Port Talbot Town 2-0 Caersws - Principality Welsh Premier League Match Report

Defender Lee Surman failed a fitness test before the match due to a hamstring strain and he was replaced by Gary Bansor who made his first start for the club. Karl Lewis also retained his place in the side despite Gareth Phillips return to the squad following a three match suspension. Top scorer Martin Rose missed the match due to a one match suspension. Port Talbot started the better of the two sides and pressured the Caersws defence with a couple of early crosses and corners but did not make the breakthrough until 25 minutes when Lee John struck a fine shot from outside the area into the bottom corner of the net. It was no more than Port Talbot deserved and on 31 minutes they increased their lead as Gary Bansor headed home with a well taken goal to score his first goal for the club. Caersws pushed forward in search of a goal before the break but could not find a way past the well organised home defence. In a low key second half manager Mark Jones brought on Matthew Thompson, Gareth Phillips and Shelton Payne but despite their dominance they could not increase their comfortable lead. James Burgin came closest to adding to the goals with a well struck free kick that was well saved by John Rowley in the visitors goal. It was one of the few bright moments of a generally poor match but Port Talbot will take positives from another clean sheet together with two well taken goals despite being without their leading scorer.

16th March 2009 - Western Mail
Port Talbot boss Mark Jones salutes his players
Port Talbot manager Mark Jones saluted his players, who have been transformed under his leadership, losing just once in their last 12 league matches. “The lads have played five games in the last 15 days, have picked up 13 points and I cannot speak too highly of their efforts,” he said. “We were 2-0 up after half an hour, but it all went a bit flat second half as the heavy programme began to take its toll. This was a good win against a side who are fighting for their lives and we were without Martin Rose, Lee Surman and Gareth Phillips. Thankfully, we now have a week’s rest.” Lee John struck home a superb 25th-minute opener and he supplied Gary Bansor, who headed home magnificently seven minutes later, to send Caersws diving head first into the bottom two.

Port Talbot Town

1. Kristian Rogers
2. Leigh De-Vulgt
3. Scott Barrow
4. Karl Lewis
5. Matthew Rees (c)
6. Gary Bansor
7. Lee John
8. Darren Davies
9. Drew Fahiya
10. Liam McCreesh
11. James Burgin

Subs

12. Matthew Thompson
(rep Davies - 64)
14. Gareth Phillips
(rep Lewis - 70)
15. Shelton Payne
(rep Fahiya - 76)

Yellow Cards
None

Red Cards
None

Goalscorers
Lee John (25)
Gary Bansor (31)

Caersws

1. John Rowley
2. Graham Jones
3. Jonathan Jones
4. James Taylor
5. Matthew Holt
6. Jamie Haynes
7. Dave Hughes
8. Aeron Edwards
9. Chris Melia
10. Christian Courtney
11. Mark Davies

Subs

12 Daniel Dawson
(rep Hughes - 70)
14 Dave Taylor
(Unused)

Yellow Cards
None

Red Cards
None

Goalscorers
None

Attendance
121

Referee
Mr Lee James