WELSH
SOCCER NEWS PAGE FOR DECEMBER 2007
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DEC-31 |
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Steelmen slash prices to
attract support
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Port Talbot have made a
drastic cut of 33% in admission prices to try and attract more support
through the turnstiles.
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
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DEC-31 |
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Welsh premier transfers
get early start
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Following speculation that
Llanelli hot shot Rhys Griffiths could be playing his final game for the
Reds tomorrow in the west Wales derby with Carmarthen, news of more new
signing is starting to take place.
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
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DEC-31 |
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Sven's new year gift to
City
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SVEN Goran Eriksson is today
poised to give Cardiff City a new year gift.
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
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DEC-31 |
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Little facing busy time
in transfer market
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Brian Little admits he does
not know how many players he will have to bring in to try and save Wrexham
from dropping out of the Football League.
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
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DEC-31 |
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Jones in hunt for
play-off place
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Cardiff boss Dave Jones says
his side are chasing a play-off spot in the Championship following their
recent change in fortunes.
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
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DEC-31 |
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Martinez proud of his
super Swans
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Roberto Martinez says Swansea
fans should be proud of their side after they beat Leeds 3-2 at the Liberty
Stadium with just 10 men.
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
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DEC-31 |
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Welsh league round up
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PONTARDAWE Town earned a
second successive MacWhirter Welsh Football League win to climb further away
from the relegation zone.
They have won successive First Division matches 1-0, beating Cambrian and
Clydach thanks to a goal from Mark Nappierallo.
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
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DEC-31 |
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Ledley: I'm happy to stay
at City
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WANTED Wales star Joe Ledley
fired Cardiff City’s winner at Preston and then told the club, “My
future is in your hands.”
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
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DEC-30 |
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New look Nomads set for
Rhyl return
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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
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DEC-30 |
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Steelman Blain a
Target for Brazil
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Haverfordwest County manager
Derek Brazil has made an official approach for Port Talbot Town midfielder
Dylan Blain ahead of the January transfer window re-opening on January 1st.
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
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DEC-30 |
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10 Man Swans win Leeds
thriller
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Ten-man Swansea held on to
defeat Leeds in a breathless top-of-the-table clash.
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
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DEC-30 |
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Ledley inspires City
comeback
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Joe Ledley inspired a Cardiff
comeback win, Preston staying in the drop zone after a third straight home
loss.
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
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DEC-30 |
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Little blames "mad 5
minutes"
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Wrexham boss Brian Little says
another 'mad five minutes' was to blame for Wrexham's 1-0 defeat to
Stockport at the Racecourse.
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
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DEC-30 |
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Martinez laid
back after big promotion boost
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ROBERTO MARTINEZ told
Swansea’s supporters to enjoy the moment after masterminding victory over
their biggest promotion rivals.
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
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DEC-30 |
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Dale's Martyrs delight
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Merthyr Tydfil 3-2 Bedford
Town
THE Martyrs overcame a half-time deficit to take all three points, but still
needed Dale Griffiths’ injury-time header to see off nine-man Bedford.
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
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DEC-30 |
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Newport do double over
Dorchester
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Dorchester 2-3 Newport County
COUNTY completed the double over their relegation-threatened opponents by
matching the 3-2 scoreline at Newport Stadium, but they were made to work
hard for their success.
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
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DEC-29 |
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Door open for golden boot
Griffo to go
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Llanelli
chairman Nitin Parekh admits he is struggling to put a price on goal-machine
Rhys Griffiths - but will not stand in his way of a possible move to FC
Aarau.
The Reds striker revealed last week that he had been on trial at the Swiss
Super League club, with a view to a potential transfer.
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
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DEC-29 |
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Jones out to hit the
FAW jackpot
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TOMI Morgan and Dave Jones
played football at the same time.
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 |
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DEC-29 |
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Bodde hails the
Martinez plan
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SWANSEA CITY'S Dutch master
Ferrie Bodde believes Roberto Martinez's tactical nous has been the key to
keeping the home fires burning at the Liberty Stadium.
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 |
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DEC-29 |
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Rae reveals secret to
Bluebirds form
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CARDIFF CITY midfielder Gavin
Rae has revealed that it was the Bluebirds’ dreadful home defeat to Charlton
which finally stirred Dave Jones’ side into action.
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 |
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DEC-29 |
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Llangefni bring in Boersma as
number 2
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NEW Llangefni Town player
manager Alex Kevan admitted that he has accepted a tough challenge after
watching his players struggle against Porthmadog on Boxing Day.
But he is poised to introduce some new faces to strengthen the squad for the
new year's day return at the Traeth.
"It's plain to see where the problems are, and we need to sort out the
defence," said Kevan, who took a back seat after the excellent display
at Carmarthen four days earlier.
"The task is harder than I anticipated, but I still have great belief
and I'll be bringing in some new faces to freshen up the squad."
Available for new year's day will be former Caernarfon Town and Colwyn Bay
midfielder or defender Paul Roberts, while ex-Liverpool
central midfielder Chris O'Brien has also put pen to paper but needs match
practice following an injury.
"We're training on Saturday and I will be looking at some more
faces," added Kevan.
"Craig Hogg should also be involved and we missed his influence against
Porthmadog."
Kevan is also targeting a return to action before the end of January.
"I'll get some injections to get me through the season until I can get
my ankle sorted in summer," he added.
Meanwhile, former Liverpool and Middlesborough midfielder/striker Phil
Boersma will be his assistant in what looks to be a dream managerial team
for Llangefni.
Boersma netted 17 goals in 82 appearances for Liverpool and when his playing
career finished he joined former team-mate Graham Souness as physio at
Rangers before teaming up with him again as coach at Liverpool, Southampton,
Blackburn and Newcastle.
NWC
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DEC-28 |
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Greaney: Ganet still in
charge of Crows
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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 |
|
Llanelli
need a win to keep up pressure on TNS
|
|
LLANELLI will be without Andy
Legg for their Principality Welsh Premier League match against Carmarthen Town
at Stebonheath Park on New Year’s Day (2.30pm).
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 put the boot
in before a ball was kicked
|
|
WATFORD launched an astonishing
tirade against Cardiff City before Boxing Day’s 2-2 Coca-Cola Championship
draw at Vicarage Road.
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 |
|
Hulse annoyed as
league refuse to budge
|
|
JOHN HULSE says the Welsh
Premier should have given more consideration to his players after they refused
to allow Rhyl’s Belle Vue derby with Connah’s Quay to be switched to
tomorrow.
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 |
|
Croesy looking to get
back on track
|
|
TWELVE of Gwent's 13 MacWhirter
Welsh League clubs help bring the curtain down on 2007 tomorrow, when only
Cwmbran Town will not be in action.
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 |
|
Away day followed by 5 at
home for County
|
|
NEWPORT County travel to
Dorchester Town for a Blue Square South match tomorrow, while they will be
staying at home for the start of 2008.
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 |
|
Fowler heads to
America for op
|
|
ROBBIE Fowler is heading off to
America.
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 |
|
Martinez wants fans
pumped up for Leeds
|
|
SWANSEA CITY manager Roberto
Martinez has called on supporters to turn the Liberty Stadium into a cauldron
of noise tomorrow and outdo the reception visitors Leeds gave to the Swans at
Elland Road.
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 |
|
Six goals were shared at the Re/Max Stadium in an enthralling Afan Nedd derby
match between Port Talbot Town and Neath Athletic.
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 |
|
CARDIFF CITY manager Dave
Jones bemoaned the performance of the referee after his side conceded an
injury-time goal to draw 2-2 with league leaders Watford.
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 |
|
Swansea produced a superb
display of attacking football to dismantle Cheltenham at the Liberty Stadium.
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 |
|
Wrexham crashed to another
home defeat and sunk back to bottom place in League Two as Rochdale eased to
victory at the Racecourse Ground.
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 |
|
The top two in the Principality
Welsh Premier had more reason to celebrate the Festive Period as both TNS and
Llanelli won difficult away matches at Welshpool and Carmarthen Town
respectively.
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 |
|
There were 4,065 people at the
nine Principality Welsh Premier League Boxing Day Fixtures this afternoon, at
an average of at 451.67.
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 |
|
Weston-super-Mare 2-2 Newport
County
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.
BRITISH GAS BUSINESS
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
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 |
|
Neath, unbeaten in five
matches, get their first taste of Boxing Day action when they make the short
trip to Port Talbot.
The teams are level on points
and it should be a tight affair with both sides pressing for a top-six place.
“We are going to Port Talbot in
confident mood after our 4-0 win over Connah’s Quay, but it’s important we keep
our feet on the ground and not get carried away,” said Eagles boss Andrew Dyer,
who has masterminded his club’s impressive rise through the divisions over the
past five years.
“We are looking forward to the
challenge.
“Port Talbot will find we are a
different proposition to the side they beat 3-0 in the League Cup game there in
August.
“I am confident of that and I’m
hoping for a positive result.”
ICW |
|
DEC-26 |
|
Bangor boss looking for big turn-out |
|
BANGOR City manager Neville
Powell is anticipating a record crowd of between 1,500 and 2,000 for the visit
of local rivals Caernarfon Town this afternoon as his side’s push for Europe
continues.
The Citizens, beaten just once
in 19 matches, have an impressive record against the Canaries, who last won at
Farrar Road 11 years ago.
“Last season, when Caernarfon
were second from bottom and we were 12th, 1,100 came to watch the match, so I’m
hoping for much more this time,” said Powell.
“We are going well at the
moment and the players are going into every match believing they are not going
to be beaten.
“Their die-for-the-club
attitude is something you can’t buy.”
ICW |
|
DEC-26 |
|
Derby double is crucial for Hulse |
|
RHYL manager John Hulse is
setting his sights on a double over Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Starting with today’s derby
at the Deeside Stadium, Hulse wants to kick-start a sustained climb up the
ladder and a fifth consecutive place in Europe.
The manager was bitterly
disappointed to have come away from Llanelli empty-handed after dominating the
game in a 2-1 defeat.
“I just felt they didn’t look
like scoring and Lee Kendall hadn’t a save to make,” he said.
“Even their manager Peter
Nicholas said they were lucky to come away with three points.
“Most cruel of all was a
blatant hand-ball late in the game after Dave Cameron had headed against the
bar.”
Missing five senior players
with protracted injuries for such a long period has been a critical factor in
Rhyl finding themselves trailing leaders The New Saints by 12 points and
Llanelli by 10 at the turn of the year.
Nomads boss Jim Hackett faces
a big selection headache after having key man Alan Glover sent off in
Saturday’s 4-0 body blow at Neath.
Hackett said: “It appears
there was an incident off the ball involving the Neath centre forward but
no-one in the ground apart from the referee saw it and now we are stuck with
being without Alan for three matches.”
ICW |
|
DEC-26 |
|
McKenna aiming to overcome Pool
jinx |
|
MANAGER Ken McKenna is
refusing to look too far ahead as The New Saints aim to cement pole position
in their two festive derbies with Welshpool Town.
The defending champions visit
Maesydre today after stretching their unbeaten league run to 15 games with
last Saturday’s 1-0 success against Aberystwyth Town.
That kept the defending
champions two points clear at the top, and well placed for a fourth straight
league crown.
McKenna knows the pitfalls
after seeing his side lose two of their last three visits to Welshpool at this
time of year.
He said: “Past results don’t
count much but we’ve got to make sure we get through this period with as many
points as we can and see where it takes us.
“It’s easy to take your eye
off the ball at this time of year but the lads are working hard to put as many
points on the board as they can.”
Left-back Chris King returns
from a two-match ban, while fellow defender Tommy Holmes should be back in
contention.
Welshpool will aim to bounce
back from last Friday’s disappointing 1-0 home loss to Newi Cefn Druids as
they bid to ensure they don’t drop out of the top five.
Defender John Keegan is out
with a knee problem, while forward Steve Rogers is also struggling with a
hamstring strain.
“I am confident of that and I’m
hoping for a positive result.”
ICW |
|
DEC-26 |
|
Llangefni to unveil Caven as new boss |
|
NEW player-manager Alex Caven
will be introduced by Llangefni Town to the Talwrn Road faithful ahead of
today’s derby with fellow strugglers Porthmadog.
With the clubs languishing
bottom and next-to-bottom this is a crucial six-pointer.
Caven has been named as
Llangefni’s replacement for Adie Jones, who left by mutual agreement last week
after a sequence of dismal results.
The midfielder, who is 28 and
has switched from Colwyn Bay in the Unibond League, is recovering his fitness
after a six-month lay-off.
Merseyside-based Caven was a
trainee at Burnley and has played for Droylsden in the then-styled Conference.
Llangefni’s general manager
Bryan Owen said: “Alex comes to us highly recommended and we expect him to bring
in several new signings to strengthen the squad when the new year transfer
window opens.”
Llangefni, for whom Darren
Thomas returns today, registered a home and away double over Port in the
Loosemores Cup qualifying stages, winning 2-1 at The Traeth and 2-0 at Talwrn
Road.
Porthmadog manager Viv
Williams, who lives in Llangefni, will have to check among his walking wounded
before settling on the visitors’ line-up.
Right-back Kyle Jacobs (ankle),
left-back Barry Evans (also ankle), left midfielder Aled Rowlands (thigh) and
forward Marcus Orlik (leg) are all out.
ICW |
|
DEC-26 |
|
Is Joe Ledley next to
leave Cardiff City?
|
|
CARDIFF City legend David Giles
has today labelled the Bluebirds a selling club and expressed his fears Joe
Ledley will follow Chris Gunter out of Ninian Park.
With the Bluebirds battling
administration and facing a £35m court action in March, the Ninian Park club
are being forced to sell off their prized young assets with teenage full-back
Gunter set to seal his transfer to Tottenham Hotspur today.
Giles fears Joe Ledley is set
to be the next young City star out of the door when the transfer window opens on
January 1in eight days time following a £3.5m offer from Wolves and interest
from Everton.
“Hearing the news Chris
Gunter is leaving Cardiff is very sad and continues a worrying trend of the club
selling their best players,” said Giles in his Echo column today.
“Now we have already lost
Chris Gunter and it looks like we are going to lose Joe Ledley as well because
it would not surprise me at all if he is the next player to go.
