Southport striker Lee Trundle who was starting to raise a few eyebrows on the Merseyside non-league circuit. Lee Trundle made his Rhyl debut at Victoria Road and came to immediate prominence by scoring three and creating another three while also having Port Talbot’s central defensive pairing of Phil Holmes and Leighton Connor sent off as he waltzed his way through the defence and through the match. The nature of the 6-1 defeat saw Port Talbot Town manager David Rees resign after the match while those in attendance were left with an individual performance to remember.
Moment 2 - Pre-Season 2003. Just under three years since that 6-1 defeat and things had changed both for Port Talbot Town and Lee Trundle. Mark Jones was now in charge at Victoria Road, the third manager since the Trundle-prompted resignation of Rees, while Trundle had made a £50,000 move to Wrexham after just seventeen Welsh Premier League games for Rhyl where he had averaged almost a goal a game. Wrexham manager Brian Flynn was happy to take a chance on the striker and when he left to become manager of Swansea City, the out-of-contract star followed him to the Vetch Field just in time for a pre-season friendly at Port Talbot Town in the summer of 2003. It was Trundle’s first return to Victoria Road since bursting onto the scene with Rhyl in 2003 but he carried on where he left off by scoring another hat-trick against Port Talbot as a second half substitute on his Swansea City debut as the Swans ran out six-goal winners.
Moment 3 - Revenge 2006. Trundle makes his third appearance at Victoria Road as Port Talbot Town take on Swansea City in the quarter-final of the FAW Premier Cup. The Swans had defeated Premier League Sheffield United 3-0 away from home in the FA Cup a few days before to leave the Match of the Day pundits purring at their brand of football and comprehensive victory and then-manager Kenny Jackett fielded a strong side against Port Talbot Town in the lucrative competition. Things did not tun out as expected for Jackett against Wayne Davies’s side however as Port Talbot Town claimed a 2-1 victory after extra time despite Swansea City playing the last hour of the match with main strikers Rory Fallon, Adebayo Akinfenwa and Lee Trundle upfront.
Moment 4 - Pre-Season 2007. Port Talbot Town welcomed Swansea City to Victoria Road for a pre-season friendly just a few months after the famous Premier Cup night with both sides starting a new era under their respective new managers as Tony Pennock took charge of Port Talbot Town and Swansea City welcomed back former captain Roberto Martinez as manager. Swansea City brought their entire senior squad to the game to play two different sides in each half but as the young fans waited around the turnstile for the arrival of Lee Trundle, news began to filter through during the build-up to kick off that he was on his way to Bristol City to complete a medical and a £1,000,000 move to the Championship club. The move went through and Trundle left the Swans that evening.
Moment 5 - Combination League 2008. Eight years after his first match at Victoria Road, Lee Trundle returned with his new club Bristol City to take on Swansea City at Port Talbot Town, the location due to the Swans playing their reserve games at the ground. Out of favour at Bristol City, Trundle appeared twice at Victoria Road for the clubs reserve team in both September and October 2008 to take on a Swansea City reserve team filled with youth players. It was a huge comedown for Trundle to come up against his former club in such situations but the Swans fans in attendance remembered the glory days of Trundle’s era at the club. The popular forward now has the chance to return to his once hero status at the club during his three month loan spell in a move that could make or break his career.

26th August 2009
Jones turns down Aber advances to fight for his place
Port Talbot Town are delighted to confirm that striker Mark Jones has turned down Aberystwyth. The Mid-Wales club served a seven-day notice of approach on the former Afan Lido and Llanelli striker last week but Jones has decided against the move and will stay at Port Talbot Town to fight for his place in the side. “We are delighted that Mark Jones has decided to stay at the club,” said Chairman Andrew Edwards. “Mark arrived at the club during the summer as an important summer signing and he, like all our other signings, will have a big part to play this season. We have strong competition in our squad but Mark’s decision shows he has the right attitude and commitment to be a part of our future success.” Jones has been named on the bench for both Principality Welsh Premier League games this season and made a second half appearance as a substitute in the opening weekend win at Elements Cefn Druids. Jones also started in the Challenge Cup win over Neath.

