Club News Archive December 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.

DECEMBER 2009

31st December 2009
Port Talbot Town in the Noughties
A decade of top flight football has passed for Port Talbot Town with the club firmly established in the league. To mark 2010 we take a look back over the last ten years and how things have changed on and off the field in a decade that included eight changes of manager that between them fielded a total of 202 different players! Here we take a look back over the last decade of football at Port Talbot Town -
2000-2001 - Manager David Rees was in charge of the then named Port Talbot Athletic for their inaugural season in the then named League of Wales. Rees had guided the club to promotion the previous season but lasted until mid-October when he resigned along with assistant Craig Duggan after a 6-1 home defeat to Rhyl. Experienced striker Simon Dyer was appointed as player-manager alongside Dudley Lewis and the duo maintained the clubs place in the league in April with a 2-2 draw at Oswestry Town. Notable fixtures that season included an opening day win at Haverfordwest County with striker Vince Lewis scoring after just 14 seconds, the club completing the double over neighbours Afan Lido, Lee Trundle scoring four for Rhyl in their 6-1 win at Victoria Road and a 0-0 draw with professional outfit Barry Town on Boxing Day. Off the field events included Gary Underwood being fined £250 for wiping his backside with an Afan Lido flag after scoring in one of the two victories over our local rivals.
2001-2002 - Despite keeping Port Talbot Town in the league Simon Dyer was sacked before pre-season began and was replaced by Wayne Goodridge, a player he had signed the season before. Goodridge was accompanied by former Wales and Swansea City star Leighton James in what seemed a strange combination and the pair failed to agree on hardly any issues before James resigned during the pre-season friendly fixtures. Goodridge would only last until September himself before he was sacked after talking to the press about a drinking culture at the club and striker Vince Lewis was brought in as caretaker coach, starting his reign with a 6-2 win over Flexsys Cefn Druids. Results were mixed but in October Maesteg Park manager Mark Jones was appointed as the new man at the helm to start a new era of success for the newly named Port Talbot Town. Jones brought with him an influx of players including on-loan Mertyr duo Wayne Savage and Mark Dodds and finished the season in a respectable twelfth place.
2002-2003 - Further signings followed as Mark Jones began to build on the squad he had put together midway through the previous campaign and the side went to the top of the league for the first time ever in September when they claimed a famous 1-0 win at Champions Barry Town, Mark Dodds scoring what would voted the ‘Goal of the Season’ by S4C viewers. High-profile signings included Craig Lima who made his debut in that win as Port Talbot Town enjoyed their first period of stability since their promotion. Despite a fantastic start results dipped in the second half of the season but the club still earned an improving eleventh place finish. Off the field however the heart was ripped out of the club in December when popular Vice-Chairman Gerald McCreesh tragically passed away.
2003-2004 - Canadian goalkeeper Simon Rayner, defender Liam Hancock and striker Craig Hughes where brought in as Port Talbot Town further improved on the field for Jones second full season in charge. A slow start soon improved but it was in the Welsh Cup that the club would hit the headlines, reaching the semi-final for the first time in their history and with it finding themselves just 90 minutes away from a place in the UEFA Cup. The side took on TNS at Aberystwyth but lost 1-0 through an 85th minute goal from striker John Toner. It was a cruel blow after a superb performance and was a sign of how far the club had advanced over the last four years. It would prove the end of an era however as Jones moved to take charge of Carmarthen Town at the end of the season and took the majority of his squad and backroom staff with him to Richmond Park. Despite the on field changes, off the field ground improvements continued at Victoria Road with the ground slowly becoming unrecognisable from previous years.
2004-2005 - A new era began with local manager Wayne Davies brought in as the man to build on the success achieved under Mark Jones. Davies was forced to start from scratch having lost the majority of his squad to Carmarthen Town in the Summer while goalkeeper Simon Rayner was signed by Football League side Lincoln City. A number of new signings were made including experienced coach Colin Pascoe but the season would prove difficult with the side registering just six wins all season and suffering an embarrassing Welsh Cup exit to Cymru Alliance side Halkyn United in the 3rd round of the competition that they had reached the semi-final in the season before. In the second half of the season however notable signings were made that would shape the side upto the present day as youngsters Matthew Rees and Lee Surman were joined by Leigh De-Vulgt, Lee John and Gareth Phillips. The side eventually claimed a thirteenth place finish but were optimistic in that the team were moving in the right direction after a difficult start.
2005-2006 - Davies started the season again looking for a new coach as Colin Pascoe moved to take up a full-time position with Swansea City but made an excellent appointment with the arrival for former Aston Villa and Cardiff City defender David Hughes. The side were undefeated in their first ten games but the headline maker in the team was striker Rhys Griffiths who would finish the season as the leagues top scorer and player of the year while the club also reached the semi-final of the Welsh Cup once again but suffered defeat to Rhyl in penalty shoot-out while the club also reached the final of the League Cup but lost to TNS, both matches taking place at Aberystwyth. A fifth place finish was mainly thanks to the goals of Rhys Griffiths but strong team performances and high fitness levels played a vital part in the small squad competing on three different fronts in what will be remembered as a highly-successful campaign.