“Everyone is keeping their
fingers crossed nobody else goes out in the transfer market, but Joe is the
number one candidate.
“Sadly Chris has gone because
the club are desperate for money. My concern is where is the club going if they
are selling all their best players and the money is not going to be used to
strengthen the squad?
“We all know the cash is
going to be used for the court case that is hanging over the club. How do they
expect to attract more supporters to come and see City if their top players are
being sold all the time?”
ICW
|
|
DEC-26 |
|
No taking it easy for
County
|
|
PETER Beadle has rewarded his
players for their brilliant win over Swansea City on Wednesday by ordering them
in to train on Christmas Eve.
The Exiles don't have a fixture
tomorrow because scheduled opponents Welling United are playing in the Setanta
Shield but Beadle wants the team in top shape to hand out a stuffing to
Weston-super-Mare on Boxing Day.
"In a way it's nice to
have a break and no distractions this weekend but they all understand that we
need to work hard in training on Saturday and Monday because we need to get some
league points on the board," said Beadle.
And the manager will be leading
by example by refusing to over-indulge at the Christmas dinner table.
"We've put in a lot of
hard work and I've told them not to abuse that and I'm no different," he
added.
"We'll all enjoy Christmas
with our families but a little bit of sacrifice now will be well worth it and
we'll have a big party at the end of the season when we win promotion."
SWA
|
|
DEC-26 |
|
Cardiff can cope with
Gunter loss - McPhail
|
|
CARDIFF CITY skipper Stephen
McPhail insists the Bluebirds will cope with the loss of Wales defender Chris
Gunter.
The 18-year-old full-back was
at Ninian Park on Saturday after agreeing terms over a £3m switch to Tottenham
Hotspur in the January transfer window.
Gunter (pictured below) has
been among City’s best players during their recent mini-revival, but McPhail
believes the Bluebirds have the necessary strength in depth to continue their
climb up the Championship table.
“We’ve got some good
players that can step in and Tony (Capaldi) did well today,” said the Irishman
after again leading City in the 1-0 victory over Sheffield United with club
captain Darren Purse among the substitutes.
“We changed our shape around
a bit and everyone’s done well, so hopefully we won’t miss Chris too
much.”
McPhail knows just what it’s
like to be a youngster battling for recognition at a top-flight club, the
Dubliner having progressed through the ranks at Leeds when the Yorkshire club
had some of the best raw talent in the country.
“We’re delighted for him,
he’s only young and he’s got a long way to go,” he said of Gunter.
“But he’s stepping up to a
big level now so hopefully he can push on and play some games.
“I’ve told him he’s just
got to keep believing in what he’s doing. He knows he’s got to work harder,
but there’s no better place to play your football in than the Premiership.
ICW
|
|
DEC-25 |
|
City hunt for keeper as
Schmeichel heads home
|
|
CARDIFF City have launched a
search to solve their long-term goalkeeping problem.
They have three senior keepers
at Ninian Park, but have struggled to find the right replacement for former
first choice Neil Alexander. He was allowed to leave in the summer and now plays
for Ipswich Town, while Ross Turnbull is now back with Middlesbrough after his
loan spell and current City keeper Kasper Schmeichel returns to Manchester City
in January.
Schmeichel will play against
Plymouth Argyle on New Year’s Day (1pm), but that is his last match.
Michael Oakes, the current
number two, and Irishman David Forde will be on duty for the FA Cup tie at
Chasetown, but the Bluebirds will need a new goalie in for the Championship
match against Sheffield Wednesday at home on Saturday, January 12.
Schmeichel has been recalled by
Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson and he will be number two behind Joe
Hart. He will be playing in Cardiff’s next three matches – against Watford
on Boxing Day, Preston North End (away) and Plymouth Argyle
Santa
Claus
|
|
DEC-25 |
|
Gary Speed linked to
Sheffield United
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VETERAN Welsh midfielder Gary
Speed admits he may have to leave Bolton to prolong his playing career.
The 38-year-old former Wales
international has featured little under new Trotters boss Gary Megson.
Speed briefly held a
player-coaching role under former manager Sammy Lee but stepped down to
concentrate on his playing career.
Speed, who has been linked with
a January loan move to Sheffield United, told Sky Sports: “I’m not in the
team at Bolton. I’ve no complaints about that, the team are playing well but I
need to be playing games.
“I will see what happens. I
am fit enough to play.
“I have not got much time
left and I want to play football.”
Santa
Claus
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DEC-24 |
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Kevan is confirmed as
Llangefni manager
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ALEX Kevan has been
confirmed as the new manager of Llangefni Town, succeeding Adie Jones, who was
sacked last week
Ironically, the 26-year-old midfielder -
who becomes the Welsh Premier's youngest manager - was released from Colwyn Bay
by Jones in January 2006 when the ex-Llangefni, Rhyl and Caernarfon boss was in
charge at Llanelian Road.
An accomplished player who started his
career in the Football League with Burnley and Hereford United,
Santa
Claus
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DEC-25 |
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Racial abuse clamed
Lex XI
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RACIAL abuse was allegedly at
the centre of the storm which erupted at the end of Holyhead Hotspur's home game
with Lex XI.
The Cymru Alliance fixture was
abandoned in the final minute with the hosts leading 6-0 with the Wrexham
visitors claiming they had a player racially abused by an opponent.
The incident involved Holyhead's Curt Williams and Tanishe Muthana of Lex, whose
joint manager Tony Williams confirmed: "We felt although there was only a
minute or so left, all of my players felt so incensed by what had happened and
our player was so visibly upset, we all felt we could not play any further part
in the proceedings.
"It was not just the player either, we were also incensed by the behaviour
of the Holyhead fans who were so vociferous in their racial abuse".
Holyhead deny any allegation of
player or crowd racial behaviour and secretary Richard Parry says: "We were
appalled at the action taken by Nigel Beaumont in instructing his players to
leave the field after the incident between the two players.
"Given a little time the referee would have taken whatever action was
necessary to calm the situation but the Lex management only inflamed the
situation."
Alliance secretary Chas Rowland confirmed "the league will investigate the
circumstances and decide what course of action to take."
Santa
Claus
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DEC-25 |
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All he want's for Xmas
is?
|
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RACIAL abuse was allegedly at
the centre of the storm which erupted at the end of Holyhead Hotspur's home game
with Lex XI.
The Cymru Alliance fixture was
abandoned in the final minute with the hosts leading 6-0 with the Wrexham
visitors claiming they had a player racially abused by an opponent.
The incident involved Holyhead's Curt Williams and Tanishe Muthana of Lex, whose
joint manager Tony Williams confirmed: "We felt although there was only a
minute or so left, all of my players felt so incensed by what had happened and
our player was so visibly upset, we all felt we could not play any further part
in the proceedings.
"It was not just the player either, we were also incensed by the behaviour
of the Holyhead fans who were so vociferous in their racial abuse".
Holyhead deny any allegation of
player or crowd racial behaviour and secretary Richard Parry says: "We were
appalled at the action taken by Nigel Beaumont in instructing his players to
leave the field after the incident between the two players.
"Given a little time the referee would have taken whatever action was
necessary to calm the situation but the Lex management only inflamed the
situation."
Alliance secretary Chas Rowland confirmed "the league will investigate the
circumstances and decide what course of action to take."
Santa
Claus
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DEC-24 |
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Jones subjected to death
threats
|
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Cardiff manager Dave Jones
admits he received death threats and texts challenging him to a fight during the
Bluebirds' recent poor run.
Jones told the News of the World the
height of the abuse came after City's 3-0 defeat at Charlton last month.
"The abuse I've had from certain
quarters here is something I've not had to endure before," he said.
"I was getting invitations to have
a fight. And you certainly don't expect death threats."
Cardiff have since turned around their
form winning three of the last four games including Saturday's 1-0 win over
Sheffield United.
But just over a month ago, they found
themselves languishing above the drop-zone on goal difference after losing four
times in a six-match winless run.
"I don't even know how these people
got my number," said Jones. "A lot of it was personal.
"You could say that sort of thing
is part of football but I shouldn't have to put up with that. That's not what
football is about.
"Fans are entitled to their views
because they pay money to watch us - but sending abusive texts is something
else.
"It doesn't bother me because I've
been through worse in my life. But it has hurt my family and friends.
"These so-called fans think they
have the right to do things like that. If they've got anything to say then why
don't they say it to my face?
"But it was only a tiny minority.
Most of the fans have been brilliant."
ICW
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DEC-24 |
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Hulse admits their
title chance is gone
|
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WITH his team now
trailing leaders TNS by 12 points, Rhyl manager John Hulse admits winning the
league title has become a “near impossible” task.
The Lilywhites led 1-0 at half
time at Stebonheath Park on Saturday, but two goals from the league’s top
marksman Rhys Griffiths after the break ensured second-placed Llanelli completed
a double over Hulse’s hopefuls.
“We went in at half time a
goal up and deservedly so,” said the Lilies boss. “Then right after the
break Lee Hunt missed an absolute sitter which had he put it away would have
meant game over. To lose from that position was very disappointing.
“It’s going to be near
impossible now to win the title, but it’s up to us to go on a run and go for
second or possibly third place and qualify for Europe for a fifth year in
succession.
“We want to be in a
challenging position if TNS or Llanelli have a blip.”
MW
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DEC-24 |
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Wolves planning fresh
raid for Bluebirds star Ledley
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CARDIFF CITY’S
Christmas is about to get worse with Wolves planning a fresh raid for Wales star
Joe Ledley.
Though results have improved on
the pitch – Saturday’s 1-0 win over Sheffield United was their third in four
games – it is a desperate state of affairs off it with the club facing a £35m
court action in the new year and battling the threat of administration.
And, though Paul Parry’s
first-half winner supplied some Christmas cheer, there was little to smile about
elsewhere at Ninian Park as:
Supporters were left
disillusioned by the £3m sale of Wales defender Chris Gunter to Tottenham
Hotspur;
Championship rivals Wolves are
poised to increase their offer for main January target Ledley;
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy
blasted Cardiff for revealing their interest in Ledley;
City chairman Peter Ridsdale
revealed that Ledley had turned down a move to Wolves last week, an initial £2.5m
deal rising to £3.5m based on add-ons.
But McCarthy stormed, “I will
let Cardiff do all the talking.
“We will continue to do our
business privately and quietly if we can.”
McCarthy has been handed a
substantial January war chest by ambitious owner Steve Morgan and intends to act
fast when the transfer window opens, with Wolves having slipped from the
play-off positions.
ICW
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DEC-24 |
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Bitter rivals all set for
festive battles
|
Bitter rivals all
set for festive battles BITTER rivals Newtown and Caersws meet at the Recreation
Ground on Wednesday with both managers calling upon their sides to show the
passion needed to win a Mid Wales derby. Caersws manager Mike Barton insisted
the traditional Mid Wales derby was the biggest game of the season so far.
“As a player these games were the ones you really looked forward to,” said
Barton. “The fans are passionate about their club and we can expect a bumper
crowd.
“There is always a lot riding on these games and this season the result is
absolutely crucial.
“Neither side is in a comfortable league position so if we win we can perhaps
put Newtown under increased pressure going into a busy January.”
The Bluebirds boast a full complement of players after their last two league
games were postponed due to the weather.
“It has been a frustration having no games but hopefully we can get something
out of our trip to Airbus UK to take into the festive double.”
Newtown hope to welcome back defensive lynchpin Danny Jellicoe for the trip to
Caersws.
The defender has missed several games after sustaining a dislocated shoulder in
the 2-1 defeat to Welshpool Town last month.
However manager Darren Ryan is hopeful the 31-year-old will return to line-up
alongside ex-Caersws favourite Hugh Clarke in the heart of the Newtown defence.
“Derby games are always special and they do not come any bigger in the Welsh
Premier than Caersws and Newtown meetings.
“There will be a big crowd and both clubs will be desperate to end Boxing Day
with three points on the board.
“We are ready for a real battle and with both sides in need of points we can
expect a full-blooded derby battle.”
MW
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DEC-24 |
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Welsh league round up
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GOYTRE United are the
Christmas leaders of Division One after hitting bottom-of-the-table Garw for
six.
The Port Talbot-based title
hopefuls won 6-0 to take the number of goals conceded by the division’s
whipping boys past the century mark.
Former leaders Ton Pentre
slipped to third after Dinas Powys moved into second spot following a 3-1
triumph at Pontypridd Town. Nana Baah, Jason Cowan and Danny Kinsey were on
target for the winners.
The meeting of Bridgend Town
and Newport YMCA produced an eight-goal feast, the Gwent visitors prevailing
5-3.
There was a surprise at
Pontardawe, who recorded only a second league win of the season in a 1-0 defeat
of former Welsh Premier giants Cwmbran Town, Johnny Owens getting the winner.
It was a special day for
Pontardawe caretaker boss Andrew Richards, who took charge following the
departure of manager Marc Otten.
Maesteg Park slipped to one
from bottom after surrendering the lead against visitors Croesyceiliog to go
down 2-1.
Michael Nessbert put the Tudor
Park outfit in front, but Danny Clouth and James Stokes denied them any points.
There's no change at the top of
Division Two as leaders UWIC surged to a 5-1 success at West End and Ely Rangers
won the derby with Caerau Ely 2-1.
ICW
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DEC-24 |
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Cymru Alliance round up
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IN a depleted league programme
due to the weather, Llandudno took the opportunity to close the gap on leaders
Prestatyn Town, who were not in action.
But they were two goals down
after half an hour at Denbigh Town, Darren Cassidy and Ian Evans on target,
before making a fine comeback to win 3-2.
A double strike by Jody
Hamilton brought them level at half-time and Darren Jones scored the second-half
winner on 65 minutes.
Holyhead Hotspur led Lex XI 6-0
in the 89th minute when play was abandoned, Ian Williams having netted twice,
others coming from Mike Edwards, Darren Garmey, Marc Evans and a Chris Knowles
own goal.
Mynydd Isa scored twice in the
opening 12 minutes at Gap Queens Park, Anthony Williams and Chris Boulton the
scorers, to set up a 2-1 victory.
Gareth Roberts pulled a goal
back before the interval, but they lost Kevin Leech to a second-half red card as
Isa held out for the three points.