26th August 2009
Blues take on Champions with positive approach
On Saturday Port Talbot Town are in action at Welsh Premier League champions Rhyl. Mark Jones side will approach the match in a positive frame of mind however having kept two clean sheets in their opening two league games, a feat achieved by former Rhyl goalkeeper Lee Kendall who switched between the two clubs in the summer. Kendall remains a popular figure at Belle Vue and will be sure of a warm reception on his return to the club who he represented in the UEFA Champions League against Serbian giants Partizan Belgrade just over a month ago. Mark Jones has a full squad to choose from with summer signing Daniel Thomas having served his suspension and Jones again has a number of options available to him for the match. Port Talbot Town claimed their first ever points at Belle Vue last season as a goal from Drew Fahiya and a double from Martin Rose earned the side a 3-2 victory. Rhyl have made a number of changes since their Champions League tie with manager Alan Bickerstaff being replaced by defender Greg Strong although the side remain difficult opponents especially in front of their own fans. Kick off at Belle Vue is at 2.30pm with the coach leaving The GenQuip Stadium at 7.45am. Supporters places on the coach are £10 each.

25th August 2009
Barrow and Surman named in Wales Under-23 squad
Port Talbot duo Scott Barrow and Lee Surman have been named in the Wales Under-23 Semi-Pro squad. The pair have been named in the squad of eighteen players for the friendly International against Poland on Tuesday, 8th September at Carmarthen’s Richmond Park. Manager Terry Boyle selected his squad on Tuesday and the eighteen-man squad includes eleven players from the Principality Welsh Premier League with the rest of the squad representing the Blue Square Premier League with players from Wrexham and York City as well as Kyle Critchell from Blue Square South side Weymouth. Lee Surman is a regular in the side and has been named as captain in previous Internationals while Scott Barrow will make his debut for the side at this level against Poland. The club would like to congratulate both players on this achievement and wish them all the best for the match in which a number of supporters from The GenQuip Stadium are now expected to attend. The squad in full - Lee Idzi (Haverfordwest County), Chris Maxwell (Wrexham), Kyle Critchell (Weymouth), Neil Taylor (Wrexham), Michael Williams (Wrexham), Lee Surman (Port Talbot Town), Michael Johnson (Bangor City), Scott Barrow (Port Talbot Town), Kai Edwards (Wrexham), Levi Mackin (York City), Craig Jones (The New Saints), Ashley Williams (Airbus UK Broughton), Aaron Williams (The New Saints), Owain Warlow (Llanelli), Mark Williams (Wrexham), Jack Christopher (Haverfordwest County), Craig Moses (Llanelli), Jordan Follows (Llanelli). Stand-By Players - Stephen Cann (Aberystwyth Town), Ryan Batley (Llanelli), Craig Williams (Newtown), Sion Edwards (Bangor City), Curtis McDonald (Bath City), Ryan Edwards (Airbus UK Broughton).
Click here for more information on Scott Barrow
Click here for more information on Lee Surman

25th August 2009
Veterans look for squad boost ahead of inaugural season
Port Talbot Town have been accepted into the Wales Veterans Football League for the new season. The popular league features a number of ex-Welsh League and professional players and Port Talbot have been drawn into Group A along with Bryntirion Athletic, Dafen Welfare and Swansea Veterans. Club Director Phil Davies will run the team that will feature a number of ex-Port Talbot Town players such as Steve Llewellyn, Tommy O’Callaghan, Wayne Goodridge and Chairman Andrew Edwards. Also representing the club will be former Afan Lido duo Andrew Radford and Alan Owen. The side are looking for additional players however and a team meeting will be held at Port Talbot Town Football Club on Thursday at 7.30pm in which anyone interested is welcome to attend.
Click here for the Port Talbot Veterans page

24th August 2009
Coyne moves in with seven day approach for Jones
Aberystwyth Town have served a seven-day notice of approach on striker Mark Jones. Aber manager Brian Coyne is keen to boost is attacking options with regular striker Graham Evans a short-term injury concern and has turned his attentions to former Afan Lido and Llanelli forward Jones, who signed for Port Talbot Town in the summer. Manager Mark Jones will now meet with his namesake in the next few days. Jones was included in the squad for the opening two league games and made made a second half appearance against Elements Cefn Druids while he also started in the Challenge Cup win over Neath last week. Aberystwyth have recently signed former Port Talbot Town trio Luke Bowen, Michael Waters and Adam James.

