4th September 2007
Challenge Cup defeat for experimental side
A much changed Port Talbot side made a full-strength Llanelli team work hard for their victory but manager Tony Pennock will be more concerned over the poor defending that allowed Llanelli to take an opening half lead. Port Talbot handed starting debut’s to new signings Matthew Thompson and Michael Whapham and it was Thompson who looked the more comfortable against his former club. With Matthew Rees, Gareth Phillips and Chad Bond all left out of the squad Port Talbot named an unfamiliar defence and the lack of understanding between them enabled Llanelli to have the better of the early pressure as Kristian Rogers made two early saves. Port Talbot settled down however and a tireless performance from Kerry Morgan upfront allowed the on-loan Swansea City striker to create a number of openings in the early exchanges at the other end. Llanelli took the lead in fortunate circumstances when Craig Jones effort on goal was turned into his own net by defender Lee Surman on 29 minutes while under pressure from former Port Talbot striker Rhys Griffiths who claimed the final touch. Llanelli’s celebrations were stopped within a minute however as an excellent through ball from Matthew Thompson split the home defence and Morgan finished in style and celebrated with equal quality. Llanelli bounced back quickly though and after forcing a corner, Craig Jones effort from the edge of the area crept through a crowded penalty area and into the bottom corner past Rogers in the Port Talbot goal to give Llanelli the advantage on 33 minutes. The second half saw both sides make a number of changes and on 65 minutes it was another former Port Talbot player who completed the scoring when Andrew Mumford hit a fine strike from the edge of the area. Liam McCreesh, Dean Johnston and Scott Barrow almost pulled a goal back for the visitors while Martin Rose caused all sorts of problems when he came on for the last 20 minutes but Port Talbot could not find away through as Llanelli held on for the victory.

Llanelli

1. Ryan Harrison
2. Nicky Holland
3. Gary Lloyd
4. Andrew Mumford
5. Stuart Jones
6. Wyn Thomas
7. Craig Jones
8. Antonio Corbisiero
9. Rhys Griffiths
10. Mark Pritchard
11. Craig Williams

12. Jordon Follows
(rep C.Jones - 79)
14. Sam Small
(rep Pritchard - 59)
15. Gareth Williams
(Unused)
16. Lee Phillips
(Unused)
17. Chris Williams
(Unused)

Goals

Rhys Griffiths (29)
Craig Jones (33)
Andrew Mumford (65)

Yellow Cards

Antonio Corbisiero (11)

Red Cards

None

Port Talbot Town

1. Kristian Rogers
2. Dylan Blain
3. Dyfan Pierce
4. David Burrows
5. Matthew Thompson
6. Lee Surman
7. Dean Johnston
8. Scott Barrow
9. Liam McCreesh
10. Kerry Morgan
11. Michael Whapham

12. Martin Rose
(rep Whapham - 72)
14. Craig Hanford
(Unused)
15. Luke Pearson
(rep Blain - 90)
16. Sam Baker
(rep Thompson - 88)

Goals

Kerry Morgan (30)

Yellow Cards

Dyfan Pierce (71)

Red Cards

None

Referee

Mr Lee James

Attendance

225

4th September 2007 - www.welsh-premier.com
Former Steelmen sink old team mates
Port Talbot fielded an experimental line-up at Stebonheath Park, but Llanelli were made to work hard before securing the victory. Ex-Swansea youth Matthew Thompson was handed a Steelmen's debut against his former club, alongside new striker Mike Whapham. But without several regular defenders, Talbot often looked vulnerable and, after Kristian Rogers had made two early saves, the Reds took the lead in somewhat fortunate circumstances when a Craig Jones effort was turned into his own net by defender Lee Surman under pressure from former Port Talbot striker Rhys Griffiths, who claimed the final touch. Home celebrations were short-lived when an excellent through ball from Thompson split the defence and Kerry Morgan finished with aplomb. Llanelli responded four minutes later to regain the lead when a Craig Jones strike from the edge of the box found the net through a crowded goalmouth following a corner. Another ex-Steelman ended his old club's hopes when Andrew Mumford struck from 18-yards.