In-form Llandyrnog United were
given a reality check by visitors Guilsfield. who stormed to a thumping 4-0
triumph. Matt Newton, Ben White, Tim Nunnerley and an Owain Roberts own goal
completed a resounding win.
ICW
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DEC-24 |
|
Alliance to probe Lex
players’ protest walk-off
|
|
AN investigation will be
conducted by the Alliance’s management committee into a mass walk-off by Lex
players a minute from the end of their game at Holyhead Hotspur.
The score stood at 6-0 for the hosts
and, even though referee Martin Trigg, from Rhyl, tried his best to persuade the
protesters to return, the Lex contingent refused.
Next-to-bottom in the table, Lex reacted
after a scuffle between two players, one from each side, escalated into a mass
brawl – and then the entire team stormed off.
Holyhead scorers were Mike Edwards and
Ian Williams in the first half, Darren Garmey from a free-kick, Williams again
and Mark Evans, plus a Chris Knowles own-goal.
Santa Claus
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|
DEC-24 |
|
Merthyr through to
league cup final eight
|
|
Merthyr Tydfil
Under-19s 2 Haverfordwest Under-19s 1
MERTHYR reached the last eight
of the MacWhirter League Cup where they will play a home tie against league
leaders Llanelli.
Merthyr started brightly and
took the lead in the first quarter when Nathan Kitto scored his first goal for
the club after being fed by man of the match and debutant Paul Sedgemore.
Merthyr then got sucked into a
scrappy affair and conceded the equaliser before half-time.
Following some positional
changes, Merthyr struck again in the first quarter of the second half with the
same combination of Kitto and Sedgemore. Kitto got the finishing touch.
Following this the Martyrs saw
the game out fairly comfortably, with Martin and Watkins dominating the back
four.
There were also solid
performances from Ashley Facey at left back and young goalkeeper Matthew
Hargreaves making his debut in goal.
ICW
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DEC-23 |
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Easy 3 points for Neath
|
|
NEATH were totally in control of
this match from the moment, just three minutes into the game, when Jack Jenkins
beat a man 30 yards out and produced a 30-yard screamer to open the scoring.
They continued to press, and
went further ahead after 35 minutes when Matthew Rees was worked free in the box
and coolly finished with a low right-foot shot.
Nomads dug in for the rest of
the game in a damage limitation exercise, but they let in further goals. First,
a corner left the Nomads keeper out of position, and only able to parry the ball
on to the head of Lee Bevan, who headed home.
Finally, from a cross from the
right, Jarred Price dummied, leaving Andy Hill to score Neath’s fourth.
ICW
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DEC-23 |
|
Dave saves the day
and frustrates Steelmen
|
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KEEPER Dave Jones produced a
string of fine saves to help Newtown earn a share of the spoils in this lively
affair at Latham Park.
The first half struggled to
come to life until Scott Barrow sent over a low cross which was met by Martin
Rose, but Jones was on hand to block.
After the break, Port Talbot
enjoyed a good spell and a quick succession of corners saw both Lee Surman and
Matthew Rees denied by the impressive Jones.
With the Steelmen continuing to
strive for the breakthrough, the home keeper was again needed as he pushed away
Chad Bond’s low shot.
The Robins, however, nearly won
the game in the closing minutes. Sub Richard Astley fed Moses but his shot was
blocked by Kristian Rogers.
ICW
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|
DEC-23 |
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Llanelli win opens up
points gap
|
|
LLANELLI really needed a second
half comeback to ensure they joined TNS in opening up a significant points gap
at the top of the table.
Carmarthen slipping up at home
to Llangefni was an unexpected bonus, but beating Rhyl was very much down to a
well motivated performance where Llanelli were the dominant force.
The home side did most of the
pressing in the first half, but they could not carve out any chances that
troubled the visiting keeper, Lee Kendall.
His counterpart, Ryan Lewis,
had been drafted in from the youth team in the absence of senior keeper Ryan
Harris, who has missed three games through suspension.
On the 35-minute mark Rhyl’s
Chris Sharpe fired in a fierce shot and Lewis could only parry it up into the
air. Lee Hunt was first to react and headed the ball home.
Llanelli manager Peter Nicholas
responded at half time by taking off Sam Small and putting on striker Mark
Jones.
The home side continued to
dominate possession but the attacks flowed better and Rhyl were finding it
harder to keep the defensive shield intact.
Nevertheless, it took a penalty
to get them back on terms, when Rhyl hand-balled.
There was no great protest from
the visitors, and Llanelli’s top scorer Rhys Griffiths had little trouble in
finishing clinically from the spot.
From this point on the pressure
was well and truly on and it took just five minutes for the home side to take
the lead. This time, it came from an expansive, well-worked move which put Mark
Pritchard into an attacking position wide on the right.
It still needed a good cross,
however, and he produced a real beauty, curling perfectly away from the defence
and into the path of Rhys Griffiths, who notched his second with a powerful
header.
The sigh of relief from the
Stebonheath Park faithful was audible, but there was still 20 minutes to
negotiate. In fact, the best chance fell to the visitors, when a header from a
corner just cleared the bar.
ICW
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DEC-23 |
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Citizens cane
Haverfordwest
|
|
BANGOR’S impressive rise up the
Welsh Premier table continued at the New Bridge Meadow as they heaped more
misery on struggling Haverfordwest.
But it was a close run affair
after Ashley Stott had pounced to put the Citizens ahead in the 16th minute.
The all important goal came
from a Marc Limbert corner that was met by Peter Hoy. His header fell to Stott,
who scored from six yards.
Haverfordwest warmed to the
task in the second-half as Lee Hudgell twice went close to suggest a welcome
come-back.
Haverfordwest huffed and puffed
as Jack Christopher connected with a Neil Thomas cross but saw his goal-bound
header held securely by Bangor keeper Paul Smith on the line, and the Citizens
holding out.
ICW
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DEC-23 |
|
New Saints set out to
settle old scores
|
|
THE New Saints go into Christmas
with a two-point lead after avenging a five-goal drubbing at the hands of the
Seasiders earlier in the campaign.
Jamie Wood capped a fine
display by settling a scrappy encounter with the decisive strike in the 37th
minute, his fifth league goal of the season.
But it was Aber who started the
brighter against a hesitant TNS. Saints keeper Paul Harrison was forced to save
an Aneurin Thomas free kick after Duane Courtney fouled on the edge of the box,
while Geraint Passmore’s header from a Sherbon corner flew narrowly wide.
Wood, however, made the most of his opportunity at the other end. He latched on
to Alfie Carter’s through ball and beat Christian Edwards to fire into the far
corner, despite a despairing dive from keeper Richard Morgan.
With renewed confidence, the
high-flying hosts looked more confident after the break as they upped the ante.
Phil Baker and Steven Beck had
long range efforts while substitute Carl Lamb almost doubled the lead but was
denied by Morgan.
ICW
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|
DEC-23 |
|
Cardiff blunt the blades
edge
|
|
Paul Parry's strike on the
half-hour was enough to get Cardiff City back to winning ways against a poor
Sheffield United side.
He latched on to a Peter
Whittingham pass to fire home.
Whittingham himself had chances
to score either side of half time and Joe Ledley also kept visiting keeper Paddy
Kenny busy.
Michael Tonge had an effort
late on for the Blades from a free-kick, but the visitors rarely threatened.
"It was a hard
fought victory, it was always going to be tough today and the players rose to
the occasion and put in a performance that was worthy of a win.
"The goal was very well
worked and Peter Whittingham's reverse pass to Paul Parry for the goal was
superb.
"We have come in for a lot
of flak recently but today we deserve praise for an excellent performance. The
three points today were important because the other sides around us have also
won."
BBC
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|
DEC-23 |
|
Wrexham go down to 3 goal
Rotherham
|
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Wrexham slumped to their third
straight defeat after a Derek Holmes brace and Marc Newsham's strike earned
Rotherham their fourth win in five league games.
The Dragons had to play 76
minutes with 10 men after Matt Crowell was sent off for a reckless challenge on
Ian Ross.
Holmes opened the scoring after
40 minutes and then made the most of a defensive mix-up to double the lead.
Newsham made sure of the points
eight minutes from time after finding himself free in the box to fire home.
BBC
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|
DEC-23 |
|
More players could go -
Ridsdale
|
|
Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale is
refusing to rule out more sales after the club agreed to sell defender Chris
Gunter to Tottenham for up to £3m.
He told BBC Radio Wales the
pending court case with Langston is making it more difficult to reject offers.
"It has exacerbated the
financial position and we're more likely to say yes than no to the right
bid," he said.
It has also been reported
winger Joe Ledley turned down a £2.5m move to Wolves earlier this week.
Four other players, Steve
Thompson, Paul Parry, Tony Capaldi and Aaron Ramsey have also reportedly been
the subject of failed bids.
And Ridsdale said: "I
can't hypothesise whether somebody is going to come in with big bids for
players.
"We have had a big bid for
one player this week and that player said he wants to stay with Cardiff City,
which I am delighted about, so we've said no.
"My job is to balance the
finances but not to cave in every time someone comes in with an offer for any of
our players.
"It's regrettably one of
the facts of life of Championship football is everybody is for sale. The only
question is the price."
But Ridsdale said the
cash-strapped Bluebirds will attempt to bring in new faces in the January
transfer window if manager Dave Jones wants them.
BBC
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|
DEC-22 |
|
Gunter leaves
Bluebirds in £3m deal
|
|
TEENAGE full-back Chris Gunter
will sign for Premiership club Tottenham Hotspur on New Year’s Day.
Newport-born Gunter, 18, has
agreed a move from Cardiff City in a deal worth up to £3m. The Bluebirds are
guaranteed £1m-plus up front with further cash based on appearances and there
is also a sell-on clause.
Cash-strapped Cardiff rejected
two offers from Spurs before accepting the third. Chairman Peter Ridsdale has
also rejected bids for five other players – Joe Ledley, Steve Thompson, Paul
Parry, Tony Capaldi and Aaron Ramsey.
Gunter’s move to Spurs and
the cash received helps to ease those financial problems and Cardiff are now
only likely to sell players for football reasons.
Wolves’ offer for Ledley was
first in and it was put to the Welsh international, who said he wanted to stay
with Cardiff City.
Then Spurs increased their bid
to buy Gunter for a second time and the defender said he wanted to talk to the
north London club where Gunter’s Welsh team-mate Gareth Bale already plays.
“When the offer for Joe
Ledley was received, Dave Jones and I called him into the office and told
him,” said Ridsdale. “It was his decision to stay with Cardiff City and we
are delighted with that.
“We went through the same
process when Spurs made three different bids for Chris Gunter yesterday.
“Again, we said we would
stand by any decision the player made. He indicated he wanted to have talks with
Spurs and we have him the go-ahead.”
Tony Capaldi starts in place of
Gunter for today’s home match against Sheffield United.
ICW
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|
DEC-22 |
|
Martinez: Lets take a
break
|
|
Roberto
Martinez has called for a winter break to be introduced in English football
after Swansea City's trip to Carlisle fell foul of the weather.The plug was
pulled on today's top-of-the-table clash at around 2.30pm yesterday afternoon
because of a frozen pitch at Brunton Park.
And Martinez, who admits to concerns about a fixture pile-up later in the season
as a result, reckons a two-week lay-off around the turn of the year would be
beneficial to fans and players alike.
''A break around this period would be a positive thing,'' said the Swansea boss.
''I was a player for many years and experienced having a winter
break and not having a break. I played with a break in Spain, without one in
England and with both systems in Scotland.
''And I can say it's definitely positive for everyone, both supporters and
players, to have a chance to recharge their batteries and to spend some time
with their families.
''It's productive for them and it would also stop a lot of games being called
off, because I'm sure that our trip to Carlisle won't be the only one over the
Christmas period.
''I'm only talking about taking one Saturday off, but that would give everyone
14 days to have a breather.
EP
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|
DEC-22 |
|
Caernarfon looking
for change in fortune
|
|
GWYNEDD rivals Caernarfon Town and
Porthmadog line up for their fourth and final derby of the season at The Oval
today, with both sides regarding this as a crunch clash.
The mid-table Canaries are
desperate to revive fortunes after a winless streak of three games, while The
Traeth team are battling to escape from the bottom of the table.
Town’s manager Steve
O’Shaughnessy said: "We are creating enough chances but are not putting
them away and we are still unable to keep a clean sheet, but that will happen
one of these days.
"At Port Talbot last
weekend, we did well enough but those dismissals of Eifion Jones and Kieron
Quinn led to our 2-1 defeat and were decisions which we can grumble about,
although there is no point."
Opposite number Viv Williams,
whose side lost their last two games against Carmarthen Town and Neath Athletic
by 2-1 scores, said: "We are playing well but have had nothing to show for
it.
"In all the years I have
been involved in the game this is something I have not experienced, but we need
to keep performing as we are, producing good football and creating
chances."
The rivals’ three derbies
earlier this season, in the league and league cup, produced one win each and one
draw to put the series all square and to make today’s game the decider.
Caernarfon’s squad news is
that team captain Jones starts a three-match ban after getting a straight red
card, while Quinn, sent off for a second yellow, is suspended for one game.
James Glendenning will resume
action at centre-back and wing-back Lee Bamber is also available.
DP
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|
DEC-22 |
|
Gunter agrees to
Tottenham talks
|
Cardiff and Wales full-back Chris
Gunter has been given permission to discuss a big-money move to Tottenham.
The two clubs have agreed a fee thought to be worth £4m for the 18-year-old
made up of an up-front sum with add-ons for appearances and a sell-on clause.
"In our situation as a
Championship football club, we have to consider anything of this
magnitude," said Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale. "Chris has indicated
he wants to talk to them and we have given permission."
Spurs are short of options on
the left with long-term injuries to Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Gunter's fellow
Wales international defender Gareth Bale.
Newport-born Gunter broke into the Bluebirds first team last season and has won
three full Wales caps in 2007.
If he agrees a deal and passes
a medical, he would be able to move when the January transfer window opens.
BBC
|
|
DEC-22 |
|
Tredegar teenager snapped
up by Southampton
|
|
A TEENAGE Tredegar football star
has been offered a scholarship with Southampton.