24th August 2009
Under-19’s start pre-season with nine goal win
The new-look Under-19 team claimed a 9-0 win over Mynydd on Sunday to start pre-season. Mark Pike took over the side as manager during the summer and was delighted with the sides opening performance against team regarded as one of the best from the Gwent area. The match took place at The GenQuip Stadium with Sam France leading the goalscoring with a well-taken hat-trick. The side kick off their season in less than three weeks and have been busy training over the last few weeks ahead of the new season under the guidance of Mark and his backroom staff. With the departure of many of last seasons youth players to other clubs, Mark has been busy assembling players from local talent from the Port Talbot and Neath areas including Swansea and Bridgend. Our pre-season games kicked off with a coached match against the Academy U-16 team of which Mark has had a massive influence by coaching these youngsters over the last ten years and has developed them in preparation for the clubs youth structure, this season being no different. Mark is also trying to sign a further two quality players before the start of the new campaign but is very happy with the current crop who are showing great attitude and commitment to the youth set up which showed in Sundays convincing win. Josh Wannacott, Luc Jones and Chris Thornton recently were pushed up, to train with Mark Jones' first team and all three players enjoyed the experience in what is the start of the youth and first team link up and we will see some of these young boys making their first team debuts in the near future.
Click here for Under-19’s v Mynydd match report
Click here for Under-19 Team page

23rd August 2009
Jones looks for right attitude from fringe players
Manager Mark Jones has sent a message to his squad players following Fridays draw with Llanelli. Jones made a number of changes for the midweek Challenge Cup win over Neath but reverted back to the same line-up that defeated Elements Cefn Druids in the Welsh Premier League the weekend before for the derby against Llanelli. In an interview with Afan FM Sports Editor Hash Piperdy after the match, Jones explained his team selection and sent out a message to those who missed out on a place in the squad this weekend. “The lads that won last week did really well,” said Jones. “You don't just leave people out for the sake of it, we've not lost in three games this season, we lost 2 in 24 last season, so you've got to work your way in the side, you don't just turn up and come straight in.” Jones then challenged those on the fringes to work their way into the team with their ability and with the right attitude.. “Don't start moping on the sidelines, because you'll be moping a long time,” he added.

23rd August 2009
Kendall in clean sheet form ahead of Belle Vue return
Goalkeeper Lee Kendall returns to his former club Rhyl on Saturday in fine form. The big summer signing has kept two clean sheets from Mark Jones sides opening two league games and is expected to receive a warm welcome when he returns to Belle Vue to take on Rhyl on Saturday. Manager Mark Jones was quick to praise Kendall following Friday’s 0-0 draw with Llanelli. “Lee Kendall has kept two clean sheets in his first two league games and that is what he was brought here for,” said Jones on S4C highlight show Sgorio Cymru. “Lee is in fantastic form and is without doubt the best goalkeeper in this league”.

23rd August 2009
South Wales Youth League fixtures confirmed
The Under-18 side will start their season away to Bridgend following the release of the fixtures. Mal Williams side are expected to play a pre-season friendly at The GenQuip Stadium next week before starting their season at Bridgend on Wednesday, 2nd September. A number of new clubs have entered the West Division of the South Wales Youth League including Cowbridge Town, Cogon Coronation, Llanelli and Les Croupiers Casino.
Click here for the Under-18 Team page

23rd August 2009
Local legends to represent Blues in Vets league
Port Talbot Town have been accepted into the Wales Veterans Football League for the new season. The popular league features a number of ex-Welsh League and professional players and Port Talbot have been drawn into Group A along with Bryntirion Athletic, Dafen Welfare and Swansea Veterans. Club Director Phil Davies will run the team that will feature a number of ex-Port Talbot Town players such as Steve Llewellyn, Tommy O’Callaghan, Wayne Goodridge and Chairman Andrew Edwards. Also representing the club will be former Afan Lido duo Andrew Radford and Alan Owen.
Click here for the Port Talbot Veterans page

21st August 2009
Derby draw for Blues and Reds
Port Talbot Town and Llanelli played out a 0-0 draw in front of a big crowd on Friday night. Drew Fahiya had a double chance to win the match for Port Talbot Town in the opening few minutes however while Lee John twice hit the crossbar during the game. At the other end Llanelli were denied by the post late in the second half as the frustrations of both sides spilled into the referee’s notebook. The match lacked the drama of previous fixtures between the clubs although both teams will take positives from a point and a clean sheet.
Click here for Llanelli match report and photos
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page and latest league table

