Club News Archive January 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.

JANUARY 2009

31st January 2009
Jonah to make Richmond Park return in Welsh Cup
Mark Jones will return to Carmarthen Town for the first time since he was sacked by the club in 2007 after Port Talbot Town were drawn against their South Wales rivals in the quarter final of the Welsh Cup. Jones lifted the Welsh Cup during his time as manager of Carmarthen but was sacked less than a fortnight later and will relish a return to his former club. Carmarthen currently field a number of former Port Talbot Town players including goalkeeper Neil Thomas, defenders Mark Dodds, Liam Hancock and Neil Smothers as well as winger Nathan Cotterrall and in-form striker Craig Hughes. The game is expected to take place on Friday, 27th February although this is yet to be confirmed. The two sides will meet in the league this Friday however when Carmarthen Town are the visitors to The GenQuip Stadium, the match will be Jones first against his former club and after Friday’s win over Llanelli the side will be confident of continuing their excellent run of form under Jones who’s undefeated run now stands at six games. Kick off is at 7.30pm.

30th January 2009
Rose stings Reds as Blues reach last eight
Port Talbot Town defeated Principality Welsh Premier League champions Llanelli 2-1 on Friday night to take their place in the Welsh Cup quarter final. Liam McCreesh opened the scoring for Mark Jones side on 20 minutes with a well taken goal but Llanelli came back to equalise through Mark Pritchard on 33 minutes. Just before half time however Port Talbot were back in front as top scorer Martin Rose headed home a cross from Lee John to hand his side the lead at the break. It was another strong performance from the side and extends Mark Jones unbeaten run to six games since he returned to the club as Port Talbot defended well during the second half to hold onto their lead while both Martin Rose and Drew Fahiya could have made the game safe during the second period. The win was marred however by an awful performance from referee Darren Adie who booked seven Port Talbot Town players and awarded bizarre decisions throughout the 98 minutes. The frustrations of Adie’s performance were quickly forgotton at the final whistle however as the celebrations began.

28th January 2009
Contrasting Welsh Cup fortunes for old friends
Mark Jones takes on his good friend Peter Nicholas on Friday night as Port Talbot Town meet Llanelli in the 4th round of the Welsh Cup at The GenQuip Stadium, with both managers experiencing very contrasting Welsh Cup fortunes in the last two seasons. In the 2007 final Mark Jones guided Carmarthen Town to victory over Afan Lido, while in 2008, Nicholas suffered defeat to Bangor City at the same stage. “The Welsh Cup has a lot of fantastic memories for me personally,” said Jones. “None more so than lifting the cup with Carmarthen in 2007, something I would love to repeat here at Port Talbot. For me the competition is the best route for clubs like ours to reach European competition and with Llanelli being one of the big favourites in the tournament, to knock them out at this stage would make us strong candidates”. Jones will have only on-loan Swansea City midfielder Scott Evans unavailable for the match as he serves the second match of his two match suspension while Gareth Phillips was an unused substitute at Prestatyn last weekend as a precaution and is expected to be declared fully fit for this derby match. Kick off is at 7.30pm.

28th January 2009
Opposing strikers out for Welsh Cup glory over former employers
Two of the Principality Welsh Premier League’s most in-form goalscorers will be head to head at The GenQuip Stadium on Friday night when Port Talbot Town host Llanelli in the 4th round of the Welsh Cup. Rhys Griffiths became hot property during his time at Port Talbot Town by claiming both the Golden Boot and Player of the Season awards in 2005-2006, success that earned him a lucrative contract with Llanelli and with it kept him at the top of the scoring charts ever since. In his place at Port Talbot Town stepped Martin Rose, a former Llanelli striker who played a vital part in their survival against relegation in 2004-2005. Rose has since replaced Griffiths as Port Talbot Town’s favourite forward with 44 league goals for the club and is currently fifth in the league goalscoring charts. Both players scored a hat-trick when the two sides last met at The GenQuip Stadium in November as Port Talbot Town raced to a 4-1 lead only to be defeated 6-4 and with the two strikers in great form ahead of this Welsh Cup derby another highly entertaining match is expected. Kick off is at 7.30pm.

