22nd December 2007
Blues do everything but score in Newtown stalemate
Leigh De-Vulgt and Scott Barrow were brought back into the starting line-up for this match while Liam McCreesh was the surprise player to be named on the bench as manager Nicky Tucker continues to asses his squad ahead of the January transfer window. Youth team midfielder Rory Healey was also added to the squad following his recent performances for the Under-19 side. Port Talbot started the better of he two sides and that remained the trend for the majority of the match. On an awful playing surface football was limited for both sides with the visitors making the better chances with crosses from wide positions for Martin Rose and Chad Bond. Newtown were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty midway through the opening half when Lee Surman appeared to handle the ball when defending a corner but referee Neil Morgan decided to play on despite continuing appeals from the home side. Morgan’s whistle was a regular sound throughout the match with most challenges from both sides resulting in a free kick. Martin Rose almost opened the scoring for Port Talbot but home goalkeeper David Jones was in superb form all afternoon and the only reason that Newtown came away from the match with a point for their efforts. Port Talbot remained the dominant force throughout the second half and after pressuring from a series of well taken corners from Matthew Thompson, Port Talbot were unable to make the most of a number goalmouth scrambles that followed. Chad Bond had the best chance of the match to win the game when he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but Jones was again upto the task to make another fine save. Newtown threatened on the counter-attack towards the end of the game and Kristian Rogers was called into action to make a save in the final minute. Port Talbot could not make the breakthrough however despite dominating the match and Newtown will be relieved to take something from a match they deserved nothing from.

Newtown

1. David Jones
2. Craig Williams
3. Damien Daniels
4. Hugh Clarke
5. Shane Sutton
6. Matthew Lewis
7. Tommy Mutton
8. Glenn Tolley
9. Craig Moses
10. Marc Lloyd-Williams
11. Colin Loss

12. Adam Worton
(rep Lewis - 86)
14. Richard Williams-Cooke
(rep Mutton - 69)
15. Daniel Griffiths
(Unused)
16. Robbie James
(Unused)
17. Richard Astley
(rep Loss - 84)

Goals

None

Yellow Cards

None

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. Lee John
8. Matthew Thompson
9. Martin Rose
10. Chad Bond
11. Scott Barrow

12. Dylan Blain
(Unused)
14. Liam McCreesh
(rep Barrow - 88)
15. Rory Healey
(Unused)
16. Sam Baker
(rep Bond - 90)

Goals

None

Yellow Cards

Matthew Thompson (65)
Leigh De-Vulgt (90)

Red Cards

None

Referee

Mr Neil Morgan

Attendance

210

23rd December 2007 - Wales on Sunday
Dave saves the day
Keeper Dave Jones produced a string of fine saves to help Newtown earn a share of the spoils in this lively affair at Latham Park. The first half struggled to come to life until Scott Barrow sent over a low cross which was met by Martin Rose, but Jones was on hand to block. After the break, Port Talbot enjoyed a good spell and a quick succession of corners saw both Lee Surman and Matthew Rees denied by the impressive Jones. With the Steelmen continuing to strive for the breakthrough, the home keeper was again needed as he pushed away Chad Bond’s low shot. The Robins, however, nearly won the game in the closing minutes. Sub Richard Astley fed Moses but his shot was blocked by Kristian Rogers.