13th October 2007
John opens four goal win with twelve second strike
Lee John scored Port Talbot’s fastest ever goal in the Welsh Premier League to set up a comfortable four goal win for Tony Pennock’s side. Kerry Morgan charged forward form the kick off and played the ball out wide to John who finished with the help of a deflection after just twelve seconds. Port Talbot failed to build on their incredible start however and it was Caersws who had the better opportunities in the opening half with Kristian Rogers called into action to make a great save after 15 minutes before Caersws came close again and rattled the post with a long range effort. Martin Rose created a good chance for himself on 30 minutes but failed to keep his effort on target and hit the side netting while Dylan Blain attempted a long range effort that sailed over the bar. Martin Rose extended the lead on 53 minutes when he found himself one-on-one with the keeper and despite the initial effort being saved, Rose was on hand to drive the rebound into the back of the net. Chad Bond made his entrance from the bench early in the second half to replace an unusually ineffective Kerry Morgan and Bond made a strong play for his place back in the starting line-up with a committed and battling performance and a superb individual goal on 66 minutes. Bond picked up the ball in the middle of the field before taking on three defenders and the goalkeeper and placing the ball into the corner of the net with a superb finish. Caersws continued to pressure the Port Talbot defence with a series of corners but failed to create any real chances. As they pushed players forward spaces were left at the back and a long ball forward found Rose again in a one-on-one situation and he finished in style by knocking the ball over the head of the advancing goalkeeper to make it 4-0. Caersws pulled a goal back but it was too little too late and while they did not deserve to lose the match by such a margin, Port Talbot manager Tony Pennock will have been delighted at how his side made the most of their opportunities on goal.

Caersws

1. Andy Mulliner
2. Jonathan Jones
3. Michael Sawtell
4. Darren Leonard
5. Andrew Thomas
6. Steve Towers
7. Sion Meredith
8. Aeron Edwards
9. Graham Evans
10. Neil Mitchell
11. Andy Davies

12. Chris Smout
(rep Leonard - 81)
14. Nathan Prodger
(rep Sawtell - 73)
15. Mark Griffiths
(rep Meredith - 63)

Goals

Mark Griffiths (86)

Yellow Cards

Mark Sawrtell (39)

Red Cards

None

Port Talbot Town

1. Kristian Rogers
2. Leigh De-Vulgt
3. Craig Hanford
4. Gareth Phillips
5. Matthew Rees
6. Lee Surman
7. Liam McCreesh
8. Dylan Blain
9. Martin Rose
10. Kerry Morgan
11. Lee John

12. David Burrows
(rep Rees - 73)
14. Chad Bond
(rep Morgan - 57)
15. Daniel Lancey
(rep McCreesh - 80)
16. Scott Barrow
(Unused)
17. Tony Pennock
(Unused)

Goals

Lee John (1)
Martin Rose (53)
Chad Bond (66)
Martin Rose (72)

Yellow Cards

Gareth Phillips (17)
Matthew Rees (31)
Lee Surman (47)

Red Cards

None

Referee

Mr Mark Whitby

Attendance

179

15th October 2007 - Daily Post
Match Report
Manager Mike Barton was left perplexed as Caersws continue to prop up the table after being cut down by the steelmen at the Recreation Ground. Despite falling behind after just nine seconds, the Bluebirds had enough opportunities to have got some reward only to end up well beaten as their defensive frailties were again left exposed. “At the moment we’re shooting ourselves in the foot,” said Barton. “We’re not taking our chances while at the same time were being punished for our sloppy mistakes.” The hosts had been caught cold as Kerry Morgan broke upfield straight from the kick-off and fed Lee John, whose shot deflected home after looping into the net off a defender. But the Bluebirds had enough chances after that with Graham Evans hitting the woodwork while also being denied in a scramble along with Steve Towers after Andy Davies had struck the bar. Davies forced a fine save from keeper Kristian Rogers but the hosts’ challenge faded in the second period as Martin Rose netted the first of his two goals. Substitute Chad Bond beat keeper Andy Mulliner to extend the margin on 66 minutes and Rose broke through the offside trap to wrap up the points six minutes later. Davies twice hit the post for the Bluebirds who gained some consolation when substitute Mark Griffiths fired home a consolation strike. fine strike from the edge of the box four minutes from time. Barton confirmed defender Darrern Leonard has left the club due to "aninternal matter", but experienced campaigner Colin Reynolds is set to return to action following his failed move to Newtown.

15th October 2007 - Western Mail
Steelmen Strike
The Steelmen secured a first league win on the road this season, but the scoreline does an injustice to the contribution of the battling bottom-of-the-table Bluebirds. Although Lee John fired the visitors ahead within 15 seconds of kick-off, Caersws dug in to pound the Port Talbot goal that for a long period had a charmed existence, as triumphant manager Tony Pennock conceded. “In truth, there was only one team in it for 50 minutes and that was Caersws. They hit the woodwork and we just weren’t at the races first half. But we had a frank discussion at half-time and the boys did much better second half. It was a total turnaround.” A Martin Rose double eased the Steelmen’s nerves, with substitute Chad Bond’s fine lob the other contribution to the visitors’ tally. Mark Griffiths snatched a late consolation for the Bluebirds.

14th October 2007 - Wales on Sunday

Caersws hit new low

Basement strugglers Caersws continue to prop up the table after finding themselves out-muscled by the Steelmen at the Recreation Ground. The Bluebirds had been in the hunt at the break despite falling behind after just 15 seconds to Lee John. After John had given Port Talbot the perfect start with the hosts caught cold, Andy Davies went close for Caersws, hitting the bar midway through the first period. But hopes of rescuing the game faded after the break as Martin Rose netted the first of his two goals in the 53rd minute from a rebound to put the Steelmen on course for the points. Substitute Chad Bond lobbed keeper Andy Mulliner to extend the margin on 66 minutes and Rose broke through the offside trap to wrap up the points six minutes later. Caersws gained some consolation when substitute Mark Griffiths fired home a left foot strike four minutes from time. But it was all too little too late as the stronger Steelmen returned home with their first league win on their travels.

14th October 2007 - www.welsh-premier.com
Steelmen on top of Bluebirds
Caersws remain rooted to the foot of the table after a comprehensive defeat by Port Talbot.
The Steelmen got the idea starr with a goal in 15 seconds, when Kerry Morgan broke to feed Lee John, who sent a looping shot over keeper Andy Mulliner. Andy Davies nearly replied for the Bluebirds on 24 minutes, but his shot was tipped over the bar by visiting keeper Kris Rogers and, after holding out for 53 minutes, Caersws leaked another goal when Martin Rose netted after a scramble in the box. Sub Chad Bond added another on 66 minutes, with Davies hitting a post from 25 yards as the hosts looked to reduce the deficit. But there was no way back when Rose added his second goal after beating the off-side trap, although sub Mark Griffiths did notch a consolation near the end.