Club News Archive January 2010 - 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 2010

31st January 2010
Youth match postponed due to frozen pitch
Sunday’s Youth Division West match between Port Talbot and Carmarthen has been postponed. Overnight frost left the surface at The GenQuip Stadium unplayable and the side now return to action on Tuesday, 9th February when Mark Pike’s side are home to Haverfordwest County. Last week six of the squad signed Welsh Premier League forms with the club with four featuring in the 1st team friendly win over Corus Steel.
Click here for the Under-19 team page
Click here for the MacWhirter Welsh League Youth Division West page

30th January 2010
Blues through to take on Saints in last eight
Goals from Liam McCreesh and Leigh De-Vulgt earned Port Talbot Town a 2-0 win at Aberystwyth on Saturday. The reward for Mark Jones side following the Welsh Cup 4th round win is an away draw at current Principality Welsh Premier League leaders The New Saints in the quarter final of the competition. Port Talbot scored in each half of the comfortable victory, backed by a large travelling support and the clubs entire junior section to make it a memorable day.
Click here for Aberystwyth Town match report and photos
Click here for the 1st Team page

29th January 2010
Jones ready for toughest tie of the round
Port Talbot Town are in Welsh Cup action at Aberystwyth on Saturday in the biggest match of the weekend. Both sides occupy places in the top five of the Principality Welsh Premier League and manager Mark Jones is well aware of the task ahead. “There's no doubt we have drawn the most difficult tie of the round,” said Jones, who has a full squad available for the match. “But if the players show discipline and continue the work rate we have achieved recently we can get through,” he added in an interview with the South Wales Evening Post. “I watched Carmarthen win there last week but Aberystwyth are a good side. They have had a good run recently, although Neath earned a point there on Tuesday. This club has never played in Europe and it would be great if we could get there. The Welsh Cup is the quickest route to Europe and we are only three wins away from the final. You know what I think of this competition. It has a fantastic history and been good to me, but to get to the final with Port Talbot would be special. We will have great support at Park Avenue as we are taking five coachloads of supporters. It should make for a special atmosphere”. Port Talbot will be backed on the day by a strong following with all the clubs junior teams also making the journey, playing a match against their Aberystwyth counterparts in the morning before joining the rest of the supporters at Park Avenue for the match. Kick off at Aberystwyth is at 2.00pm.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Cup page

27th January 2010
Blues at full strength for Welsh Cup
Mark Jones will have the rare luxury of a fully-fit squad to choose from for Saturdays match at Aberystwyth. With midfielder Gareth Phillips returning from suspension, Jones will have some difficult decisions to make as Port Talbot Town look to progress into the quarter-final stage of the Welsh Cup against an in-form Aberystwyth side at Park Avenue. Port Talbot Town will have plenty of support for the match also with nearly all of the clubs junior teams taking on their Aberystwyth counterparts in the morning of the game before joining the large travelling support for the Welsh Cup 4th round match. Aberystwyth are currently one place above and three points ahead of Port Talbot Town in the Principality Welsh Premier League having enjoyed an excellent run of form under new manager Alan Morgan with former Port Talbot Town striker Luke Bowen an important player in their recent victories. Mark Jones side suffered their first league defeat for nine games on Saturday at The New Saints and with both sides coming into the match in fine form a close game is expected. There are very few spaces remaining on the supporters coach and those interested should email mark@porttalbottown.co.uk to book their place with places available at £10 each. The supporters coach will leave The GenQuip Stadium at 9.00am on Saturday with kick off at Aberystwyth at 2.00pm.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Cup page

27th January 2010
Doran joins McKenna at Altrincham
Midfielder Peter Doran has left the Welsh Premier League to sign for Blue Square Premier side Altrincham. Port Talbot Town manager Mark Jones had put in an approach for the highly-rated Technogroup Welshpool youngster but Doran has decided to link up with former TNS manager Ken McKenna, who is the assistant manager at the English pyramid club. Principality Welsh Premier League champions Rhyl, Airbus UK Broughton and Northwich Victoria had also made an approach for Doran but he has decided to test himself in the Blue Square Premier.
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

