DEC-31

Admission is cut from £6 to £4 for the remainder of the season. The club feel that a town the size of Port Talbot should be at least be trebling their home gates, and with all the hard work and progress the club have made both on and off the field it is hard to see why they are not getting the support.

But while their average attendance this season is the 3rd lowest in the welsh premier, they as a club have never attracted high attendances in the league, their average for their first 7 seasons in the welsh premier is only 203, so to try and find the answer to the problem is not going to be an easy one for the club.

Tony

DEC-31

Port Talbot have made two new signings, 28 year old midfielder Mark McGibbon joins from Cwmbran Town, the second new face for the Remax club is former Llanelli and Taffs Well player Kyle Sheppard.

Neath have also brought in a new face in the shape of 43 year old Clayton Blackmore, the former Bangor and Porthmadog manager joins his home town club, Blackmore is the second former welsh premier manager to join the Eagles following David Burrows who signed after leaving Aberystwyth.

While two players join Port Talbot, news of one going the way has surfaced, Haverfordwest have put in notice for midfielder Dylan Blain, Blain a former youth and first team player joined the Steelmen in 2006, but could be re-joining his former club after talks with Bluebirds manager Derek Brazil.

Tony

DEC-31

He is set to give the go-ahead for goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to stay for an extra two Coca-Cola Championship matches – at least.

And Schmeichel’s view is: “I’d love to stay.”

Cardiff City manager Dave Jones has also enquired about three other goalkeepers – two with Premiership clubs and one at another level – in case Schmeichel is unable to stay longer.

The Danish Under-21 international is due back with Eriksson’s Manchester City after playing for Cardiff at home to Plymouth tomorrow (1pm).

Officially, though, Schmeichel, 21, could stay until near the end of January without a new agreement.

“We’ve talked to Sven about Kasper staying with us longer and we are hopeful,” said Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale.

If Eriksson agrees, then Schmeichel will be available for two more matches at least, at home to Sheffield Wednesday on January 12 and at West Brom a week later.

Eriksson recalled Schmeichel after deciding Joe Hart would be his number one goalkeeper for the rest of the season.

That pushed Swedish international Andreas Isaksson out of the team – and he wants to leave Manchester City in search of first-team football.

Cardiff, though, have said: “Let Kasper stay with us until Isaksson goes.”

And if Isaksson fails to find another club during January, then Schmeichel could stay for the rest of the season.

“It’s been great to be a part of this Cardiff City team,” said Schmeichel.

“There is no limit to what they can achieve if they can continue to play in the same fashion as they have done recently.

“I want to play football – and Cardiff City are offering me that chance. ”

ICW

DEC-31

The Dragons travel to high-flying Chesterfield on New Year's Day hoping to lift themselves off the bottom of League Two.

But with the opening of the transfer window, the Wrexham boss is in for a busy month.

"I will probably have to try and change as much as I can," said Little.

"We have a basis of good players and I really don't know how many players I will have to bring in because I have to try and change things.

"There are a few good things I've seen that I've tried to throw back into the group."

BBC

DEC-31

The Bluebirds are 12th after picking up four points over the Christmas period and are five points off sixth where Tuesday's visitors Plymouth sit.

"We're chasing that sixth spot down and hopefully we'll get to that and then we'll chase fifth and fourth," he said.

"It's slowly starting to turn and we know there's a lot of hard work ahead."

Jones added: "At the moment, we're just trying to claw back some of the points that we felt we've thrown away at certain stages of the season.

"I've said many times some of our performances didn't really reflect the results we were getting.

"Preston was about building on what we've been doing and making sure we continue to progress and slowly it's coming together.

"What we've done is given ourselves believe and a confidence injection."

BBC

DEC-31

The Swans are now five points clear at the top of League One going into 2008 with games in hand over teams below.

"Normally, when you are looking up to big occasions, the football isn't that great, but I think we had everything today," said Martinez.

"It is a day to feel very proud of Swansea City."

The only downside of the game was Ferrie Bodde's sending off for a rash challenge on Jonathan Howsen.

But Martinez said the players showed grit to hold on for the victory.

"The way we adapted and to play over 50 minutes against a very good Leeds side with 11 men is very satisfactory," he said.