If the 16-year-old Brynmawr
Comprehensive pupil Garyn Preen accepts the offer, he will start in July after
his GCSEs.
Premiership stars who accepted
similar offers at Garyn’s age include Tottenham’s Gareth Bale and
Arsenal’s Theo Walcott.
“I was training at the Bath
Academy and my manager called me in for a chat,” Garyn said.
“We spoke for about 30
minutes and then he told me about the scholarship. I was very happy and
excited.”
Garyn currently trains with
Southampton Academy and makes regular appearances for the under-16s team and the
under-18s team.
BBC
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|
DEC-22 |
Aberystwyth
face huge test
|
|
Aberystwyth Town manager urges his
side to raise their game against full-timers
ABERYSTWYTH Town face a massive
test of their top six credentials in the Welsh Premier as they travel to face on
song league leaders The New Saints at Park Hall this weekend. To successfully
complete a superb double over the full-timers would at the top of boss Brian
Coyne’s Christmas wish-list, but he is under no illusions as to the size of
his side’s task.
The Saints suffered an early
season wobble when they crashed to an emphatic defeat at Aberystwyth in August,
but the defending champions have not lost a league game since. However, the
Seasiders will be making the journey to Oswestry in good heart, and on the back
of an excellent eight match unbeaten run, which has also included six clean
sheets. Currently well-placed in sixth spot in the table, Coyne’s men are just
two wins adrift of third-placed Carmarthen, with a game in hand, and are looking
to maintain momentum. Yet, they will not be reading too much into their
remarkable home triumph over the Saints, who have since stormed top of the table
by winning 13 of their following 14 league matches. “This will be our toughest
game of the season, but it is also our biggest fixture, it will be very
difficult, but the players should be looking forward to this match,” said
Coyne. “We shall be going there in good heart, and on a bit of form, the
players know it is going to be tough, but we are not going there with any fear
and we must remain positive. “I would think that TNS would be too professional
to be thinking about revenge after their defeat at Aberystwyth, and I said at
the time that they would bounce straight back. “In my opinion, they are the
best team in the league, but we can be pleased with a good first half to the
season and we now want to push on, hopefully the lads will give it their best
shot.”
AT
|
|
DEC-21 |
|
Call to stop English
clubs poaching from Wales
|
|
NEVILLE POWELL has backed calls
for the FA of Wales to block players’ international clearance in an effort to
stop Welsh Premier players being snatched by English clubs.
The Bangor City boss says Welsh
Premier managers are finding it difficult to keep hold of their players as
English non-league clubs view the Welsh Premier as a hotbed of readily available
talent.
Powell had to put his entire
squad under contract after losing midfielder Mark Smyth to his predecessor at
Farrar Road, Leigh RMI manager Steve Bleasdale.
The City boss cannot bring in
reinforcements until the transfer window opens in January under a new rule
brought in this season.
However, English clubs can
swoop for non-contract Welsh Premier players at any time.
Powell said: "I spoke to
John Deakin about it and the league are considering refusing to accept the
international clearance of players so they can’t go out of Wales.
"If that happens it will
be a good thing for all of us. We lost our midfielder Mark Smyth to Leigh RMI,
and there was nothing we could do to stop it.
"Steve Bleasdale then said
we could have a couple of their players but he didn’t realise how the new rule
worked and that we couldn’t bring anyone in by that point.
"So we had to put all our
players on contracts at considerable expense to the club."
Asked if stopping international
clearance would unsettle players, Powell said: "I don’t think so, no.
It’s got to work both ways. Clubs invest in players and it has to work the
other way too."
He said even Cymru Alliance
clubs were coming in for players.
"You’ve got the English
non-league clubs coming in offering more money, and then you’ve got the Cymru
Alliance clubs coming in – and even some of them can offer more money,"
he said.
"So you’re losing
players from both sides – you’ve got English clubs taking your best players
and Cymru Alliance clubs taking the best of your reserve players. It’s very
frustrating for me."
DP |
|
DEC-21 |
|
Little wary of growing
pressure
|
|
Wrexham manager Brian Little says
the tension and stress of their relegation fight is beginning to affect the
players' performances on the pitch.
"When the games come
around you can tell the players are under a bit of pressure," said Little.
"They're almost a
different animal on matchday. That little bit of tension and everything that's
at stake is having an affect them on a matchday.
"But we're trying hard to
make sure we come to terms with that."
Little takes his side to League
Two promotion hopefuls Rotherham on Saturday, looking for only his second win
since taking charge over a month ago.
The former Aston Villa boss
says he hopes to use all his vast managerial experience to ease the pressure off
the players, and intends to send them out with a strong sense of self-belief at
Millmoor.
"Rotherham are a good
side," added Little, whose side currently lie in the bottom two in the
table. "I went to watch them play a week or two back.
"They have two or three
ex-players of mine in their side so I know their strengths and weaknesses.
"They are currently on
good form, I think they were disappointed that their last game was called off.
But we don't fear them. I don't think you fear anybody in this business.
"I always feel that when a
team is under pressure and when people look at footballers and think they're not
going to so something, you can wind them up.
"When you look at the
result we had at Bury (1-0 win) and the way we played at Rochdale (0-0), we have
enough about us to go there and get a result. There's no reason why we can't.
"They are a good side and
having a really good season, but if our attitude is spot-on we've got a great
chance."
BBC |
|
DEC-21 |
|
Welsh League preview
|
|
TWO more local sides bid to reach
the last eight of the Nathaniel League Cup tomorrow, when victory for one will
set up a Gwent derby in the new year.
MacWhirter Welsh League
Division Two outfit Llanwern, the county's last winner of the trophy in 2001-02,
travel to face free-spending Division One side ENTO Aberaman Athletic - with the
winners scheduled to visit Croesyceiliog in the fourth round on January 5.
Another Division Two club,
bottom-placed Tredegar Town, visit section rivals Ammanford and the victors will
entertain Bryntirion Athletic for a place in the quarter finals.
Llanwern boss Laurence Owen
says he will use the cup game to give all his squad members a chance to impress,
although he remains confident of achieving a positive result.
"I'm going to use the
nucleus of my squad," said Owen. "There are some who've trained very
hard recently and who deserve a chance to play.
"However I firmly believe
we'll be strong enough to do well. We haven't played for a while and the lads
are chomping at the bit."
Because the local council
postponed training due to a frozen pitch, Tredegar player-manager Andrew York
was unable to run the rule over his players and is unable to name his squad
until Saturday morning.
Like Division One rivals
Croesyceiliog, in-form Caerleon are also already through and will travel to face
Swansea-based West End next month.
Cwmbran Town's recent form of
only one win from their last seven Division One games has seriously hindered
their chances of first-time promotion and they won't find matters easy when they
visit Pontardawe Town - even though the hosts are struggling at the wrong end of
the table.
Because they may be short of
several players because of work commitments, the Crows will be unable to
finalise a squad until tomorrow.
Croesyceiliog, Caldicot Town
and Newport YMCA are another trio of clubs who will be in away action - at
Maesteg Park Athletic, Bridgend Town and Taffs Well respectively - and all will
seek wins which will further clear themselves of the relegation drop zone.
Croesyceiliog are minus the
suspended Chris Watkins and Jamie Jenkins may need another reserve team run-out
after recovering from a broken hand while Caldicot are unable to call on the
suspended Peter Law or the injured Tyrone Tucker-Dixon. YMCA central defender
Daniel Heath made his first team comeback as a substitute last week from a
lengthy spell out injured and he is in line for his first start since October 13
while the Newport side welcome back wide midfielder Junior Borg, who was
previously unavailable.
SWA |
|
DEC-21 |
|
Dyer looking forward
to Steelmen double header
|
Neath boss Dyer
is looking forward to the two festive matches with Port Talbot."
What a prospect those two matches are as Neath can go above Port Talbot tomorrow
if they win at home to Connahs Quay Nomads and Port Talbot slip up.
Neath boss Andrew Dyer is playing down the possibility. He said: "Our main
aim tomorrow is to keep our four-match unbeaten run going.
"Yes, the two matches against Port Talbot should be great occasions but we
need to deal with Connah's Quay first.
"They had a good win at home to Llangefni last week and will want to build
on that but we have made ourselves very difficult to beat lately and the bonus
is, we are scoring goals."
Andy Hill and Stephen Pockett returned to the squad following one-match
suspensions but Dyer, while welcoming them back, urges caution.
"I have been in this position before when two very important players are
available again and sometimes it does not work out the way you hoped," he
added.
|
|
DEC-21 |
|
Swansea ready for
Carlisle test
|
|
Swansea City manager Roberto
Martinez says his League One leaders are ready for their top-of-the table clash
at Carlisle on Saturday.
The Cumbrians boast the
second-best home record in the league and are one place and one point behind the
Swans.
And Martinez knows they will be
looking for revenge after losing 2-1 at the Liberty Stadium in October.
He said: "We know it's
going to be a very hard task but we are looking to improve and progress on a
daily basis."
Freezing weather in the
north-west has put the game into doubt with a decision expected on Friday
afternoon.
But Martinez is hoping it goes
ahead and they can pick up the first of 12 points up for grabs over the festive
period.
"There is probably a 40%
chance that the game could be called off but we need to do the normal
preparation and we'll take whatever comes," he said.
"Everyone says the
Christmas period is an important period and it is because of the amount of games
but I don't think it's a decisive thing unless you're talking about the cup
competitions.
"In the league it's about
the number of points we can accumulate but what is my concern is the consistency
of the performances.
"I think we've got a level
of performance and what we need to make sure is that we are consistent enough to
carry on performing the way we have done.
"If we do that, the
results will follow."
Carlisle are unbeaten in their
last eight, a run which has included wins over promotion rivals Leeds United and
Leyton Orient, and Martinez thinks they will be one of the teams challenging for
the title at the end of the season.
BBC |
|
DEC-21 |
|
Martyrs boss in
festive warning to players
|
|
MERTHYR Tydfil boss Garry Shephard
has not imposed a booze ban on his players over the Christmas and New Year
period.
The Martyrs have four
consecutive home fixtures over the festive period which could propel the club to
the top half of the table, and Shephard has a sobering thought for his players.
“I don’t mind players
having a couple of drinks, but if they take advantage they will be dropped and
not just for these games,” said Sheppard.
“I will know if anybody is
trying to kid themselves the moment they walk through the door, they have to be
responsible.
“With office parties and work
places closing down I’m hoping that the players are sensible enough to look
after themselves.”
Merthyr tackle Team Bath
tomorrow and Shephard will be looking at players closely as they try a revenge
mission on a club that beat them 3-2 earlier on this season.
The Martyrs boss said: “We go
into a busy schedule and we need to capitalise on the home advantage and make
the last two results count as we’ve hit a bit of form.”
Shephard’s team turned the
form book on its head in mid-week with a goalless draw away to high-flying Hemel
Hempstead.
“We did well considering
their position in the league and it just shows that there is no-one to fear in
this division,” he said.
“But we must get a decent
haul of points in the next four games.”
Merthyr face Gloucester City on
Boxing Day with former Penydarren Park boss Tim Harris now at the helm.
Shephard added: “It’s
another fixture that I hope my players will deliver, I’m not going to call
them in for training on Christmas Day as it’s a time to be with family, and,
while I expect them to have a drink with their meal, I hope they take the game
into account.”
ICW |
|
DEC-21 |
|
Robbie Fowler in
fresh injury blow
|
|
ROBBIE Fowler has suffered another
big injury blow.
The former England and
Liverpool striker is in hospital today for scans on damaged ankle ligaments.
Fowler, who has netted six
goals for the Bluebirds this season, was the victim of a mistimed tackle during
a practice match at Cardiff’s Vale of Glamorgan Hotel and Country Club
training ground.
“Robbie’s ankle came up
like a balloon and he is having scans,” said manager Dave Jones today. “He
was tackled during training and suffered an impact injury.
“It’s a big blow for Robbie
because he has worked hard to regain fitness.
“He has been looking good and
feeling sharp in training, but these are not the best of times for him.
“Now he must work his way
back again and he’s up for the challenge.
“We won’t know the extent
of the problem until the medical people have looked at the scans.”
Fowler, 32, was a contender for
a return to the City starting line-up against Sheffield United at Ninian Park
tomorrow after coming on as a substitute during Cardiff’s 1-0 defeat at
Bristol City last weekend.
He had been out for more than a
month with a hip injury.
That had settled down after he
went to Frankfurt in Germany for treatment and had a course of 28 injections.
ICW |
|
DEC-20 |
|
Llangefni
sack manager Jones
|
DIE Jones has been sacked by
Llangefni Town seven months after steering the club to the Principality Welsh
Premier.
The Cae Bob Parry outfit currently occupy a relegation spot and Jones was
hoping to bring in new faces after the transfer window opens on January 1.
Jones, who attended a training session in Bethesda on Tuesday night to bid
farewell to his squad, said that he was 'gutted and would liked to have
finished the job.'
"The club was sixteen points behind Bala when I joined and managed to get
them promotion in my first five months," he said.
"I would have liked to have been given the chance to bring in players I
had identifi
ed, and I am confident I could
have kept the club up.
"I believe outside influences have dealt me a bad hand, but Llangefni are
a great club and I have worked with some great people there and wish them the
best of success for the future."
Llangefni general manager Bryan Owen said that the club would be making an
appointment very quickly and were talking to a player-manager.
Thanking the outgoing manager, he said that results were the major factor in
the decision.
"We need to act quickly, and the match at Connah's Quay Nomads last
Saturday was the straw that broke the camel's back," said Owen.
"We will always be grateful to Adie for getting into the Welsh Premier,
and would like to thank him and his wife Bernadette for all the hard work they
have put in.
"The club want to preserve their place in the premier and considered that
a change was the best way forward."
NWC |
|
DEC-20 |
|
Welshpool look to
march on against Saints
|
WELSHPOOL Town will bid to
repeat last season's success when The New Saints bandwaggon rolls into
Maesydre.
The Lilywhites have lost just
two of their last 10 league games and go into Boxing Day’s clash on the back
of a 3-3 draw with full-timers Llanelli.
“Last season we managed to get something out of our games against TNS and
there is no reason why we should not aspire to equal that feat.
