WELSH
SOCCER NEWS PAGE FOR AUGUST 2007
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AUG-31 |
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Swansea
set to sign Boro keeper
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Swansea City
are on the verge of signing Middlesbrough goalkeeper David Knight, BBC Wales
Sport understands.
The 20-year-old former
Oldham and Darlington youngster is also an ex-England youth international.
But he has struggled to
break into the first team at the Riverside and has now become surplus to
requirements.
Swansea boss Roberto
Martinez has been on the lookout for a new goalkeeper ever since Willy
Gueret left the club to join MK Dons.
Knight is expected to pen a
one-year-deal with Swansea City on Friday and is understood to be the only
signing the club make on deadline day.
Dorus De Vries is the
current number one at the club with youngster Callum Hawthorne deputising on
the bench.
BBC
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AUG-31 |
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TNS
cleared for Park Hall debut
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THE New Saints will open their
new £3.5million Park Hall stadium with a Mid Wales derby against Caersws on
Saturday.
The Principality Welsh Premier
champions were left sweating on the findings of a Welsh FA meeting on
Thursday as the top brass mulled over Park Hall.
However news filtered through early on Thursday afternoon that the
association had come out in favour of allowing TNS to switch to Park Hall.
Welsh Premier secretary John Deakin had previously passed the stadium fit
for the Welsh Premier after the club vowed to install seating to bring the
ground upto UEFA standard.
The FAW Premier Cup committee also agreed Park Hall was suitable for matches
but the club's state-of-the-art second generation surface was under
question.
However with UEFA backing the use of such a surface the Welsh FA also
decided to give Park Hall its blessing with a bumper crowd now expected to
descend on Park Hall for Saturday.
The decision also officially severs ties between The New Saints and
Llansantffraid - the club's home for a decade since Total Network Solutions
rebranding of the village club following the launch of its sponsorship in
1997.
County
Times
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AUG-31 |
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Druids
will be a tough call "Nicholas"
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Following
the euphoria of beating Rhyl last weekend, Llanelli manager Peter Nicholas is
refusing to let his side underestimate the challenge of Newi Cefn Druids on
Saturday. Druids make the 128-mile trip to Stebonheath Park as firm underdogs
despite having beaten champions The New Saints on the opening night of the
season.
Llanelli have started the season well and following the 2-1 win at Rhyl, they
are high on confidence with six points from six.
Last weekend's victory came courtesy of goals from Rhys Griffiths and sub
Craig Jones while fellow replacement Chris Holloway made a significant effort.
Jones celebrated his first goal for the club while Holloway
made his debut after missing out for the last few months with a foot injury.
Nicholas was beaming at the strength he now possesses on the bench, but
quickly pointed out his side would not take the challenge of Druids lightly.
"It was a very pleasing result for us and I was delighted with the
attitude and concentration levels of my players," said Nicholas.
"Craig and Chris came off the bench and offered us something different
and I am very happy with that. You look to your bench and, hopefully, you have
players who can add to your gameplan - they did that.
"Perhaps we were a little light on the bench last season but we have
addressed that issue. But that doesn't mean we are in for an easy ride on
Saturday. Newi are a tough side. You just have to ask The New Saints that, and
we know we have a tough task ahead."
The win at Rhyl came at a cost however. Midfielder Antonio Corbisiero was sent
off late on for a handball which led to Rhyl's goal and he will be suspended
for two games.
Llanelli
Star
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AUG-31 |
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Will
Carey throw a Spann in the works?
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BRIAN CAREY was today debating
whether to include Silvio Spann in his first Wrexham line-up.
The Trinidad and Tobago
international, who has penned a three year deal at the Reds and has been
granted a work permit, yesterday played in a specially arranged practice
match against Stockport.
The club is just waiting for clearance from the Football League regarding
the registration of midfielder Spann, who had trials with Sunderland and
Sheffield United in the summer.
And although Carey would not put a date on Spann's involvement with the
first team, the Irishman is glad that the 26-year-old can now concentrate on
his career.
"Silvio only trained on Monday and then played against Stockport,"
said Carey today. "We did not really have a good chance to see how he
was until yesterday.
"Pre-season has been stop-start for Silvio but it is great to have him
back and part of it.
"The quicker he settles in and is involved the better. But we will have
to see how he is before he is involved with the first team."
County
Times
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AUG-31 |
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Tate
blow leaves Swan's thin at the back
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Roberto
Martinez was today hoping to step up his bid to land a central defender
after Alan Tate was ruled out for six weeks - leaving Swansea with just
Garry Monk and Dennis Lawrence available. With Tate out until mid-October
and Kevin Austin currently deputising at left-back in place of Marcos
Painter, Martinez is desperately looking to add cover for his defence before
the transfer window closes at midnight tomorrow.
On top of that, the Spaniard is believed to be close to signing a back-up
keeper while he has admitted an interest in Blackpool striker Keigan Parker.
The Scottish striker was Blackpool's second-top scorer with 16 goals in all
competitions last season and scored in their 2-0 League One play-off final
win against Yeovil.
Martinez said: "He is one of the many players that we
keep an eye on. We do need to strengthen up front and we do need to
strengthen at the back. If the right man becomes available we will bring him
in. We are not going to bring in anyone just for the sake of it because we
are meeting a deadline."
Evening
Post
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AUG-31 |
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Fowler
& Hasselbaink to be a huge success
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CARDIFF
CITY striker Robbie Fowler believes he and fellow frontman Jimmy-Floyd
Hasselbaink can build a hugely successful partnership for the Bluebirds.
The duo
made their competitive debuts for City in Tuesday night’s 1-0 win over
Orient in the second round of the Carling Cup.
Fowler
and Hasselbaink failed to score in a match which saw midfielder Peter
Whittingham grab the winner in the 90th minute.
But
despite still having to break their City scoring duck, Fowler and
Hasselbaink carved out some neat openings and linked up well to give Cardiff
supporters a glimpse of what might be this season.
And
Fowler was disappointed neither he nor Hasselbaink found the net.
“I
thought we did OK as a partnership to be fair. We got in there a few
times,” said Fowler.
“ I
think it is always going to be a little bit difficult when a new partnership
starts out, but we created and almost took a few of the chances in our first
competitive match together.
“Hopefully
we can build on that and with a little bit more match sharpness have it come
together.
icwales
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AUG-31 |
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Injury
crisis takes hold at Merthyr
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MERTHYR
Tydfil manager Garry Shephard could face a season on the sidelines as the
club’s injury crisis takes hold.
The
31-year-old striker will find out on Friday (August 31) whether his season
is over after fewer than two matches of the new campaign.
He
faces at least six to eight weeks out with medial ligament and cartilage
damage to his right knee he sustained in Merthyr’s defeat at Team Bath.
But
a consultant will be able to tell him on Friday the full extent of his
injury – which could involve damage to his knee cap – after he had an
MRA scan on Tuesday night.
Despite
the Martyrs’ promising start to the BGB Premier Division with seven points
from 12, the club’s injury worries deepened after Jamie Rewbury was
stretchered off in the 2-0 success at home against Bromsgrove Rovers.