"There was real grit in the performance and there was the understanding that was needed.

"The dressing room has got a winning mentality and they look into each other's eyes and make sure they are going to work for each other on and off the ball.

"Overall the squad was tested to the maximum today and were a credit to the football club."

BBC

DEC-31

Cwmbran Town are hoping for an upturn in fortunes during 2008.

The Crows have not scored in four matches, have seen their promotion chase falter and had their Welsh League clash with Taffs Well on Saturday postponed.

Dinas Powys stepped up their bid for promotion with a 2-1 win at Croesyceiliog.

Dinas have applied for promotion this season. To achieve that they must finish in the top two at least – and will have to find an alternative home ground because their own does not currently match standards required.

Former Cardiff City youth player Geza Hajgato scored both goals for Dinas Powys.

Pontypridd Town are continuing their progress. They went down 2-1 at leaders Goytre United, but produced a solid display.

Goytre thrashed Pontypridd 9-0 at Ynysangharad Park earlier this season and, despite the defeat, the scoreline from the return fixture underlines how manager Mal Cammilleri is improving matters at Ponty.

ICW

DEC-31

The 20-year-old is strongly being linked to a move away from Ninian Park in January, with one Wolves bid having been turned down and Charlton also said to be also keen on acquiring Ledley’s services.

The Cardiff-born ace has been in a rich vein of form recently scoring a fantastic individual winner at Deepdale after Roger Johnson had brought City level.

But Ledley, who rose through the Bluebirds youth ranks and has already made more than 150 City appearances, insists he is happy to stay and will only go if he is forced to.

“I am happy where I am at the moment, at Cardiff, and I am happy to stay,” said Ledley.

“But, if they accept a bid, then I will be gone, that is the way it is. It is up to Cardiff City and what they want to do.

“Of course everybody wants to play in the Premiership, and hopefully I can do that with Cardiff.

“But as I say, it is up to Cardiff whether they accept a bid or not. All I know is that I am happy where I am right now.

“None of what is being said or written about all this has affected me at all. I just go out there and play football.

“I always go out to play as well as I can and I thought I did well against Preston, so I am pleased.”

ICW

DEC-30

CONNAH’S Quay Nomads will have at least four new faces on board for their New Year’s Day showdown at Rhyl (2.30pm) – and boss Jim Hackett says they desperately need them.

Nomads are just three points above the relegation places after going down 5-0 at home to the Lilywhites on Boxing Day and 4-0 at Neath on Saturday.

The heavy losses offered Hackett the final proof that some players are not up to playing in the Welsh top flight.

Hackett is also having to do without Chris Williams and Adam Dickinson.

And now former Chester City midfielder Wes Kilgannon has joined the key duo on the treatment table after pulling his hamstring in the first of the double header with Rhyl.

Adam Hitchen, who was unable to play in the derby after hurting himself in the warm-up, will not feature in the return match even if he recovers as he serves a one-game ban for five yellow cards, while Allan Glover, having been sent-off at Neath, remains suspended, as does Stuart Cook.

Little wonder, then, that Hackett can’t wait to introduce defender Phil McDiarmid, winger Paul Wilcockson – both highly-experienced campaigners – and Wales Under 17s striker Michael Cronshaw.

He has also signed young defender Liam Jones from Flint Town United and has made offers for a host of other players, including midfielder Kyle Jacobs from Porthmadog.

Hackett said: “We have been waiting for the transfer window to open on January 1 as I feel the players coming in will help us get the 12 points I feel we need to stay up.

“They haven’t been dragged down by our poor results so they are fresh and confident.

“At the beginning of the season we just had to build a squad, now we have to better it. The players we’ve got have done a job, but they’ve shown their limitations and none can go away saying they haven’t had a chance.”

One crumb of comfort for Hackett has been the fine return of captain and defensive linchpin Gary Pinch.

Hackett said: “Pinchy’s a great example to all the lads who are injured as he reacted in the right manner to being out. He hasn’t let his head drop and he’s stood up and been counted.”

