28th October 2007
Celts claim comfortable win despite Clement heroics
Port Talbot went into this difficult FAW Welsh Youth Cup match with Sam Baker returning to the starting line-up against a Cardiff College Celts side managed by former Port Talbot Town players Lee Skyrme and Hayden Fleming. The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges and pressured Port Talbot from the start with a series of corners testing the Port Talbot defence and goalkeeper Lloyd Clement. The visitors failed to make their early possession count however and Port Talbot came more into the match as the opening half went on with Luke James an important provider to the front two with a number of well placed balls from the left. Aaron Jones came close for Port Talbot together with Ben James but on 27 minutes Cardiff College Celts took the lead from the penalty spot when Aaron Jones handled on the line. Port Talbot came back straight from the kick off with Ben James again coming close but the visitors doubled their advantage on 34 minutes when they were allowed enough space to extend their lead from close range. Port Talbot again lifted their heads however and within a minute of the re-start Ben James had reduced the advantage when he scored from close range after the goalkeeper had saved his initial effort. Lloyd Clement was again called into action while Josh Wannacott made a number of important tackles before referee Paula Small signalled for half-time. Port Talbot again battled hard in the second half but Cardiff College Celts used their pace to good effect and restored their two goal advantage on 68 minutes when they were allowed enough time and space. Lloyd Clement became the far busier of the two goalkeepers as the game wore on and made a number of important saves before the end of the match. The visitors made the game safe with their fourth goal on 85 minutes but Port Talbot will take a number of positives from the match as they battled well and created enough chances especially in the opening half to cause their experienced opposition problems.