20th August 2009
Friday night derby kicks off home fixtures in style
Port Talbot Town play their first home league match of the season on Friday night against Llanelli. The popular derby is one of the biggest fixtures of the season for both clubs and a big crowd is expected as both sides look to make an early impression on the league table. Striker Martin Rose grabbed a hat-trick for Port Talbot Town against his former club in last years fixture in which the Reds claimed a 6-4 win in front of watching Wales manager John Toshack. Port Talbot started their campaign last weekend at Elements Cefn Druids where a goal from Drew Fahiya earned Mark Jones side a 1-0 victory and on Tuesday a much-changed team defeated Neath 2-1 in the Loosemores Solicitors Challenge Cup to emphasis the strength in depth that Jones now has to choose from following his seven summer signings. Llanelli were held 2-2 at home to Airbus UK Broughton last Sunday in their opening league match with player-manager Andy Legg picking up a red card and a two match suspension for his disagreement with the referee’s decision regarding the visitors second goal and he will miss Fridays match. Llanelli also have new signing Chris Venables suspended while Steve Jenkins, Michael Howard and Lee Jarman are three experienced players struggling to play through injury. Port Talbot Town will be without new signing Daniel Thomas who is suspended as Jones looks to emulate last seasons 1-0 Welsh Cup win over Llanelli. Admission for the match is £6 for adults and £4 for concessions. Kick off is at 7.30pm.

19th August 2009
Neath victory adds to selection headache for Jones
Manager Mark Jones has a headache any manager would love to have after Tuesdays win over Neath. Jones kept just four players from the starting line-up that defeated Elements Cefn Druids on Saturday but despite the seven changes Port Talbot claimed a comfortable 2-1 victory over their local rivals in the Loosemores Solicitors Challenge Cup match at The GenQuip Stadium. Only goalkeeper Lee Kendall, defender Lee Surman and midfielders Lee John and Liam McCreesh kept their starting places as Jones offered debuts to new signings Andy Boslem, Nicky Holland, Lloyd Grist and Mark Jones and it was Holland who opened the scoring with a well-taken goal in the opening exchanges of the second half before substitute Martin Rose added a second goal on 82 minutes. Neath then pulled back a late consolation goal from Rob Spendiff to complete the scoring. With a strong squad of 20 players, captain Matthew Rees, Leigh De-Vulgt, Karl Lewis and new signing Neil Thomas were all left out of the squad for the game while Daniel Thomas served the second match of his suspension. With competition for places now at a extremely high level, Jones must make some difficult decisions ahead of the Friday night derby against Llanelli but on Tuesdays performance will take confidence from the performances of his new signings who made a big impression on their chance to impress. Kick off against Llanelli at The GenQuip Stadium on Friday is at 7.30pm. Admission is £6 for adults and £4 for concessions and in addition the clubs Under-7 team will be taking part in a penalty shoot-out competition at half-time.
Click here for Neath match report

19th August 2009
Legg bites back over dismissal ahead of Friday night
Llanelli player-manager Andy Legg will miss Fridays match at Port Talbot Town through suspension. The former Cardiff City and Swansea City defender was shown a straight red card during his sides 2-2 draw with Airbus UK Broughton on Sunday as he remonstrated with referee Andy Harms over the visitors second goal. “He said I called him a cheat, but I said, ‘he's cheated you'," said Legg in the South Wales Evening Post. “I will be taking the matter further because he's fabricated something I didn't say. I will be going to the FAW in some capacity. I can swallow a ban and I can swallow a fine, but I've been undermined in front of my players because it looks like I haven't been true to my word. You can't legislate for the referee's decisions. Steve Jenkins was taken out in the first five minutes. That was a red card offence for me, but the referee's missed that. Secondly, he missed the handball and, thirdly, he sent me off. I'm trying to clamp down on indiscipline and he's sent me off for something he thinks I've said to him. It's a good job some players were around to hear what I really did say”. Legg joins new signing Chris Venables on the suspension list for Fridays game while Steve Jenkins, Michael Howard and Lee Jarman are also expected to miss the match through injury but Legg has not ruled out further changes after Sundays performance. “Whether I change the players after one game or give them longer is something I'm going to have to sit down with Steve Jenkins to decide,” he added. “Port Talbot started with a win and I've said all along, they'll be there or thereabouts this season.” Kick off at The GenQuip Stadium on Friday is at 7.30pm with admission just £6 for adults and only £4 for concessions.
Click here for Llanelli v Airbus UK match report and photos

