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Port Talbot Town Football Club News Archive - May 2007
30th May 2007
Second friendly confirmed against ENTO Aberaman
New Port Talbot Town manager Tony Pennock will take his side to ambitious Welsh League side ENTO Aberaman for a pre-season friendly on Saturday, July 28th with a 2.30pm kick off.
29th May 2007
Giles latest on Football League release list
Former Port Talbot Town defender Martyn Giles has been the latest player to be released from the Football League, one week after former Port Talbot Town goalkeeper Simon Rayner was released by Lincoln City. Giles signed for Hereford United at the start of the 2006-2007 season from Carmarthen Town after two impressive season’s but despite a strong start to his return to the Football League, a long term back injury in October prevented Giles from fulfilling his potential and he made only 12 starts for the club through injury. Giles signed for Port Talbot in 2003 following his release from Cardiff City but made only four appearances for the club before he was offered the chance to play at a higher level with Morecombe. Mark Jones subsequent move to Carmarthen saw Giles return to Wales under his former manager and he became an important player in their domestic and European campaigns, prompting Hereford to offer him another chance in the Football League.
28th May 2007
Pennock disappointed with controversial decisions
Wales Semi-Pro and Port Talbot Town manager Tony Pennock was left disappointed after his Wales side suffered a 3-0 defeat to England on Sunday. Controversial decisions from the match officials cost Wales in a match that would have seen them retain their title with a victory but despite dominating for long periods and creating the better chances it was England who claimed the win and the tournament. Port Talbot Town winger Lee John more than impressed with his performances in the tournament. A man of the match display in the opening match against Scotland has added to his already growing reputation as one of the best players in the Welsh Premier League and further impressive displays against Ireland and England rounded off a successful tournament for the club.
27th May 2007
England defeat for Pennock and Wales
The Wales Semi-Professional team, under the guidance of new Port Talbot Town manager Tony Pennock and featuring Lee John in the team, were comfortably defeated 3-0 by England on Sunday to claim the runners-up place in the four nations tournament behind an England side made up of players from the Nationwide Conference. Wales started the tournament with a victory over host nation Scotland but were held to a 1-1 draw by Ireland to leave them a must win game against England on Sunday to retain their title. England cruised to victory however to win the tournament with three victories and more impressively three clean sheets with eleven goals in the process. Lee John had an impressive tournament however to build on his growing reputation as one of the best players in the Principality Welsh Premier League while former Port Talbot Town strikers Rhys Griffiths and Craig Hughes also impressed with their performances. In Sunday’s other match Scotland claimed a 2-1 win over Ireland to move them into third place.
25th May 2007
Wales held to leave must win match against England
Tony Pennock’s Wales Semi-Pro side were held to a 1-1 draw by Ireland on Friday evening as the Port Talbot Town manager rested Lee John, Chris Todd, Chris Holloway, Rhys Griffiths and Craig Hughes. Wales left it until the 73rd minute to equalise after Ireland had taken a first half lead when Chris Moore grabbed the all important goal to leave the side unbeaten in their opening two games. England continued their excellent form however as they strolled to a 3-0 victory over host nation Scotland to leave Wales the difficult task of having to beat England on Sunday to retain their crown. Pennock will name his strongest side for the match against an England side made up of players from the Nationwide Conference although the injured Gethin Jones of Bath City is unlikely to play any further part in the tournament. Lee John played as a 56th minute substitute when he replaced Michael Byrne of Northwich Victoria.
25th May 2007
Cardiff City friendly confirmed
Port Talbot Town will host Championship Cardiff City on Tuesday, 31st July at The RE/MAX Stadium with a 7.15pm kick off. Cardiff City manager Dave Jones has already started building his squad for the new season with the signing of Northern Ireland International Tony Capaldi and they will be keen to build a strong squad having struggled to hold onto their lead at the top of the Championship last season and will bring a strong and experienced side to The RE/MAX Stadium for the match. The match is the first of a number of friendlies to be arranged as new Port Talbot Town manager Tony Pennock prepares for his first season in management.
25th May 2007
Pennock looks for more of the same after win
Newly appointed Port Talbot Town manager Tony Pennock again takes charge of the Wales Semi-Pro side on Friday in their second match of the four nations tournament against Ireland. Wales claimed an impressive 1-0 win over Scotland on Tuesday in the opening match with Lee John producing a man of the match performance. Ireland struggled in their opening match however as they went down to a 5-0 defeat to England. As with other manager’s to take charge of Wales in this tournament, Pennock has promised everyone of his squad and with England looking to be the more difficult match on Sunday, more fringe players in the squad are expected to feature in Friday’s match although they will not be taking Ireland for granted. The competition has proved a breeding ground for many players in the past with Paul Parry and Steve Evans moving on to eventually play for the full national side.
22nd May 2007
Griffiths scores as Pennock starts with Wales win
Former Port Talbot Town striker Rhys Griffiths scored the only goal of the match from the penalty spot as Wales claimed an opening victory over host nation Scotland in the Four Nations tournament on Tuesday night. Lee John started the match for the side to earn his first cap at this level and played just behind two former Port Talbot Town players in Griffiths who is now at Llanelli and Craig Hughes of Newport County and earned the team the penalty when he was brought down in the area after a trademark run from his own half. New Port Talbot Town manager Tony Pennock, in charge of the Wales squad for the first time, was delighted with the result which was matched by England as they convincingly defeated Ireland 5-0 in the opening round of matches. Wales are now in action against Ireland on Friday evening in Brora before they take on England in Inverness on Sunday. Wales are the current holders of the trophy having won last years tournament.