2006-2007 - In familiar fashion manager Wayne Davies started his third full season in charge looking for his third coach as David Hughes left to take up a similar position at Merthyr Tydfil. Striker Rhys Griffiths also departed after his amazing season to sign for ambitious Llanelli who had recently moved into full-time football. Davies wasted little time in replacing Griffiths by signing nomadic striker Martin Rose, an English forward who had previously played for Llanelli as well as Cardiff Grange Quins in the Welsh Premier League and Huw Lloyd was brought in as coach. While the club achieved another superb league position with a sixth place finish, it was cup football yet again that the season would be remembered for two very different reasons. In the lucrative FAW Premier Cup the club reached the quarter-final stage and were rewarded with a home match against Swansea City. The Swans had defeated Premiership side Sheffield United 3-0 the weekend before the match and named a similar strong side to take on Port Talbot Town. Almost 3,000 people crammed into the newly-named RE/MAX Stadium with the match also marking the opening of the new 750-seater Gerald McCreesh Stand and it was Port Talbot Town who claimed the result of the decade when Andrew Mumford scored the winner in extra-time against his former club to complete a famous night for the club. Regular strikers Lee Trundle, Adebayo Akinfenwa and Rory Fallon played upfront for Swansea City in the last hour of the match but it was the incredible fitness levels of Davies’s team that earned his side the win. Newport County followed in the semi-final with the match shown live on television but Port Talbot Town could not repeat their previous round result and lost after extra-time despite another superb effort. Cup football would remain on the agenda however as in March the club were drawn against local rivals Afan Lido at home in the quarter final of the Welsh Cup. Lido were a division below Port Talbot Town at the time but Karl Lewis scored for the visitors as Port Talbot Town suffered a surprise defeat. With just a couple of games remaining that season, Davies announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season and that former Yeovil and Farnborough goalkeeper Tony Pennock would be taking over as manager.
2007-2008 - Pennock started his first managerial position by appointing the experienced Paul Reid as coach but was dealt a blow when Lee John was sold to Newport County for an undisclosed fee after his impressive performance in the FAW Premier Cup semi-final the weekend before. Mixed results followed for Pennock but having failed to make an impact at Newport, Lee John returned for another undisclosed fee just before the transfer window closed. On the field the mixed results suffered a huge blow when the side were humiliated 8-0 at Llanelli before being knocked out of the FAW Premier Cup by Carmarthen Town in October and a few days later. Pennock resigned at the final whistle with Paul Reid taking temporary charge and claiming two victories before the club announced the appointment of former Llanelli and Dinas Powys manager Nicky Tucker in November. Tucker enjoyed a strong run of results in the last part of the season to earn the club a fourth place finish in the league, the highest ever placing and an even bigger achievement considering the slow start to the campaign. The club also held a testimonial against Swansea City for defender Robert Cockings to commemorate his ten years at the club. Off the field the club continued to grow with the formation of a Board of Directors to take the club forward while local company GenQuip took the stadium name.
2008-2009 - Tucker began to make his mark on the team during his first pre-season and made a number of signings including Darren Davies from Merthyr Tydfil as well as former Cwmbran Town striker Jason Welsh amongst others. Tucker also brought in Matthew Bishop to replace Paul Reid as coach. The side were a shadow of the team that claimed a fourth place finish the season before however with poor results leaving the club in the wrong half of the table in November and Tucker was sacked following a home defeat to Porthmadog. After receiving interest from a number of managerial candidates for the job, the club eventually decided to re-appoint former manager Mark Jones who was currently at Welsh League side Dinas Powys. Another former manager had taken temporary charge in the interim as Wayne Davies made a surprise return for two games to steady the team. Jones started his second era at the club by bring Paul Reid back in as coach earned a 0-0 draw against The New Saints in his first game back at The GenQuip Stadium and the club went on to achieve a superb run of form including winning their last five matches with striker Martin Rose in excellent form, the side eventually finishing fifth in the table.
2009-2010 - With Mark Jones back in charge, a number of high-profile signings followed in pre-season with Neil Thomas arriving from Haverfordwest County, Daniel Thomas from Goytre United and goalkeeper Lee Kendall from Champions Rhyl amongst others joining the already strong squad. The season started with a victory over NEWI Cefn Druids and the side move into the new decade currently in fourth place and looking ahead to the next round of the Welsh Cup when they take on Aberystwyth Town in January. Already this season the club have reached the semi-final of the Challenge Cup before being knocked out by The New Saints and have suffered just two league defeats from their opening sixteen games. Port Talbot Town have enjoyed a decade of top-flight football and the highs and lows that come with it during the noughties but move into a new decade with a strong squad and stadium now unrecognisable from their first season in the league ten years ago.