26th January 2009
Jonah - “The work ethic is fantastic”
Manager Mark Jones heaped praise on his players after Saturday’s 3-0 win at Prestatyn Town. Captain Matthew Rees opened the scoring before top scorer Martin Rose completed the comfortable victory with a double strike but Jones was quick to share the praise throughout his team. “The fact they had not lost at home in eight matches added spice to our visit and it's a great achievement to end such a good record,” said Jones in the South Wales Evening Post. “The lads were tremendous and the work ethic is fantastic. I cannot praise them enough for their efforts. The effort being put in is second to none and we're keeping clean sheets as well which is testament to how hard everyone is working. To have a successful team everyone has to have confidence in themselves but, more importantly, what the team are doing. I'm over the moon with the strides we have taken.” The success continued throughout the club at the weekend as the Reserves progressed to the next round of the Reserve Division Cup with a 2-0 win over Newport YMCA on Saturday while on Sunday the Under-19 side defeated Briton Ferry 2-1 at The GenQuip Stadium to move upto third place in the table.

24th January 2009
Rose double breaks Prestatyn home record
Port Talbot Town became the first side to ever win a Principality Welsh Premier League match at Prestatyn Town on Saturday as they cruised to a 3-0 victory and with it continue manager Mark Jones undefeated run since his return to the club. Captain Matthew Rees opened the scoring on 29 minutes with a header from a free-kick delivered by Darren Davies and they could have increased their lead soon after when Liam McCreesh struck the crossbar with a volley after a good run from Lee John. Prestatyn were dangerous on the counter-attack however and struck the crossbar themselves just before half time as they went in search of an equaliser to maintain their undefeated home record. Martin Rose extended the lead early in the second half when he used his pace to capitalise on a weak back header from the home defence on 53 minutes. The defensive pairing on Matthew Rees and Lee Surman again impressed to prevent the home side creating any real chances and on 80 minutes Rose scored his second goal of the game with a near post header. The side are now in action on Friday night when they take on Llanelli at The GenQuip Stadium in the Welsh Cup 4th round. Kick off is at 7.30pm.

24th January 2009
Principality Welsh Premier League round-up
With all of the weekend’s matches taking place on Saturday afternoon, Caernarfon started the action with an early kick off against The New Saints. A brace from John McKenna for the visitors was joined by strikes from John Leah, Matthew Berkeley and Scott Ruscoe however as The New Saints stormed to a 5-0 win. Rhyl maintained their place at the top of the table with a 3-1 win at Haverfordwest with Jack Christopher grabbing a consolation penalty for the home side. Llanelli maintained their pressure on the leaders with a 4-1 win over Technogroup Welshpool while Bangor City earned maximum points from their visit to Aberystwyth with a 3-1 win. At the other end of the table Neath missed their chance to move out of the bottom two as they were held by Caersws while NEWI Cefn Druids slipped down into 16th place with a 4-0 defeat at Newtown. In the highest scoring game of the day, Airbus UK Broughton came from behind at Porthmadog to win 4-3 despite Marc Lloyd-Williams scoring three from the home side while Prestatyn surrendered their undefeated home record to Port Talbot Town in a 3-0 defeat.

22nd January 2009
Blues aim to claim first ever away win at Prestatyn
Manager Mark Jones takes his side to Prestatyn Town on Saturday in confident mood despite the fact that an away side are yet to ever win a Welsh Premier League match at their Bastion Gardens ground. Only Prestatyn and champions Llanelli are yet to lose at home this season, although Prestatyn’s lowly position of 14th can be attributed to the fact that they have not won away from home this season. Port Talbot celebrated their 50th ever away win in the league last weekend and the side remain undefeated under the guidance of Jones since his return to the club. Midfielder Scott Evans will miss the match through suspension.