FC

DEC-30

Blain played for his hometown club Haverfordwest County for six seasons, before signing for Port Talbot Town in 2006 and has scored 13 goals from his 209 Welsh Premier League games, two of which have come from his nineteen starts this season for Port Talbot Town. He is a former Wales Under 19 International and a very under-rated player in the Welsh Premier, as he consistently puts in solid displays at this level.

Manager Nicky Tucker has also started shopping in the January sales by making an approach for Cwmbran Town defender Mark McGibbon. The 29 year-old right-sided Londoner has also played for Birkerod FC in Denmark and he is expected to complete a move to the club in the next few days following a successful trial at the Re/Max Stadium.

OWP

DEC-30

Andy Robinson's curling free kick gave the Swans the lead, Jermaine Beckford equalising superbly a minute later after Dennis Lawrence's indecision.

Garry Monk's strong near-post header from a corner restored the advantage, but Ferrie Bodde was red-carded for a rash tackle on Jonathan Howson.

Jason Scotland made it 3-1 at half-time after a bullocking run, Alan Thompson's free kick after the break not enough.

The packed Liberty Stadium crowd were treated to their sixth successive home win as the Swans surged on to take a five-point lead at the top of League One.

But they could be facing an extended period without Bodde, the midfielder now having been sent off twice since his summer arrival from the Netherlands.

BBC

DEC-30

Simon Whaley gave Preston the early lead, latching on to Lewis Neal's corner with a low, rasping drive.

Roger Johnson equalised after the break, powering home an eight-yard header from Ledley's swinging corner.

Ledley then combined with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink down the left, powered into the box and held his feet under Sean St Ledger's tackle to guide in the winner.

The victory was the Bluebirds' first at Deepdale since 1986 and leaves manager Dave Jones' side - who have lost just one of their last six - with realistic play-off ambitions going into 2008.

BBC

DEC-30

The Dragons remain bottom of the Football League after the result made it their fifth straight defeat.

"I'm obviously very disappointed because I think we could have won today," said Little.

"The goal we conceded was one of those now infamous five minute mad spells that we have."

And Little, who will be looking forward to the January transfer window opening on Tuesday, is frustrated that his players seem to panic too easily.

"I think young Wes (Baynes) made a mistake on the edge of the box and for five minutes, we were all over the place," he said. "For the rest of the game, we were all right.

"For those five minutes from the sidelines, you get nervous. You sense that all of a sudden we've made a mistake and we don't know how to put it right.

"And yet there's really nothing to put right. It was 0-0, we were doing OK and that's the disappointment that we can't recognise spells like that.

"The goal today was a disappointment.

"I think we should have got a result today and that's probably the first time I've been able to say that for a while."

BBC

DEC-30

But the Swans’ boss insisted he is not concerned with sending messages to the rest of the division, claiming he already knows how good his team is.

Martinez said: “Whoever beats Leeds sends a message out and opens the eyes of others – but what we care about is this club, and the attitude and desire of these players here is something I am proud of.

“This was a great victory. It was a big occasion, but if anything the game proved to be better than the occasion, with some outstanding football.

“I don’t know about people saying we can now be champions – all I know is we have players with talent, and a group of players who are concerned about winning their next game.

“We have set our standards but we have played very well in our last five games – that consistency is hard to get, so it is very pleasing.

“There are 25 league games left and we are involved in two cup competitions, but we all need to improve on a daily basis. Every player here knows that and has the attitude to do it.”

Martinez hailed the result as the most satisfying of the season, but mainly because of the uphill task facing the hosts after Ferrie Bodde’s red card. But he refused to publicly criticise the midfielder and instead said: “When you play against any team with 10 men for such a long time it takes a huge effort, but to do it in front of a full house against a side challenging for the top is an even bigger task.

“We wanted to give something to those fans from the dressing room and I think they did – they can feel proud of their players.”

Dennis Wise slammed Bodde for his challenge before admitting Swansea were the best side Leeds have faced this season.

Wise said: “I thought Swansea did very well. But then I expected that because we knew how good a team they were before.”

ICW

DEC-30

Falling behind after only nine minutes Merthyr hit back only two minutes later when Darren Griffiths brought the Martyrs level.

However, they found themselves behind again on 20 minutes, a deflection allowing Rob Morley to restore the visitors’ lead.