18th August 2009
Holland stakes his claim as Blues win opening derby
New signing Nicky Holland opened the scoring as Port Talbot Town defeated Neath on Tuesday. The former Llanelli winger made an instant impression in his first competitive match for the club with the opening goal early in the second half before substitute Martin Rose added a second for Mark Jones side to claim a 2-1 and deserved victory over their local rivals in the opening group match of the Loosemores Solicitors Challenge Cup. Port Talbot started with just four players from the team that defeated Elements Cefn Druids on Saturday and the newcomers stated their case for a place in the team on Friday when Llanelli are the visitors to The GenQuip Stadium in the Principality Welsh Premier League.
Click here for Neath match report
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page and latest Challenge Cup tables

17th August 2009
Neath Tuesday as Blues look to build on winning start
Local rivals Neath are the visitors to The GenQuip Stadium on Tuesday night. The match opens the Loosemores Solicitors Challenge Cup campaign with Mark Jones side looking to build on Saturdays 1-0 win over Elements Cefn Druids against their big-spending rivals who were held to a 1-1 draw at home against GAP Connah’s Quay on Sunday. With a large squad in place, Jones is expected to make a handful of changes to the side that defeated Druids at the weekend and offer a number of his new signings the chance to stake their claim for place in the side ahead of a difficult programme of Welsh Premier League games starting on Friday when the side are home to Llanelli. Kick off on Tuesday is at 7.30pm with admission priced at £6 for adults and £4 for concessions.

17th August 2009
Allen backs Blues for Welsh Premier League title
Former Wales striker Malcolm Allen has backed Port Talbot Town to win the Welsh Premier League this season. The former Newcastle United forward, who is a regular pundit on S4C’s Sgorio Cymru programme, made the prediction in his column for the North Wales newspaper the Daily Post. Allen offered his verdict on which clubs would occupy the top positions at the end of the season and picked Mark Jones side to win the league with Rhyl, Bangor City, The New Saints, Llanelli and Carmarthen Town occupying the positions below them in the top six.

15th August 2009
Drew sinks Druids with first half strike
Drew Fahiya scored the only goal of the game on Saturday as Port Talbot defeated Elements Cefn Druids. Fahiya grabbed the vital goal after 34 minutes in a game that Mark Jones side dominated for long periods but could not add to the scoreline. Referee Kevin Parry waved away two strong penalty appeals for the visitors during the second half as Port Talbot attempted to increase their advantage but despite a couple of late chances for Druids the result was rarely in doubt as Port Talbot claimed a winning start to the season.
Click here for Elements Cefn Druids match report and photos

14th August 2009
Jones - “This is a massive season for every club”
The most important season since the start of the Welsh Premier League starts this weekend. In what will be the last season that eighteen clubs compete in the league, six clubs are guaranteed to be relegated with the number rising to a possible eight depending on the teams who finish in the feeder league promotion places. Port Talbot Town start their campaign on Saturday with a potentially difficult trip to Elements Cefn Druids but with seven new signings during the summer, manager Mark Jones is confident that the quality and competition for places in his squad will earn his side a place in the new-look league. “People talk about breaking into the top three and qualifying for Europe, but this season is all about making sure that we are in the top ten in May,” said Jones. “We have recruited well over the summer and our pre-season has been pleasing but this is a massive season for every club in the league and each club will be desperate to claim one of those ten places so we will not be taking anything for granted.” Kick off at Elements Cefn Druids on Saturday is at 2.30pm with the coach leaving The GenQuip Stadium at 8.15am. Supporters places on the coach are priced at £10.

14th August 2009
Druids sign whole new eleven for Super 12 ambitions
Port Talbot Town start the new season on Saturday against a completely revived Cefn Druids. In addition to a new name of Elements Cefn Druids, the North Wales club have also brought in eleven new players during the summer months as they make their intentions of a place in the new-look Welsh Premier League clear. Joint managers and former Wrexham duo Waynne Phillips and Lee Jones have brought in a blend of youth and experience including a South Wales goalkeeper in Rob Thomas who made a League Cup appearance for Port Talbot Town in 2004-2005 against Rhyl. It has not all been positive for the club however with experienced figures Ricky Evans, Mark Powell, Kevin Holsgrove and Mark Stewart all leaving due to the financial constraints being enforced at Plaskynaston. The most high-profile signing for the club during the summer is Trinidad & Tobago International Josh Johnson who played for Rhyl last season.