22nd January 2009
Legend Eddie Gray headlines February Sportsmans Evening
Former Leeds United player and manager Eddie Gray will be the guest speaker at the club’s Sportsmans Evening arranged for Thursday the 19th of February. Gray played over 550 games for Leeds and scored 68 goals during his career at the club between 1965 and 1983 and remained at the club throughout his entire playing career. The Scottish International also won twelve caps for his country between 1969 and 1977, scoring three goals. Gray took over as manager of Leeds in 1982 and stayed up until 1985 and went on to manager Rochdale and Hull City before returning as caretaker manager of Leeds in 2003 after bringing through players such as Harry Kewell, Ian Harte, Alan Smith and Jonathan Woodgate during his time as Youth Team Manager. The night will be held at the club with tickets available for £20 per person or £200 for a table of ten. The night includes a three course meal, comedian, raffle and an auction. Spaces are limited so please book your place early to avoid disappointment.

22nd January 2009
Jonah and Davies talk North Wales and music
The unofficial wesbite, The Blue Skinned Beast, this week caught up with manager Mark Jones and Darren Davies for an alternative chat on recent events.

20th January 2009
Bansor boosts Blues options as Jonah makes transfer moves
Mark Jones has made his first signing since returning to the club as manager with the arrival of Gary Bansor from Brentwood Town. The young defender has played for Maldon Town and Brentwood in the English pyramid system and signs for the club having recently moved to Swansea University. Mark Jones will be joined by captain Matthew Rees and Chairman Andrew Edwards at the club on Wednesday night to answer your questions in the latest fan forum evening. Admission is free and the night starts at 7.30pm.

20th January 2009
Lido stay top with derby win
Local rivals Afan Lido have extended their lead at the top of the MacWhirter Welsh League Youth Division West with a 2-0 win over Port Talbot Town on Tuesday night. Lido scored both goals in the opening half of the match although young Port Talbot striker Jamie Jones came close to reducing their lead in the second half.

19th January 2009
Reserves denied top spot by last minute penalty
The Reserve Team maintained their undefeated start to the season but dropped their first points of the campaign in dramatic fashion at the weekend and with it missed out on the chance to take over at the top of the table. Local rivals Afan Lido went into Saturday’s derby as the leaders but a fine strike from Matthew Jones in the opening half offered Port Talbot a great chance to take their place. A 90th minute penalty decision for a hand ball was converted by Leigh Shrimpton for the visitors however to keep Afan Lido at the top of the table.

19th January 2009
Tommo labelled with dismissal in administrative error
Despite Matthew Thompson being named as the player dismissed at GAP Connah’s Quay at the weekend, it has now been confirmed that Scott Evans was the guilty party in the 2-0 win. The home side confirmed Evans over the PA system but acknowledged the card to Thompson on the official match stats sheet.

18th January 2009
Fan forum with Jones, Rees and Edwards this Wednesday night
Manager Mark Jones, captain Matthew Rees and Chairman Andrew Edwards will answer your questions at the fans forum night arranged for this Wednesday, 21st January. The night starts at 7.30pm and all are welcome. Entry is free and the panel will answer a range of questions about the team and the club.

18th January 2009
Coach Education Morning arranged for next Sunday
Academy Director Darren Davies will be holding a Coach Education Morning at The GenQuip Stadium at 10.00am on Sunday, 25th January. All coaches involved with the club’s Academy and Junior section are invited to attend. The event will be highly beneficial to all those currently involved with the Academy and Junior section at the club as the morning will cover a number of different areas of coaching and working with young players and will be especially beneficial to those coaches currently working towards their C Licence. Please confirm your attendance ahead of Sunday by contacting Junior Secretary Gary Dawkins.