31st December 2009
Rose ready for derby day return
Striker Martin Rose returns from suspension on Friday as Port Talbot Town take on local rivals Neath at The Gnoll. Port Talbot Town claimed a 2-0 win over Neath last Sunday without Rose who was serving a one match suspension and the striker was been speaking to the unofficial website ahead of the match together with Scott Barrow, Lee John and Chairman Andrew Edwards. “I'm fit and ready to go if selected,” said Rose to the unofficial website. “I was so gutted to miss the last game but the boys played really well and had a great result. It was one of the best free kicks I have seen. They did not seem to have an answer after that. It was the second Port Talbot live game that I have missed. When we played Newport in the semi final I failed a fitness test before the game. On Sunday my family were down from Portsmouth and they would have been able to come to Port Talbot and see the game. I thought the vocals were really good on Sunday and it would be nice to have much of the same against Neath on Friday”.
Click here for the full interview on the unofficial website

29th December 2009
Jones - “It was a fantastic victory”
Manager Mark Jones has praised his squad following Sundays 2-0 home derby win over Neath. Two superb goals from Scott Barrow and Neil Thomas claimed the victory and Jones was delighted with the result. “It was a fantastic victory,” said Jones in the Evening Post. “We said before the game that this was a special occasion in front of the cameras and the players did not disappoint. Kendall's save was the best I have seen in the Welsh Premier and Scott's free-kick the best goal I have seen at this level. Our back four were superb and Leigh De Vulgt deserves special mention as he is an unsung hero at this club. Our midfield won their battle and the two lads I brought in as Martin Rose was suspended, Drew Fahiya and Daniel Thomas, were both magnificent. But all 14 played their part in an important win for us.” Striker Martin Rose missed the match through suspension but will now be available when Port Talbot are back in action on New Years Day for the return match against Neath at The Gnoll with kick off at 5.30pm.
Click here for Neath match report and photos
Click here for the 1st Team page

29th December 2009
Dyer - “We didn’t turn up”
Neath manager Andy Dyer believes his sides defeat to Port Talbot was due to their own lack of performance. “There were three defining moments in the match, a great save and two fantastic strikes, but I'm disappointed with our performance, which lacked energy and desire,” said Dyer in the Evening Post. “We gave the ball away too cheaply and didn't turn up, especially in the second half. But we played a very good Port Talbot side.” Dyer will now be expecting a big reaction from his players on New Years Day.
Click here for Neath match report and photos
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

27th December 2009
Barrow strike lights up derby win for Blues
Scott Barrow scored a stunning free-kick on Sunday as Port Talbot Town cruised to a 2-0 win over rivals Neath. The match was shown live on S4C and the strike from Barrow was certainly one for the cameras as he drilled the ball from 30 yards into the top corner of the net after 40 minutes. Neil Thomas added the second goal four minutes later to complete the victory. Goalkeeper Lee Kendall made a fine save midway through the first half in one of Neath’s few chances on goal but Port Talbot were generally in control for long periods of the match and comfortably held onto their lead in the second half. The match attracted a crowd of 685 to make it a successful day for Port Talbot Town.
Click here for Neath match report and photos
Click here for the 1st Team page

26th December 2009
Condolences to Lloyd Grist & Family
Everyone at Port Talbot Town Football Club would like to pass on their sincere condolences to defender Lloyd Grist and his family following the sudden passing of his Mother over the Christmas period. A minutes silence will be held before Sundays Principality Welsh Premier League match against Neath at The GenQuip Stadium.