26th January 2010
Youth sign Welsh Premier forms after friendly win
Port Talbot Town introduced six players from the Under-19 side into the 1st Team squad on Tuesday night. Youth team captain Josh Wannacott, Jack Germain, Chris Silva and goalkeeper Ryan Dummer all featured in a 3-2 friendly win over Corus Steel at The GenQuip Stadium while Sam France and Luke Martin joined them in signing Welsh Premier League forms for the club. Players from Mark Pike’s Under-19 side have regularly trained with the 1st team squad this season as well as being part of the match day preparations and by signing Welsh Premier League forms for the club the six players are now eligible to be named on the bench for Mark Jones side through the rule that allows five substitutes to be named on the bench providing two of them are an Under-19 player. Also returning from his loan spell at Ton Pentre is striker Sam Baker who also featured in the friendly win on Tuesday and is also part of Mark Pike’s Youth team squad.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Under-19 team page

26th January 2010
Rhyl move in for transfer target Doran
Welsh Premier League champions Rhyl have made an approach for Port Talbot Town target Peter Doran. Manager Mark Jones made an approach for the Technogroup Welshpool midfielder early in the January transfer window but further approaches from Airbus UK Borughton as well as English pyramid sides Altrincham and Northwich Victoria offered Doran a choice of clubs. Rhyl have now also made an approach with twin brother Phil Doran a regular part of the Rhyl squad. Mark Jones still believes there is a chance that the highly-rated youngster will sign for Port Talbot Town however although Airbus UK have since distanced themselves from the influential midfielder.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

25th January 2010
Boslem returns to Scotland with Shotts Bon Accord
Defender Andy Boslem has left Port Talbot Town to return to Scotland with Shotts Bon Accord. The summer signing found his opportunities limited at The GenQuip Stadium after joining the club from Scottish Division Three side Queens Park and he made just six appearances for the club in the Loosemores Solicitors Challenge Cup but did not start a Welsh Premier League match. The club are currently third in the Central District First Division of the lower Scottish leagues and the club would like to wish Andy all the best on his return to Scottish football.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

25th January 2010
Supporters arrangements for Welsh Cup at Aber
On Saturday Port Talbot Town are in Welsh Cup action at Aberystwyth with places available on the supporters coach. The 4th round match has attracted a lot of interest and there are a limited number of places still available. The supporters coach will be leaving The GenQuip Stadium on Saturday at 9.00am with kick off at Aberystwyth at 2.00pm with places available at £10 each. Those interested should email mark@porttalbottown.co.uk to book a place on the coach.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

25th January 2010
Jones takes positives despite defeat
Manager Mark Jones has praised his side commitment despite a 1-0 reverse at The New Saints on Saturday. Former Wales International Steve Evans scored the only goal of the game just before half-time but Jones was keen to take the positives from the game. “I couldn't have asked any more of my players. We beat them 2-0 at home, lost 1-0 on their patch, so we have shown we are up there with the best in this league,” said Jones in the Evening Post. “We were competitive but didn't ask enough questions,” he added. Port Talbot are now in Welsh Cup action on Saturday when they take on Aberystwyth Town away from home in the 4th round and have arranged a friendly at The GenQuip Stadium this Tuesday night in preparation. Kick off on Tuesday is at 7.00pm with kick off at Aberystwyth on Saturday at 2.00pm. A supporters coach will be leaving The GenQuip Stadium at 9.00am on Saturday with limited places remaining at £10 each. Those interested should email mark@porttalbottown.co.uk to book their place.
Click here for The New Saints match report and photos
Click here for the 1st Team page