“TNS are obviously the team to beat every season in the Welsh Premier but we
will not shirk the challenge,” said manager Tomi Morgan.
“My lads have given me everything in each game so far this se
ason and they will be desperate
to get one over on TNS.”
Chris Venables returns to the Welshpool Town midfield having missed the
six-goal thriller with Llanelli.
Richie Harris is also back in contention following suspension while John
Keegan is back from injury.
Welshpool’s sole injury doubt surrounds Steve Rogers with the former Saint
likely to be out until January.
TNS could increase their lead at the top of the table with a successful
festive and new year period.
Title rivals Llanelli picked up just nine points from a possible 30 at the
same point last season to effectively hand the championship to The New Saints.
The Saints early season injury crisis has faded with Alfie Carter and Martyn
Naylor returning in last week’s 3-0 win over Cefn Druids.
However John Toner continues to struggle while bustling striker Mike Wilde is
ruled out with a shoulder problem.
CT |
|
DEC-20 |
|
Sam issues writ for
‘loss of wages’
|
|
SAM Hammam has issued a High Court
writ against Cardiff City - for loss of wages.
The former Bluebirds owner
insists he is owed the money and issued the writ for £70,000 before flying to
America where he is to spend Christmas and New Year.
Hammam is already embroiled in
a High Court action against City with mystery company Langston. They hold £24m
in loan notes taken out by the Bluebirds when Hammam was chairman. That case is
due to be heard during March.
While Hammam insists he is not
connected to Langston, he has said he is acting as a mediator between the two
sides.
The writ is unlikely to cause
Cardiff City any further problems, but it is an aggravating factor while they
are tackling Langston’s claim for £35m.
Hammam's claim for payment from
City arises from the agreement struck when he left the club. The Bluebirds
agreed to pay £200,000 plus £100,000 for the next three years to his company,
Rudgwick.
City were apparently up to date
with all payments until Langston started their High Court proceedings, but
stopped paying at that stage.
Bluebirds chairman Peter
Ridsdale would not comment today.
ICW |
|
DEC-20 |
|
Martinez: Players dropped
their standards
|
|
Roberto
Martinez admitted his second-string side dropped below Swansea City's high
standards in their FAW Premier Cup humbling at Newport.
Charlie
Griffin's stoppage-time header saw Peter Beadle's Blue Square South side clinch
a place in the semi-finals.
And Martinez conceded a much-changed Swansea line-up fell away at Spytty Park.
"In the first half we adapted well to the conditions and created enough
chances to win the game," said the Swansea boss.
"At any level you will be punished if you don't take your
chances and that's what happened to us.
"We were disappointing in the second half. We were not happy with that
because of the standards we have got.
"We don't want to lose any game, and it's disappointing that we couldn't
cope with the pressure Newport put on us in the second half.
"We must learn our lessons and make sure we improve the next time we are in
this situation."
EP |
|
DEC-20 |
|
Chasetown given go ahead
to host Cardiff Cup tie
|
|
Chasetown have been granted
permission to stage their third-round FA Cup tie with Cardiff City at their home
ground.
The match will go ahead on
Saturday, 5 January with a 1300 GMT kick-off.
There had been concerns over
the safety of Scholars Park and Staffordshire police were keen to switch the
game to a bigger stadium.
But the British Gas Midland
Division side can now press ahead with plans to stage the match, which will see
the ground's capacity boosted to 2,000.
That will involve erecting
temporary seating behind each goal, as was the case for their second round
replay win over Port Vale.
BBC |
|
DEC-20 |
|
A
late Griffin goal seals County win over Swansea
|
|
Charlie Griffin struck two minutes
into stoppage time to send Newport County into the FAW Premier Cup semi-finals
at the expense of high-flying Swansea.
Griffin's header from a
right-wing cross went in off the bar as a game of few chances headed towards
extra time.
Swansea created the best
first-half openings, with Darryl Duffy and Kris O'Leary having efforts well
saved.
Newport enjoyed plenty of
possession after the break and Griffin's header gave Swansea no time to find a
reply.
Conference South side Newport
will now face Welshpool or Cardiff City in the semi-finals, while Swansea are
left to contemplate an early Premier Cup exit for the second successive year.
BBC |
|
DEC-20 |
|
A
late Griffin goal seals County win over Swansea
|
|
Charlie Griffin struck two minutes
into stoppage time to send Newport County into the FAW Premier Cup semi-finals
at the expense of high-flying Swansea.
Griffin's header from a
right-wing cross went in off the bar as a game of few chances headed towards
extra time.
Swansea created the best
first-half openings, with Darryl Duffy and Kris O'Leary having efforts well
saved.
Newport enjoyed plenty of
possession after the break and Griffin's header gave Swansea no time to find a
reply.
Conference South side Newport
will now face Welshpool or Cardiff City in the semi-finals, while Swansea are
left to contemplate an early Premier Cup exit for the second successive year.
BBC |
|
DEC-19 |
|
Rhyl
aiming for change in fortune at Llanelli
|
|
WITHOUT
a league win over Llanelli in six attempts, Rhyl would dearly love to end that
sequence this Saturday at Stebonheath Park, kick-off 2.30pm.
Victory
would revive the Lilywhites’ title challenge, but defeat could all but scupper
it with the top two pulling away from the pack.
John
Hulse’s men will be out for revenge having lost twice to Peter Nicholas’
full-timers already this term.
In
August, the Reds claimed a 2-1 triumph in a league game at Belle Vue, then
followed up with a 4-1 home success in the FAW Premier Cup.
“They’re
a good side, well-organised, but on our day we can beat anyone,” said Hulse
(for more comments see main back page story).
“For
the past five years, TNS have been full-time and Llanelli for the past two, yet
last season we split them by finishing second and we’ve not been out of the
top three in the last four seasons.
“My
lads being part-time makes what we’ve done more of an achievement. Full-time
clubs have their players training every day, whereas we only get a couple of
hours a week.”
Llanelli,
who currently lie second behind TNS, are packed with experience and have the
WPL’s leading marksman in Rhys Griffiths, who has bagged 23 goals already this
season.
RV |
|
DEC-19 |
|
Sean Wharton joins
ambitious Goytre
|
|
AMBITIOUS
MacWhirter Welsh League outfit Goytre have turned to former Cwmbran Town manager
Sean Wharton to help continue the club’s development.
The
39-year-old ex-Wales semi-professional international resigned as boss of the
Crows at the end of last season, when the club was relegated from the top-flight
Welsh Premier League following a couple of financial collapses.
Now
Goytre want Cwmbran-based Wharton to oversee all aspects of football at the
Penperlleni-based
Division Three outfit, which was only playing Gwent Central League football nine
seasons ago.
After
gaining promotion to the Gwent Senior League, Goytre’s rise was swift as the
club swept through all three divisions to go up at the end of the 2001-02
While
the club’s Plough Lane home has been turned into one of the league’s most
well-appointed grounds, officials feel the time is right for someone to look at
the bigger picture.
And
that someone is Wharton: “We’re delighted Sean has agreed to join us,”
said Gotyre chairman Paul Greenhalgh.
“The
club needs a bit of an on-the-field revamp and Sean will come in to look at the
way both our first and second teams play.
“He’s
already indicated that the club needs to set-up a youth policy and hopefully he
will be able to implement that for us.
“We’ve
not discussed a title for him, although I suppose at the very top level of the
game people would say he’s a director of football.
“Sean
has great experience and he can give the club some guidance and we’re hoping
he’ll be able to be influential in bringing in some new players.”
Since
leaving Cwmbran, Wharton has kept his hand in by taking coaching sessions with
several local clubs.
“When
I did so at Goytre, I was immediately impressed with all the facilities and this
club can go forward to be the biggest in Gwent.
“But
more than that, I was struck by how nice everyone was and that counted for
everything in my book.
“The
people here are just interested in football and there’s no hidden agendas or
politics involved here.
“I
won’t have any say in the selection of either the first or the seconds
(managed by Ian Rosser and Mike Pugh respectively), but I will obviously be
watching them quite closely.”
Wharton
revealed work commitments and studying for a degree means he can’t link up
with Goytre until sometime in the new year.
SWA |
|
DEC-19 |
|
Scot keen to shine
after Thommo ban
|
|
STEVE Thompson lost his appeal
against a three-match suspension – and handed fellow Scot Steve MacLean a
major chance to start in attack.
Thompson’s appeal was thrown
out yesterday and MacLean is the front runner to join Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in
attack for Saturday’s Coca-Cola Championship home match against Sheffield
United.
Edinburgh-born MacLean and
Robbie Fowler are standing by, but MacLean is set to be given the nod with
Fowler, who has played only a couple of minutes football over the last month,
among the substitutes.
“I’m fit, I’m ready and
raring to go,” says MacLean, 25, who has recovered from a knee ligament injury
sustained in August.
“If I am given a run of games
I will score goals.”
The former Rangers striker has
proved that with Sheffield Wednesday (32 goals in 60 starts) and Scunthorpe
United (23 goals in 37 starts).
He has only started five
Championship matches for then Bluebirds, scoring one goal, but now has the
opportunity to face Sheffield United at Ninian Park on Saturday, Watford away on
Boxing Day and Preston North End away on Saturday, December 29.
They are the three games
Thompson will miss through his suspension after being sent off at Bristol City
last Saturday.
MacLean and Thompson played
together in the 2-2 draw at Hull City and both looked sharp.
Now MacLean is likely to play
alongside Hasselbaink as Cardiff aim to build on a solid run, having suffered
only two defeats in their last seven league games.
ICW |
|
DEC-19 |
|
Beadle will be on his
best behaviour for Swans game
|
|
PETER BEADLE has insisted he will
be on his best behaviour tonight to make sure there is no repeat of the
“regrettable” scenes that marred the last Newport-Swansea derby.
The build-up to tonight’s FAW
Premier Cup tie has been dominated by talk of the unsavoury events that
overshadowed last year’s clash in the FA Cup.
The Swans triumphed 3-1 that
afternoon. But the game will always be remembered for the series of events that
led to fourth official Alan Sheffield being knocked unconscious by a coin thrown
from a section of Newport fans.
While he may have had nothing
to do with the coin being thrown, Beadle was sent to the stands for verbally
abusing Sheffield just moments before the official was injured. The County
manager later received a seven-match touchline ban for his conduct on the day.
Beadle says he has learned his
lesson and is adamant he will not be making the same mistake again. The
35-year-old claims both he and the club have put last year’s controversy
behind them and he is just focused on enjoying the occasion this time round.
“It was a regrettable
situation, it can’t happen again and it won’t,” he said. “We’ve moved
on from that and it’s in the past.
“I’m a passionate person
and I got too wrapped up in the game. I should have been focusing on enjoying
the day, but I got too involved and lost my head.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a
case of me having to change anything. I just need to focus more on enjoying the
occasion this time round.”
He added, “Both teams have
moved on from it now. Swansea had a good run in the cup last year and both clubs
are chasing promotion this season.”
There is always a lot of
passion in Welsh derbies and Beadle admits he won’t have to try very hard to
motivate his players. Having lost at home last time, Newport are still licking
their wounds but instead of revenge, their manager claims the main aim is to
restore some pride.
ICW |
|
DEC-19 |
|
Little given go-ahead
to bring in new faces
|
|
WREXHAM owners Neville Dickens and
Geoff Moss have given their full backing for manager Brian Little to strengthen
his squad when the transfer window re-opens next month.
And they are confident the
experienced Dragons boss has what it takes to drag the club away from the foot
of the League Two table during the second half of what has so far been a
disappointing campaign.
Moss said it was thanks to
Wrexham’s youth development programme that cash was still readily available,
even though Little currently has 30 players on the books – including loan
signings Robbie Garrett and Sam Aiston.
But the Racecourse outfit
remains well within the Football League’s salary cap because only a percentage
of the wages paid to players under 23 and brought through the ranks counts
against the allowed 60% of total turnover.
The club has a dozen members of
the squad in that category and Moss said: “We had a chat with Brian after
Saturday’s game and told him that we are well within the cap at the moment.
“He said he would give the
matter some thought and take it from there, but I guess he would be interested
in bringing people in on loan because, even though there is money in the budget,
we don’t have the cash available to splash out on substantial transfer fees.
“We will do everything we can
to help Brian and to try and ensure that we begin to climb the league table, but
the job has to be achieved within sensible margins.”
DP |
|
DEC-19 |
|
Ouch: Feeney out for
3 months
|
|
Warren
Feeney today dealt Swansea City a hammer blow as he was ruled out for up to
three months - but the club insist they still want to sign him. The Northern
Ireland international was ruled out for a month after being carried off during
Saturday's 3-0 win over Southend, but he has since been dealt the "worst
possible news".
Following further investigations, the 26-year-old is now expected to miss the
next three months after rupturing his ankle ligaments.
But despite his injury ruling him out well past his loan spell, which expires on
January 1, Feeney has been given a comforting vote of confidence by his manager.
"The situation does not change at all with Warren,"
said Swansea boss Roberto Martinez.
"Warren's injury, when I saw it, I thought would be a bad one. We have
found no bone fracture, which is good, but he could still be out for anything
between seven to 13 weeks.
"Nothing has changed in my mind. The plan was to do a deal with Cardiff but
the big issue is his situation at Cardiff
EP |
|
DEC-19 |
|
Brace: Well done boys
|
|
Carmarthen
Town boss Deryn Brace has lauded his maturing squad for keeping them firmly in
the European hunt.
The player-manager has seen his young squad blossom this season in the Welsh
Premier League and they head for 2008 in a commanding position.
The Welsh Cup winners are currently third after Saturday's scoreless draw with
Rhyl, who sit a place below them in the rankings.
And that performance was enough for Brace to come out and
deliver some pats on the backs for his team.
Rhyl
dominated Town in the first week of the season, but Brace's side were not put to
the sword and eventually went down 2-1.
"When we played them at the start of the season people said they should
have won 10-0," said Brace.
"Christmas is almost here and we're above them in the table so, obviously,
we are getting something right.
Town host lowly Llangefni on Saturday at Richmond Park and it's a great
opportunity to open a gap on Rhyl, who travel to Llanelli.