26th December 2009
Derby on after Boxing Day inspection
Sundays live televised match between Port Talbot Town and Neath has been confirmed as on following a pitch inspection. The derby will be shown live on S4C with a 1.30pm kick off and following a Boxing Day pitch inspection, the frozen areas of the field had thawed sufficiently to leave the match in no doubt. Tickets for the question and answer forum with John Hartson and Andy Legg before the match are selling quickly for the event that starts at midday and those attending are advised to arrive early.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

24th December 2009
Blues call on locals for derby day support
Port Talbot Town take on Neath at The GenQuip Stadium on Sunday with manager Mark Jones appealing for local support. The match will also be televised live on S4C while before the match former Wales Internationals John Hartson and Andy Legg will be holding a question and answer forum in the club. “I am hopeful a big crowd will be there to support us,” said Jones. “This is a crucial match for both teams”. Striker Martin Rose and midfielder Gareth Phillips will miss the match through suspension while defender Lee Surman is expected to be available after missing the last month with an ankle injury. The forum with John Hartson and Andy Legg starts at midday while kick off is at the earlier time of 1.30pm.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

24th December 2009
Dyer, “I am sure it will be a game of passion”
Neath manager Andy Dyer is confident his side are ready for Sundays derby as they look to extend their run of form. Neath are currently undefeated in their last 12 league games but have already been defeated twice this season in the Challenge Cup by Port Talbot Town. “I'm sure it will be a game of passion and it is vital that we retain our discipline and concentration,” said Dyer. “They are really up for this one and looking forward to it. It's an important match for both teams, as if Port Talbot win they would leapfrog us into fourth spot. It would also add pressure to the return game on New Year's Day. Port Talbot are a tough team to play against and I tipped them to be up there challenging for the top three at the start of the season.” Neath will be without former Port Talbot Town striker Carl Shaw who is expected to miss the rest of the season through injury.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

21st December 2009
Jones calls on new number nine to take their chance
Manager Mark Jones will name a new number nine on Sunday and believes that whoever it is will take their opportunity. Striker Martin Rose will miss the live televised game against Neath through a one match suspension. “It opens the door for one of our young strikers to stand up and make a name for themselves in front of the cameras,” said Jones, convinced that the person who takes the number nine shirt will make the most of their opportunity to impress on the big stage. “I consider Martin Rose to be the best striker in the Welsh Premier League but a booking in our last match means he now misses the live TV derby against Neath next weekend. I am sure however that whoever steps in will relish the opportunity.” Drew Fahiya and summer signing Daniel Thomas are both in contention to take the leading role in attack on Sunday while defender Lee Surman could make his return from an ankle injury that has kept him out of action for the last month. Kick off against Neath at The GenQuip Stadium on Sunday, 27th December is at the earlier time of 1.30pm but the entertainment starts at midday when former Wales Internationals John Hartson and Andy Legg will be holding a question and answer forum for fans in the club. Admission for this event is £10 which also includes admission to the match and a meal while admission to the match only remains at just £6 for adults and £4 for concessions. The match is also live on S4C.
Click here for more information on Martin Rose
Click here for the 1st Team page

19th December 2009
Match postponed due to frozen pitch
Saturdays Welsh Premier League match between Port Talbot Town and Elements Cefn Druids has been postponed. An early morning inspection confirmed that the hard overnight frost had left the ground unplayable and a new date for the fixture will now be arranged. All of Saturdays Principality Welsh Premier League fixtures have also been postponed.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

18th December 2009
Selection problems for budget-cutting Druids
Elements Cefn Druids could draft in a number of reserve players for Saturdays match at Port Talbot Town. The North Wales club announced earlier in the week that their playing budget will be reduced by 50% in the New Year and no could find themselves without eight regular players for this weekends game. “The reaction hasn't been good,” said joint-manager Waynne Phillips. “We had to tell the players the news after the game on Saturday that they would have to take a 50 percent pay cut. It's always difficult when you lose half of your wages in any walk of life, I am not sure what team we will be able to put out against Port Talbot. Players in this day and age go for the money, I would like to think they would stay and play in the top league for the remainder of the season.” Phillips however is committed to the club and joint-manager Lee Jones is also expected to stay despite the budget cut. “I can't speak on Lee's behalf but the club have been good to me and I feel I owe them something,” Phillips added. Port Talbot Town manager Mark Jones will be without midfielder Gareth Phillips as he serves the first match of a three match suspension while defender Lee Surman could be available after his recent ankle injury. Kick off is at 2.30pm.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