25th January 2010
Veterans open Champions Cup with win
The Port Talbot Town Veterans side earned a 4-2 win over Rhondda Veterans on Sunday in the Champions Cup. Goals from Vince Lewis, Tim O’Connor and a brace from David Brennan handed Port Talbot Town the victory in a physical match in the Rhondda. The side are now back in action on Sunday, 7th February 2010 when they travel to Dafen Welfare in the 2nd round of the Knockout Cup.
Click here for the Veterans Team page

24th January 2010
Tuesday night friendly arranged against Corus
This Tuesday Welsh League side Corus Steel will play a friendly against Port Talbot at The GenQuip Stadium. The friendly has been arranged for manager Mark Jones to offer his fringe players the opportunity to gain some match fitness together with players who have recently returned from suspension such as Daniel Thomas and midfielder Gareth Phillips. Corus are currently second in the MacWhirter Welsh League Division Three with two games in hand on league leaders Pontypridd. Corus also have a number of former Port Talbot Town players in their side including strikers Carl Clement and Andrew Pearson. Kick off is at 7.00pm.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

24th January 2010
League leaders claim five goal win over Under-19s
On Sunday the Under-19 side were defeated 5-0 at home to current league leaders Bryntirion Athletic. Striker Sam Baker started the match after his loan spell at Ton Pentre and despite the scoreline Port Talbot competed well in the opening half and went in at half-time a goal behind. The visitors scored four in the second half however to claim the convincing win. The side are now back in action at The GenQuip Stadium on Sunday when Carmarthen Town are the visitors.
Click here for Bryntirion match report and photos
Click here for the Under-19 team page

23rd January 2010
Blues suffer defeat at The New Saints
Port Talbot Town’s run of eight games without defeat came to an end on Saturday with a 1-0 reverse at TNS. A goal from former Wales International Steve Evans just before half-time handed the current league leaders maximum points as Mark Jones side struggled to create chances despite a hard working display and now move down to fifth place in the Welsh Premier League table. Drew Fahiya tested the TNS defence in the opening exchanges but the home side created the better chances in the opening half and deserved their lead at the break. Port Talbot came back into the match early in the second half but quickly ran out of ideas as TNS again controlled long periods of the game and could have added to their scoreline before referee Darren Adie brought he game to a close.
Click here for The New Saints match report and photos
Click here for the 1st Team page

21st January 2010
UEFA website feature for Port Talbot Town
Visitors to www.uefa.com on Thursday were welcomed by a feature on the club and last weekends win. The official website of the Union of European Football Associations is visited daily by hundreds of thousands of football fans and officials across the World and this week reporter Trevor Haylett interviewed Port Talbot Town manager Mark Jones to discuss recent form, last weekend’s win over Rhyl and the opportunity of qualifying for European competition this season.
Click here for the full feature on the official UEFA website

20th January 2010
Danny returns to add to selection headache
Manager Mark Jones will have another selection headache on Saturday as Daniel Thomas returns from suspension. Port Talbot Town are in action at current Principality Welsh Premier League leaders and former champions The New Saints and will approach the match with confidence having defeated Rhyl last weekend to extend their fine run of form in which Jones side have taken 22 points from a possible 24 to move upto fourth place in the table. Summer signing Thomas missed last weekends victory as he served a one match suspension but his availability will add to Jones attacking options. Nicky Holland was named on the bench last weekend and staked his claim for a place in the side by scoring the winning goal while regular starter Lee John could also only take a place on the substitutes bench. Defender Gary Bansor was left out of the squad last weekend while Gareth Phillips has a further match to serve of his three match ban and will be unavailable this weekend. The New Saints have suffered only one league defeat this season and it arrived courtesy of two goals from Liam McCreesh as Port Talbot Town defeated the full-time side at The GenQuip Stadium in September. The two clubs are also the two teams currently with the longest undefeated run, Port Talbot remaining undefeated in their last eight games while The New Saints are currently undefeated in their last fourteen, their only reverse being against Port Talbot Town. The coach leaves The GenQuip Stadium on Saturday at 9.00am with supporters places available at £10 each. Kick off is at 2.30pm.
Click here for more information on Daniel Thomas
Click here for the 1st Team page