Merthyr came out in determined fashion at the restart and in minutes they were level for a second time when Craig Stiens was brought down by Bedford goalkeeper Michael Armitt, who got his marching orders.

Jamie Rewbury kicked the penalty.

A second penalty award saw Jon Darby dismissed but the spot-kick was put over the bar and, just when a draw looked like the likely outcome, up popped Griffiths to head home the winner and clinch the important three points.

ICW

DEC-30

There had seemed only one winner after Ian Hillier headed a Richard Evans corner into the net to give County an eighth-minute lead – which Charlie Griffin doubled when he latched on to Lee Fowler’s ball over the top in the 52nd minute.

But County switched off defensively and Wes Fogden reduced the arrears in the 55th minute.

The game was held up for nine minutes while a replacement linesman was called for, and in the 69th minute of playing time Fogden brought the scores level.

Newport manager Peter Beadle immediately sent on towering striker Jermaine Clarke and the move paid off – the forward scored within two minutes of coming on.

ICW

DEC-29

Griffiths told the Star that he was torn between staying at Stebonheath Park and heading to Switzerland.

Llanelli are awaiting a reply from Aarau following Griffiths's trial, but Parekh insists they will only allow the double Golden Boot winner to leave if the move is right for him.

First of all though, Llanelli will sit down with Griffiths and look to extend his contract beyond June 2008.

The Swiss club could swoop for him then and land him on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling, but the Reds are confident he will sign a new deal.

That would ensure them a transfer fee should Aarau, or any other club, want to sign the 27-year-old.

For a player of Griffiths's calibre, Llanelli could well be looking towards a six-figure deal.

That might still appear to be scant consolation to the club's fans, however, as Griffiths is a crucial part of Peter Nicholas's title-chasing side.

However, Parekh says the Reds have not yet reached the stage of putting a fee on their star man.

"If you look at the scoring charts for the past few seasons across Europe then you will see Rhys Griffiths near the top," said Parekh.

"He is a top player and a great goalscorer.

"It does not surprise me that interest has been shown in him.

"It's great for him, Llanelli and the Welsh Premier League.

"We won't stand in his way. We told all the players in the summer that if the right club comes in for them, we will be right behind them.

"We are waiting to hear from Aarau, but that probably won't happen until the new year.

"In the meantime, we want to sit down with Rhys and open contract negotiations as soon as the transfer window opens.

"Regarding a transfer fee, we haven't reached that stage yet. We don't know how deep Aarau's pockets are just yet."

LS

DEC-29

Morgan was a hotshot striker for The New Saints and Aberystwyth Town in Wales plus Telford United, while Jones was a full-time professional for Everton, Coventry and Preston.

Both are in their 50s, Morgan having just achieved the half century, while Jones is a year older.

The two men go head-to-head on Tuesday week when Cardiff City travel to play Welshpool Town at Maes-y-Dre in the FAW Premier Cup quarter-finals.

The experienced Riccy Scimeca and teenager Aaron Ramsey are pencilled in to link up in central midfield – although no final decision will be made on Scimeca until just before the match – and City are certain to take the tie seriously with £100,000 on offer for the winners.

City have suffered embarrassing defeats too often in this competition and won’t want to fall again.

Morgan took charge at Welshpool in 2004, a year before Jones was appointed manager of Cardiff City.

Football has been established in the mid-Wales town since 1878. They have played as Welshpool Wanderers and Welshpool Warriors, while they now stick to Welshpool Town.

During 1991-92 they finished top in their Mid-Wales League division, 12 points clear of their nearest rivals.

But they were docked a massive 66 points for fielding a player under suspension in England.

They plunged from top to bottom spot and presented the title to Caersws.

Morgan has steered Welshpool back into the Principality Welsh Premier League – and they currently lie sixth.

The winners of the Welshpool v Cardiff City on January 8 will play Newport County in the semi-finals.

ICW

DEC-29

The Swans are seeking a sixth straight home win today as they welcome Leeds United in a heavyweight League One contest.

That sequence has coincided with a change of Swansea formation as Leon Britton has joined Bodde and Darren Pratley in central midfield, Martinez abandoning the more traditional 4-4-2 set-up for an offensive 4-3-3 system.

