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24th November 2008 - Western Mail
Defeat seals Tucker exit
Last week Port Talbot manager Nicky Tucker was celebrating his side’s first win at Rhyl. This week, following another setback, he was sacked. Such is the life of a football manager and, following the dismissal of Welshpool boss Tomi Morgan two weeks ago, the managerial merry-go-round is well and truly in motion again. Port Talbot, lying 13th, were expected to build upon last season’s narrow European qualification miss, but it has all gone horribly wrong for the Steelmen. Chairman Andrew Edwards said, “It’s been a disappointing start to the season as we set our standards in the last two seasons, finishing sixth and fourth. We need to improve the situation as soon as possible, although we won’t be making an appointment for a week or two.” Tucker, who knew he was under pressure, nevertheless was shocked by his dismissal. “I’m totally gutted to be honest,” he said. “After last week we were on a high, then we produce a result like this. It was a very disappointing performance and it’s hard to say where it went wrong. We had plenty of chances, but we were not clinical enough. The club has decided I must go and I accept that I have to, don’t I? I have the utmost respect for the chairman Andrew Edwards and I have been proud to work for him and Port Talbot Football Club. It’s a great club and there are a great set of players here, but we could not find the winning formula and that was my job. What I will do now I don’t know. It’s too soon to say, but I will be spending more time with my family as managing a Welsh Premier club is a full-time job.” Ace predator Marc Lloyd Williams netted the opener in the 11th minute with a fine 15-yard drive, but Martin Rose (29) levelled. But Steven Kehoe ended Port Talbot’s hopes and Tucker’s reign at the GenQuip Stadium with goals in the 32nd and 52nd minutes.
24th November 2008 - Evening Post
Steelmen sack Tucker
Nicky Tucker became another managerial casualty when he was sacked from his post at Port Talbot following his side's shock 3-1 home defeat by Porthmadog. Within seven days Tucker's fortunes have gone full circle, with a 3-2 win at Rhyl the week previous giving rise to hopes of better things to come. But the defeat to the North Walians was the final straw for chairman Andrew Edwards who had anticipated an exciting campaign following a number of summer signings. Edwards said: "It's been a disappointing start to the season as we set our standards in the last two seasons, finishing sixth and fourth. We need to improve the situation as soon as possible although we won't be making an appointment for a week or two.'' Port Talbot are struggling in 13th spot following this latest setback, having won only four of their 13 matches to date. Nevertheless, the announcement was a shock as the former Llanelli boss was expected to be given until Christmas to improve matters on the field. Tucker was shocked by his dismissal but had nothing but praise for his former club. "I have nothing but total respect for Andrew Edwards and have enjoyed working with him," he said. "I wish the club well for the future. I like everything about the club and there is a wealth of talent amongst the players who I have enjoyed working with immensely. Nevertheless, I am gutted by my sacking as I felt I would be given a little longer. Having done so well at Rhyl last week everything was set for a move forward but we were again not at our best today, although we created chances. Why it has all gone wrong this season is hard to say. I wish I had the answer. Maybe whoever takes over will unlock the mystery and I wish whoever comes in all the best." Tucker added: "Someone has to take the blame when things go wrong and it's usually the manager. This is a results business and we have not delivered this season." In front of another meagre home crowd Marc Lloyd Williams and Steven Kehoe put the visitors 2-1 ahead by the 32nd minute, Martin Rose's 29th-minute goal giving the hosts a lifeline. But Kehoe's goal seven minutes after the break sealed Port Talbot's and Tucker's fate.
22nd November 2008 - www.porthmadogfc.com
Match Report
"A good three points from a good all round team performance -though we can still play better" was manager Paul Whelan's verdict on his team's excellent away win at the GenQuip Stadium. He added "There were three good goals and the two by Steve Kehoe were real crackers." Porthmadog got off to the best possible start with John Rowley having a shot blocked and Chris Jones shooting just wide in the first five minutes. But there was not long to wait before Marc Lloyd Williams opened the scoring for the visitors. His tenth minute goal was his 11th in the league this season. Rhys Roberts's header fell to Jiws on the left of the Port Talbot box and he struck the ball cleanly across Kristian Rogers into the far corner of the net from 15 yards. Porthmadog continued to dominate the early play but
gradually after the 20 minute mark the home side started to put some good moves together with Burgin and Lee John threatening down the flanks. They forced a series of corners which the Porthmadog defence dealt with competently but on one occasion Dave Vickers had to go down at Matthew Thompson's feet to save and Mark Thomas made a good block at the near post. Port Talbot's leading scorer, Martin Rose, lifted a 20 yard shot over the bar but two minutes later made amends when he got his head to an excellent James Burgin cross from the left and beat Vickers from 6 yards. But the scores remained level for only three minutes when Rhys Roberts played the ball in from the left to Steve Kehoe, in space, 30 yards out. The midfielder unleashed a supershot which thundered into the roof of the net giving Rogers no chance at all. There were no additions to the score before half time though Rogers had to pluck a Carl Jones free kick from under his cross bar and Matthew Thompson, for Port Talbot, turned Burgin's cross wide of the post. The home side brought reliable defender Matthew Rees on for the second half and this to an extent stabilised things at the back for them. They pushed forward in search of the equaliser and when the dangerous Martin Rose crossed to the far post, after 52 minutes, James Burgin's header was off target. Rose again threatened after 59 minutes bursting into the box only to be denied by the alert Vickers who was promptly out to take the ball off the striker's foot. A minute later and Steve Kehoe had doubled the Porthmadog lead. Once again it was the excellent midfield combination of Rhys Roberts and Steve Kehoe. Kehoe moved on to his partner's pass to fire low wide of Rogers' outstretched left hand to score -this time from a mere 25 yards. Rose however continued to threaten and twice more Dave Vickers had to race from his line to deny the striker. First after 67 minutes he turned a close range shot round the post and in the 73rd minute with Rose clear he dived low to push the ball away. Port had their moments again late on. Carl Jones tricked his way past three defenders before cutting in from the left but Rogers saved well at his near post. Marc Lloyd Williams fired wide from the edge of the box and in injury time the same player crossed from the left to give Steve Kehoe a hat trick opportunity but this time the game's outstanding player could only turn the ball past the post. This was a good win against an experienced and talented Port Talbot team. Port were strong at the back and playing through their excellent central midfield combination fully deserved to take the three points which means they have taken 10 points from the last 4 games. An unfortunate by-product of this result is the Port Talbot manager Nicky Tucker has lost his job.
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