Shephard
revealed the former Swansea and Cardiff youth player will be out for around
six weeks having sustained ankle ligament damage.
“Its
got to be a crisis at the moment with the injuries we’ve had and Ryan
Dorrian retiring,” said Shephard.
“Club
captain Andrew Thomas was out for the first two games and Dean Clarke has
had a knock.
“But
that’s all part of being a manager and now it’s the players’ reaction
which matters.
icwales
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AUG-31 |
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Rhayader's
Phil Woosnam elected as WPL Chairman
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Mr. Phil Woosnam has been
elected by the Football Association of Wales Council as the new Chairman of
the Principality Building Society Welsh Premier League, following its
meeting in Deganwy today. The ex-Rhayader Town Secretary who has been on the
FAW Council for four years, has been on the Board for three years,
representing Mid Wales.
Mr. Woosnam succeeds
previous incumbent Alun Evans, who served for three years before his FAW
Council election defeat to Mike Harris in July. Also re-elected to the Welsh
Premier Board are North Wales Representative, Mr. Ken Hughes from Wrexham
and South Wales Representative Mr. David Griffiths from Maesteg, which
provides the Board with continuity and experience. The new addition to the
group is Mr. Mike Casey, from Treharris in South Wales, who was also elected
today.
Mike Harris sits on the
Board as the League of Wales Member of FAW Council, whilst the three Members
elected by the Clubs at the Welsh Premier League AGM in June are Port Talbot
Town Chairman, Andrew Edwards (South Wales), Aberystwyth Town Board
Chairman, Mr. Tony Bates (Mid Wales) and Porthmadog Chairman, Mr. Phil Jones
(North Wales).
The new Principality Welsh
Premier League Board
Chairman - Mr. Phil Woosnam
FAW Council Member - Mr. Ken Hughes
FAW Council Member - Mr. David Griffiths
FAW Council Member - Mr. Mike Casey
Welsh Premier League Representative on Council - Mr. Mike Harris
South Wales Clubs Representative - Mr. Andrew Edwards
Mid Wales Clubs Representative - Mr. Tony Bates
North Wales Clubs Representative - Mr. Phil Jones
Welshpremier.com
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AUG-30 |
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Wales
incentive for Owain
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AS Wales
scrapped their way to a memorable win in Bulgaria last week, there was an
interested observer back home in Swansea.
Just as
significant though to this particular TV viewer were the pre-match words of
Wales boss John Toshack on his ever-expanding youth brigade, “Putting these
lads in ... like Owain Tudur-Jones across the middle of the park in the future
wouldn’t bother me at all.”
Over the
past 12 months Tudur-Jones’ battle has gone a lot further than the weekly
one for midfield possession, his actual livelihood put on the line by knee
damage which was eventually treated by the eminent American surgeon Richard
Steadman.
Tudur-Jones
made only five appearances last season and hasn’t figured in Swansea colours
since Bournemouth were beaten 4-2 at the Liberty Stadium last November.
But, like
an elephant, Toshack doesn’t forget and Tudur-Jones would appear to have a
big Wales future if he puts injury misery behind him and builds on a career
still very much in its infancy.
“It’s
really positive news for John to talk about me,” said Tudur-Jones, who has
still yet to make 25 league appearances since leaving Welsh Premier side
Bangor City in a bargain £5,000 deal in August 2005.
“But I
suppose there’s only so much time he can keep me in his plans without me
ever playing for Wales.
“I think
that’s a given because people can get fed up if I’m constantly injured,
it’s not his fault or my fault but that’s the way football works.”
Tudur-Jones,
of course, has been called into Welsh squads in the past only to see injury
strike at the wrong moment.
icwales
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AUG-30 |
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City
step up player hunt
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CARDIFF
CITY chairman Peter Ridsdale and manager Dave Jones are working flat out to
bring in at least one new signing ahead of the closing of the transfer window
tomorrow night.
At midnight
the transfer window slams shut and will not reopen again until the start of
January.
After a
mixed start to the season with two defeats at home and a win on the road at
QPR, Jones is committed to adding to his squad.
The search
for a ‘target’ man seems to have stalled and Jones has turned his
attention to bringing in another centre-half to help shore up his defence.
The search
has been made more urgent with injury to skipper Darren Purse during
Tuesday’s 1-0 Carling Cup victory over Orient.
Jones has
admitted he wants fresh faces, but is playing his cards very close to his
chest after missing out on targets in the past.
Jones said,
“Yes, I’m looking to being someone in. How long will that take? Well,
we’ve got until Friday.”
Ridsdale
confirmed he expected at least one fresh face at Ninian Park before the
transfer window closes.
“I am in
hourly contact with Dave in a bid to move towards our mutually agreed
targets,” said Ridsdale. “I would expect movement over the next few days,
but in a way it’s like Tales of the Unexpected, you never know exactly what
is going to happen.”
Ridsdale
had previously been adamant players would need to be off-loaded from the City
wage-bill before any new signings could be made, but has now seemingly
softened his stance.
icwales
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AUG-30 |
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Swans
still looking for players
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Swansea
City's recruitment drive is still active after one target decided against a
transfer and two other moves were rubbished by chairman Huw Jenkins.
Reports of interest in Blackpool pair Keigan Parker and Adrian Forbes were
labelled as ''news to us'' by the Liberty Stadium chief while the potential
transfer of Dunfermline centre-half Sol Bamba is no longer on the cards. Press
reports in the north-west linked striker Parker and former Swansea midfielder
Forbes with moves to the club before the transfer window shuts on Friday
night.
A £250,000 bid for Parker, who is also a target for Nottingham Forest, was
touted as the Scot is out of contract next summer and could leave for nothing.
Parker joined the Seasiders, who were promoted last season from League One,
three years ago from St Johnstone and has scored 39 goals during that period.
Ex-Swan Forbes, believed to be in Gillingham's radar, left the Liberty Stadium
last summer in bitter circumstances while Kenny Jackett was manager.
He played a key part in Blackpool's play-off final victory in May, but has yet
to feature in the squad this term.
Jenkins, however, has dismissed a move for the pair.
''It's news to us,'' he revealed. ''I think as with every story it is a case
of having a list of players Roberto (Martinez) is looking at and players who
may have been looked at in the past. As things stand we have made no official
bids.''
However, confirmed interest in Ivory Coast Under-21 centre-back Bamba has
proved unsuccessful.
Swansea had made enquiries about the former Paris Saint Germain and were
believed to have watched him in the Uefa Cup clash with Swedish outfit Hacken.
But a move was quashed yesterday when the 22-year-old French-born defender
signed a new two-year contract at East End Park.
It is a blow to Martinez who is still aiming to sign a goalkeeper, centre-back
and striker before the deadline.
Evening
Post
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AUG-30 |
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Beadle
expects huge improvements
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Peter
Beadle, manager of Blue Square South club Newport County, will warn his team
he expects a huge improvement ahead of tough trips to Lewes and Bath City.
The Exiles have picked up eight points from their opening five games,
conceding just twice in the process, including yesterday's 2-0 win over
Basingstoke Town.
However, it is clear Beadle's side are not yet playing to their full potential
and that fact is recognised by the manager.