“It’s good that the gaffer changed things,” said Bodde, who scored his fourth Swansea goal in the 4-1 Boxing Day demolition of Cheltenham.

“We have the players for the new system and I think we have a good combination in midfield with Leon, Darren and myself.

“The defenders play the ball to us and it’s up to us to feed our strikers.

“But we also need the guys on the bench and the rest of the squad to make us sharp and a good team.”

Bodde collected his fifth caution of the season on Boxing Day, ruling him out of next week’s FA Cup third-round tie against non-league outfit Havant & Waterlooville.

The cynics might suggest it is a good game for the former Den Haag midfielder to miss with Swansea’s No 1 priority this season being promotion to the Championship.

ICW

DEC-29

The immediate fall-out for 30-year-old Rae personally that night was being dropped to the City bench for the first time since arriving from Rangers in the summer.

It was a situation Rae admits he was “gutted” by, but he has bounced back to put in sterling performances against Sheffield United and Watford over the past week.

“I think after that defeat against Charlton, and the way we played we were pretty much shocked, we knew things had to be changed,” said Rae.

“I think it was perhaps that point which stirred a lot of people into action.

“We realised we had to pull together and sort things out and since then there has been an improvement.

“The manager did say after that Charlton game he could have dropped anyone and, unfortunately, it ended up being me.

“I was gutted, of course. I want to play every game, no footballer wants to be kicking his heels on the bench.

“But perhaps I did need to be freshened up a bit. The one thing it did enforce in me was the desire that once I got my place back I was going to seize that chance. I wanted to make sure I kept my place in the side.”

And, with the Bluebirds at struggling Preston today, Rae is hoping City can keep things going and continue their climb up the league.

ICW

DEC-29

NWC

DEC-28

CWMBRAN Town last night denied manager Guillermo Ganet has either been sacked or has resigned by confirming the Spaniard remains in charge of the MacWhirter Welsh League Division One outfit.

Rumours have been rife for weeks that all was not well within the Cwmbran camp, and last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at lowly Pontardawe Town meant the Crows have taken only six points from the last 24 and have not scored a goal in 370 minutes of football - statistics which fuelled speculation that the former La Liga midfielder had left.

However, Cwmbran secretary Ian Greaney exclusively told the Argus that although Ganet has flown home to Spain for the festive period, he is still the Gwent club's manager.

Speaking during the interval of yesterday's Gwent derby between Caerleon and Croesyceiliog at Cold Bath Road, Greaney said: "I can confirm that Guillermo Ganet is still manager of Cwmbran Town Football Club.

"I've had lots of people come up to me telling me that they'd heard he has left, but that's totally untrue."

Greaney also pointed out that talk of Cwmbran having lost up to five players in the past week or so was also unfounded.

The only player likely to leave the club when the January transfer window opens is full back Mark McGibbon, who is the subject of seven days' notice from Port Talbot Town.

"They are officially still with the club and we continue to hold their registrations. But there are some personal issues which need to be sorted out between them and the manager."

Ganet took over in the summer following last season's relegation from the top-flight Welsh Premier League, and brought a whole squad to Gwent with him from his London-based football academy.

SWA

DEC-28

Legg was sent off during Llanelli’s 2-1 win at Richmond Park, Carmarthen, on Boxing Day.

That is a huge blow for Llanelli, who have also been without injured Welsh international Matt Jones for some time.

Llanelli stand second in the table, two points behind The New Saints and a win against Carmarthen Town is crucial.

There are no Welsh Premier League fixtures tomorrow, but return games in local derbies are played on New Year’s Day.

Neath Athletic and Port Talbot Town clash at Llandarcy Park (2.30pm).

They drew 3-3 in a hard fought match at the Re/Max Stadium on Boxing Day.

Leaders TNS won 3-0 at Welshpool Town, Cardiff City’s opponents in the FAW Premier Cup, and the teams meet again on January 1, this time at the Saints’ ground.

ICW

DEC-28

Watford appeared to be taking the rise out of the Bluebirds, claiming in their matchday programme that:

Cardiff don’t have two leeks to rub together.

Dave Jones is desperately trying to keep things on an even keel while all around him is chaos.