13th August 2009
Kristian Rogers makes Airbus UK switch
Goalkeeper Kristian Rogers has left Port Talbot Town to join Welsh Premier rivals Airbus UK Broughton. The experienced shot-stopper leaves Port Talbot Town after three seasons after arriving in 2006 and in that time has made 97 Welsh Premier League starts for the club including playing in every minute of every game in every competition last season. Last week Port Talbot Town completed the signing of Lee Kendall from Rhyl and while manager Mark Jones stated his intentions to utilise both players, Rogers has decided to move away from the club to guarantee himself regular football. “We are disappointed to lose Kristian as he has been a fantastic player for this football club over the last three seasons,” said Chairman Andrew Edwards. “He is without doubt one of the best goalkeepers in the Welsh Premier League but we fully understand and respect his decision and wish him the very best of luck at Airbus UK”. An experienced goalkeeper, Kristian started his football career with Wrexham where he spent four season’s at the Racecourse and made 40 appearances for the club in the Football League before earning a move to Sheffield United but he struggled to make an impression on manager Neil Warnock while at Brammel Lane and was loaned out to Macclesfield Town. A move to Worksop Town in the Conference North boosted his confidence and he went on to become a highly rated keeper in the division. A brief return to Wrexham followed before he signed for Northwich Victoria and played for the side against Sunderland in the Stadium of Light in a 3-0 FA Cup defeat. Kristian then moved to Cardiff and signed for Port Talbot Town in August 2006 despite offers non-league clubs in the English pyramid. Born and raised in Chester, Kristian already has close ties with Airbus UK and everyone at Port Talbot Town wish him all the best with his new club.

12th August 2009
Jones - “We wont take anything for granted”
Despite an impressive pre-season manager Mark Jones remains wary of opening day fixtures. Speaking to www.porttalbottown.co.uk on Wednesday, Jones was quick to point out the problems of the opening weekend. “There is one day in the football calendar where you can guarantee a few surprise results, and that is the opening day,” said Jones. “Druids, like us, have recruited well during the summer and the arrival of Josh Johnson will add a lot of pace to their side and offer them a lot of attacking options. We have had a productive pre-season however and will approach the match with a positive attitude but we won’t take anything for granted on Saturday and know that we will have to work hard to take something out of the game”. With seven new signings during the summer Jones will have a difficult decisions to make when he names his squad and his starting line-up although striker Danny Thomas is unavailable for the match through suspension. The coach leaves The GenQuip Stadium at 8.15am with supporters places priced at £10.

12th August 2009
Druids sign Soca Warrior Johnson ahead of weekend
Port Talbot Town will be up against Trinidad & Tobago International Josh Johnson on Saturday. The Soca Warrior signed for Elements Cefn Druids earlier in the week and will make his debut for the side in this weekends match against Mark Jones side. Johnson played for Rhyl last season and is known for his pace which will test the Port Talbot defence when they make the journey to Plaskynaston on Saturday. The latest addition completes a busy summer of new signings for the Druids joint-managers Waynne Phillips and Lee Jones.

11th August 2009
Jones - “We will need two quality goalkeepers”
Manager Mark Jones has sparked competition for the number one jersey between Kendall and Rogers. The high-profile arrival of Lee Kendall from Rhyl has been one of the main talking points across the Principality Welsh Premier League this weekend but Jones is keen to stress that his new signing does not mean that current goalkeeper Kristian Rogers will be shown the door. Speaking in the South Wales Echo, Jones explained the current situation. “Lee is one of the best, if not the best, keeper in Welsh Premier League football,” said Jones. “We also have another outstanding goalkeeper in Kristian Rogers and I have not yet made a decision who will start. We will need two quality goalkeepers if we are to have a successful season. Our first aim is to finish in the top 10 and that will ensure we stay in the top flight no matter what happens when the league numbers are reduced the following season. We would love to finish in the top six and we will be striving to achieve that. It’s going to be a tough league this season and we have a difficult task ahead of us”. Both goalkeepers played 45 minutes each in last weekends 3-0 friendly win over Oxford City at The GenQuip Stadium as Jones prepares for Saturdays opening Principality Welsh Premier League match at Elements Cefn Druids. The coach leaves The GenQuip Stadium at 8.15am with supporters places priced at £10.

