25th August 2007
Five star Blues claim convincing win
Port Talbot Town dominated this Principality Welsh Premier League match to run out well deserved winners with a five star performance. Manager Tony Pennock made a number of surprise changes to his side following the defeat at Caernarfon Town the weekend before with both Scott Barrow and Dyfan Pierce dropped from the squad. New signing Kerry Morgan took a place on the bench while Liam McCreesh and Daniel Lancey both started. Port Talbot took the game to their opponents from the start with Martin Rose and constant problem for the visiting defence while at the other end of the field the return of Craig Hanford to the side after suspension more than prevented Newtown from creating chances of their own and they only claimed their first corner after 30 minutes of the match. Rose and Chad Bond were too much for the Newtown defence to handle while impressive runs from Lancey and McCreesh on either side of the field tested the visitors from the start. The opening goal arrived on 39 minutes as a corner was met in the area by defender Lee Surman and he was able to head the ball past the advancing goalkeeper. Minutes later a series of errors from the Newtown defence allowed Martin Rose to find himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Ian Havard and he made no mistake from close range. Within minutes of the re-start Rose grabbed his second of the match when his strong run again found him one-on-one with the Newtown keeper and again he was able to place the ball into the net with a excellent finish. Minutes later and a dominate home side scored a fourth when Dylan Blain found himself in space in the visitors area and he scored from close range with a well taken goal. The substitution of Rose and Lancey allowed Newtown to keep possession better and they had a 15 minute period of play where they were able to create chances themselves, often through some amazing decisions from referee Neil Morgan. A goal from Marc Lloyd-Williams on 75 minutes gave Port Talbot a brief scare but Newtown were unable to build on their comeback goal. Port Talbot introduced Swansea City youngster Kerry Morgan on 86 minutes and four minutes later he completed the scoring when he latched onto an under-hit back-pass to score his sides fifth goal of the afternoon and round off a dominating display.

27th August 2007 - South Wales Evening Post
Steelmen give a five-star display
Port Talbot's record of never having suffered a Welsh Premiership home defeat to Newtown remained intact at the Remax Stadium. The Steelmen established a two-goal interval lead and then maintained the momentum after the turnaround with three additional goals. The only blemish was allowing Welsh semi-professional striker Marc Lloyd-Williams, a recent signing from Bangor City, to pounce for the Robins in the 75th minute. Port Talbot shaded the early proceedings and Liam McCreesh saw a fierce shot blocked by goalkeeper Ian Havard and Craig Hanford's cross was also held by the Newtown keeper. The breakthrough finally arrived on 39 minutes after Lee Surman's cross was deflected behind by Kevin Scott. Leigh De-Vulgt flighted the corner in and Surman connected with a quality header for his first goal at home for the Steelmen. Port Talbot were celebrating again two minutes before the turnaround when a mistimed clearance by former Caersws defender Hugh Clarke struck colleague Danny Jellicoe and Rose reacted instantly to sweep the ball home from 12 yards. Within a minute Newtown almost moved off the mark, only for Port Talbot keeper Kristian Rogers to produce a point-blank save and push over the top a fierce shot from skipper Glenn Tolley. Port Talbot increased their lead five minutes into the second half when McCreesh sent a through ball for Rose to pounce on and drill in from the edge of the penalty area. Their domination proved fruitful once more when a break forward saw Dylan Blain net a quality goal with a rising shot that flew beyond Havard. Newtown finally opened their account in the 75th minute; Tolley sent the ball into the path of Lloyd-Williams for the striker to take his goal total to 256. With three minutes left on the clock, Swansea City on-loan youth product Kerry Morgan found the support of Blain. He shot well and Havard spilled the ball but instantly reacted well to smother it at the second attempt. With a minute left, eagle-eyed Morgan latched on to a poor back pass by Kevin Scott intended for the keeper. The teenager advanced swiftly, grasping the opportunity to slide the ball wide of the diving Havard to register a goal on his first appearance for the club. “It was a very encouraging win, and I was especially pleased to see the players bounce back following a disappointing second-half performance at Caernarfon in our previous match,” said Port Talbot manager Tony Pennock. “We totally dominated the first half just like last week, but establishing a two-goal interval lead in this game was the big difference. Daniel Lancey and Liam McCreesh were a big plus by constantly causing problems to the Newtown defence. After Lee Surman had produced a thunderous header to put us ahead, Martin Rose bloomed with a goal either side of half-time. He's a young lad who came from Grange Quins and is rapidly improving and is a massive asset to our strikeforce.” Pennock added: ''There was a sloppy 15-minute spell where we allowed Newtown a way back, with Marc Lloyd-Williams scoring a goal. “It was good to see Kerry Morgan came off the substitutes' bench and score in his first game for us. He was only on for 20 minutes but in that time he chased a series of lost causes before anticipating a poor back pass and then made a lightning strike in the final attack of the match.”

27th August 2007 - Rob Owen, Western Mail
Match Report
Port Talbot showed why the bookmakers are making them an outside bet for Europe with a sizzling five-star show. Inspired by the brilliant Martin Rose, who fired home a brace as Town netted four times in a sensational 14-minute spell either side of the interval, the Steelmen looked top notch. Lee Surman (39) started the avalanche and other goals followed from Dylan Blain and new signing from Swansea City, Kerry Morgan. Marc Lloyd-Williams bagged a Robins’ consolation. “It was a thoroughly professional performance and I was delighted we bounced back so well from last week’s disappointment at Caernarfon,” said hosts boss Tony Pennock. “I’m looking to improve our results at home. So far, so good.”

27th August 2007 - Daily Post
Match Report
Newtown came a cropper at the Remax Stadium on Saturday. The Robins could have few complaints after being second best for much of the game against Port Talbot, who turned up the heat in the sunshine. With defenders Hugh Clarke and Danny Jellicoe hampered by injuries, the latter limping off in the first half, the visitors were often struggling and their challenge faded after Lee Surman headed the opener from Daniel Lancey’s cross – the first of four goals in 14 minutes. Craig Moses had a chance for the visitors but was denied by keeper Kristian Rogers, but Martin Rose scored either side of half time and Dylan Blain added a fourth in 53 minutes to put the game out of reach. Marc Lloyd Williams pulled one back but Talbot had the last word when substitute Kerry Morgan made it five in injury time.

25th August 2007 - www.welsh-premier.com
Five star Steelmen hammer Robins
Newtown boss Darren Ryan was left with plenty of questions to ponder after his rebuild side crashed in the Port Talbot sunshine. It was too easy for the Steelmen once defender Lee Surman had headed home a Leigh de Vulgt corner on 39 minutes and Martin Rose quickly added a second when he seized on a defensive error before the break. Rose completed a brace on the resumption from a Liam McCreesh pass before Dylan Blain heaped more woe on the Robins with an 18-yard shot. Marc Lloyd Williams did pull a goal back with a curling shot, but Talbot had the last word when debutant Swansea loanee Kerry Morgan intercepted a back pass and fired past under-siege keeper Havard.