16th December 2009
Jones looks for improved discipline ahead of Druids
Manager Mark Jones has spoken to the official website about his sides discipline ahead of Saturdays match. Port Talbot Town take on Elements Cefn Druids at The GenQuip Stadium without midfielder Gareth Phillips due to a three match suspension while striker Martin Rose will play his last match before he serves a one match ban for an accumulation of bookings. Six players were booked in addition to Phillips straight red card as the side were held to a 1-1 draw at Bala Town last weekend while Jones expects another physical encounter this weekend, he is also expecting a better reaction from his players. “Our discipline has also been documented in the press this week and we now have too many players close to earning themselves suspensions as well as already being without Gareth Phillips,” said Jones. “While our discipline has improved this season compared to last, we must realise that the higher up the table we are the more physical opposition sides are in their approach to playing us. The players and ourselves as the management team must learn to deal with this as we challenge at the top of the table as we cannot afford to lose players”. A fifth booking for Rose last weekend means he will now miss the live televised match against Neath on Saturday, 27th December. Admission for the match against Elements Cefn Druids at The GenQuip Stadium on Saturday remains at £6 for adults and £4 for concessions with kick off at 2.30pm.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

16th December 2009
Druids announce budget cut ahead of weekend match
Elements Cefn Druids visit The GenQuip Stadium on Saturday already resigning themselves to relegation. Although a poor opening half of the season has returned only five points for the Wrexham side, the once famous old club have talked of new stadium plans in recent seasons but have now announced budget cuts across their playing squad form January. Local protestors have made the building of a new ground difficult for the club and a statement announced this week confirms they will not be applying for a place in the new league of 12 clubs from next season. “The Board of Elements Cefn Druids FC has been forced to significantly reduce the playing budget to avoid the prospect of getting into financial difficulty over the remainder of the season”, the club announced in an official statement. “As a result of the delay in the construction of a new stadium, which is crucial for the club to operate in the new reorganised Welsh Premier League, the club will be unable to secure a license to play in the new set up and will inevitably be relegated after 11 years in the top flight. The delay has been caused by opposition to the development by an extremely small group of people claiming village green rights on the site of the new stadium at the Rock in Rhosymedre and the club’s business plan had been based on retaining it’s place at the top level at the new stadium in Rhosymedre, but without that has had to seriously review it’s expenditure. The Chairman has discussed the situation with the team managers and they have agreed to stay with the club. It is hoped that most, if not all, of the young squad of players at the club will also stay to help the oldest club in Wales regain its rightful place in the Welsh Premier League at the new stadium in Rhosymedre following its construction in the near future. With increased running costs the club has been hit by the recession like most clubs and has found it hard to secure match day sponsorship and has also been hit by falling attendances due to its league position. Cefn Druids is grateful for the generous sponsorship by Elements Europe and the training facility at NEWI and it is hoped that a small group of protesters will not delay the project further and once again the name of Druids will appear at the highest level in Welsh football”. Joint-managers Waynne Phillips and Lee Jones will remain in charge of the club for the remainder of the season but a number of players are now expected to depart during the January transfer window. Kick off on Saturday is at 2.30pm.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

14th December 2009
Hartson and Legg headline derby entertainment
Former Wales Internationals John Hartson and Andy Legg will hold a Q&A session at the club on the 27th December. Port Talbot Town are in Principality Welsh Premier League action against local rivals Neath at The GenQuip Stadium that afternoon and the duo will hold a question and answer forum for fans in the club before the match. The event will start at midday with admission set at £10 which includes admission to the pre-match forum, admission to the match and a meal during the forum that will be held in the function room. The open forum will start at midday due to the earlier than usual kick off time of 1.30pm for the match between Port Talbot Town and Neath that will also be televised live on S4C. Former striker Hartson enjoyed a highly-successful career that included spells at Arsenal, West Ham, Wimbledon and Celtic amongst others and has recently fought a well-documented battle with testicular cancer. Andy Legg is the current manager of Welsh Premier League leaders Llanelli and also enjoyed a successful professional career that saw him play for both Cardiff City and Swansea City while he has also fought his own cancer battle in recent years. The event is expected to attract a large crowd and as spaces are limited those interested in attending, either as individuals or groups, should email mark@porttalbottown.co.uk for further information.

