Port Talbot Town 0-0 The New Saints - Principality Welsh Premier League Match Report

New manager Mark Jones took charge of Port Talbot Town for the first time since his return to the club for this difficult home match against former champions The New Saints. Darren Davies was dropped to the bench as Drew Fahiya returned to the starting line-up and it was Fahiya who could have put his side ahead within seconds of the kick off but his effort was saved from close range. Port Talbot continued to cause the visitors problems with Martin Rose, Lee John and Fahiya a constant problem while at the back Matthew Rees produced a solid performance to deny The New Saints the chance to create many chances. It would be the opening half that would be the most productive for the home side but they were unable to find a way past Paul Harrison in the visitors goal before the break. Darren Davies appeared as a second half substitute in place of Scott Evans at half-time as The New Saints began to bring themselves back into the match. Kristian Rogers was called into action despite the visitors being restricted to long range efforts but made a tremendous save during the second half to deny The New Saints from opening the scoring. Shelton Payne replaced Fahiya in the closing stages as Matthew Thompson also made his introduction in place of Lee John as the visitors pushed for a winner but could not find a way through as the referee brought the entertaining match to a close leaving Mark Jones satisfied with his sides performance on the day.

22nd December 2008 - Evening Post
Mixed feelings for Jones after battling Port Talbot hold TNS
Port Talbot manager Mark Jones could not have had a tougher baptism to his second period in charge at the GenQuip Stadium. But a scoreless draw at home to four-times champions The New Saints was a very satisfactory outcome, although Jones had mixed feelings over the result. "I thought we deserved to win but to take something off one of the top three teams in the league was a nice way to start," he said. "At half-time we could have been 4-1 ahead and it's unbelievable that a game that was so entertaining ended without a goal. "The lads were excellent and gave me total commitment and I cannot ask for more than that. "If we continue to play like that we should soon start to climb away from the bottom part of the table." Jones added: "I said we need three or four players in the January transfer window but who knows if that's the case if we play like that. "My first target is to keep the club safe from relegation and we can then move on from there." The Steelmen had two golden opportunities in the opening minutes, both falling to Drew Fahiya. The young striker found space behind the Saints' defence but was brilliantly denied by goalkeeper Paul Harrison, and the stopper then thwarted another attempt after Martin Rose created the chance. But in the second period home keeper Kristian Rogers had to be lively to save from John Toner. Visitors' manager Andy Cale said: "A draw was a fair result."

22nd December 2008 - Western Mail
Boss Andy Cale defiant as New Saints continue to suffer
Has the bubble burst for The New Saints? That’s the question many will be asking as the four-times champions desperately strive for some kind of consistency. Just one point from their last three matches and only three wins on the road from nine starts indicates manager Andy Cale has a mountain to climb. Cale remains defiant, though, saying: “We still have five players out so I thought the players performed well today. “A draw was probably a fair result.” Reflecting on his squad, Cale added, “I may need to bring in one or two players in the January window.” Three of the absentees were through suspension, strikers Michael Wilde and Jamie Wood, plus defender Barry Hogan, so Saints’ pain is in some ways self inflicted. They have now failed to win at the GenQuip Stadium since 2003 and new Port Talbot boss Mark Jones was delighted to keep the sequence going. “It was my first game and I’m pleased we got something from one of the Welsh Premier’s top teams,” he said. “We should have won the game. We had three really good chances early on and could have gone 4-1 up at half-time.” “As 0-0 games go, this was very entertaining and it’s incredible that no goals were scored with the chances created. Jones added, “The lads were excellent. We were competitive, focused and organised. “I thought I would have to bring in three or four in January, but, if the players perform like this, who knows?” Drew Fahiya could have been a two-goal hero, but was twice brilliantly denied by Paul Harrison, the second superbly set up by Martin Rose. But it was not all one way traffic, especially in the second period as home keeper Kristain Rogers earned his wages with several excellent saves. While Cale will be happy for a Christmas bonus against Welshpool, Jones will be eyeing a points harvest against strugglers Neath.

Port Talbot Town

1. Kristian Rogers
2. Leigh De-Vulgt
3. Scott Barrow
4. Gareth Phillips
5. Matthew Rees
6. Lee Surman
7. Lee John
8. Scott Evans
9. Martin Rose
10. Liam McCreesh
11. Drew Fahiya

Subs

12. Shelton Payne
(rep Fahiya - 86)
14. Darren Davies
(rep Evans - 46)
15. Matthew Thompson
(rep John - 90)

Yellow Cards
Gareth Phillips (83)

Red Cards
None

Goalscorers
None

The New Saints

1. Paul Harrison
2. Phil Baker
3. Tommy Holmes
4. Duane Courtney
5. Michael Taylor
6. John McKenna
7. Scott Ruscoe
8. Alex Darlington
9. Alfie Carter
10. John Toner
11. Craig Williams

Subs

12. Ryan Marriott
(rep Baker - 78)
14. Craig Whitfield
(Unused)
15. Cameron Dalton
(Unused)

Yellow Cards
Michael Taylor (57)
John McKenna (62

Red Cards
None

Goalscorers
None

Attendance
167

Referee
Mr Mark Petch