A 3-0 win at Llangefni supplied Town's first victory of the campaign in August
and Brace will be looking for the same kind of display from his side.
But he is also wary that Carmarthen can't underestimate the league newcomers
despite them sitting in the relegation zone.
"On paper yes, we should win, but we've been in the league long enough to
know that there are no real easy games," added Brace.
"Llangefni are desperate for points to get out of the relegation zone and
they are going to give us a hard time. We will need to be fully focused."
ICW |
|
DEC-19 |
|
Martinez defends foreign
policy
|
|
ROBERTO MARTINEZ has defended his
foreign policy, insisting his knowledge of European football is helping Swansea
City get the best value for money in the transfer market.
But the Swans boss does stress
he wants to see local players in the Wales team, with matches played at the
Liberty Stadium.
Since becoming manager,
Martinez has swooped for three Spaniards and two Dutchmen among his foreign
imports.
Owain Tudur-Jones, who joined
the Swans from Bangor, would be in the Martinez first-team shake-up, but appears
to be perennially injured.
The moment he took over,
Martinez introduced a continental influence to his squad.
The Spaniard made 11 signings
in his first transfer window, nearly half of which came from Europe.
He has previously argued,
“It’s really a huge market out there.
“People underestimate the
foreign market.
“Obviously, you need to
understand it, know about it and know which are the right players to bring in.
“If you know where to look,
what you can get from the continent is a lot cheaper and better value than
players from what I believe is an inflated British market.
“You can get what you really
want for good money in Europe.”
ICW |
|
DEC-18 |
|
Lido & 3 others
apply for promotion
|
Four clubs have apply for
promotion to the Principality Welsh Premier from the Welsh League include two
ex-top flight clubs in Cwmbran Town and Afan Lido.
Sixth-placed Cwmbran are five points off the top position currently held by Ton
Pentre, with the Lido a further nine adrift of the Gwent outfit.
But Lido, who only lost their top flight status after a three-point deduction
for fielding an ineligible player, have four matches in hand over the Crows.
Inaugural League of Wales champions Cwmbran lost their Premier status last
season after two years of financial problems.
Also applying for the step-up are ambitious ENTO Aberaman and Dinas Powys, who
have recently appointed former Port Talbot and Carmarthen chief Mark Jones as
manager.
Dinas are unlikely to meet the ground criteria at their Murch Field home, but
contingency plans include a proposal to share at Barry's Jenner Park.
NLD |
|
DEC-18 |
|
Beadle has eyes on
silverware
|
|
COUNTY boss Peter Beadle is
desperate to land a trophy for the club and he's targeting the FAW Cup as
perfect opportunity to do just that.
Swansea City travel to Spytty
Park for tomorrow night's quarter final and, with Roberto Martinez likely to
rest key players, Beadle is confident of securing a semi-final place.
"It could be a very good
game," said Beadle. "They're top of their league and still in the FA
Cup so they're not likely to play their first XI and that will give us a good
chance to progress, even though it will still be a strong side they put out.
"It's time we put some
honours on the board for this club and the FAW is a good opportunity to do
that," he added.
Tomorrow's game will be the
first meeting between the sides since the stormy FA Cup encounter 13 months ago
when the fourth official was struck by a coin thrown from the crowd and Beadle
was sent off for using offensive and insulting language' towards the referee.
It's an incident that everyone
at the club would rather forget and Beadle preferred to emphasise the importance
of the match both in terms of silverware and also in building confidence for the
league battles ahead.
SWA |
|
DEC-18 |
|
Crows keen to regain
winning momentum
|
|
CWMBRAN Town are still intent on
lifting the MacWhirter Welsh League title despite a run of disappointing results
through November and into December.
Their goalless draw against
bottom club Garw was the latest setback, but the Crows remain in fifth place,
four points behind leaders Ton Pentre.
The Rhondda Bulldogs, though,
have three games in hand and tomorrow are at home to Cambrian and Clydach at
Ynys Park (7.15pm).
Cwmbran have suffered having
earned only two points from the last 12 on offer. Those came from goalless draws
against Afan Lido and Garw plus losing to Goytre United (2-5) and Bridgend Town
(0-3).
But manager Guilermo Ganet and
his team are looking towards their last two matches of 2007, against Pontardawe
Town on Saturday, December 22, and Taffs Well a week later.
“We were missing a couple of
players against Garw because of work commitments, but we are still intent on
building a challenge at the top,” said Cwmbran Town secretary Ian Greaney.
Spanish boss Ganet has built a
multi-nations team at Cwmbran Stadium, some travelling from London to play Welsh
League football.
ICW |
|
DEC-18 |
|
Martinez: Time to
give kids a premier chance
|
|
Swansea
City return to Newport County for the first time since their troubled FA Cup win
at Spytty Park last season with Roberto Martinez marking it as an ideal time to
blood the club's future stars.The previous visit to Newport in November 2006 was
marred by an incident which saw fourth official Alan Sheffield knocked
unconscious after being hit by a coin thrown from a section of Newport fans.
That saw Newport fined £3,000 - half of which was suspended - by the Football
Association of Wales while manager Peter Beadle received a seven-match touchline
ban after being sent off.
That overshadowed a 3-1 victory for Swansea thanks to goals from Lee Trundle,
Izzy Iriekpen and Leon Britton.
But Martinez is unconcerned about such scenes being repeated as
he looks to take a youthful squad to Gwent for the FAW Premier Cup
quarter-final.
The Spaniard is relishing the opportunity of seeing how his young pups square up
to the Blue Square South hosts.
He is aware of the experience gained in such environments as Newport, a tricky
venue where attitude is sometimes required more so than talent.
Some would forgive Martinez for showing little interest in the competition,
given that he is juggling three other major competitions at present.
Top of League One, in the area semi-finals of the Johnstone Paint Trophy and,
not forgetting, an FA Cup third round date next month - it's fair to say the
Swansea boss has a lot on his plate. But he is eagerly anticipating the club's
opening game of the tournament, which offers £100,000 for the eventual winners.
"The FAW Premier Cup is great for the youngsters," said Martinez.
"It is a competition which can give us a lot of positives. It gives me an
opportunity to see the youngsters play in a competitive game. They have been
working really hard and now is their time to shine. This is why I am looking
forward to the game."
And Martinez, who is looking to win his first trophy in management, insists he
is not taking the tournament lightly despite suggesting he will not use his
first-team squad senior members for the cup game.
EP |
|
DEC-18 |
|
Nomads bring in 2
ahead of new window
|
Connah`s Quay Nomads` boss Jim
Hackett has added two players to his squad, who will be available to play once
the Principality Welsh Premier transfer window opens in January.
A left-sided/central midfielder who made one appearance for Nomads last season,
Phil MacDiarmid (pictured) has recently returned from Hawaii, where he was
working for Liverpool as a member of the academy staff.
He began his career at Swindon Town before moving on to Bristol City, Southport,
Marine, Rhyl, Leigh RMI and Runcorn and joining Nomads at the start of 2006/07
from Congleton Town.
MacDiarmid picked up a knee injury while on Deeside and completed a coaching
spell in Ireland as part of a recovery programme before signing for Leek Town in
January.
Paul Wilcockson is a right-sided midfielder or striker previously with Chester
City, who spent the 2006 pre-season with Ashton United but was ruled out for the
campaign with an ankle injury.
He has trained with Nomads in recent weeks and has impressed sufficiently to be
offered terms.
NLD |
|
DEC-18 |
|
Chasetown and City
will meet again
|
|
CARDIFF City and Chasetown
officials are to meet again on Thursday.
No final decision could be
reached in Staffordshire yesterday on when and where the FA Cup tie will be
played.
It still looks likely the game
will go ahead at Chasetown’s ground where the capacity is 2,000 and City would
have an away allocation of 500 tickets.
Chief executive Mick Joiner
said: “It is 99.9 per cent certain the match will be at Chasetown.”
Cardiff City staff, including
safety officers, stewards and ticket office manager Julian Jenkins, travelled to
Chasetown yesterday for a meeting with the home club, police, safety groups and
Staffordshire County Council.
The first round tie is
scheduled to be played on Saturday, January 5, at Chasetown’s Scholars Ground
with a 3pm kick-off.
ICW |
|
DEC-18 |
|
Martyrs out to
maintain performance
|
|
MERTHYR Tydfil boss Garry Shephard
is calling for the same spirit shown in Saturday’s BGB Premier Division win
over Rugby when the Martyrs travel to Hemel Hempstead Town tonight (7.45pm).
Merthyr were hovering over the
relegation zone, but after collecting three vital points over the weekend they
have moved up a couple of places.
And Shephard is looking for a
repeat of his team’s second-half display against Rugby.
“On Saturday our first-half
performance was simply not good enough and they were told at half-time in no
uncertain terms,” said Shephard.
“A few changes were made and
I can’t fault the players in the second half when they showed great character.
“Up until the interval we
played as if we were all strangers to each other and the players were not doing
themselves any justice.
“It’s the second-half
commitment and work rate that I want right from the first whistle tonight
because Hemel are a very good side with promotion ambitions, so we will have to
be at our best.
“I will start the game with
the team that started the second half on Saturday and give them the chance to
prove themselves again.”
The Martyrs, although just
above the relegation zone, still have thoughts of a play-off spot come May.
“We have four home games
after tonight and over the Christmas and New Year period we will have a better
idea how our season will pan out,” said Shephard.
“It is so tight in the middle
of this table a half decent run would put us up there and that’s our aim.”
ICW |
|
DEC-17 |
|
Griffiths pondering Swiss
switch |
|
Llanelli AFC's Welsh Premier
Golden Boot holder Rhys Griffiths is considering a move to FC Aarau after
training with the Swiss club.
"Llanelli and Aarau have a link up so
what happens next is in the lap of the gods," said Griffiths.
"But I'm happy at Llanelli and with my
life outside football."
The professional fire-fighter scored
twice for the Reds in Saturday's 3-3 draw at Welshpool and has 107 goals from
161 Welsh Premier appearances.
Griffiths has held the Golden Boot for
the last two seasons.
He has also played for Cwmbran,
Haverfordwest, Carmarthen and Port Talbot, and has previously attracted interest
from Wrexham.
BBC |
|
DEC-17 |
|
Bryntirion go goal crazy
|
|
BRYNTIRION ATHLETIC went goal
crazy as they romped into the quarter-finals of the Nathaniel Car Sales Welsh
League Cup at the weekend,
They smashed 11 goals past
hapless Merthyr Saints, who could manage only one, with Robbie Walters being the
star with five strikes.
Adam Carpenter weighed in with
a brace, while Jock Hamilton, Alan Yats, Ceri Thomas and Jonathan Cuss scored
one apiece. Chris Lloyd got a consolation goal for the Saints.
Goytre edged past Bridgend 2-0
in the cup match of the day, Richard Ryan scoring both goals, one from the
penalty spot.
A Dan Fitzgerald own goal gave
Croesyceiliog a 1-0 victory at Cardiff Corries, while Caerleon added to the woes
of Pontardawe with a 3-1 success, their goals coming from Matthew Hearne,
Kristian Hanbury and Simon Truman
Dinas Powys got past Ely
Rangers and West End recorded a surprise extra-time win over Newport YMCA.
In the league, Taffs Well
netted two goals in the last four minutes from Brian Burke and Lloyd Toghill
from the penalty spot to defeat Maesteg Park 2-1. Park had taken the lead
through Michael Nesbitt.
ICW |
|
DEC-17 |
|
Prestatyn ahead by a mile
|
|
PRESTATYN continue to rule the
roost at the head of the Cymru Alliance, maintaining a 13-point lead with a 5-1
romp against lowly Gresford Athletic,
Steve Bowes led the charge with
a brace of goals, while Ian Griffiths, Dave Hayes and Ross Hannan were also on
target, with a Max Peate penalty being the only reward for Gresford’s efforts.
Second-placed Llandudno had to
pull out all the stops against fellow championship chasers Bala Town to get home
1-0, courtesy of a Bryn Jenkins goal.
Llandyrnog United continued
their good home form overcoming Llanfairpwll 3-1 thanks to goals from Chris
Williams, Stuart Vernon and Rhys Llwyd.
Goals by prolific scorer Graham
Randles and Sean Beck gave Flint Town a 2-0 win over Guilsfield, while Lex XI
moved off the foot of the table with a 3-1 defeat of Penrhyncoch.
Queens Park were in stunning
form as they blasted their way to a 7-0 demolition of former champions Buckley
Town.
Kevin Leech was the star as he
bagged four goals, while Ricky Evans, from the penalty spot, Dave Griffiths and
Phil John scored the others.
Elsewhere, Holyhead beat Mynydd
Isa 3-1 and Glantraeth overcame Ruthin 4-2 at home.
ICW |
|
DEC-17 |
|
Tucker: This was an
important win
|
|
THIS was an important win for
Port Talbot manager Nicky Tucker, his first since taking over at the Remax
Stadium from Tony Pennock three matches ago.
“I wanted three points today
because, as a new manager, you are always keen to get that first win under your
belt. I will sleep better now,” he said.
James Thomas put the Canaries
ahead in the 54th minute from Paul Addo’s cross, but Scott Barrow levelled
within six minutes to set up a grand finale.
The visitors’ cause was not
helped when Eifion Jones was red-carded and they lost Kieran Quin, also, late
on. In between, Martin Rose wrapped things up from close range following a
goalmouth melee.
The Steelmen have climbed to
seventh spot, while Caernarfon’s inconsistency continues.
ICW |
|
DEC-17 |
|
Griffiths boys earn
great result
|
|
TWO second-half goals gave the
Martyrs a victory that lifts them clear of the British Gas Business League
Premier Division relegation zone.
A lack-lustre first half saw
the visitors grab the lead on 37 minutes through Akin Aladetoun’s deft header,
but after the break, Merthyr looked a different outfit with far more drive.
Darren Griffiths got the
equaliser on his debut, the striker coming off the bench to get the vital touch
after Rugby failed to clear a corner.
Craig Stiens went close as the
Martyrs went in search of a winner and on 72 minutes Marcus Griffiths headed in
Steve Williams’ right-footed cross.
Marcus Griffiths went close
again on 85 minutes, his 25-yard lob almost signing off a good day’s work, but
it landed on the roof of the net.