He explained: "It was good to get back to winning ways, but the second
half showed we are not the finished article yet, we can improve a hell of a
lot.
"We dominated the game in the first half and scored two good goals, but
we need to do that more consistently.
"In the second half we weren't under threat but we can kill teams off
better.
"It has been a tough weekend with two hard games and I am relatively
pleased, but cautious because I know we can play better. We were on the back
foot too much at 2-0.
"We have plenty of attacking players in the squad and we are learning to
play with more attacking purpose.
"Defensively I have no room to complain at all, but they will improve as
well.
"When we are firing on all cylinders we will be vastly improved for
greater periods of the game.
"We will get better and after five games we are doing OK, we've taken
eight points which is not too bad."
Beadle is expecting a tough task with trips to Lewes and Bath City next up for
his side.
"No disrespect to the teams we've played so far, but I think we will
raise our game in the next two matches against really good teams," he
said.
"These are two of the toughest games in the season and I expect our
performance to improve as the better the opposition, the better we tend to
play.
"We've been too comfortable at times this season and I want the lads to
be more consistent and dominant for longer periods.
"I can see us raising our game in the next two fixtures, if we perform as
well as we can we are as good as anybody in the division."
South Wales
Argus
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AUG-30 |
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McKenna
admits "start is disappointing"
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Admittedly,
the champions had a disappointing opening-night defeat being followed by a 5-1
thrashing at rejuvenated Aberystwyth.
But Ken
McKenna. while bitterly disappointed at the start, is certainly not preparing
to write their obituary yet.
“We are
only two matches into the season and there are 32 to go. We need to put a few
things right and then watch us perform," says the long-serving boss.
One thing
is certain – there is a major gulf between the Cymru Alliance and the Welsh
Premier league as Llangefni are finding out.
icwales
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AUG-30 |
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Parry
pulls out of Wales squad
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Paul Parry has withdrawn from
the Wales squad for next month's Euro 2008 qualifiers with Germany and
Slovakia.
The Cardiff wide man, 27,
missed the friendly win in Bulgaria, but was recalled this week after good
form.
Parry, who has nine caps, has
cited personal reasons and is replaced in the squad by Wrexham's Chris
Llewellyn.
Wales boss John Toshack has
named an otherwise full-strength squad, James Collins, Craig Bellamy, Jason
Koumas, Carl Fletcher and Carl Robinson back.
They all missed the 1-0
victory in Bulgaria, either injured or unavailable.
There is no recall for Wigan
striker David Cotterill, the 19-year-old having been axed from the senior
squad last season by Toshack amid speculation that the national manager was
unimpressed with the player's attitude.
BBC
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AUG-29 |
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Carmarthen's
Strike force one!
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Carmarthen
Town manager Deryn Brace is tipping his strikers to fire the club to glory
this season.
A 3-0 win at newly promoted Llangefni on Saturday saw new signing Tim Hicks
and Danny Thomas notching the goals.
For Thomas, who has been converted from a midfielder, the brace he picked up
indicates he will have few problems with his new position.
And Brace is expecting his frontmen to get greedy and bag the
majority of the goals this season.
Last season under Mark Jones, Kaid Mohamed topped the scoring charts
uncontested but he has since moved to Swindon Town.
But Hicks, Thomas and Mattie Davies are now the main options for the Welsh Cup
winners, who are now off the mark thanks to the win in North Wales.
"I've asked Danny to play up front this season and he took his goals well
on Saturday," said Brace.
"It's important that Danny, Tim and Mattie do get the majority of our
goals for us - we need two or three players hitting double figures.
"Tim has always got 10-15 goals no matter where he is so we are hoping he
can repeat that form, while I am confident Danny can do the business as
well."
Evening
Post
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AUG-29 |
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Marc
Lloyd Williams sets his sights
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FORMER
golden-boot winner Marc Lloyd-Williams is one of the most experienced strikers
in the Welsh Premier league and has played for several clubs in Wales.
Now he is
aiming to help Newtown to succeed after several topsy-turvy seasons.
And he has
made a cracking start to the season, but needs someone alongside him also to
score goals.
Lloyd-Williams
netted in Newtown’s opening game at home to Bangor City and the only other
score attributed to Newtown was a Peter Hoy own goal in a 2-2 draw.
Then last
Saturday the sharpshooter was also on target at Port Talbot, but again no one
else looked like netting and the Latham Park outfit crashed to 5-1 reverse.
“It’s great to have Marc
scoring goals, but someone else must contribute as well otherwise it will
never work,” said a frustrated Newtown spokesman.
icwales
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AUG-29 |
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Town's
first South Wales derby of the season
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Carmarthen head to another newly
promoted side on Friday night as they take in their first South Wales derby of
the season. Neath Athletic are the hosts and Brace is expecting a tough game.
"Neath are in the same position as us," said Brace. "They have
won one and lost one, but from what I have heard they were a little unlucky to
lose at Connah's Quay Nomads last weekend.
"We are anticipating a very tough game. It's a derby and these types of
games are always hard-fought.
"Neath are looking to establish themselves in this division but we are
off the mark now because of our win in Llangefni. The aim for the next five or
six games is to make us a hard side to beat."
For the trip to Neath, Brace welcomes back Neil Smothers from suspension but
there is an injury doubt surrounding Nicky Palmer.
Kick-off at Neath is 7.30pm.
Evening
Post
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AUG-29 |
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Hasselbaink
& Fowler please Jones
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Cardiff manager Dave Jones was
happy with the debuts of strikers Robbie Fowler and Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink in
the 1-0 home win over Leyton Orient.
"They are still two
games away from flying, but we saw good runs and forward thinking off
them," said Jones.
"They didn't score, but
on another day they could have got a hat-trick each.
"The important thing was
that they got 90 minutes each and they feel OK after it - although I think
they'll be taking the lift not the stairs at the hotel!"
Jones said that the strike
duo will be in the squad for Saturday's Championship game at Norwich, but
would not be drawn on whether they will feature.
While the former Premiership
pair looked sharp in front of goal and had numerous chances, Orient goalkeeper
Stuart Nelson was in inspired form.
In front of a frustrated
6,000 crowd at Ninian Park, the Bluebirds needed a last-minute Peter
Whittingham goal to see them through to the Carling Cup third round against
the visitors' 10 men.
"Wherever we seemed to
aim the shots they were just hitting some part of Nelson's body," Jones
told BBC Sport Wales.
"You get games like that
and - full credit to Leyton Orient - they dug deep and battled.
"I just said to the lads
that they had to keep going. They kept their concentration at the back and,
after that, the goal was always going to come."
BBC
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AUG-29 |
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Carey
rues second-half collapse
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Wrexham boss Brian Carey said
his side showed Aston Villa too much respect as they were beaten 5-0 at the
Racecourse on Tuesday night.
The Dragons were outclassed
in the second half, conceding four times to end hopes of a Carling Cup upset.
"We did so well for a
period in the game and I think we showed them too much respect," Carey
told BBC Sport.
"If you let a
Premiership player do what he wants you pay dearly for it."
He added: "The manner in
which we conceded the goals is something we won't do again, I'll make sure of
that because I am really disappointed for everyone that turned up.
