8th September 2007
Port Talbot held by Morriston as injury problems continue
With 5 key players out injured and on holidays the young under 14's squad rallied together to take on Morriston (Swansea league winners last season) who were confident in capitalising on our re-shuffled squad. With just 13 fit players available and the return of Perry Courtney from a knee injury we started the brighter side keeping possession for long periods but with no end product, Liam Griffiths, Ryan Morgan and Rhys Griffiths going close a number times and some fine saves from the Morriston keeper kept the result 0-0 at the end of the first period reducing Morriston to just 2 shots both not on target. The second period started with 3 changes and some positional changes to look at some players in unfamiliar territory, Morriston started to take charge and created a number of chances themselves, Sam Hodge now the busier keeper and making some outstanding saves to keep us in the game with Oliver Bowen the newly created sweeper keeping the strong Morriston attack force at bay. The 2nd period ended 0-0, some further changes saw the young boys dig in during the final period and turn the game around keeping the ball and creating many a good chance but again failed to take them and the game ended 0-0, not very often do we see 0-0 result with this squad, some work to be done with the strike force! Unfortunately the game ended slightly early due to yet another groin injury to our make-shift keeper Sam Hodge who volunteered to go in goal due to Aaron Ryan being on holiday. At the moment we have 4 players at the physio (2 will not make the trip) and two on holiday leaving us slightly short for the long trip to Airbus next weekend. This week will be busy trying to get the squad fit and ready for the North Wales side.
Mark Pike
Port Talbot Town Under-14‘s Academy Coach