19th January 2010
Appearance milestone for Jonah’s unsung hero
Port Talbot Town’s longest serving player is set to make his 150th Welsh Premier League start on Saturday. Defender Leigh De-Vulgt, described by manager Mark Jones as the clubs ‘unsung hero’ after the 2-0 win over Neath last month, is enjoying his best form since signing for the club back in 2004 and has become one of the first names on the team sheet ahead of Saturday’s match against Principality Welsh Premier League leaders The New Saints. De-Vulgt started his career as a trainee at his hometown club Swansea City and signed a professional contract at the Vetch Field in 1999, making his Football League debut at Leyton Orient on Boxing Day that year as he became part of the 1st team squad. International honours followed as De-Vulgt became a regular in the Wales Under-21 side, making his debut against Armenia, but he struggled to command a regular place in the Swansea City side and was loaned out to both Llanelli and Merthyr Tydfil. De-Vulgt made a total of 23 Football League appearances for the Swans before moving to ambitious Carmarthen Town in the Welsh Premier League where he stayed for two seasons between 2002 and 2004, making 41 appearances to add to his two loan appearances for Llanelli in the domestic top-flight. In 2004 De-Vulgt switched to Port Talbot Town and six seasons later he remains a regular in the side, currently enjoying his best run of form after 149 league starts. His commitment to the club was shown in 2008 as he became a fringe player under then manager Nicky Tucker but resisted an approach from local rivals Neath to remain at the club to work his way back into the side and his decision has seen him become one of the most consistent performers this season and a genuine contender for the player of the year award.
Click here for more information on Leigh De-Vulgt
Click here for the 1st Team page

18th January 2010
McCreesh remains the in-form striker
Liam McCreesh scored his eighth league goal of the season on Saturday to lead the clubs scoring chart. Regular golden boot winner Martin Rose has rarely held second place in the scorers list since signing for the club in 2006, but a superb return from McCreesh this season has played a major part in Mark Jones side moving upto fourth place. McCreesh opened the scoring against Rhyl on Saturday as Port Talbot earned a 2-1 victory against the champions and the former Afan Lido midfielder will be looking forward to next weekend when Port Talbot are in action at The New Saints. McCreesh scored both goals against The New Saints earlier in the season as Port Talbot Town claimed a 2-0 victory in what is also the Mid-Wales sides only league defeat this season. McCreesh has now scored 22 Welsh Premier League goals for Port Talbot Town in just 68 starts since signing for the club from local rivals Afan Lido in 2007 and is well on course to beat his previous season best when he scored eight goals in his first year at the club. While McCreesh maybe the leading league scorer at the club, Martin Rose remains the overall leader however with 16 goals in all competitions this season.
Click here for more information on Liam McCreesh
Click here for more information on Martin Rose

18th January 2010
Jones praise for Holland and Grist in Rhyl win
Manager Mark Jones praised his squad after Saturdays 2-1 win over Welsh Premier League champions Rhyl. A special mention was added however for winning goalscorer Nicky Holland and returning defender Lloyd Grist. “Nicky’s a great lad,” said Jones. “I called him into the office this week and told him what a contribution I felt he could make to this club. I'm delighted for him and also Lloyd Grist who is recovering from the loss of his mother only a few weeks ago. I thought his attitude was magnificent today under very difficult circumstances.” Holland could not hide his delight after the match, having turned down a move to a rival Welsh Premier League club last week to stay at Port Talbot Town. “I was itching to get on to show what I could do,” said Holland in the Evening Post. “When the opportunity arose I was screaming to Lloyd to pass to me and fortunately I hit it well. I have been biding my time on the bench waiting for the chance to come. I wanted to stay as there are a great bunch of lads here, a great manager and we are in a great position in the league.” Port Talbot Town are now in action away at current league leaders The New Saints on Saturday and can approach the match with confidence having won seven and drawn one of their last eight games as well as being the only club to defeat The New Saints in the Welsh Premier League this season.
Click here for Rhyl match report and photos
Click here for the 1st Team page