10th August 2009
Druids make double signing ahead of Blues opener
Newly-named Elements Cefn Druids have made a double signing ahead of Saturdays match. Port Talbot Town take on Druids at their Plaskynaston Lane ground on Saturday, 15th August as the new Principality Welsh Premier League season begins. Druids joint-manager Waynne Phillips has strengthened his squad this week however with a double signing, brining Marius Prockenka and Gerard Maloney to the club. Polish-born Prockenka joins the club from Llay Welfare while Maloney begins his second spell with the club. The coach leaves The GenQuip Stadium at 8.15am with supporters places priced at £10.

10th August 2009
Annual Golf Day date for September confirmed
The clubs annual corporate Golf Day will take place at The Grove Golf Club in Porthcawl on Friday, 11th September. The popular event has proved a huge success over the last ten years and those interested are welcome to register for the event. The fee to enter the tournament is £195 for a team of four which includes a round of golf together with breakfast on arrival and a meal and entertainment after the event. In addition to prizes for the three best teams on the day, there will be separate prizes for nearest the pin and longest drive on selected holes as well as raffle prizes and auction. Please contact Chairman Andrew Edwards by email at andrew@porttalbottown.co.uk for more information or to register your team in the event.

9th August 2009
Dyer backs Kendall to take Blues into top three
Neath manager Andy Dyer has backed Port Talbot Town to earn a top three place this season. In an interview with Afan FM Sports Editor Hash Piperdy, Dyer backed Mark Jones side to break into the top three positions following the arrival of goalkeeper Lee Kendall from champions Rhyl. “I feel that if Port Talbot are not in the top three this year, then something is not right over there,” said Dyer. “They've had a group of players who have been together for a long time now, and they should be achieving, and Lee will give them a great chance”. Neath have spent big over the summer with a number of high-profile signings and the two sides meet at The GenQuip Stadium on Tuesday, 18th August in the Loosemores Solicitors Challenge Cup.

8th August 2009
Rose at the double as pre-season closes in style
Martin Rose scored twice on Saturday as Port Talbot Town defeated Oxford City 3-0 at The GenQuip Stadium. Kick off was delayed until 4.00pm due to the late arrival of the visitors but within seconds of the kick off Port Talbot were 1-0 ahead thanks to an own goal. New signing Lee Kendall made his debut as Mark Jones side continued to dominate with a strong starting line-up and Rose doubled the advantage on 13 minutes when he scored from close range. The visitors struggled to make any impression on the match and Rose added a third on 28 minutes to complete the scoring. Jones made eleven substitutions at half-time and the changes allowed Oxford more possession than what they had been used to but they failed to create many real chances in a generally poor second half. The victory completed an impressive pre-season for Mark Jones side with a number of positives from his both his new signings and established players.
Click here for Oxford City match report and photos

7th August 2009
Blues stun Welsh Premier with Kendall signing
Goalkeeper Lee Kendall has signed for Port Talbot Town after two seasons at Welsh Premier champions Rhyl. In the biggest transfer of the summer, manager Mark Jones swooped to sign the former Barry Town and Haverfordwest shot-stopper after he negotiated his release from Rhyl on Thursday night. Regarded as one of the best keepers to have ever played in the Welsh Premier League, Kendall lifted the championship with Rhyl last season and brings a wealth of experience to Mark Jones squad after nine seasons in the league. “Port Talbot Town are a highly-progressive club and I have admired their ambition for a number of years”, said Kendall as he signed a contract with the club on Friday lunchtime. “Mark Jones is a manager who I have always had a great deal of respect and admiration for and his ambitions for this football club match my own. The improvements to what is now a great stadium is testament to the commitment of the Directors of the club and I am delighted to sign for Port Talbot Town. We have a difficult start to the season but with the squad of players here there is no reason why we cannot challenge from the start and I am looking forward to being a part of this clubs future success”. Director Phil Davies welcomed Kendall to the club and was more than happy with the latest acquisition. “We have signed a number of talented players during the summer and adding someone of Lee’s calibre to the squad more than shows our ambition. We are delighted to welcome him on board and we now have strong competition in every area of the field ahead of what is a vitally important season”. Kendall will now challenge current goalkeeper Kristian Rogers for the number one shirt with both keepers expected to feature in Saturday’s friendly against Oxford City at The GenQuip Stadium. Kick off is at 3.00pm.
Click here for more information on Lee Kendall