14th December 2009
Pike concerned over lack of player protection
Under-19 Team manager Mark Pike has expressed concerns following his sides match at West End on Sunday. Port Talbot Town suffered a 5-3 defeat despite playing some excellent football on the difficult surface at Pryderi Park but the biggest concern for Pike was the lack of protection his players received from the match referee rather than the result. “I asked the referee to watch their high tackles and elbows,” said Mark Pike after the match. “His reply was to tell me to get on with it as it is part of the game. I told him that someone would be seriously hurt unless he changed his approach to controlling the game and within five minutes Sam France receives an elbow to his face that went unpunished. The tackles continued and before long Jamie Jones had to leave the field on a stretcher following a two-footed lunge much to the amusement of the West End players, their attitude was a disgrace”. Port Talbot went a goal ahead through France but a dubious penalty and two free-kicks from outside the area allowed West End to take a 3-1 lead. Port Talbot came back to 3-2 but a second questionable penalty made it 4-2 but the young Port Talbot Town side continued to show great character to come back to 4-3 with a goal from Jordan Tomlinson. West End completed the scoring with a fifth on the counter-attack however after Jamie Jones had been stretchered off. “We put together some excellent passages of play and it really is now starting to come together for us,” added Pike. “We need a run of games now as this was our first match for three weeks. We are a young side and today Luke Martin and Tom Gigg made positive debuts for us in a game that was played on a dreadful surface with a poor referee who offered us no protection. We were the better team on the day and scored three cracking goals but young players cannot be kicked off the park and receive no protection from the match officials”.
Click here for the Under-19 Team page
Click here for the Welsh League Youth Division West page

12th December 2009
Gazza sees red as Blues are held at Bala
Midfielder Gareth Phillips was shown a straight red card on Saturday as Port Talbot Town drew 1-1 at Bala. Phillips was sent off for a poor challenge on 77 minutes but further controversy would come on 88 minutes when captain Matthew Rees had a potential match-winning goal ruled out by referee Mark Whitby for reasons known only to himself. Port Talbot started poorly when they failed to clear the ball out of defence and allowed Owain Roberts to put Bala Town ahead after just four minutes but Mark Jones side came to equalise through Neil Thomas after 18 minutes. The poor playing surface made for a scrappy game with Port Talbot collecting six yellow cards in addition to Phillips red. Manager Mark Jones was left stunned by the decision of referee Whitby, “We still can’t fathom out why the goal was disallowed, the Bala defenders were more mystified than me”.
Click here for Bala Town match report
Click here for the 1st Team page

10th December 2009
Blues out to make it six from six at Bala Town
Port Talbot Town make their first visit to Bala Town on Saturday as they take on manager Colin Caton’s experienced side. Bala were promoted from the Cymru Alliance last season and made a number of notable signings as they look to make into the new league of twelve clubs from next season. Leading their summer signings was the influential and experienced Ricky Evans who has played a big part in their early season success. Also adding experience to the side are former Welshpool duo Ross and Brett Jeffries and former TNS striker John Toner. An opening weekend win over Bangor in front of a crowd of almost 1,000 started their season in style and they continued to impress their local community with home gates regularly exceeding the 300 mark for their North Wales derby fixtures. Recent form has not been so kind to the side however as they have lost their last four league games and with it slipped out of the top ten places. Manager Colin Caton spent the majority of his career as a central defender in the English pyramid for Colwyn Bay but also featured in the Cymru Alliance with Ruthin Town and briefly played in the Welsh Premier League for Cefn Druids. Caton has stated that he will be strengthening his squad in the January transfer window for what is a vitally important season for every club in the league. Port Talbot Town defender Lee Surman remains a doubt for the game with the ankle injury sustained in the win over Bangor City although Liam McCreesh returns after suspension. Kick off at Bala Town is at 2.30pm.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