17th January 2009
Fahiya on fire with opening half double in Quay win
Drew Fahiya scored twice in five opening half minutes as manager Mark Jones claimed his second victory since returning to the club as his Port Talbot Town side defeated GAP Connah’s Quay 2-0 at The Deeside Stadium. James Burgin made a welcome return to the starting line-up as he replaced the suspended Gareth Phillips but it was the home side who started the better of the two sides but could not turn their possession into goals. On 30 minutes however Fahiya opened the scoring at the other end and then doubled the advantage five minutes later with two well taken goals inside the area. GAP Connah’s Quay pushed forward in the second half and had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down before Martin Rose came close to extending Port Talbot’s advantage but he could not make the most of his chance on goal. Matthew Thompson replaced Fahiya on 86 minutes but fellow substitute Scott Evans was sent off just three minutes later following an incident with GAP Connah’s Quay striker Aden Shannon who was also dismissed. Port Talbot comfortably held on to their lead however as Mark Jones remains undefeated since his return to the club.

15th January 2009
Rose headlines January signings with contract extension
Port Talbot Town Football Club are delighted to announce that striker Martin Rose has extended his contract at the club to May 2010. Rose signed for Port Talbot Town in 2006 as a replacement for Llanelli-bound Rhys Griffiths and has brought a return of 42 Welsh Premier League goals to be the clubs leading scorer for the last two seasons and with it earn rave reviews from opposition players and managers. Meanwhile, manager Mark Jones is continuing his search to strengthen his squad in the January window and his expected to announce some developments of the course of the next week.

15th January 2009
Blues greatest night remembered two years on
On the 15th of January 2007, Port Talbot Town defeated a strong Swansea City side 2-1 in the Quarter Final of the now defunct FAW Premier Cup at home in front of a capacity crowd of around 3,000 people. The management and a few players may have changed since then, but the memories remain the same.

14th January 2009
Gazza suspended for Nomads test
Influential midfielder Gareth Phillips will miss Saturday’s match at GAP Connah’s Quay through suspension having collected five yellow cards in his twelve Principality Welsh Premier League appearances this season. One positive for manager Mark Jones however will be the return of James Burgin from injury, Burgin picked up a knee injury at Airbus UK Broughton back in November and has not featured since. The Nomads are currently four points ahead of Port Talbot in the table but highly-rated goalkeeper Chris Maxwell has recently returned to Wrexham from his loan spell at the North Wales club. Kick off at The Deeside Stadium is at 2.30pm.

14th January 2009
Blues plan for big 50 celebration
A victory at GAP Connah’s Quay on Saturday would earn Port Talbot Town their 50th ever away win in the Welsh Premier League. The first ever away win came in the clubs first match in the league on the 19th of August 2000 when they defeated Haverfordwest County 3-2 at The New Bridge Meadow.

14th January 2009
McGibbon makes Surrey switch
Popular former defender Mark McGibbon has signed for Surrey-based club Leatherhead FC. McGibbon originally signed for Port Talbot Town in January 2008 from Welsh League side Cwmbran Town and his impressive performances at right-back earned him a one-year contract at The GenQuip Stadium that he signed in May. The logistics of living in London and playing for Port Talbot Town proved difficult for McGibbon however and he returned to the English capital earlier in the season. Meanwhile another former player, Geza Hajgato, has joined former manager Nicky Tucker at Clevedon Town.

14th January 2009
Condolences
Everyone at the club would like to pass on their condolences to Under-14 Academy coach David Davies and his family on the passing of his Father-in-Law earlier this week.

13th January 2009
Reserves set up big weekend derby with another win
The Reserves claimed their fourteenth win in as many games on Saturday with a 3-1 victory over Llansawel and now take on league leaders Afan Lido at The GenQuip Stadium on Saturday with the opportunity to take over at the top of the table if they can maintain their 100% record. Lido suffered a surprise defeat to Neath before Christmas, their only reverse of the season, and a highly competitive game is expected this weekend. Meanwhile the Youth Team were held to a 3-3 draw against West End on Sunday.