16th January 2010
Holland scores winner to move Blues upto fourth
Substitute Nicky Holland scored an 86th minute winner on Saturday as Port Talbot Town defeated Rhyl. Holland, who rejected an approach from a rival Welsh Premier League club last week to stay at Port Talbot Town, scored to earn Mark Jones side a 2-1 win over the reigning champions at The GenQuip Stadium and with it move into fourth position. Lloyd Grist returned to the starting line-up while Lee John could only settle for a place on the bench despite Gareth Phillips and Daniel Thomas being suspended but it was Liam McCreesh who opened the scoring after 17 minutes. A shot from Martin Rose rebounded off the post and McCreesh was on hand to slot the ball home as Port Talbot dominated the opening half. Rhyl improved in the second half and equalised through new signing Robert Turned on 60 minutes but Port Talbot soon came back into the match and it was substitute Holland who scored the winner with a superb curling shot into the far corner of the net.
Click here for Rhyl match report and photos
Click here for the 1st Team page

16th January 2010
Drugs and alcohol awareness course for youngsters
Port Talbot Town will be holding a mandatory drugs and alcohol awareness course for its young players. The event will be held in conjunction with the ‘Corus in the Community’ strategy and will be run by professional experts with a hard-hitting message focusing on the effects of drugs and alcohol in both sport and their impact on social behaviour. Port Talbot Town Football Club are committed to the football development and social education of all players within our academy structure by offering providing fully qualified coaching to help young players reach their full potential. The Welsh Football Trust monitors this system of development and also encourages clubs who seek to maintain UEFA Licensed academies to educate their players. This education should include subjects such as nutrition and diet advice for youngster as well as social behaviour. With this in mind the club will be holding a drug and alcohol awareness course at the clubhouse on Tuesday, 26th January 2010 starting at 6.00pm. It is mandatory that all players involved with the club at both Under-16 and Under-19 level attend the 45 minute session and the club would also like to extend this to include to all Under-14 players also. All players under the age of 16 must have their parents permission to attend and be accompanied by a parent to the session. All players should contact their team manager to confirm their attendance on this course.

16th January 2010
Under-19’s postponed at Briton Ferry
The Under-19 side suffered a further delay to their return to action as this weekends match was postponed. The side were scheduled to play at Briton Ferry Llansawel in the MacWhirter Welsh League Youth Division West on Sunday but the match was postponed on Saturday evening due to a waterlogged pitch despite Briton Ferry playing at home earlier that day. Mark Pike’s side have now been without a match for over a month but return to action next weekend when Bryntirion Athletic are the visitors to The GenQuip Stadium on Sunday.
Click here for the Under-19 team page
Click here for the MacWhirter Welsh League Youth Division West page

16th January 2010
Newtown match re-arranged for March
Port Talbot have agreed a Tuesday night fixture with Newtown to play November’s postponed away match. Mark Jones side will now travel to Newtown on Tuesday, 16th March 2010 leaving just two more fixtures to be re-arranged with dates for the home match against Elements Cefn Druids and the away match against local rivals Neath yet to be confirmed. Last week a new date of Tuesday, 9th March 2010 was agreed for the away match against Llanelli.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