ICW |
|
DEC-17 |
|
Angel happy with his
role at Swans
|
|
SPANISH starlet Angel Rangel
believes he is now hitting top form after his man-of-the-match display helped
steer Swansea City to a comfortable win over their promotion rivals Southend.
The enthusiastic Spaniard not
only scored a superb goal himself, he also assumed the role of provider for
Warren Feeney’s opener. Such is his attacking prowess, people are now starting
to question whether Swansea’s right back really belongs in the back four.
It’s hardly a surprise then
to find out the 24-year-old spent a significant portion of his junior years as
an extremely successful striker.
But, while he is certainly
hoping to be on the scoresheet more regularly, he insists the change to defence
was for the best so long as he is given the freedom to push forwards as often as
possible.
“Ten years ago, when I was
younger, I was a striker and I would score 20 goals a season,” he explained.
“It was at a different level, though, and I’m a better defender now.
“But over the last three
seasons I’ve scored nine goals and I’m hoping to get more. I got five two
seasons ago and I want to get more this season.
“I am a defender, but, if I
stay in defence, I don’t enjoy my football. I like to push forward, put in
crosses and help in attack because my passing is my best quality. But the most
important thing for me is still the defending.”
ICW |
|
DEC-17 |
|
It’s same old story
for Dragons
|
|
IF Brian Little's Wrexham
honeymoon was ended when Dagenham recorded the first defeat of his tenure he now
has an insight into why his predecessor’s reign resulted in a quickie divorce.
Brian Carey lasted just 10
months before he was replaced by Little and Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Brentford
was all too reminiscent of the displays that resulted in the Irishman’s
dismissal.
Little suggested the defensive
calamities that handed the League Two contest to the Bees have left him in no
doubt as to the size of the task ahead.
“It wasn’t anything other
than panic and I felt we panicked all afternoon, which is poor really. We’d
worked so hard on the training ground, but when we’ve been thrown into the
match situation the confidence was poor.
“We had good chances, but we
were never comfortable because we couldn't relax defensively. It’s a bad
result and it shows that the task ahead is very difficult.”
And Little hinted the opening
of the January transfer window can’t come soon enough as he must strengthen if
the club is to improve its second-bottom status.
“I’ve come in to try and
help and I think we’ve done reasonably well until today. But today makes you
think, ‘Come on January please,’ because we need to help the players here.
“They need freshening up a
little bit. Now whether we can do that or fetch the right ones in I don’t
know. But at the moment there’s a few games where we have to soldier on
together.
ICW |
|
DEC-17 |
|
Is this the end for
Thommo?
|
|
AS striker Steve Thompson trudged
disconsolately up the tunnel following his red card here, the question has to be
asked whether we will ever see the Scot in a Bluebirds’ shirt again.
He faces a three-match
suspension now for his dismissal after a most needless and reckless challenge on
Robins’ goalkeeper Adriano Basso with just 15 minutes in the clock.
But what really must put
Thompson’s future in doubt is his remarkable outburst at City manager Dave
Jones conducted in the Scottish press ahead of this flawed Severnside derby.
The 29-year-old lambasted
Jones, claiming he was made the scapegoat for Cardiff’s fall from grace last
season and has lifted the veil at the Bluebirds dressing room admitting he and
his manager barely talk and do not see eye-to-eye over matters.
Thompson seems to have been
stung into the attack by comments made last week by Jones claiming it was he and
his medical staff who helped rebuild the striker who had been placed on the
transfer list and suffered a serious groin injury in the summer.
“It is a battle of wills at
the moment. I really did work hard to get back fit again, yet I read him in the
papers saying I am fitter than I have ever been and that it is a testament to
the Cardiff staff,” said Thompson.
ICW |
|
DEC-17 |
|
Furious Dave Jones
hits out at Ref
|
|
DAVE Jones couldn’t hide his
frustration with Uriah Rennie after claiming the Premiership ref cost Cardiff
– three times over.
The Bluebirds’ boss insisted
Steve Thompson should only have received a yellow for his 15th-minute lunge
instead of being sent off.
And then Jones said Rennie –
to top off an all-round bad day – missed a foul on keeper Kasper Schmeichel
for Bristol’s goal and City’s last-minute appeal for a penalty.
Jones is already facing a
charge from the FAW for blasting another top-flight ref in Phil Dowd last night,
but he couldn’t hold back and he said: “I’ve had this many times with
Uriah Rennie – sometimes you wonder if it’s personal. I handed him the tape
of the game and told him to watch it.
“It wasn’t the best
performance from him, it wasn’t acceptable.
“It was a foul on Kasper for
their goal and we should have had a penalty right at the end. It’s difficult
enough against 11 than when those kind of decisions go against you.
“And Thommo was entitled to
go for the ball but the keeper has realised it’s not going to go out and
he’s stepped across him – if anything it was a yellow card.”
Jones was disappointed not be
able to take a point but he was buoyed by City’s fight, saying: “Hopefully
it’s just a blip in terms of results because we didn’t play poorly.
They’re a good side but we gave it a big push and we kept on trying to play,
and were still creating chances against 11 men.”
ICW |
|
DEC-16 |
|
Port's Rose a thorn in Caernarfon's
side
|
|
THIS was Nick Tucker’s first win
since leaving Dinas Powys and arriving at Port Talbot to be re-united with some
players he had previously managed in the Welsh Premier.
In particular, there is Martin
Rose, who Tucker took with him from Taffs Well to Llanelli, and it was Rose who
scored the winner, in the 83rd minute.
A delighted Tucker said he was
pleased with the performance levels of his new squad. However, there was not too
much of that on show during a scrappy first half, which finished scoreless.
Ten minutes after the break, a
James Thomas shot put the visitors ahead but Caernarfon were reduced to 10 men
when Eifion Jones received a straight red for using his elbow.
It took Port Talbot seven
minutes to get back on terms. A Chad Bond shot could only be parried by the
visiting keeper, Vinny Whelan, for Scott Barrow to tap home the rebound.
Port Talbot pressure forced
good saves from Whelan, but he could do nothing to stop Rose when he side-footed
home a cross from Lee John.
In injury time, Caernarfon’s
Kieran Quinn picked up a second yellow – and was off.
WOS |
|
DEC-16 |
|
Neath see off
Porthmadog's challenge
|
|
SIDES new to the Welsh Premier
League can’t expect to walk in and beat the big boys – but they do need to
beat the strugglers.
Therefore it was imperative
that Neath took points against Porthmadog, who arrived in South Wales as the
club at the foot of the table – and left in the same grim position.
Neath started brightly and had
their reward when they took the lead after 10 minutes. A dangerous cross was met
by Carl Shaw, whose effort hit the post, but an alert Richard French forced the
ball home.
The home side continued to
press, and Jared Price had a great chance to extend the lead when he burst
through and was one-on-one with the keeper – only to shoot wide.
The visitors came out for the
second half with renewed vigour, and forced Neath to do some serious defending.
However, nerves were calmed when, after a cross from the right, Carl Shaw spun
and volleyed the ball into the top corner.
With six minutes left, Carl
Owen nipped in to get a goal back. It meant for a nervous spell, but Neath hung
on to claim all three points.
WOS |
|
DEC-16 |
|
Llanelli close to
within two points of leaders
|
|
LLANELLI had to battle all the way
for a draw that leaves them two points behind leaders TNS.
The title chasers needed a
couple of Rhys Griffiths penalties, the first a contested spot kick which was
saved by keeper Ged McGuigan on nine minutes before the striker netted the
rebound.
But Welshpool, despite the
absence of some key campaigners, levelled on 23 minutes when Calvin Davies
latched onto Will Thomas’ ball over the defence.
The striker got his second 10
minutes later when Aden Shannon laid the ball off following a Ross Stephens free
kick.
Pool were pegged back on the
hour when Craig Jones rounded off a well-worked move.
However, the hosts went back in
front when the visitors failed to deal with Stephens’ inswinging corner which
appeared to find the net before Davies applied the finishing touch.
Llanelli battled back and were
awarded their second penalty after Dave Cunnah handled on 76 minutes, with
Griffiths making no mistake for his second goal of the game that took his tally
to 23 for the season.
Pool were reduced to 10 men
when Brett Jefferies was dismissed for his second booking, but they could have
snatched it late on only for Thomas to put his effort wide after the ball had
bobbled.
WOS |
|
DEC-16 |
|
Carmarthen held at home
by Rhyl
|
|
CARMARTHEN took the field in this
clash without their established centre-back pairing, with Liam Hancock
suspended, and Neil Smithers injured.
Player-manager Deryn Brace was
forced to fill the role himself, with Chris Thomas as his defensive partner, so
a clean sheet did not look too likely, especially as Rhyl looked sharp and
purposeful from the outset.
So it is safe to say that the
home side were happier with the eventual 0-0 scoreline. In fact, the crucial
moment arguably came as early as the 19th minute, when Rhyl were awarded a
penalty, after Andy Moran was judged to have been brought down by Chris Thomas.
There was no great dispute from
the home side, but the veteran marksman, who stepped up to take the kick
himself, was thwarted by a diving Neil Thomas, who kept out Moran’s effort.
That was not the first let off
for Carmarthen either. Earlier, Matthew Holt had found himself alone in the
six-yard box, but had somehow put the ball over the bar.
Rhyl lost their influential
left wing-back Chris Roberts after 27 minutes.
The midfield was adjusted and
his replacement, Chris Sharp, burst from right midfield into the box – but
drove over the bar.
There were five goals for
Carmarthen’s Tim Hicks last week – but he would have been grateful for just
one against Rhyl. Lee Kendall denied him with an excellent save after Hicks had
cut in from the right.
Hicks had another chance when
he was first to reach a Sasha Walters cross, but his effort just crept wide.
On the stroke of half-time,
Rhyl’s Mark Connolly had another chance when he burst into the box, but then
ballooned his shot over the bar.
It was more of the same in the
second half, with Neil Thomas again denying Moran.
For the home side, Paul Fowler
and Gregg Coombes forced a number of good saves from Kendall.
Right at the death, Rhyl’s
Lee Hunt failed to convert a chance set up by Connolly with a smart set-piece
kick
WOS |
|
DEC-16 |
|
County hit 3 in FA Trophy
win
|
|
Newport Co 3-0 Bath City
THE two sides must be sick of
the sight of each other since this is their fifth encounter so far this season
with Bath holding a 2-1 lead and one game drawn before yesterday’s FA Trophy
clash.
And in the first-half it seemed
like the sides knew each other inside out and looked impossible to separate.
But after the break there was
no doubting County’s superiority following a crucial save by Newport ‘keeper
Glyn Thompson from Lewis Hogg on 52 minutes.
Three minutes later County had
their noses in front when Charlie Griffin found space down the left and though
his pass to his co-striker Craig Hughes was not best placed Hughes curled his
left foot around the ball and found the corner of the net from 20 yards.
In the 68th minute a superb run
by Richard Evans down the left cut Bath apart and his cross was headed home by
Hughes for his second goal.
With Lee Fowler excellent in
midfield County were turning on the style and on times the game threatened to
boil over as lenient referee Andy Newell failed to take action against some
persistent fouling from Bath.
Hogg in particular was
fortunate to stay on the field for some of his excesses before he became the
third Bath man to be booked, following Matt Coupe and Jim Rollo into Newell’s
notebook in the 80th minute.
County’s superiority by then
was overwhelming and top scorer Griffin rounded off a thoroughly good
afternoon’s work by scoring his 10th goal of the season in injury time.
County would no doubt love a
home clash against a major Conference Premier side in the next stage of the
competition.
Newport boss Peter Beadle said:
“It was a funny game and Bath had changed their system. But at half time we
had a good chat about the importance of getting in behind them. When we’re on
the front foot we are a good side and once we scored the first goal there was
going only going to be one outcome. Our second half display was excellent and
there won’t be many who beat Bath by three goals this season.”
WOS |
|
DEC-16 |
|
Boss Shephard left
disillusioned
|
|
MERTHYR Tydfil boss Garry Shephard
described his first season at the helm as a ‘nightmare’ scenario.
The club have been hit by a
very tight playing budget and Shephard seems disillusioned with management.
“If I had one tip for any
manager, it would be don’t trust anyone. If you have someone you can trust,
your a lucky man.
“The politics behind clubs
these days is bewildering at times, but you have to keep positive and upbeat for
the players.”
WOS |
|
DEC-15 |
|
Key midfield pair
must sit out Llanelli test
|
|
SUSPENSIONS have disrupted
Welshpool’s plans as they gear up for today’s big home clash with
title-chasers Llanelli.
The Lilywhites, lying fifth,
will be out to put the record straight following two defeats at the hands of the
full-timers earlier this season.
But they must do it without
midfielders Richard Harris and Chris Venables, who are both suspended for one
game.
“Neither has missed a game
for us this season so it’s a big blow to lose both of them,” said manager
Tommi Morgan. “When you play the top sides, you want your strongest team out
but we’ve just got to get on with it.”
Welshpool also have injury
concerns with central defender John Keegan seeing a specialist over his knee
problem while forward Steve Rogers is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Will
Thomas also faces a check on a bruised ankle he picked up last week.
Llanelli will be seeking a
third win against Pool, having won 3-0 in the league on the opening day while
also prevailing 2-0 in the Loosemores Cup just last month.
ICW |
|
DEC-15 |
|
Battle of the Bluebirds
|
|
Caersws hope a positive approach
can reap its reward as they look to ease their basement worries against
Haverfordwest at the Recreation Ground.
After a dismal start, the
Bluebirds have edged their way out of the drop zone with 10 points coming from
their last six games.
And manager Mike Barton
believes the team can improve further as they chase their first home win of the
season against a side hovering just a few places above.
“We started the season by
playing 4-5-1, but since we’ve gone to a 4-4-2 we’ve looked a lot more
positive,” he said. “If we’re going to go down, we may as well play
football and give it a good go.
“We’ve given ourselves a
chance of staying up and if we can beat Haverfordwest it would drag another side
into the mix.
“We’re now third from
bottom and we’ve got to just keep on improving and see where it takes us.”