5th August 2009
Blues back home against Oxford City on Saturday
Mark Jones side take on Oxford City at The GenQuip Stadium this weekend ahead of the new season. The match against the Zamaretto Southern League side will bring an highly-impressive pre-season campaign for Port Talbot Town to a close as Jones prepares his side for the opening Principality Welsh Premier League match of the season at Elements Cefn Druids. Oxford City are managed by Justin Merritt and Mike Ford and have enjoyed an impressive start to their programme of friendly matches with a number of victories and are currently undefeated. The sides pre-season started with a home 2-1 win over rivals Oxford United. Next the side played the GB Olympic Deaf team and recorded another win with a 4-2 victory. The side were then back in action at their Court Place Farm Stadium to take on Maidenhead United and again came out on top with an excellent 2-1 win. The side then travelled to Atherstone Town on the 2th July and were held to a 1-1 draw. Following next weeks friendly Oxford City start their league campaign at home to Cambridge City. Oxford City have a number of experienced players in their ranks and included in next weeks squad will be David Perpetuini who played in the Premier League with Watford in 2000. Midfielder Jamie Brooks came through the youth ranks at Oxford United and impressed enough to spark interest from Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Also in midfield for the club is former Republic of Ireland International Dave Savage who also has a wealth of Football League experience with a number of club. Oxford City also have experience in attack with former Brighton and Chester striker Lee Steele while a number of talented youngsters make up the remainder of the squad. During pre-season Liam Malone, Mark Bell, Alex Fisher and Andrew Gunn have all been on the scoresheet and the side will approach the new season confident of making a big impression on the league. The match should provide Port Talbot Town with a decent test ahead of the new season with a number of new signings looking to impress and make it into the starting line-up for the following week. Kick off is at 3.00pm.

4th August 2009
Friendly postponed due to waterlogged pitch
Tuesdays friendly at Corus Steel has been postponed following persistent rain throughout the day. The newly-promoted Welsh League side have been forced to postpone a number of friendlies already during pre-season due to the bad weather and the club had little choice but to call the game off early in the afternoon. Port Talbot Town manager Mark Jones was due to use the match to offer a few of his summer signings a full 90 minutes but will now plan ahead for Saturdays home match against Oxford City.

3rd August 2009
Corus friendly offers squad chance to impress
Manager Mark Jones will see the rest of his squad in action on Tuesday at Corus Steel. Following two determined and committed performances at the weekend against Weston-Super-Mare on Saturday and Swansea City on Sunday, Jones will use Tuesdays friendly to offer a few of his new signings the chance to impress and stake their claim for a place in the starting line-up at the start of the season. Recent additions Nicky Holland, Andy Boslem, Lloyd Grist and Mark Jones are all expected to start against Corus with Sam Baker and Gary Bansor also likely to play a big part in the match. Corus are currently preparing for their first season in the Welsh League and are managed by former Afan Lido and Port Talbot Town midfielder Paul Evans. Kick off at Corus is at 6.30pm.

2nd August 2009
Lopez strike earns win for Swans
New Swansea City signing Jordi Lopez scored the only goal of the game in Sundays friendly. The Spanish play-maker found himself in the right place at the right time after 29 minutes as he slotted the ball home at the far post to earn his side a 1-0 victory against Port Talbot Town at The GenQuip Stadium. The Swans brought a strong squad despite having played the day before with Gary Monk, Albert Serran, Fede Bossone, Jordi Lopez, Stephen Dobbie, Leon Britton, Andrea Orlandi and Guillem Bauza all featuring during the game. A determined and committed performance from Port Talbot won over a number of Swansea City fans in the large crowd and Daniel Thomas could have handed Mark Jones side the lead inside the opening five minutes. Swansea City went on to create the better chances but Port Talbot remained organised despite making a number of substitutions to help make it an interesting and competitive game.
Click here for Swansea City match report and photos

1st August 2009
Port Talbot held at Weston despite dominant display
Mark Jones side produced one of their best pre-season displays at Weston-Super-Mare on Saturday. Despite being held to a 2-2 draw, Mark Jones were dominant for the majority of the match and twice took the lead through goals from Liam McCreesh and new signing Nicky Holland. Gareth Phillips made his return to the side as a second half substitute while Lee John sat out the game with a slight injury. Port Talbot started the better of the two sides as McCreesh opened the scoring on 18 minutes but Weston equalised with a goal four minutes later. Holland regained the lead early in the second half but Weston grabbed an 86th minute goal to tie the game. Tempers became raised in the final few minutes as the referee brought the game to a close with manager Mark Jones satisfied by his teams display but disappointed by the goals conceded.
Click here for Weston-Super-Mare match report and photos