The reason Jones has not been sacked is that City can’t afford it.

One Bluebirds insider described the words as “insulting” but there was no official comment from the club and it is not known whether City complained.

The programme notes read: “The threat of administration is ever present at Ninian Park. Court battles take on greater significance than footballing ones as they try to stay in business and avoid a 10 points penalty which would plunge them to the bottom of the Championship.

“Relegation could be a final catastrophic blow.

“You have to feel sympathy for Dave Jones, desperately trying to keep things on an even keel while all around him is chaos, though the very fact that Cardiff don’t have two leeks to rub together might well have been the factor which dissuaded the board from sacking him earlier in the campaign. They couldn’t have paid him off. Whether that was the case or whether, for once, the board were admirably far sighted is unclear. But panicking, getting rid of Jones, would have been stupid in the extreme.”

ICW

DEC-28

The Lilywhites had agreed with the Nomads to move their New Year’s Day clash so players could spend more time with their families during the holiday.

But the league refused permission and said they wanted all league ties to be played on the Bank Holiday.

Rhyl boss Hulse was annoyed by the league’s obstinacy after also complaining that his side were forced to make three trips in succession to South Wales during December.

The manager said yesterday: “We’d agreed with Connah’s Quay to play the game this Saturday, but the league refused to allow us even though both clubs had agreed.

“The league said they wanted all league fixtures played on New Year’s Day. We just wanted to give our lads, especially the part-timers, the chance to have a bit of family time on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.”

Earlier this month Rhyl had to make three treks to South Wales in as many weeks, beating Port Talbot Town 2-1 on December 1, drawing 0-0 at Carmarthen Town on December 15, and losing 2-1 to Llanelli a week later.

Hulse said: “What I was unhappy about was that when I first joined the league at Bangor City in the Welsh Premier’s initial season, it was stated there wouldn’t be long travel over the winter months. So we found it ludicrous that we had to make these trips three times in three weeks.

DP

DEC-28

The unavailability of Cwmbran Stadium means the Crows' home Division One clash with Taffs Well has been postponed.

However the town's two other clubs, Division One rivals Croesyceiliog and Cwmbran Celtic, of Division Two, are both in home action.

For Croesyceiliog the game against promotion-seeking Dinas Powys represents a quick chance to put right the 4-0 away Boxing Day defeat by Gwent rivals Caerleon.

Now they face a tough challenge from a Dinas Powys side managed by Mark Jones, who experienced domestic and European success with Welsh Premier League outfit Carmarthen Town.

"It's a stiff task, but we'll regroup and give it our best shot," said joint Croesyceiliog manager Chris Evans, who will give fitness tests to several squad members on match day.

SWA

DEC-28

Following the trip to Dorchester, Newport have five successive home games.

Weston-super-Mare are visitors on New Year’s Day, followed by Hayes and Yeading (Saturday, January 5), Torquay United (FA Trophy, Saturday, January 12), Havant and Waterlooville (Saturday, January 19) plus Cambridge City (Wednesday, January 23).

First, though, manager Peter Beadle’s County must make the trip to struggling Dorchester Town, who drew 1-1 against Bath City on Boxing Day.

The Exiles also drew, 2-2 against Weston-super-Mare away, with Charlie Griffin spurning the chance of a winner when his 93rd-minute penalty was saved.

Dorchester have former Cardiff City head of recruitment Paul Compton in charge.

He is assistant manager and in temporary charge while manager Shaun Brookes is recovering after an operation

ICW

DEC-28

The former England striker is out with an ankle ligament injury sustained in training – and while sidelined manager Dave Jones says Fowler is set to fly out next week to have keyhole surgery on his troublesome hip.

“It looks likely Robbie will be going to Colorado for surgery,” said Jones.

“He is still two or three weeks away from training because of his ankle problem and the medical opinion is that a minor operation can sort out his hip. We are awaiting a final decision by specialists, but that’s how it looks right now.

“Robbie has had a problem with his hip in the past and played through it. The course of injections he had in Germany helped considerably, but did not finally solve it.

“Medical opinion says a minor operation will achieve that.”

ICW

DEC-28

On a tough afternoon in Yorkshire, Swansea found themselves beaten 2-0 in the reverse fixture back in September.