13th January 2009
Tucker takes backroom staff to Clevedon Town
Former manager Nicky Tucker has been joined at Clevedon Town by his backroom staff from his time in charge at Port Talbot Town as both Martin Evans and Matthew Bishop have taken up identical roles that they held at The GenQuip Stadium with the Southern League club.

11th January 2009
Fans Forum arranged with club trio
Manager Mark Jones, captain Matthew Rees and Chairman Andrew Edwards will answer your questions in the latest fans forum night arranged for Wednesday, 21st January at the clubhouse. The trio will answer any questions from the floor on a range of club topics and offers fans the chance to find out about the on and off the field plans for the club. Entry to the night is free and starts from 7.30pm.

11th January 2009
Supermarket giant LIDL sponsor future Blues
The Port Talbot Town Junior Section are pleased to announce that LIDL will be sponsoring the Under-12 side this season. Team Manager Darren Vaughan was delighted with the deal that will see his side wear a kit sponsored by LIDL for both home and away games. “I cant thank LIDL enough for what they have provided,” said Darren. “Hopefully this deal will benefit the whole of the junior section while I would also like to thank Bransby IT and RMJ Electrical for their sponsorship for the season”.

9th January 2009
Big freeze continues as Druids match is postponed
A pitch inspection at Plaskynaston on Friday afternoon confirmed that Saturday’s Principality Welsh Premier League match between NEWI Cefn Druids and Port Talbot Town would not be played due to a frozen pitch, leaving manager Mark Jones frustrated by the icy weather for the second time in nine days. Although influential midfielder Gareth Phillips was unlikely to feature, James Burgin would have returned to the side for his first match since picking up a knee injury at Airbus UK in November.

9th January 2009
Former Blues in January transfer moves
Following the transfer of Craig Hughes from Newport County to Carmarthen and Richard Ryan’s move from Goytre United to ENTO Aberaman, another former Port Talbot Town player has made a January transfer switch this week as Daniel Lancey joined Afan Lido from Neath. Meanwhile former manager Nicky Tucker, now manager of Clevedon Town, has lost the services of former Lido defender Matthew Driscoll who has moved to Merthyr.

8th January 2009
Easter Monday date confirmed for derby day
Port Talbot Town will take on local rivals Neath at The GenQuip Stadium on Easter Monday. The fixture was originally scheduled for New Years Day but was postponed due to referee Brian James deciding not to play the match just an hour before kick-off. With every match in the Principality Welsh Premier League also postponed, the complete programme of New Years Day fixtures will now take place on Easter Monday, offering clubs the chance to reclaim some of the revenue lost from the postponement of the original fixture.

8th January 2009
Martinez agrees to extend Evans loan deal
Swansea City manager Roberto Martinez has agreed to the extension of midfielder Scott Evans loan spell at Port Talbot Town to the end of the 2008-2009 season. Evans has made eleven Welsh Premier League starts for the club this season and has been named on the bench an additional five times.

7th January 2009
Walsh latest to leave as Tucker builds at Clevedon
Defender Matthew Walsh has left Port Talbot Town to join former manager Nicky Tucker at Southern League side Clevedon Town. Walsh was signed by Tucker in September from Gloucester City and former Cardiff City youngster impressed in his nine starting appearances for the club in all competitions this season. Travelling became a problem for Walsh following Tucker’s dismissal and the departure of fellow defender David Biggs to Taffs Well and he will now look to continue his career by returning over the border to the Southern League.

7th January 2009
Druids look ahead to ‘crucial’ match this weekend
NEWI Cefn Druids joint-manager Lee Jones as described this Saturday’s match as crucial after his sides defeat to The New Saints last weekend. “We will look to get back to winning ways against Port Talbot,” said Jones. “Games like that are more crucial to us than the likes of Rhyl and TNS as they are against sides around us. It's another must win game for us as we can't let them go six points ahead of us like we did with Airbus.”