10th December 2009
Hash talks 44 games in special feature
Afan FM Sports Editor Hash Piperdy takes a look at a possible fixture format for the new league of 12 clubs from next season. On Thursday evening in Newtown representatives from each Principality Welsh Premier League clubs will meet to decide on the new format with many clubs already against the suggestion of teams playing each other four times. The views in this feature are those of the author and not necessarily those of Port Talbot Town Football Club.
Forty-Four? Really?
44 games, spread over 36 weeks, in a league whose players spend the day at work - I don't know about you, but I am interested in what the league are smoking, drinking or inhaling.
In a move that seems to fly in the face of everything the league has worked for in my tenure in covering the division, the powers that be are mulling over a season where you meet everyone else four times...and there doesn't seem to be any logic whatsoever in the proposal. Do you really, as a fan, want to see Haverfordwest-Bangor next year twice? I'm certain you'll get your fix the first time round, the sequel irrelevant, no offence to either side.
Is this the latest move from an FAW who have stopped caring about it's domestic league? Probably not. I am not one of the doommongers who will bash the league at any given opportunity - the league has been good to me and my team as journalists, or dudes that just watc football, because it is a great proving ground for reporters - the internal politics and who sits on whatever board don't interest me whatsoever. However, this idea seems to stick out a little.
There are numerous reasons as to why 44 is not the magic number, and they're so simple, each one is getting its' own paragraph:
How can any side support playing 5 more away games next year, the travelling costs far outweighing any extra ticket revenue from the extra home games?
When the hell would you play the games? It probably hasn't escaped your notice, but it rains a lot in Wales, meaning postponements and worse, awful pitches on grounds that may not have a full-time groundsman, meaning the standard of play falls.
I used to volunteer at Afan FM, for 18 months, I would work during the day at a day job, before attending a Welsh Premier or other game to work at it. I did this 78 times before I was paid at Afan. The point is, the reports I did for the voluntary games sucked. Now, instead of sitting down to talk about a game, imagine if you're a player, you work all day, and then you play football for 90 intense minutes. Tired players do not make a good showcase for the league, and exhausted players often become unavailable through injury.
As a fan, would you really go to 22 home games, plus 4-6 cup games and 3-5 friendlies. Me neither.. Fans can get burnt out by watching too much sport too, meaning a casual, sporadic attendance and the league misses a fantastic opportunity to sustainably grow a loyal fanbase.
There you go, four reasons, literally off the top of my head, that show why playing each other four times is a bad idea. Add to the fact that no club has come out in support, and there seems to be no reason, other than the fact that it's numerically balanced.
So, what's the solution?
Some teams have advocated a split after 22 games, but let's face it, if you're in the bottom half of the split, are fans going to come out and watch? Why not inject some unpredictability, some intensity and reduce the mid-table mediocrity that affects leagues in all sports?
The Magners League and the rugby version of the Principality Premiership have aligned themselves with the Guiness Premiership in introducing a playoff system - top four in the professional rugby, top eight in Wales, and I think the playoff system might just be the perfect halfway house between 44 games and a split to 32 games.
Teams play each other twice, giving us 22 games...the bottom two are relegated. The top eight advance to a playoff. Being higher in the system has to mean something, so whoever has more points plays at home.
To illustrate, lets' use the top eight, as it stands at the time of writing
(1) Llanelli AFC v Airbus (8)
(2) The New Saints v Aberystwyth (7)
(3) Rhyl v Prestatyn (6)
(4) Neath v Port Talbot (5)
That's not too bad is it! Let's say two played on Saturday and two on Sunday, allowing TV to cover all four games. Higher ranked sides would always play at home - again, getting the points has to mean something.
The final would be played somewhere neutral with the winners getting the Champions League place, the losing finalist getting the Europa League place.
Incidentally, my reform for the game would also involve scrapping the League Cup, inviting the current sponsor to be a prominent, but not name sponsor of the league, with the money acting as the prize pot for playoff sides.
My idea is not perfect, no idea ever will be, but I believe that this is the best one. Under this system, no team plays more than 25 league games and 7 cup games, as opposed to the 49 games sides play now - less is more. A winter break can be implemented and 17 less games means players can play at 100% without the thought of a North Walian Tuesday night looming in the back of their head.
I am interested in what the FAW do, I would hate 44 games, as I think most would, although the league seem to be strangely silent on the issue. I also resent the fact that there doesn't seem to be any fan input - what do the Fans want? The people charged with that question are the least well-equipped to answer it.
I'll repeat what I wrote earlier, this is the best opportunity the league will ever have to grow a sustainable, loyal fanbase. 44 games is not the way forward. Unfortunately, with silence coming from the FAW, the Fans have been left in the dark.
I'd love to hear your views, email me at hash@afanfm.co.uk or tune into Redcard, Saturdays from 2 on www.afanfm.co.uk, on 97.4FM in Neath and 107.9FM in Port Talbot
Hash Piperdy
Sports Editor, Afan FM