14th January 2010
Blues ready for return to action
Port Talbot Town are set to return to Welsh Premier League action on Saturday when Rhyl are the visitors. Mark Jones side trained on the surface for the first time this year on Wednesday night as the rise in temperature begins to melt away the recent arctic conditions and that have left grounds up and down the country unplayable in recent weeks. Port Talbot Town last completed a match on 27th December when goals from Scott Barrow and Neil Thomas defeated local rivals Neath 2-0 and have suffered an abandonment and a postponement since. Currently third in thetable and just two points in front of Port Talbot Town, Welsh Premier League champions Rhyl are also keen to return to action after a period of inactivity and are expected to feature a host of new January signings. Striker Rob Thomas is a new addition from Irish side Sligo Rovers while manager Greg Strong has also secured a loan deal for Macclesfield midfielder Michael Thomas but his best signing is goalkeeper Jack Cudowrth who joins the side from Technogroup Welshpool. “I’ve filled all the positions now we needed to fill,” said Strong. “I’m more than happy with the squad I’ve got, although if anyone else did become available who I feel would benefit the club I’d obviously take a look. The new lads are looking good in training and I’m really impressed with Jack Cudworth, who I think can push on from us and play at a higher level.” Port Talbot Town will be without suspended duo Gareth Phillips and Daniel Thomas but manager Mark Jones is confident his side can continue their run of form in which they are undefeated in their last seven games. “Saturday will be especially difficult as Rhyl are deserved champions of our league,” said Jones. “They comprehensively defeated as at Belle Vue earlier in the season. The defeat was a rare result for us through and I know the lads are determined to make amends”. Kick off is at the earlier time of 2.00pm.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

14th January 2010
Competition grows on Doran approach
Three other clubs have joined Port Talbot Town in making an approach for Welshpool midfielder Peter Doran. The highly-rated youngster was the subject of an approach by manager Mark Jones last weekend but he now faces competition from Welsh Premier rivals Airbus UK Brighton and English pyramid clubs Northwich Victoria and Altrincham. Doran impressed for Technogroup Welshpool against Port Talbot Town earlier in the season prompting Jones to make an approach for the Liverpool-based player who could now stay in the area following the recent approaches from clubs closer to home.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

13th January 2010
Mark Pike delighted with Under-19’s desire
Under-19 Team manager Mark Pike has spoken about his teams progress despite the recent weather. A string of postponements have left Port Talbot Town without a MacWhirter Welsh League Youth Division West game for over month but spirits remain high amongst the players and Pike has praised the attitude shown at their recent difficult training sessions. “We have been training on the beach over the last few weeks in some treacherous conditions,” said Pike. “The players have shown great attitude and commitment to train in this weather along the beach front and it was a test of their character to train in such horrible conditions but these young players are starting show a desire train and play for our club and there is a great team spirit evident. Their enjoyment is there for all to see and we will go from strength to strength with this team. Young Chris Silva, 16, has been joined by Jack Germain and team captain Josh Wannacott in recent 1st Team training sessions also and the trio have benefited greatly from working with manager Mark Jones and coach Paul Reid. The link between the two sides offers the rest of the team a great incentive to keep up their recent hard work as the club look to develop its young players into Welsh Premier League regulars,” he added. The Under-19 are now in action on Sunday when they take on Briton Ferry Llansawel away from home depending on the weather. Kick off is at 2.00pm.
Click here for the Under-19 team page
Click here for the MacWhirter Welsh League Youth Division West page

12th January 2010
Midweek date for Llanelli fixture
Last Fridays postponed Welsh Premier League match between Llanelli and Port Talbot Town has been re-arranged. Heavy snow prevented the match at Stebonheath taking place last weekend and the two clubs have now agreed to play the fixture on Tuesday, 9th March 2010. Port Talbot Town now have three other Welsh Premier League to re-arrange following postponements at Newtown, Neath and at home to Elements Cefn Druids.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

11th January 2010
Jones delight as Bansor and Holland commit
Gary Bansor and Nicky Holland have turned down approaches from rivals clubs in the transfer window. The decision from both players to reject offers from rival Welsh Premier League clubs has delighted manager Mark Jones who believes both can make an impact this season. “I am delighted that both players have decided to stay at Port Talbot Town,” said Jones. “Both are young with a big part to play here this season and in the future. Their attitude shows what a great team spirit we have in the camp”.
Click here for more information on Gary Bansor
Click here for more information on Nicky Holland