6th January 2009
Rose plans to continue hot Druids form even against the big freeze
Striker Martin Rose will be looking to continue his excellent goalscoring form against NEWI Cefn Druids on Saturday as Port Talbot Town plan a hat-trick of consecutive victories at Plaskynaston. Rose has scored in each of his last three games against the Wrexham-based opponents both home and away and his side have claimed a victory each time. The biggest opponent this weekend could prove to be the weather however as the big freeze continues across the country, leaving the sporting calendar already looking vulnerable.

6th January 2009
Guppy swaps Amber for Old Gold in Welsh Premier return
Former Port Talbot Town striker Craig ‘Guppy’ Hughes has made a surprise return to the Principality Welsh Premier League by returning to Carmarthen Town from Blue Square South side Newport County. Hughes signed for Port Talbot during manager Mark Jones first spell in charge. Meanwhile another former striker, Richard Ryan, has moved from Goytre United to ENTO Aberaman after four seasons with the Port Talbot club.

5th January 2009
Jones reveals transfer window plans after Aber draw
Port Talbot Town manager Mark Jones has hinted at his transfer plans after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Aberystwyth Town at The GenQuip Stadium. “The spirit's good but we are little light on numbers and I'm looking to address that now the transfer window is open again,” said Jones. “I am looking to bring in three players, a defender, midfielder and an attacker. I know who I want and I am hopeful of getting them. It will make a big difference as on Boxing Day I only had a squad of 14 players available. We should have won and it's two points dropped from my point of view. We had five clear-cut chances to their one and Kristian Rogers did not have one save to make until they scored. We lost our shape a bit towards the end and I think it's a little bit of fear creeping in. The lads have not been winning regularly and playing at home can sometimes have that effect when a win is in sight.” Meanwhile Jones and Aber manager Brian Coyne agreed on the main talking point of the day. “There were no complaints from anyone in our dressing room about the game going ahead”, said Jones, while Coyne added “The pitch was no different from those we have to play on in pre-season.”

5th January 2009
Southall - “The playing surface was no different to New Years Day”
With the most talked about and debated game of the season being a fixture that was not even played, Phil Southall has responded to comments on the official Neath website forum that he was talked into passing the pitch as playable. “Players safety has to be of paramount importance when deciding if a pitch is playable or not,” explained Southall “This was at the forefront of my mind when I inspected the pitch. I arrived at the ground at 11.30am and walked the pitch and although the playing surface was hard it was not dangerous to the players and was certainly not frozen. If it had been frozen then it would have been a simple decision to make to call the game off immediately. I then put my football boots on and spent 15 minutes running around every area of the pitch. I was able to run at pace, stopping quickly and turning with no trouble at all. I carried out another pitch inspection at Port Talbot Town for their match v Aberystwyth Town and declared the pitch as playable as the playing surface was no different to that of New Years Day.” Neath manager Andy Dyer had a different view, stating that “I wouldn’t have let my five year old son run from one end to the other on that pitch”.

5th January 2009
Dyer - “To blame us is a joke”
Neath manager Andy Dyer has hit back over claims that his club had an influence over the postponement the New Years Day fixture between Port Talbot Town and Neath at The GenQuip Stadium. In a statement on the official Neath website, Dyer also questioned the judgement of Welsh Premier referee Phil Southall and National Referee’s Officer Roger Gifford. “I wouldn’t have let my five year old son run from one end to the other on that pitch,” said Dyer “It’s all very well for Phil Southall or Roger Gifford to have deemed it playable, they did not have to ref it, if they had that responsibility their opinion would be very different! Under no circumstance was any pressure exerted by myself or any member of my staff, I think it was more to do with the icy, concrete nature of the pitch that Mr James took his decision. Everyone knows the pitch was unplayable and to blame us is a joke, I have had enough of my time wasted, along with my players and staff, by being dragged over there on New Year's Day for a game that no ref in his right mind would have presided over and taken responsibility for. I will be very interested to see if they play on Saturday, very interested.” The match on Saturday then went ahead as expected.