7th December 2009
Jones praises squad after superb performance
Manager Mark Jones has heaped praise on his side after Saturdays convincing 5-0 win over Porthmadog. Port Talbot dominated from start to finish much to the delight of Jones as his side claimed their fifth consecutive Welsh Premier League victory. “That was a superb, dominant performance and we are really starting to get there,” said Jones in the Evening Post. “I thought we were excellent and there were big performances from Scott Barrow, Matthew Rees, Gary Bansor and Neil Thomas. But all 14 were at the top of their game. Remember, Porthmadog won 3-1 at Carmarthen two weeks ago so that puts this result into perspective.” Port Talbot are now in action at Bala Town next Saturday with Liam McCreesh available after serving a one match suspension against Porthmadog while Lee Surman will be assessed on his ankle injury that kept him out of the side on Saturday during the week.
Click here for Porthmadog match report
Click here for the 1st Team page

5th December 2009
Five goal win makes it five out five
Port Talbot Town claimed their fifth consecutive Welsh Premier League win on Saturday with a 5-0 victory. Porthmadog were the unlucky opponents at The GenQuip Stadium as goals from Neil Thomas and Martin Rose handed Port Talbot a two goal lead inside the opening ten minutes. Further goals from Scott Barrow, Karl Lewis and a second from Rose completed the win. Defender Lee Surman missed the match through injury as Gary Bansor was offered a place in the starting line-up while Liam McCreesh missed the match through suspension. Porthmadog offered little over the course of the match while the victory boosts the goal difference for Mark Jones side as they keep the pressure on the leading teams.
Click here for Porthmadog match report
Click here for the 1st Team page

2nd December 2009
McCreesh suspension dents Porthmadog plans
Port Talbot Town will be without leading league goalscorer Liam McCreesh for Saturday’s home match against Porthmadog. McCreesh will miss the match through suspension following an accumilation of bookings this season but will be available for the match against Bala Town the following weekend. The midfielder has scored seven league goals already this season including a double strike in the 2-0 win over The New Saints.
Click here for more information on Liam McCreesh
Click here for the 1st Team page

2nd December 2009
Record-breaker Reeso on five years at Port Talbot
Captain and record appearance holder Matthew Rees has spoken exclusively to the unofficial website about his five years at the club. Rees signed for Port Talbot Town on the 10th December 2004 and made his debut in a 1-1 draw at TNS the following day and reveals in the in-depth interview how he almost quit the game before joining Port Talbot Town. Rees also talks openly about the most memorable victories and worst defeats in his five years as well as the management teams that he has played under and his ambitions for the season in the interview. The former Swansea City and Newport County defender became the clubs record Welsh Premier League appearance holder when he started against Bangor City a week last Saturday, making his 156th Welsh Premier League start for the club.
Click here for the full interview with Matthew Rees on the unofficial website

1st December 2009
Jones meets old foe Morgan on anniversary
Mark Jones celebrates his first anniversary back in charge at Port Talbot Town on Saturday against old foe Tomi Morgan. Porthmadog are the visitors to The GenQuip Stadium as Port Talbot Town look to build on their excellent recent league form that has brought four successive victories although Jones is expecting a tough encounter against the North Wales side. “Porthmadog are currently in the wrong half of the table but we will be taking nothing for granted,” said Jones. “They have picked up two fantastic victories over the last three weeks and bring with them an experienced squad of players. Tomi Morgan is one of the senior statesmen in the Welsh Premier and I have yet to come up against one of his teams without it being a difficult test.” Morgan and Jones have a connection through Carmarthen Town as both men managed and took the club into Europe during their respective times in charge at Richmond Park. The fitness of defender Lee Surman will be assessed closer to the match after he was forced out the Wales Under-23 Semi-Pro game against Northern Ireland with an ankle injury sustained in the 2-1 win over Bangor City. Kick off is at 2.30pm.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

1st December 2009
Porthmadog home defeat an anniversary to forget
Like Mark Jones, former manager Nicky Tucker also marked a year in charge with a home match against Porthmadog. It would prove to be an anniversary to forget for the current Clevedon Town boss however as Tucker was sacked following a 3-1 home defeat to the North Wales side back in November last year, almost a year to the day since his appointment. Port Talbot Town were struggling in the wrong half of the table following an inconsistent start back then and his dismissal opened the door for Jones to return for a second spell in charge at the club. Port Talbot Town now have the opportunity to further improve on their fifth place position on Saturday and Jones is confident ahead of an important run of fixtures. “This will be a huge month for us,” said Jones. “We must look to take as many points as possible before our Xmas derby double against Neath and the run of testing fixtures against the top sides that we have in the New Year.” Kick off on Saturday is at 2.30pm.
Click here for more information on manager Mark Jones
Click here for the 1st Team page