Leeds are enjoying some of the biggest crowds seen for decades in the third tier of English football and teams visiting Elland Road find themselves in a bearpit of an atmosphere.

With a 20,000 sell-out expected at the Liberty, Martinez, whose side sit top of League One, wants to return the favour tomorrow afternoon when third-placed United travel to West Wales.

“It really is the glamour tie of League One right now and it was one I bet supporters looked out for when the fixtures were first announced,” said Martinez.

“Leeds have been very, very strong. They have a fantastic home record and have got into the habit of using that home advantage very much to their favour.

“Elland Road is probably the toughest place to visit in this division. But now we have them at our home and hopefully it will be a sell-out crowd.

“We know we have got the best supporters around, the way they have got behind us this season has been fantastic.

“But what we need is to create an atmosphere like Elland Road, to outdo Leeds at our place. We want supporters to kick every ball, to go up for every header. They can really have a big, big influence on the game for us.

ICW

DEC-27

All square at the RE-MAX

The Steelmen started brightly and took a two goal lead inside seventeen minutes with Chad Bond and Scott Barrow netting. Kristian Rogers, the Port 'keeper was then unfortunate to concede an Own-goal on 19 minutes, by Barrow extended the two-goal advantage just before the hour mark. 

Neath's resolve was tested to the full, but Andy Dyer's side have a great spirit and they grabbed two more through Carl Shaw (68) and Andy Hill (77) to gain a point.

ICW

DEC-27

Dave Jones bemoans injury time goal

Jobi McAnuff equalised deep into added time, which Jones believes the referee let go on too long.

He said: “Three minutes of stoppage time was indicated but the lad’s scored in something like the fourth minute so I don’t know what’s happened there.

“He allowed them to bully us and push and shove us all game. We matched all that but at the end it was probably one too many.

“I can’t fault my side, I thought they were fantastic today. They coped with everything they threw at us and when we were able to get the ball down we played some good football.

“It’s disappointing because this is an important game but we’ve been let down by the ref.”

Although he was dismayed to only draw with the Championship leaders, after goals from Roger Johnson and Peter Whittingham were cancelled out by Jay DeMerit and McAnuff’s last-gasp effort, Jones is confident Cardiff are on the up.

He said: “We have been slowly getting better and better and there is still a long way to go. There is a confidence and belief in the squad and we have stuck together really well.

“If we can get all our injured players back soon we will improve even further.”

ICW

DEC-27

Swans flying high at the top

Andy Robinson struck twice in the first quarter, first heading home Guillem Bauza's flick-on and then curling a 25-yarder into the top corner.

Ferrie Bodde's low drive, from Leon Britton's pass, put the result beyond doubt two minutes after the interval.

Jason Scotland hammered home a fourth, although Steve Gillespie's overhead kick gave the Robins some consolation.

BBC

DEC-27

Wrexham hit rock bottom again

The visitors took the lead after just seven minutes, when Kallum Higginbotham laid the ball back for Glenn Murray to score from close range.

Wrexham tried to find a reply but were hampered by a nervy defensive display.

Rochdale made things safe when Lee McEvilly forced the ball home from close range against his former club.

BBC

DEC-27

Welsh premier league round up

Whereas the Champions won comfortably at Maesydre by three goals to nil with Steven Beck, Scott Ruscoe and Alfie Carter all scoring, the Reds had to thank teenage striker Mark Jones, who paid back boss Peter Nicholas in the best possible way following his recall to the starting eleven with a last-gasp winner. Wyn Thomas, who spent the early years of his Welsh Premier career at Richmond Park opened the scoring for Llanelli on 17 minutes, but Tim Hicks levelled on 24 before the young former Afan Lido forward sealed it at the death.

Rhyl took advantage of the Carmarthen defeat by leapfrogging the Old Gold into third with an easy victory over the hapless Connah's Quay Nomads, by five goals to nil. Chris Sharp struck the first on 14 minutes and Lee Hunt doubled the advantage five minutes before the break. Craig Jones made it three on 67 minutes and Dave Cameron scored the fourth with five minutes remaining. The fifth went to Hunt as Nomads boss Jim Hackett saw his side fall apart again in-front of a poor 258 attendance.