"We did well down the
left through Eifion Williams but the goals were sickening really.
"We changed it around to
try to get back into the game and it backfired."
Williams also said he was
disappointed with Wrexham's second-half display.
"First half I thought we
did really well, got in behind them, created chances and we looked
dangerous," said the striker.
"Second half we let
ourselves down and gave away sloppy goals and you can't do that at any level
you play at, especially against Premier League teams because you are going to
get punished."
Shaun Maloney scored twice
for Villa either side of half time with Luke Moore, Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon
Harewood grabbing the other goals.
Manager Martin O'Neill heaped
praise on Maloney.
"Shaun kept going from
where he left off scoring on Saturday against Fulham," he said.
"His first goal was
superb and his second wasn't bad and it set us on our way."
BBC
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AUG-29 |
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It’s
heartbreak for Swans
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SWANSEA
CITY were cruelly denied a place in the third round of the Carling Cup when
10-man Reading scored an extra-time winner after Roberto Martinez’s men had
dominated the game.
It was the
first time a Premiership team had visited the Liberty Stadium and the Swans
often looked like the better side.
When Sam
Sodje was sent off for a second yellow card, the Swans controlled the game,
but Leroy Lita struck against the run of play in the first half of extra-time
to send Steve Coppell’s men through.
The Swans
deserved more, but once again their inability to convert chances into goals
cost them dear.
Martinez
stuck with his squad rotation policy for cup games and made five changes to
the team who beat Walsall on Saturday.
The back
four remained the same, but Ian Craney, Joe Allen, Paul Anderson and Kris
O;Leary joined Andy Robinson in a five man midfield with Guillem Buaza acting
as a lone striker.
Reading
also made several changes from the team that lost 3-0 to Bolton at the
weekend, but Coppell’s side was still brimming with talent.
Strikers
Lita and Dave Kitson make their respective returns, while American
international Bobby Convey made his first start since February.
icwales
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AUG-29 |
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We
stand together say County board
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CHAIRMAN Chris Blight and the
rest of the Newport County board will stand side by side with travelling
supporters on Sunday in a huge snub to their Lewes counterparts.
The County officials have
decided not to represent the club in an official capacity and will ditch the
Lewes boardroom in favour of the terrace.
The decision comes after
manager Peter Beadle urged supporters NOT to boycott the Blue Square South
fixture between the two clubs.
County are furious that not
only has the game been postponed until Sunday on police advice, but that it
kicks-off at 12pm.
The kick-off time makes it
extremely difficult for supporters in the Principality to make it down to the
south coast.
Relations have been sour
between the two clubs since a stormy encounter last season at Spytty Park that
resulted in a number of allegations being made by Lewes to their local
newspaper.
The Football Association
investigated the alleged incidents but no action was deemed necessary.
Last season County visited
the Dripping Pan at 3pm on a Saturday and it was an incident free afternoon.
Therefore the County board
have taken the decision to stand with their supporters on this issue.
Director Colin Everett
explained: "We are disappointed that Lewes have not fully withdrawn their
statement made last season which we feel is potentially libellous.
"We also feel that Lewes
were complicit with East Sussex police in arriving at a view that this fixture
is high risk and they failed to consult us about possible changes which we
found discourteous and unprofessional.
South Wales
Argus
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AUG-29 |
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Swan's
dealt Tate injury blow
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Swansea
City defender Alan Tate has been ruled out for six weeks after a scan revealed
he has fractured his knee cap. The injury was picked up during the Carling Cup
first round victory over Walsall and he has not featured since.
With Tate out it further emphasises the need for manager Roberto Martinez to
add a central defender to his squad before Friday's transfer deadline.
"I've tried to come back three times in training," said Tate.
"I thought it was going to be a bruise but I've just got to carry on now.
"I carried on in training and probably made it worse but
that's how I am, I know what it is now.
"Hopefully after the six weeks I'll have a few games in the reserves and
then try and get back in the first team with the rest of the lads."
Manager Roberto Martinez said he was not surprised by the injury.
"We knew there was something wrong and to be fair it could have been
worse.
"Six weeks with Alan will be five so I'm looking forward to getting him
back quickly."
"You cannot keep Alan out of training or playing and he really had to
stay out."
Evening
Post
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AUG-28 |
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Ganet
brings in the foreign legion to rescue Crows
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GUILERMO
Ganet is planning a multi-cultural future for MacWhirter Welsh League Cwmbran
Town.
The Spanish
coach, who has been in charge at Berkhamstead Town and, briefly, Welsh League
Uwic, has recruited a squad which includes players born in Brazil, Ivory
Coast, Congo, Nigeria, Cameroon and Portugal.
Cameroon-born
Jean Black N’Gody, a former Kettering Town midfield player, has already
fired eight goals in seven games for Cwmbran, while Moses Molongo and
Christopher Omuta have three each.
Two
players, Tybbo Koffi from Ivory Coast and Nigerian Lukman Najeed, have
switched from Berkhamstead with Ganet.
The Crows
have not made a sizzling start to their first season at MacWhirter Welsh
League level after suffering relegation.
They have
crushed struggling Pontypridd Town twice, scoring 12 goals and conceding none
over the two games, but they lost at Taffs Well 1-0 and drew 4-4 in the Gwent
derby against Croesyceiliog.
Their
latest match was another Gwent clash, against Caldicot Town. Anthony Shadrach
scored Cwmbran’s first and Ngody curled in one of his specials from a
free-kick before Caldicot had two players sent off.
Ngody added
the third, but there are going to be far tougher tests for Cwmbran this
season.
One of
those will be against Dinas Powys at Cwmbran Stadium this Saturday (2.30pm).
icwales
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AUG-28 |
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Caernarfon
hit the top spot
|
|
Caernarfon
Town put last season's relegation struggles behind them to fly to the top of
the Principality Welsh Premier on goal difference with a Bank Holiday Monday
derby win at Porthmadog.
Goals from Chris Noone and Jon Rowley, plus an own goal from Port striker Paul
Roberts, sealed the three points for the Canaries, with a late Iwan Williams
effort the only consolation for Port.
However, the hosts were not helped by early injuries to key defenders Mike
Foster and Ryan Davies, who were both substituted within the first half-hour,
and player-manager Clayton Blackmore was also forced to replace himself 2
minutes before the break.
Blackmore's side have now lost their opening three fixtures of the campaign,
all at home.
They have been beaten by both of the newly-promoted sides, Neath Athletic and
Llangefni Town, in the league and Loosemores League Cup respectively, followed
by Monday's reverse to their rivals from up the coast.
NLD
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AUG-28 |
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Martinez
looking to beat deadline
|
|
SWANSEA
CITY boss Roberto Martinez expects to be a busy man as the hours to the
transfer deadline tick away.
Martinez
was delighted as Swansea claimed their first League One success of the season
at Walsall, but he is keen to strengthen before the transfer window slams shut
on Friday night.
High on his
wish-list is a mobile central defender, another striker to increase
competition and a back-up goalkeeper.
Swansea
didn’t even have a keeper on the bench at Walsall with Martinez concerned
that rookie Callum Hawthorne’s progress will be stunted by a permanent
understudy role to Dutchman Dorus de Vries.
