15th April 2008
Fourth place in Blues hands after Welshpool win
Port Talbot Town produced a much improved performance against a physical Welshpool Town side in this midweek match to move two points clear in fourth place although the match was not without incident as Scott Barrow was taken to hospital midway through the second half with an ankle injury. Port Talbot started the better of the two sides with the pace of Lee John a constant threat while Dylan Blain offered support to striker Martin Rose with a number of attacking runs from midfield. The difficult playing surface did not prevent Port Talbot keeping the ball well however as Rose proved a constant threat to the home defence. At the back Carl Evans and Matthew Rees were far more composed together than at Rhyl a few days before and prevented the home side having any real influence on the match. Port Talbot took the lead on 44 minutes when a superb run by Lee John on saw him pull the ball back across the area after beating three defenders for Martin Rose to place the ball past the Welshpool keeper. The home side were back on level terms on 55 minutes when Ross Stephens placed the ball past Kristian Rogers to spark an eventful period in the match. Within minutes of the re-start an awful tackle on Scott Barrow from Chris Venables brought the Welshpool midfielder a red card for his actions while Barrow was taken to hospital such was the extent of his ankle injury from the challenge. From the resulting free-kick Matthew Thompson found Dylan Blain in the area and he made no mistake with an excellent finish on 63 minutes. Liam McCreesh replaced Barrow and was hugely instrumental in Port Talbot continuing to push forward and on 72 minutes Martin Rose scored his second goal of the game to complete the scoring. The frustrations of the home side became all to clear as full time approached when Gareth Phillips was stamped on in front of the fourth official by Ross Jeffries. No action was taken by the officials although Welshpool manager Tomi Morgan substituted the player for his actions.

Welshpool Town

1. Danny Jones
2. Kyle Jacobs
3. Paul Dowridge
4. George Hughes
5. Ross Jefferies
6. Geraint Windsor
7. Chris Venables
8. Ross Stephens
9. Steve Rogers
10. Calvin Davies
11. Richard Harris

Subs

12. Dave Cunnah
(rep Hughes - 79)
14. Max Powell
(rep Jeffries - 88)
15. Brett Jeffries
(Unused)
16. Christian Webster
(rep Davies - 87)
17. George Clifton
(Unused)

Goals

Ross Stephens (55)

Yellow Cards

Chris Venables (53)
Dave Cunnah (88)

Red Cards

Chris Venables (58)

Port Talbot Town

1. Kristian Rogers
2. Mark McGibbon
3. Leigh De-Vulgt
4. Gareth Phillips
5. Matthew Rees (c)
6. Carl Evans
7. Lee John
8. Dylan Blain
9. Martin Rose
10. Matthew Thompson
11. Scott Barrow

Subs

12. Craig Hanford
(rep Blain - 90)
14. Paul Evans
(rep Phillips - 90)
15. Rory Healey
(Unused)
16. Liam McCreesh
(rep Barrow - 61)
17. Josh Payne
(Unused)

Goals

Martin Rose (44)
Dylan Blain (63)
Martin Rose (72)

Yellow Cards

None

Red Cards

None

Referee

Mr Kevin Parry

Attendance

159

15th April 2008 - www.welsh-premier.com
Steelmen eye highest finish
PORT Talbot can achieve their highest ever Welsh Premier finish after defeating Welshpool Town 3-1. Martin Rose led the way with a brace but the game turned in the second half dismissal of the Lilywhites' midfielder Chris Venables. Rose put the Steelmen in front a minute before the break, with Ross Stephens replying for the hosts on 55 minutes. After the red card for a poor tackle on Scott Barrow, Pool were under the cosh and Dylan Blain restored the advantage on 63 minutes following a free-kick. Rose scored his second of the game nine minutes later to complete the scoring and put Talbot two points clear of fifth-placed Bangor.