10th January 2010
Freeze continues as fixture backlog grows
Manager Mark Jones took his side to the beach on Saturday as the freeze continues to leave the ground unplayable. Port Talbot Town now have four Principality welsh Premier League games to re-arrange following Fridays postponement against Llanelli and with further snow expected this week there is already some doubt regarding next weekends home match against Rhyl. The club now have to re-arrange away games at Newtown, Neath and Llanelli as well as a home match against Elements Cefn Druids. Training has continued despite the weather with Aberafan Beach providing the facilities for this weekends session.
Click here for the 1st Team page

10th January 2010
Danny Thomas handed one match suspension
Striker Daniel Thomas will miss Saturdays match against Rhyl at The GenQuip Stadium through suspension. The summer signing, who was sent off earlier in the season in the home defeat to Aberystwyth Town, will serve a one match suspension starting this weekend. Also suspended for two games is transfer target Peter Doran who will be unable to play until February if he signs for Port Talbot Town from current club Technogroup Welshpool.
Click here for more information on Daniel Thomas
Click here for the 1st Team page

8th January 2010
Jones moves for Welshpool midfielder Doran
Manager Mark Jones has started his January shopping with an approach for Welshpool’s Peter Doran. An influential midfielder, Doran, 21, impressed for Technogroup Welshpool against Port Talbot Town earlier in the season and he is a figure that Jones believes can add strength to his side while the deal could be confirmed ahead of next Saturdays home match against Rhyl. Technogroup Welshpool manager Huw Griffiths has admitted that he does not expect to hold onto Doran. “There is no way we can compete,” said Griffiths. “We have waived the seven days' notice of approach so we can identify a replacement as soon as possible”. Doran has also played for GAP Connah’s Quay and Caernarfon in the Welsh Premier League and has also had spells in England with Leigh RMI, Walsall and Worcester City and is the twin brother of Rhyl midfielder Phil Doran.
Click here for the 1st Team page

7th January 2010
Friday night at Llanelli postponed
The Friday night Principality Welsh Premier League fixture between Llanelli and Port Talbot Town has been postponed. A pitch inspection by FIFA referee Ceri Richards on Thursday evening confirmed what many had expected as snow together with the freezing temperatures left the pitch at Stebonheath unplayable ahead of the Friday night South Wales derby. “The pitch is frozen,” said General Manager Nigel Richards earlier in the afternoon. “The surrounding areas such as the concourses etc are also frozen and treacherous to walk on”. The two other Friday night fixtures between Elements Cefn Druids and GAP Connah’s Quay together with the match between Technogroup Welshpool and Aberystwyth Town have also been postponed while inspections for the remaining weekend fixtures will take place on Friday. A new date for the Llanelli fixture has yet to be arranged.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

6th January 2010
Under-19’s postponed due to frozen pitch
The Under-19’s derby against Afan Lido on Wednesday was postponed due to the continuing freezing weather. Overnight snow left the playing surface at The GenQuip Stadium unplayable leaving Mark Pike’s young side without a match since they were defeat 5-3 at West End on the 13th December. The side are now in action a week on Sunday, 17th January, at Briton Ferry Llansawel in the MacWhirter Youth Division West.
Click here for the Under-19 team page
Click here for the MacWhirter Welsh League Youth Division West page

5th January 2010
Freeze set to decide Friday night football
Port Talbot Town are in action at Llanelli on Friday night but the match will depend on the current arctic conditions. Temperatures remain at freezing in South Wales with further snow expected during the week as Mark Jones side prepare to have their fourth match of the season called off while the climate brings into question the argument of playing 44 league games next season. Fixtures at Newtown and at home to Elements Cefn Druids have already been postponed this season while the away match at Neath on New Years Day was abandoned due to snow after 70 minutes. Port Talbot Town could now have a backlog of fixtures as they continue to complete in the Welsh Cup before the season comes to a close in April. An initial vote of clubs decided that an extra ten league games should be accommodated from next season when the Principality Welsh Premier League is reduced to 12 teams but the disruption caused by the weather will almost certainly prompt a change before the decision is made.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