“We will
bring a goalkeeper in, that’s an area we need to strengthen.” said
Martinez. “It would be very risky to go all season without a second keeper.
When asked
about other areas in his squad, Martinez replied, “We have a couple of
options and we’ll keep looking into it.
“It’s
too premature to mention names, but we’ve made approaches and everything
should be finalised by Tuesday.
“If we
can improve, what we’ve got we’re going to take that opportunity.”
icwales
|
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AUG-28 |
|
Craig
Jones shines for Llanelli
|
|
Former
Afan Lido midfielder Craig Jones was the toast of the Llanelli dressing room
following a mesmerising second-half performance as his side toppled
big-spending Rhyl 2-1 at Belle Vue.
Coming
on six minutes into the second period, Jones tormented the Lilywhites defence,
setting up chances for Craig Williams and Andrew Mumford, who were brilliantly
denied by former Haverfordwest keeper Lee Kendall.
Jones was
naturally thrilled with his contribution. ''It was my first goal for Llanelli
and I'm landed,'' he said. ''It was a brilliant feeling and a massive boost to
get the result.''
The victory also pleased manager Peter Nicholas. ''An away win is always a
good win, but to come to Rhyl and take away all three points is very
satisfying,'' he said.
icwales
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AUG-28 |
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Feeney
could go on loan
|
|
DAVE
Jones is keen to move two or three players out on loan this week – and that
may even include striker Warren Feeney.
Cardiff
City manager Jones is also unhappy with Cardiff's failure to score goals at
home – and their defensive failures which handed winning goals at home to
Stoke City and Coventry City.
Jones
wants to bring in a central defender to increase competition for places, while
he will maintain a watching brief on Derby County target man Steve Howard.
Derby
are keen on signing David Nugent from Portsmouth and they may have to let
Howard and perhaps even Robert Earnshaw move on to finance their bid.
With
Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink each set to make their Cardiff City
debut against Orient today, Cardiff are unlikely to make a move for Howard
this week – in the run-up to the end of the transfer window – but that
could change if the price is right.
A
key factor, though, before any players come in is that Jones must find new
clubs for others.
Goalkeeper
David Forde has joined Luton Town on loan and he played in their 3-1 win
against Gillingham, while City would allow Kevin Cooper, teenage striker Matt
Green and Feeney to move out for the right offers.
Cooper
is on the transfer list, City are keen for Green to play first team football
and gain experience, while Feeney needs a run of starts to lift confidence.
icwales
|
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AUG-28 |
|
FAW
Premier Cup draw
|
|
AIRBUS
UK Broughton, making their debut in the FAW Premier Cup this season, have been
handed a tricky first-round trip to Haverfordwest County.
Elsewhere,
Bangor City entertain Aberystwyth Town, Connah's Quay Nomads host Carmarthen
Town and Porthmadog have home advantage in their tie with Port Talbot Town
(all October 2).
Clubs
eliminated in the first round receive £5,000, while there is an added £2,000
for reaching the second stage of the BBC-sponsored competition.
icwales
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AUG-28 |
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Bay
make it 10 goals in a week
|
|
GARY FINLEY
believes his Colwyn Bay side can still improve after watching them hit their
Leicestershire opponents for six on Saturday.
Their
biggest league win since December 2005 followed the 4-0 midweek demolition of
Warrington Town and put them in second place in the Unibond Division One South
table.
But the
manager commented: “There is still more in us. W e’ve got young players
who are still learning and will get better.
But Finley
knows Stocksbridge will ask new questions of his side.
“We've
had a great week, 10 goals in two games without reply, but no one is getting
carried away,” said the Bay boss.
“Stocksbridge
only just missed out on the play-offs last season so, they'll be up there or
thereabouts this season and we know it's going to be tough.”
icwales
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AUG-28 |
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Wales
recall Parry for Euro test
|
|
Wales boss John Toshack has
named a full-strength squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers at home to Germany
and away to Slovakia next month.
Back into the squad come
James Collins, captain Craig Bellamy, Jason Koumas, Carl Fletcher and Carl
Robinson.
They all missed the 1-0
friendly win in Bulgaria either injured or unavailable.
The one extra addition to
that squad is attack-minded midfielder Paul Parry of Cardiff, but there is no
recall for Wigan striker David Cotterill.
The 19-year-old was axed
from the senior squad last season by Toshack amid speculation that the
national manager was unimpressed with the player's attitude.
Cotterill got his chance to
prove himself all over again last week with a place in the Under-21 side
that won a friendly in Sweden 4-3, a game that saw him score and impress
coach Brian Flynn with his commitment.
But with Freddy Eastwood,
Craig Bellamy and Robert Earnshaw ahead of him in the forwards pecking order,
Cotterill may not have even got on the pitch against Germany.
It is considered that he will
benefit more from a full game with the youngsters instead, for their opening
Uefa Under-21 Championship qualifier against France in Grenoble on 7
September, the day before the seniors face Germany in Cardiff.
BBC
|
|
AUG-27 |
|
TNS:
Champs or chumps?
|
IS The New
Saints dominance of the Welsh Premier about to end? That's the question the
champions will be desperate to counter after a sensational collapse against Aberystwyth.
|
Ken
McKenna’s men lost just four times in 32 league outings last season,
but they have already been defeated twice in as many starts this term.
The chief destroyer in front of over 700 fans was 19-year-old striker
Jamie Reed, on loan from Wrexham, who bagged a hat-trick in his first
full Welsh Premier bow.
Luke
Sherbon and Stuart Roberts also netted for Aberystwyth, although Alfie
Carter got one back for TNS.
|
icwales
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AUG-27 |
|
Cardiff
bank on strike duo boost
|
|
Cardiff boss Dave Jones is set to unleash Robbie
Fowler and Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink in Tuesday night's home Carling Cup game
against Leyton Orient.
The Bluebirds lost Saturday's home Championship match
with Coventry 1-0 despite dominating much of the match.
Jones says his new veteran strikers are now fit
enough to make competitive debuts and backs them to get goals.
"They are available now for Tuesday, so
hopefully they will now put out other strikers under pressure," Jones
said.
Cardiff were unable to find the breakthrough
against Coventry, but Jones said he resisted the temptation to throw
ex-Liverpool forward Fowler and Dutch star Hasselbaink onto the pitch.
"They're ready now, but it was a big gamble (to
have played them) on Saturday," Jones added.
"You can sit them on the bench and if someone
picks up an injury then you've got to throw them on and they might have picked
up an injury themselves.
"They needed what they've had done to them (in
training) and it's easy to be tempted to play players (too soon) when you sign
them.
"We couldn't do that because we'd set them back
weeks and weeks.
"All it does is put the pressure on them to
score goals when they do play for the first team.
"They will be in the squad against Leyton Orient
and they will play some part, whether they start or come on."
BBC
|
|
AUG-27 |
|
Mission
for Bangor boss
|
|
NEW Bangor
City boss Neville Powell admitted his appointment at the club where he spent
10 years as a player has given him quite a buzz.
“I’m
really excited about the challenge ahead. This is potentially the biggest club
in the league and my aim is to try to make it great again,” he said.