3rd January 2009
Blues rue missed chances as Aber claim share of points
Manager Mark Jones was left frustrated on Saturday as his Port Talbot Town side were held to a 1-1 draw against Aberystwyth Town at The GenQuip Stadium despite leading through an opening half Darren Davies goal with just eight minutes remaining. Davies opened the scoring on 27 minutes to claim his second goal of the season as Port Talbot took a deserved lead into the break but a much improved second half performance from the visitors brought a late equaliser when captain Bari Morgan scored from close range on 82 minutes. Before the equaliser both Liam McCreesh and Martin Rose had created chances to extend their sides advantage but were unable to increase the lead before the visitors levelled the score. It was another much improved performance from Port Talbot however leaving Jones undefeated after three matches in charge. The side now have three difficult away matches in North Wales as they take on NEWI Cefn Druids, GAP Connah’s Quay and Prestatyn Town before returning to Welsh Cup action against Llanelli on the 30th of January.

2nd January 2009
Blues back in action Saturday after derby disappointment
Manager Mark Jones will use his players frustrations at the derby day postponement to his advantage this weekend when his side take on Aberystwyth Town at The GenQuip Stadium. The scheduled New Years Day fixture against Neath was postponed due to the visitors concerns over the playing safe despite it being passed playable and the club will be looking for a correct decision on the playing surface this weekend. James Burgin remains on the sidelines with a knee injury and is the only player missing as on-loan Swansea City midfielder Scott Evans is available after recovering from flu. Admission for the match remains at just £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and £1 for kids. Kick off is at 2.30pm.

2nd January 2009
Biggs kicks off January transfers with Taffs Well switch
Defender David Biggs as signed for Taffs Well after a struggling to make his way into the starting line-up at Port Talbot Town. Biggs made just four league starts after signing from Yate Town in August.

2nd January 2009
Tucker takes charge at Clevedon Town
Former Port Talbot Town manager Nicky Tucker has been appointed as manager of Southern League strugglers Clevedon Town. Tucker was sacked as manager of Port Talbot Town in November after a disappointing start to the season but achieved the clubs highest ever finish the season before with a fourth place finish. Clevedon are currently bottom of the Southern League and have turned to Tucker to revive their fortunes. “I think I have proved myself to be a successful manager in Wales and while I have had offers to stay here now I want to do that in England with Clevedon Town,” explained Tucker in the Bristol Evening Post. “I have always kept in touch with the English game and regularly went to watch matches at Merthyr and Newport, which is close to where I live, and also popped over to Weston-Super-Mare on several occasions. I like to get around and see as many games as possible and when this opportunity at Clevedon came up it was the right time for me to get into the English system and make a name for myself.” The club would like to wish Nicky all the best in his new post.

1st January 2009
Controversy surrounds derby day postponement
Port Talbot Town were left frustrated and without a game on New Years Day as the lucrative derby against local rivals Neath at The GenQuip Stadium was postponed at 1.15pm. With heavy frost claiming the other eight Principality Welsh Premier League games, a bumper crowd was expected at The GenQuip Stadium for the reverse of the entertaining Boxing Day fixture. Following an extensive pitch inspection at 11.30am by experienced Welsh Premier League Phil Southall, the pitch was confirmed as playable but the decision brought with it the hasty arrival of Neath officials within the hour and when match referee Brian James arrived just before 1.00pm the visitors stated their case for the match to be postponed. First-year referee James bowed under-pressure and agreed to postpone the match at 1.15pm, much to the surprise of those already at the ground including National Referee’s Officer Roger Gifford. Port Talbot Town Chairman Andrew Edwards was left angered and frustrated by the decision that not only countered that of a senior Welsh Premier League official earlier that day but also deprived Port Talbot Town Football Club of its most lucrative home fixture of the season.