Port Talbot Town 2-1 Llanelli - Welsh Cup 4th Round Match Report

Port Talbot Town reached the quarter-fina of the Welsh Cup with this superb victory over league champions Llanelli thanks to opening half goals from Liam McCreesh and Martin Rose. Manager Mark Jones brought midfielder Gareth Phillips back into the side in place of James Burgin in the only change from the previous week. Port Talbot started brightly with Drew Fahiya a constant problem for the Llanelli defence with his pace while at the back the side defended well and prevented the visitors from creating any real chances. With top scorer Rhys Griffiths injured, the attacking options for Llanelli were limited although the continued long throw of Andy Legg remained their main route forward. Port Talbot took a deserved lead on 20 minutes when Liam McCreesh found himself in space in the area and calmly placed the ball around the advancing goalkeeper to hand his side the lead. Llanelli were soon back in the match however as on 33 minutes a defensive error from a Legg throw allowed Mark Pritchard to level the score. With referee Darren Adie quickly becoming the star of the show with a series of ridiculous decision and unnecessary cautions, the game became increasingly difficult for the home side until just before half-time when a cross from Lee John has headed into the net by Martin Rose. Referee Adie used the second half to make himself the centre of attention as Llanelli went in search of an equaliser but Port Talbot defended well and worked tirelessly to hold onto their lead and succeeded to start scenes of celebrations on and off the field.

2nd February 2009 - Evening Post
Returning Jones has that six appeal
Manager Mark Jones was celebrating six matches unbeaten since his arrival for a second stint at Port Talbot as Llanelli were dumped out of the Welsh Cup at the GenQuip Stadium on Friday night . Jones said: "The lads were magnificent, every single one of them. It was a special match in the best cup tournament in Wales. "We deserved to win this one. "The players are the same as when I arrived but I think the difference is each and every one of them now knows their role in the team context. It's all about structure. "Our wingers did a great job of marking their full-backs as we identified that area as a threat, Martin Rose was tremendous up front and Matthew Rees and Lee Surman have been fantastic in every game at the heart of our defence. "Considering Matthew lost his father just three months ago I think he has been outstanding and I'd like him to be awarded the league's player of the month for January. "But all my players have made superb contributions to our good run." For Llanelli the absence of top scorer Rhys Griffiths through injury proved to be too great a handicap, but manager Peter Nicholas was not prepared to use that as an excuse for the defeat. "Obviously, any team would miss Rhys but the reason we are out is because we were not good enough on the night," he said. Liam McCreesh put the Steelmen ahead in the 20th minute with a delightful finish, but Andy Legg's long throw in the 33rd minute hurt Port Talbot. Legg's torpedo throw was flicked on by Wyn Thomas to Mark Pritchard who headed home the equaliser. But industrious Rose headed in what proved to be the winner on the stroke of half-time. Llanelli were territorially dominant in the second half but, without Griffiths, they were sadly lacking clout.

Port Talbot Town

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

Subs
12. Shelton Payne
(Unused)
14. James Burgin
(Unused)
15. Matthew Thompson
(rep McCreesh - 90)

Yellow Cards
Drew Fahiya (24)
Gareth Phillips (38)
Lee Surman (50)
Matthew Rees (55)
Leigh De-Vulgt (63)
Darren Davies (94)
Lee John (95)

Red Cards
None

Goalscorers
Liam McCreesh (20)
Martin Rose (45)

Llanelli

1. Ashley Morris
19. Nicky Holland
21. Andy Legg
4. Andrew Mumford
5. Stuart Jones
6. Wyn Thomas
7. Jason Bowen
8. Antonio Corbisiero
20. Jordan Follows
23. Stephen Evans
12. Mark Pritchard

Subs
3. Gary Lloyd
(Unused)
2. Matthew Jones
(rep Evans - 79)
15. Mark Jones
(rep Follows - 78)

Yellow Cards
Stephen Evans (66)

Red Cards
None

Goalscorers
Mark Pritchard (33)

Attendance
293

Referee
Mr Darren Adie