“The
potential support with a winning team is enormous. We took 350 to Newtown last
week on the opening day of the season.
“I was
very pleased with the win. Haverfordwest have a good squad of lads, but we
played well. It was an important win on our home bow.”
Peter Hoy
(25) put the Citizens in front with a rocket-like header and Mark Smyth (62)
netted from the spot after Terry Evans had fouled Ashley Stott.
icwales
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AUG-27 |
|
New
boy's Cambrian on a roll
|
|
CAMBRIAN
AND CLYDACH, promoted to the top flight last season, have made a stunning
start at the higher level, winning their first four games and conceding only
two goals in the process, writes Chris Smart.
Their
latest success was 1-0 at Taffs Well where Stuart Ashman scored in the second
half.
Dinas Powys
are the only club above them in the table with five straight triumphs – they
inflicted a 6-0 defeat on Maesteg Park, who, after a summer of turmoil, were
starting their season a fortnight behind most other clubs.
Jason Cowan
bagged a brace for Dinas with Mark Dunford, Drew Fahiya, Nana Baah ans Shelton
Payne finding their way onto the scoresheet as well.
Goytre,
last season’s runners-up, maintained their unbeaten record with a 3-0 win
over Croesyceiliog, Richard Ryan scoring a brace and Paul Lenihan also hitting
the net.
icwales
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AUG-27 |
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Prestatyn
only unbeaten side in Alliance
|
|
PRESTATYN
are the only unbeaten team in the Cymru Alliance following a hard-earned 4-2
win over visiting Gresford Athletic, writes Chris Smart.
The
seasiders had to come from behind after Gresford led 2-1 five minutes into the
second half. Neil Gibson, Dan Evans, Jack Lewis and Steve Bowes netted for
Prestatyn, while Owen Roberts and Ian Mathias were the visitors’ marksmen.
Llandudno
were in form as they overwhelmed Bodedern 4-0 with all their goals coming in
the second half, Chris Johnson bagging a brace and Leighton Griffiths and
Jodie Hamilton scoring the others.
Promoted
Denbigh Town recovered from an early deficit to beat Holyhead Hotspur 3-1
after a late scoring burst. Ian Evans grabbed a brace in the last 10 minutes
after Tommy Harrison levelled matters following the early Ian Williams goal
for Hotspur.
Kevin Leech
scored after a minute to give Queens Park the lead against Ruthin and they
went onto win 3-1, Dave Griffiths getting their other two goals.
Ben White,
Tim Nunnerley and Graham McGill scored for Guilsfield in their 3-1 triumph
over Buckley Town, while Anthony Williams struck for two second-half goals to
give Mynydd Isa success at Penrhyncoch.
icwales
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AUG-24 |
|
Summer
football debate missing point – Morgan
|
|
TOMMI
MORGAN believes the debate over summer football fails to address the problems
facing the game in Wales.
Clubs are
to be consulted over the coming months on whether a switch to the summer would
benefit the Welsh Premier, with a working party set up to investigate the
issue.
Such a move
has been touted as one way to improve the fortunes of Welsh Premier clubs in
Europe, while some believe it would also increase crowd sizes and minimise the
risk of games being called off.
But
Welshpool boss Morgan, whose side narrowly missed out on InterToto Cup
qualification last season, says the debate misses the point about the
challenges facing the league.
“People
say Welsh clubs would do better in Europe if we had summer football, but I
question whether we would do any better because the dice is loaded towards
clubs from the bigger countries,” he said. “I can’t see any Welsh club
getting into the Champions League proper in the next 10 years.
“Uefa
need to look at grassroots football in smaller countries and start investing
some of the millions of pounds they put into the English and Italian leagues
– otherwise they’re not going to have a game in 40 years’ time.”
According
to a poll on the Welsh Premier’s official website, 55% of fans want to see
summer football, with Llanelli manager Peter Nicholas and league secretary
John Deakin keen advocates.
And the
debate has been stepped up after both Rhyl and The New Saints were eliminated
from their respective European competitions on away goals against European
opposition who were already in mid-season.
However,
neither Rhyl manager John Hulse nor TNS boss Ken McKenna see a summer season
as the answer.
Hulse said:
“If the Welsh Premier moved to the summer the whole of the Welsh system
would have to move to the summer. You can’t have your first team playing in
the summer and your reserves in the winter, because they wouldn’t be part of
your club.
“Summer
football would help us in Europe, but I can’t see how it could be done. When
you’ve got lads who are semi-pro and work 40 hours a week playing summer
football, when are they going to take their holidays?”
He added:
“Anything that’s going to raise the profile of the league and help us do
better in Europe I’m 200% for, but I can’t see how we could adapt when
we’re all part-timers.”
TNS boss
McKenna said: “Summer football would only benefit four or five teams
who’ve got a chance of getting into Europe. You don’t have to be Jose
Mourinho to figure out that a team who have already played 17 games are going
to have a massive advantage – but all the other teams aren’t going to want
it.”
icwales
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AUG-24 |
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Druids
won’t be resting on their laurels
|
|
PLAYER-BOSS
Wayne Phillips insisted Newi Cefn Druids won’t be resting on their laurels
despite surprising The New Saints.
The Plas
Kynaston men made the perfect start with last week’s 1-0 win over the
defending champions, and former Wrexham man Phillips now wants his side to
keep up the good work in tonight’s home clash with Welshpool.
“It was a
fantastic win against TNS,” he said. “There’s no better feeling than
winning, but to beat the defending champions was a bit more special.
“Welshpool
will be much the same. They’re another tough side but if we approach the
game in the same way then there won’t be any complaints. The players have
set a high standard.”
The Druids
have limited attacking options with strikers Darren Williams and Mike Heverin
absent, but Kevin Holsgrove and Stuart Vernon could be used in an attacking
mode. Paul Mazzarella will miss the next four weeks.
icwales
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AUG-24 |
|
Bangor’s
offer for Williams rejected
|
|
CONNAH’S
Quay Nomads have rejected Bangor City’s advances on star defender Chris
Williams, ending speculation that has continued throughout the summer and into
the first week of the new campaign.
Nomads
secretary Bobby Hunter said the Deeside club valued the defender at double
what they had been offered by Bangor.
Hunter
said: “After approaches by Bangor City about the availability of contracted
player Chris Williams, Connah’s Quay Nomads received a written offer from
Alan Griffiths, the Bangor City Secretary, on August 1.
“The
original offer received was less than half of the valuation placed on Chris
Williams by Nomads at that time.
“Bangor
City’s offer was considered by a full Nomads Board meeting and firmly
rejected.
“As far
as this club is concerned, the matter is now closed.”
This will
be great news to the Nomads fans who have seen their side not only lose boss
Nev Powell to the Citizens, but also skipper Marc Limbert, prolific striker
Tommy Mutton and defenders Gary Swanick and Gary Lovell.
Williams
scored the winner for Nomads against Llangefni from the penalty spot last
Saturday.
icwales
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|
AUG-24 |
|
Kop
to re-open for Villa
|
|
THE Kop
will be reopened to Wrexham fans for the Carling Cup clash with Aston Villa.