Over 700 people witnessed a convincing Bangor City win over Caernarfon Town by 5-1, including three in the first eight minutes. Les Davies scored the opener for the Citizens after just five minutes against Craig Vernon, who played in goal for the Canaries. That lead was doubled a minute later by Ashley Stott and Michael Walsh made it three after eight minutes, and he also scored in the second period, whilst Bobby Jones had a consolation for the visitors.

Haverfordwest County raced to a 3-0 lead at Aberystwyth Town with goals from Tom Ramasut (21), Jonathan Coates (39) and Gareth Elliott (48) and despite Simon Gilderdale putting through his own net on 50 minutes and a Geoff Kellaway effort in response five minutes from time, the Bluebirds managed to hang on for an excellent win at Park Avenue in front of 467 spectators.

There were 835 at the Recreation Ground to witness a rare home victory for Caersws who are climbing up the table as they enjoyed a win against nearest rivals Newtown. The Bluebirds won by a solitary goal in Powys this afternoon thanks to a Neil Mitchell winner in the 38th-minute. In a clash of two clubs also at the wrong end of the table, Airbus UK Broughton enjoyed a good 3-2 win against Newi Cefn Druids. Geraint Lewis gave Druids the best start, scoring after two minutes but Mark Allen, Ryan Edwards (penalty) and Paul Hallows were on the score-sheet for the Wingmakers, before Adam Hunter, who used to play for the Ancients, put through his own net.

The bottom-of the-table clash between Llangefni Town and Porthmadog was convincingly won by Porth at Talwrn Road in Alex Kevan's first game in charge of the Anglesey team. Kyle Jacobs gave the visitors the lead on 23 minutes, but Dylan Owen equalised on the half-hour, with 345 in attendance. Three second-half goals courtesy of Carl Owen (50), Paul Roberts (61) and Richard Smart (85) ensured a terrific win for Viv Williams' side, as 'Gefni see themselves fall further adrift at the foot of the League.

DEC-27

Boxing day attendances in the WPL

Caersws had the highest attendance of the day with 835 for their local derby match against Newtown that saw the village side win by a goal to nil against their Town neighbours. Bangor City were the next highest with 709 people witnessing their 5-1 win over Caernarfon Town - But that figure was well below the anticipation of Citizens boss Nev Powell who told the Daily Post that he had hoped for 1,500 at least.

Carmarthen Town had the third highest gate with 561 in Richmond Park to see the Old Gold lose out to a last minute winner against Llanelli, whilst in the town of Welshpool, there were 471 people at Maesydre viewing the home side lose 3-0 to Champions and Leaders, TNS. With just four fewer than that figure, the fifth highest crowd puller was on the Coast of Aberystwyth Town, where visiting Haverfordwest left Park Avenue with all three points following their 3-2 victory.

There were 345 at Talwrn Road in Llangefni as the Anglesey-based side were slammed 4-1 by Porthmadog, whilst 277 watched Port Talbot Town at home to Neath Athletic in the Afan Nedd Derby game. This figure wasn't helped by the fact that Swansea City were playing at home in the Liberty Stadium just a few miles West on the M4. Despite having one of the largest visiting support in the League, Rhyl's trip to Connah's Quay Nomads was witnessed by just 258 as the free-falling Nomads were slammed 5-0 by the Lilywhites.

The lowest attendance of the Boxing Day programme was at the Airfield as the Wingmakers enticed just 142 for their match against NEWI Cefn Druids, which the hosts won 3-2.

OWP

DEC-27

Exiles round up

Newport County claimed an early lead through Craig Hughes only for Weston to equalise within a minute through Andy Robertson.

The Welsh side then fell behind when Andy Gurney pounced on the stroke of half-time and needed a 62nd-minute equaliser from Julian Alsop to rescue a point.

Merthyr Tydfil 1-3 Gloucester 

Merthyr sunk further into the bottom half of the table as Gloucester leap-frogged them thanks to three first-half goals at Penydarren Park. Mike Jones scored a late consolation for the Martyrs.

DEC-26

Dyer confident of a result against Steelmen

ICW

DEC-26

Bangor boss looking for big turn-out