4th January 2010
Jones backs referee decision
Manager Mark Jones believes referee Richard Harrington made the right decision to abandon Friday’s derby. Despite leading local rivals Neath at The Gnoll through a Drew Fahiya goal with just 20 minutes remaining, Jones agreed that the game should not continue as the heavy snow moved in. “We're disappointed, but it was a fair shout by the young referee who came on after the original referee went off,” said Jones in the Evening Post. “We were not at our best in the first half despite the goal, but in the second I thought we were wonderful. Drew scored a great goal but we didn't kick on as I hoped in the opening half. But when it started to snow heavily there was only one decision as it was becoming farcical and possibly dangerous.” Harrington replaced original match referee Paul Thomas who picked up an injury during the match.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

4th January 2010
Dyer - “The equaliser was just around the corner”
Neath manager Andy Dyer was pleased with his sides performance on Friday despite being a goal behind. The match was abandoned on 70 minutes with Port Talbot Town ahead but Dyer was positive about his sides display and supported the idea to change the kick off to 5.30pm. “For 45 minutes we bossed them and it takes a big team to boss a side like Port Talbot,” said Dyer in the Evening Post. “We put them under great pressure and I always felt the equaliser was just around the corner.
We are not sticking the ball away at present but it will come and when it does we will be okay again. Ironically, if we had kicked off at the normal time of 2.30pm we would have finished before the snow arrived. "But we thought the 5.30pm kick-off would produce a better gate. We were right, as more than 500 were in the ground, and that's the kind of support we are looking for every week.” A new date for the fixture has yet to be arranged.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

4th January 2010
Reid handed two match touchline ban
Port Talbot Town coach Paul Reid has been handed a two match touchline ban by the Football Association of Wales. The suspension follows a failed appeal by Reid to overturn the original misconduct charge made against him during the home match against Aberystwyth Town in September when Port Talbot Town suffered a 2-1 defeat and had both Drew Fahiya and Daniel Thomas sent off. Reid will now be forced to watch both Friday’s match at Llanelli and the home match against Rhyl the following weekend from the stands.
Click here for more information on coach Paul Reid

4th January 2010
Change of kick off time for Rhyl visit
The home match against Principality Welsh Premier League champions Rhyl has been moved to 2.00pm. The match is fixtured for Saturday, 16th January 2010 and the request for a change in the kick off time has been requested by television broadcaster S4C who will be showing the game as the featured match on their highlights programme Sgorio Cymru that evening.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page

3rd January 2010
Youth derby moved to midweek
On Wednesday night the Under-19 side are in action at The GenQuip Stadium against local rivals Afan Lido. The match was originally fixtured for Sunday before being brought forward to Wednesday, 6th January as Mark Pike’s young side look to build on their recent performances. The match will be subject to the weather however with the freezing temperatures set to continue during the week. Kick off is at 7.00pm and admission is free.
Click here for the Under-19 team page
Click here for the MacWhirter Welsh League Youth Division West page

1st January 2010
Derby abandoned as late kick off costs game
The New Years Day derby between Neath and Port Talbot Town was abandoned after 70 minutes due to heavy snow. Port Talbot were a goal ahead when the officials decided that the game was no longer playable as heavy snow fell during the second half. The game was moved from its original 2.30pm kick off to 5.30pm at the request of Neath and it was this decision that would eventually cost the game. Port Talbot had dominated upto point of the abandonment with goalkeeper Lee Kendall also making a fine penalty save in the opening half after Drew Fahiya had put the side ahead. A new date for the fixture has yet to be arranged.
Click here for the 1st Team page
Click here for the Welsh Premier League page