Safety
chiefs yesterday gave the Dragons the green light to re-open the popular
stand, and it will now be open for all games until after Christmas.
Tickets to
stand on the Kop for next Tuesday’s Villa game must be bought by midday on
the day, but after that the stand will be open as normal.
For league
games, season-ticket holders in the Yale stand will have the opportunity to
stand in the Kop instead by presenting their vouchers.
The Kop is
due to be redeveloped in the new year.
icwales
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|
AUG-24 |
|
Reds
hunt title glory for John
|
|
Llanelli
left-back Gary Lloyd insists his team-mates will be gunning for the Welsh
Premier League title in memory of "irreplaceable" president John
James who passed away on Tuesday morning.The shock news of James's death was a
huge surprise for everyone concerned at Stebonheath Park and is the second
setback for the club in the past month after Lloyd's mother, Jean, passed
away.
James, 73, was not only influential in his role as president as a great
ambassador for the club, but a No.1 fan and great friend to all at Stebo.
With the fate of Saturday's league match at Rhyl still undecided as the club
have asked for the game to be postponed, Lloyd pointed out that James will
forever be in the thoughts of the players.
"He was such a character and for everyone who spent
maybe just one night talking to him, they will have loved him to pieces,"
said Lloyd.
"He was such a funny bloke and he got on with everyone he met. The
players absolutely loved him and respected him and John was also so
supportive.
"He was always positive to the players no matter what the result was and
his love of football was something I will always remember."
James is regarded as the man who kept Llanelli afloat after the club ran into
financial problems.
He jumped at the chance to become chairman and saved the Reds by pumping his
own money into the club to save them from going bust.
After he stabilised the club, Robert Jones then arrived and continued to take
the Reds forward.
And Lloyd, whose father Gilbert is another legend at Stebo, says no-one has
forgotten James's actions.
"He saved the club - no doubt about it," said Lloyd.
"If John hadn't stepped in then we wouldn't have Llanelli Football Club.
icwales
|
|
AUG-24 |
|
Swans
closing in on new keeper
|
|
Roberto Martinez is on the verge
of signing a new goalkeeper to give experienced cover for Dorus de Vries.
The Swansea boss has been on
the look-out for another keeper after Willy Gueret quit the Liberty Stadium
for MK Dons on the opening day of the season.
"We are very close to
finalising in that department," said Martinez, who is also looking to
strengthen other areas.
"I think it is important
we keep an eye on every single option we've got before the deadline."
He added: "If you look
at the players we've lost, it will give you an indication of where we need to
strengthen.
icwales
|
|
AUG-23 |
|
Flynn
tipping City's Ramsey for bigger things
|
|
BRIAN Flynn
has tipped Cardiff City wonder kid Aaron Ramsey to become Welsh soccer’s
youngest senior international in history.
The young
Bluebird helped mastermind his country’s astonishing 4-3 victory over Sweden
in Halmstad and earned a heap of praise from his under-21s manager.
Wales had
seen the Swedes race into a 3-1 lead, but fought back to win with Ramsey, who
replaced Swansea’s Matthew Collins at half time, playing a key role in the
revival.
Caerphilly-born
Ramsey has already smashed John Toshack’s record at Cardiff – becoming the
youngest ever first-teamer when he made his debut last season.
And Flynn,
who gave the starlet his under-21 baptism at the Orjans Vall Stadium, is
certain that Ramsey is set to get capped at senior level by Wales before the
end of an abortive European Championship qualification campaign that closes
this November.
icwales
|
|
AUG-23 |
|
Jimmy
Floyd and Robbie a goal guarantee
|
|
IAIN Dowie
has no doubts over the impact Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Robbie Fowler will
have for Cardiff City this season.
Northerner
Dowie brings his Coventry City team to Ninian Park on Saturday and says:
“Jimmy and Robbie guarantee Cardiff City goals.
“That’s
what they do. I admire both of them as people and footballers who are not at
all difficult to manage.”
The Sky
Blues boss has first hand experience of Hasselbaink, whom he managed for a
short while at Charlton Athletic last season, while, as a scholar of the game,
he has studied the likes of Robbie Fowler throughout the ex-England man’s
career.
And Dowie
has warned his Coventry defenders about Hasselbank’s great touch, ability to
hold the ball up, power and deft finishing.
He also
loves Fowler’s enthusiasm for playing football, saying: “Robbie is one of
the best finishers around – and together they guarantee Cardiff goals.
The
Bluebirds are aiming to earn a third successive victory after beating Brighton
in the Carling Cup and QPR in the Championship.
Hasselbaink
looks certain to be involved, in the starting line-up or in the matchday 16,
after firing two goals on his Bluebirds debut in a 4-2 win at Hereford United
in a friendly this week.
icwales
|
|
AUG-23 |
|
Eastwood
strike earns Wales win
|
|
Freddy Eastwood marked his debut
with a stunning goal to give Wales a notable victory in Wednesday's friendly
with Bulgaria in Bourgas.
The Wolves striker unleashed
a fierce 20-yard drive in first-half stoppage time after Bulgaria had
dominated.
Wales were indebted to a
superb display by young goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, who saved a string of
long-range shots.
Wales had a lucky escape in
the final stages when Danny Gabbidon's sliced clearance hit the post.
BBC
|
|
AUG-23 |
|
Trinidad
international Spann joins Wrexham
|
|
Wrexham are poised to complete
the signing of Silvio Spann after the Home Office granted a work permit for
the Trinidad & Tobago international.
The midfielder, 25, is now
set to leave the Trinidad club W Connection to join the Dragons on a
three-year contract.
Wrexham will start the
process of applying for international clearance and then registering him with
the Football League.
"I'm delighted for the
player," manager Brian Carey told the club website.
"He has had a difficult
pre-season travelling from club to club in search of a contract, but I know he
feels at home with Wrexham and he has certainly set his heart on playing for
us.
"Hopefully we will have
him with us at some stage over the weekend, then he can start training in
earnest with the team next week."
Spann - who has also played
in Italy and Japan - has had trials with Sunderland and Sheffield United this
summer.
But T&T team-mates Carlos
Edwards and Dennis Lawrence, both ex-Wrexham players, have given glowing
reports of life at the Racecourse Ground.
"I've looked around
Wrexham and the club comes highly recommended to me by Carlos and
Dennis," said Spann, who missed a place in the 2006 World Cup because of
injury.
"They have not suffered
by playing their football there and I'm starting to feel at home."
BBC
|
|
AUG-23 |
|
City
fans seek loan deal clarification
|
|
CARDIFF
City FC chairman Peter Ridsdale last night maintained there was no discrepancy
in statements he has made about the club’s finances.
Last week
the Langston Corporation – a Panama-registered company based in Switzerland
– announced it had started High Court proceedings demanding the immediate
repayment of £31m by the club. Langston loaned the club £24m in 2004 and
claims that because no repayment has been made, the entire amount with accrued
interest is now due.
But the
club’s present chairman, Peter Ridsdale, maintains that the terms of the
loan were renegotiated in 2006, with no repayments now being due until 2016.