22nd May 2007
Double exit for former Port Talbot favourites
Fomer manager Mark Jones and former goalkeeper Simon Rayner have both left their respective clubs. Mark Jones took over as manager of Carmarthen Town in 2004 and has enjoyed domestic and European success including a Welsh Cup triumph this season but has now parted company with the club with Chairman Jeff Thomas explaining that the club will be looking for a more locally based manager. Simon Rayner left Port Talbot the same time as Jones to sign a professional contract with Lincoln City but has been released from the League Two club after a handful of 1st team appearances and loan spells at Conference North side Alfreton Town and also at League Two Torquay United. Rayner made ten appearances for Torquay towards the end of the season but could not help keep them in the Football League.
22nd May 2007
John named in Wales starting line-up
Lee John has been named in the starting line-up for Wales opening match against Scotland on Tuesday evening. John will link up with two former Port Talbot striker’s as new Port Talbot manager Tony Pennock names Rhys Griffiths and Craig Hughes as the attacking partnership for the opening match. Exeter captain Chris Todd also starts in the match despite playing in his sides defeat at Wembley in the Conference play-off final against Morecombe on Sunday.
Starting Line-up (v Scotland, Tuesday 22nd May 19.45)
1. Tony Roberts 2. Ian Hillier 3. Chris Todd 4. Gethin Jones 5. Paul Keddle 6. Chris Holloway 7. Lee John 8. Adie Harris 9. Rhys Griffiths 10. Craig Hughes 11. Chris Moore.
Manager - Tony Pennock (Port Talbot Town)
21st May 2007
Pennock leads Wales to Four Nations Tournament
New Port Talbot Town manager Tony Pennock will take charge of the Wales Semi-Professional squad for this week’s tournament in Scotland. Wales won the tournament under the guidance of Andy Beattie last summer and Pennock will be keen to emulate the success with his squad of players. Lee John is the only member of the Port Talbot Town side to earn a place in the squad and will be keen to impress on his first cap at this level. The team play their opening match of the tournament on Tuesday evening against Scotland at Ross County’s Victoria Park before they take on Ireland at Brora and England at Inverness on Friday and Sunday respectively. Lee John will again link-up with former Port Talbot Town striker Rhys Griffiths, now at Llanelli, who has again claimed the Golden Boot for a second successive season with 30 league goals. Newport’s Craig Hughes completes the Port Talbot connection with his call-up for the squad after another impressive season in the Conference South.
18th May 2007
Off field success as Port Talbot claim UEFA award
Port Talbot Town Football Club claimed an off the field victory as the club’s UEFA Licence appeal was upheld in order for the club to claim the award for the first time since it was introduced in 2003-2004. The award is necessary to compete in European competition and is required from the top European sides as well as smaller nations such as Wales with varying criteria levels. Despite missing out on a UEFA Cup place in Tuesday’s Fair Play draw, the award means that the club have now set a new and acceptable standard for future season’s with excellent administration and a professional approach to the running of youth and junior football through the Academy. A great deal of work was necessary for the club to be successful and the award is credit to the hard work of the club’s UEFA Licensing Officer Wayne Edwards as well as those responsible for the running of the club’s junior and Academy sections.
17th May 2007
Gazza makes Port Talbot Town return
Gareth Phillips has returned to Port Talbot Town after a season at Merthyr Tydfil to become Tony Pennock’s first signing since taking over as manager. The former Swansea City and Newport County midfielder enjoyed two successful seasons at Port Talbot before switching to Merthyr Tydfil last summer and his return is a major boost for the club ahead of the new season. Pennock has a number of targets ahead of his first season in management but will first lead the Wales Semi-Professional squad in the annual four nations tournament in Scotland next week. Lee John is the only Port Talbot Town player named in the squad for the tournament that starts on Tuesday in Dingwall with a match against the host nation before Wales take on Ireland at Brora and England at Inverness the following Friday and Sunday respectively as Wales look to defend their title under the guidance of the club’s new manager.
10th May 2007
Rose and Bond set for Football League pre-season
Strikers Martin Rose and Chad Bond are both expected to spend pre-season with football league clubs after both impressed on recent trials. Rose spent a week at League One Doncaster Rovers in April and scored a hat-trick in a trial match to impress manager Sean O’Driscoll enough for him to ask him back to the club for pre-season training. Chad Bond was released by then Swansea City manager Kenny Jackett last summer but the return of Roberto Martinez to the Liberty Stadium resulted in Bond being asked to play a friendly behind closed doors for the club and he impressed his former Swansea team mate with a strong performance and he has also been asked to return to the club for pre-season. New Port Talbot manager Tony Pennock is expected to make moves to strengthen his squad over the summer months and the possible departure of both his strikers will be a concern ahead of the new season. The club would like to wish both players well in their latest opportunities.
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