Some of the
club’s supporters have sought clarification of the details of the loan. One,
a fan who styles himself “Lone Gunman” on the main supporters’ web chat
room, pointed out in a posting that Mr Ridsdale had sent a statement to all
club shareholders last December which said, “Subject to the stadium project
proceeding, the group has reached an agreement pursuant to which Langston has
agreed to the financial restructuring of the Langston Loan Notes, whereby it
is to be repaid a part of its capital outstanding of up to £9m from naming
rights generated from the stadium project, and further amounts in an agreed
manner from new income generated by the stadium project and/or from the club
attaining Premiership status.
“Any
balance will be repayable at the club’s discretion at any time up to
31/12/2016. In return, Langston will waive all historic interest entitlement
in respect of the Langston Loan Notes, with future interest accruing at the
rate of 7% per annum only from the date of the stadium project becoming
unconditional, with such interest not being payable until the club is
financially able to do so.”
icwales
|
|
AUG-23 |
|
Former
Garw boss defends his move
|
|
FORMER Garw
player-manager Chris Wells has defended a decision to leave the Blandy club
and play temporarily for next-door neighbours Llangeinor.
Garw
chairman Michael Lambert last week made it known that the club were unhappy
with the situation.
Wells
signed a new two-year contract back in the spring, but decided to stand down,
having switched employment from Swansea University to Grenada.
Garw
released him from his commitment, and Wells has confirmed that he is taking up
the overseas coaching post on September 6.
“I made
my position clear that I was going to play for Llangeinor for a few weeks
ahead of Grenada, as my half-brother Jonathan Quigley is their new assistant
manager,” explained Wells, who last season masterminded Garw’s division
two championship-winning year.
“I cannot
be blamed for last year’s squad opting out of new terms with Garw.
“As far
as I was concerned they were all going to re-sign, but I got word from some
players that they were unhappy with the managerial situation at the club.
“Garw
never asked me to play for them – as I would have considered it – and all
in all I am disappointed with the way things have worked out.”
And as
chairman Lambert pointed out last week, it remains to be seen how many
beatings of this magnitude these players can take.
The club
has advertised for a new manager and are hoping a suitable candidate will
emerge in order to bring this latest crisis to an end.
Evening Post
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AUG-23 |
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Swans
on striker alert
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Swansea
City chairman Huw Jenkins has revealed that signing a new striker is top
priority ahead of next week's transfer deadline. And Jenkins says Swansea
could also swoop for a goalkeeper and central defender - as well as Barcelona
B left-back Josue Fernandez - before the window for permanent and overseas
deals closes in eight days' time.
Boss Roberto Martinez is still to replace star striker Lee Trundle, while the
departures of Willy Gueret, Izzy Iriekpen and Steve Watt have also left
vacancies he is keen to fill.
"Roberto has made it clear he wants to strengthen the forward line and
it's no secret that he's after a centre-half," Jenkins said.
"But I think the fact that Garry Monk has come back and
done well after injury has given him a bit of food for thought at the back so
we'll have to see what happens there.
"A striker is our priority at the moment, and over the next few days we
will be making every effort to make sure we get one in."
Jenkins has warned, however, that Swansea will not pay over the odds for a new
face just because the transfer window is about to close.
Swansea may have received a record-breaking £1million for Trundle, but they
seem unlikely to splash out any major fees themselves.
"As is the case in January, prices are higher and wages are higher right
now because of the deadline," the Swansea chairman added.
Evening Post
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AUG-23 |
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Juan
Ugarte: I’m ready for more games
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JUAN
UGARTE said he was eager for more games after making his comeback from a knee
injury last night.
The
Basque striker made his first appearance for Wrexham in over eight months when
he played 55 minutes in last night’s defeat.
Ugarte
said: “It’s obviously disappointing to lose – I’d like to have marked
my comeback with a win, but from a personal point of view my fitness levels
were okay and I feel fine.
“There’s
no reaction at all at the moment, the injury’s fine, so I just want to keep
training and get a few more reserve games under my belt.
“After
everything that’s happened it feels good to be back playing again.”
icwales
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AUG-23 |
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Club's
future on knife-edge
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THE
FUTURE of Treharris FC could be decided within the next 24 hours.
Club
officials were set to meet Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council officers
today (August 16) to discuss the club’s dilapidated Athletic Ground.
The
Welsh League has given the Division Two club, one of the oldest in Wales, 12
months to get their ground up to league standards after failing an inspection.
Since
the Express reported the club’s plight, secretary and FAW committee member
Mike Casey has received indications that help could be on its way.
As
well as new goal posts put in place by the council to replace the heavy
colliery ones, the authority has cleaned up part of the ground which had been
unkempt for some time.
icwales
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AUG-22 |
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Barcelona
player set for the Swans
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Roberto
Martinez is poised to raid the mighty Barcelona as he fine tunes his Swansea
City squad for a tilt at promotion. Camp Nou youngster Josue Fernandez is in
Wales and could sign for Swansea in the next few days.
The 20-year-old has never played for Barcelona's first team, but he did train
alongside the likes of Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi last season.
Fernandez, who plays his football for the Catalan giants' reserve side,
Barcelona B, is now training with Martinez's squad and will make a permanent
switch to League One if he settles in.
"Josue has great quality and pedigree and he has an
amazing future in front of him," Martinez said. "The fact that he is
from Barcelona tells you that he has had a great education, too, and I'm
looking forward to seeing how he adapts.
"He is the right character, I can guarantee you that, and when you meet
him you can see he is desperate for success.
"He understands how difficult it is to break through at a club like
Barcelona, and it tells you a lot when he is ready to go abroad to chase his
dream."
Fernandez is capable of playing centre-back, but his best position is on the
left where he can get forward.
Evening Post
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AUG-22 |
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Pennock
leaves Swans as keeper coach
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Swansea
City are on the lookout for a new goalkeeping coach after Tony Pennock severed
his ties with the club. Roberto Martinez wants the position to be full-time
and Swansea did speak to Pennock, who worked two days a week last season,
about increasing his hours.
But the former Yeovil keeper was unable to commit because he is also football
development officer for Swansea Council and manager of Port Talbot Town.
"It's my decision to step away because unfortunately we just couldn't
find a way for me to carry on doing the job which suited both parties,"
Pennock said.
"I've had three fantastic years with Swansea and I wish
Roberto and the rest of the staff all the best.
"I'm sad to be leaving and I hope whoever comes in does a good job with
Dorus de Vries and whoever else Roberto signs."
Swansea had been keen to retain the services of Pennock, who hails from the
city.
"Tony has become unavailable to us because of his workload," said
chairman Huw Jenkins.
"Roberto is now looking into other areas to find a suitable replacement,
because we certainly need a goalkeeping coach.
"We need one for the first team, obviously, but we also need someone to
work with the goalkeepers in our youth structure.
Evening Post
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AUG-22 |
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Young
Welsh storm back
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BRIAN
FLYNN’S young Dragons sent shock waves around Europe as they fought back
from two goals down to claim a sizeable scalp at Halmstad’s Orjans Vall
Stadium.
Wales,
weakened by the loss of full-backs Chris Gunter and Neal Eardley to the senior
Wales team in Bulgaria, were facing a real challenge. | | |