The Bluebirds should be close
to full strength as they bid to avenge a first-day defeat, although front-runner
Mark Griffiths has a groin injury
ICW |
|
DEC-15 |
|
The only way is up
for Porthmadog
|
|
BASEMENT side Porthmadog, facing a
critical series of matches against sides near them in the table, make a first
visit to Neath Athletic today determined for revenge.
They lost 2-0 at home when
managed by Clayton Blackmore – ironically Neath-born – to provide the worst
possible start to the season.
Current team boss, Viv
Williams, said: “I was not around at the time, but I understand Neath are a
good workmanlike side with some experienced players, including from Football
League backgrounds.
“To get anything there, we
will have to work hard for 90 minutes and be committed and disciplined.
“We have seven vital games
coming up against teams close to us and, while we might well take points off
each other, our aim is to start booking points sooner rather than later.”
Left-back Mike Foster, missing
for a month because of a hamstring injury, benefited from a full run out with
the club’s reserves in a 15-0 frolic against Cemaes Bay in the Gwynedd League.
Williams said: “Mike has not
had any after-effects and will be in contention, along with the others.”
But midfielder Danny Hughes is
sidelined by a knee problem and the availability of some others is doubtful.
ICW |
|
DEC-15 |
|
We’ve learned a lot
since opening day says Jones
|
|
LLANGEFNI Town, whose woeful debut
in the Welsh Premiership began with an opening day 2-1 home defeat to Connah’s
Quay Nomads, have every incentive to settle the score in the away return today.
Seven pointless league matches
followed, but manager Adie Jones insists his squad have matured a great deal
since that baptism of fire, even though they remain in difficulty and find
themselves just one place from the bottom of the table.
Loking ahead to today’s trip,
Jones said: “We should not have lost to Nomads that day because we missed a
penalty and gave away two soft goals, but we have learned a lot since then.
“While this is another
vitally important game for us – indeed, almost a cup final in significance –
this is one we are fully capable of winning.
“Our players must accept that
every game is going to be difficult, especially this one, and the points will
not come easily.
“Admittedly, we are second
from bottom and Nomads are fourth from bottom, which suggests they are better
than us.
“But they have had a couple
of big beatings recently, which will make them smart a lot.”
Llangefni expect to have a full
squad available, although a late check is required on key centre-back Craig
Hogg, whose foot injury, sustained in the Loosemores’ Cup against Rhyl, flared
up in midweek training.
ICW |
|
DEC-15 |
|
Little ready for
Brentford fight
|
|
Wrexham boss Brian Little says his
side will have to fight if they are to beat managerless Brentford at the
Racecourse on Saturday.
The Dragons will be looking to
get back to winning ways following last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Dagenham and
Redbridge.
And Little said: "You've
got two teams who genuinely need to get something out of this football match.
"We're going to try and be
aggressive and hopefully will get the result."
Wrexham sit next to bottom of
the Football League with Brentford - who parted company with manager Terry
Butcher this week, four points and four places above them.
And Little is aware of the
effect teams losing their managers on players.
"The players will be
disappointed, they will feel a little bit responsible for that I'm sure, and
there will be a reaction," he said.
"Generally, the response
springs determination more than anything else and I think they will be
determined to put things right.
"This weekend there is a
game where people will want to fight, not literally. They will not lie down, not
give in."
BBC |
|
DEC-15 |
|
Bulls chance for Moses
|
Principality Welsh Premier club Newtown's
striker Craig Moses played for Coca-Cola League Two side Hereford United in a
friendly against Bristol City at Edgar Street earlier this week.
The Bulls are taking a look at the 19-year-old, who joined Merthyr Tydfil's
youth set-up after being released by Cirencester Town and soon progressed to a
first team debut with the British Gas Business Southern League Premier outfit,
scoring the winner on his full debut against Banbury United.
Moses played in all three Welsh under-19 games at the Milk Cup tournament in
Northern Ireland and gained selection for the under-21 bench in the European
qualifier against Turkey.
Since signing for Newtown, he has scored four goals from nineteen Welsh Premier
appearances.
Former Rhyl frontman Lee Trundle scored a hat trick in a 7-1 win for the
visitors, but Moses has been asked back for further trials
NLD |
|
DEC-15 |
|
Jenkins dreaming of
Wembley final
|
|
COUNTY captain Steve Jenkins knows
what it's like to play on the big stage and he's desperate to lead the Exiles to
the new Wembley in this year's FA Trophy.
Jenkins and Jason Bowen were
part of the Swansea City side which won the Autoglass Trophy at the old stadium
in 1994 and a win against Bath City this afternoon (kick-off 3pm) would leave
the pair just five games from a return to Wembley Way.
"It was a great day for me
and Bows," said Jenkins.
"We were only young then
but we really enjoyed the occasion.
"We got a bus between us
for all our relatives to come and see us and we won on penalties. It was a great
stadium and to get back there with County would be fantastic."
Their opponents, for the fifth
time this season, are John Relish's Bath and Jenkins is under no illusion that
it will be another closely-fought encounter.
"We are a little sick of
seeing them to be honest," he said.
"They've beaten us twice
and we want to make up for that but on each occasion it was only by the odd goal
and it'll be very tight again this time I'm sure."
SWA |
|
DEC-14 |
|
Nicholas: Boys won't trip
up again
|
|
Peter
Nicholas has hailed the character of his squad as Llanelli battle the period
that cost them the title last season. The Llanelli manager praised his players
for learning the lessons of last season's Christmas horror show which saw the
club pick up just nine points out of 30 over the winter period.
A devastating 4-0 defeat in Bangor on November 18 was followed by a 3-0 win at
Caersws.
But Nicholas then saw his side draw six and lose two of their next eight.
Undoubtedly, it cost Llanelli the chance of sealing their first
Welsh Premier League title and snatch the trophy from North Wales.
However, Nicholas feels his squad this year has already shown that they can cope
with isolated setbacks.
So far the only results that have raised the eyebrows have been on home soil.
A 1-1 draw with Caersws and defeat to Bangor and Porthmadog threatened to upset
the applecart, but the Reds replied in winning fashion.
After the stalemate with Caersws, they won at Neath in the League Cup and then
took three points from their visit to Caernarfon.
They racked up 18 goals and three victories after the 2-0 defeat to Bangor,
while a last-gasp winner at Airbus proved Nicholas's side is showing some steel
after an embarrassing home setback to bottom club Porthmadog.
And it is these responses that has led Nicholas to believe they are far better
equipped to push The New Saints for their crown.
"We have had one or two setbacks but the boys have shown tremendous
character," said Nicholas.
"I think maybe we lacked a bit of that last season and I can see the
players taking it one game at a time.
Nicholas, though, is focusing on what is a tough month for his squad.
A trip to Welshpool on Saturday - who Llanelli have beaten twice already this
term - is followed by a visit to Rhyl and back-to-back games with Carmarthen.
DP |
|
DEC-14 |
|
Stump up call to
safeguard our Euro place
|
|
THE Welsh Assembly must come up
with funds to safeguard the future of Welsh clubs in Europe.
That is the verdict of Welsh
Premier secretary John Deakin, who says it is time the government pulled its
finger out to help Welsh non-league football.
Deakin’s call comes in the
light of new Uefa ground criteria, which from next season will require Champions
League and Uefa Cup games to be played at grounds with a capacity of at least
3,000.
That will rule out all the
grounds in the Welsh Premier from hosting the games, although the league will
apply for exceptions while they work on upgrading stadia.
The plan is to upgrade three
grounds so that there is one in the North, one in mid Wales and one down south
with the required capacity.
But for that to happen, Deakin
says the Assembly must stump up some cash.
“The financing of this is
going to be a problem,” he said. “But the national Assembly has a part to
play in this.
“They haven’t put a brass
farthing into improving the infra structure of our teams, so hopefully we can
get some money from there but we’ll have to wait and see.”
“Unless your club draws a big
fish – like when TNS drew Liverpool when they’ll probably move anyway –
unless that happens why do they need 3,000 seats? They’re not going to get
3,000 spectators.
“Rhyl are getting towards
2,000 for their European games,” he added. “But Carmarthen, for example, are
only getting six or 700. As far as I’m concerned it’s ridiculous.”
ICW |
|
DEC-14 |
|
Owen's number 2 hits the
right notes
|
|
GARETH OWEN’S passion for
music has paid dividends as it has landed the Airbus UK Broughton boss with a
new right-hand man.
Craig Harrison, who counts Paul
Gascoigne and Juninho as his former team-mates at Middlesbrough, is the
Wingmakers’ new assistant boss.
And it was through Owen’s
band Easy Street that the partnership came about, after Harrison’s girlfriend
booked them for a surprise 30th birthday party for the former Preston and
Crystal Palace man.
Harrison said: “It’s
amazing how fate sometimes takes control, and now I’m really looking forward
to passing on my knowledge and working with the lads to hopefully get Airbus
high up in the Welsh Premier League.”
ICW |
|
DEC-14 |
|
Clough wings in for
Seagulls test
|
|
Mark Currie finds Burton Albion
boss Nigel Clough ready for a tough test when his side travel to Colwyn Bay
tomorrow
THE son of a famous father,
Nigel Clough doesn’t make his mobile number widely available, but the Burton
Albion manager is punctilious about responding to interview requests.
Less than 12 hours after
watching his Blue Square Premier League outfit bow out of the FA Cup at Barnet,
Clough is only too willing to talk about his side’s next challenge –
tomorrow’s FA Trophy first round clash with Unibond League side Colwyn Bay at
Llanelian Road.
For the Seagulls – 51 places
below their opponents in the footballing pyramid – it promises to be more of a
David v Goliath clash than Albion’s FA Cup second-round replay at Underhill,
where only a late goal from former Wales under-21 international Adam Birchall
saw the League Two side safely through to the third round.
But Clough, whose playing
career included spells at Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, is taking nothing for
granted.
“Saturday’s game at Colwyn
Bay is by far the more important of the two matches this week,” he said.
“The FA Trophy is a far more
winnable competition for us than the FA Cup and we want to go as far as we can,
but I have to admit we don’t know an awful lot about Colwyn Bay.
“The roles will be reversed
for this game with us being favourites, as opposed to underdogs, and we can
expect Colwyn Bay to make it as difficult as they possibly can for us.”
ICW |
|
DEC-14 |
|
Caerleon start favourites
in cup tie
|
|
A COUPLE of all-Gwent Nathaniel
League Cup ties are in prospect in the new year following the quarter-final draw
made by MacWhirter Welsh League officials.
However there is a lot of
football still to be played before we could see Newport YMCA host Caerleon and
Croesyceiliog entertain Llanwern on January 5 - especially considering not a
ball has yet been kicked in the last-16 round.
All eight games were washed out
last Saturday with six of them rescheduled for tomorrow, while another two -
Ammanford Town against Tredegar Town and ENTO Aberaman Athletic v Llanwern - are
not due to be played until December 22.
Most teams have not played for
the last two Saturdays and as a result, most are free of injury problems with
only unavailability and suspensions to worry about.
Caerleon entertain MacWhirter
Welsh League Division One rivals Pontardawe Town at Cold Bath Road, where
manager Brendan Dowd's men will start as slight favourites to progress to the
last eight, while Newport YMCA, also of the top flight, travel to the Swansea
area to tackle Division Two promotion hopefuls West End.
Caerleon, who are in eighth
position, welcome back midfielder Lewis Andrews and striker Shaun Pearce while
YMCA will be minus only injured central defender Daniel Heath.
Another Division One side,
Croesyceiliog, are also booked to travel to face Division Two opponents in the
shape of Cardiff Corinthians.
SWA |
|
DEC-14 |
|
Martinez: Now to win back
the fans
|
|
Roberto
Martinez has challenged Swansea City to bring the crowds back to the Liberty
Stadium ahead of tomorrow's meeting with Southend. Swansea lead League One and
have lost only once since mid-September, yet their last home league game -
against Northampton last week - drew a crowd of just 10,957.
That is almost 7,000 down on the attendance for Swansea's first league fixture
of the campaign on their own patch, while the average gate this season is down
on their two previous Liberty seasons.
Swansea attracted an average 14,400 in 2005-6 and 12,700 last term.
This term, despite the success of Martinez's attractive
approach, the average is under 12,200.
"Playing some of the football we've played and being on top of the league,
we probably should have had bigger crowds," the Swansea manager said.
"We're playing football which is enjoyable to watch - I think it's hard not
to get excited about it.
"But we just have to make sure we keep on performing and keep on getting
results to get the crowds back in.
"It's our next challenge as a football club.
"Rather than blame fans for not turning up, we have to keep up our high
standards and I'm sure then they will come back."
EP |
|
DEC-14 |
|
FA to decide over cup
venue
|
|
THE Football Association are
expected to make a decision tomorrow on the venue for Chasetown’s FA Cup third
round clash with Cardiff City.
The Staffordshire side –
currently in the fourth tier of non-league football in the British Gas League
Midland Division – dumped League One Port Vale out of the competition on
Tuesday thanks to an 89th minute header from Danny Smith.
The Bluebirds are scheduled to
travel to the Scholars’ 2,000-capacity Church Street ground on the weekend of
January 5 but the FA were scheduled to meet with local police to determine
whether safety requirements can be met.
Alternative venues in the
surrounding area include Wolves’ Molineux home and Walsall’s Bescot Stadium
but both those grounds are already hosting third-round ties that weekend.
It is believed police may also
be concerned about having a number of high-profile ties within such close
proximity of each other.
The club are keen to host the
tie, hero Smith saying this week: “It must be here. If we get Cardiff down to
Chasetown, we have a better chance of pulling off another result.”
ICW |
|
DEC-13 |
|
Jones not fired up over
Trundle
|
|
Dave Jones says Bristol City
striker Lee Trundle's antics at the Millennium Stadium two seasons ago will not
be used to fire up his Cardiff players.
Trundle, 31, help up an abusive
flag and wore a T-shirt mocking Cardiff while celebrating arch-rivals Swansea's
Football League Trophy win.
Bristol City signed Trundle for
£1m in the summer and he faces Cardiff for the first time since last year's
incident.
"It doesn't even enter our
heads," said Jones ahead of Saturday's clash.
"We are a bit more
professional than to worry about what he has done in the past.
"That's for the fans and
others to get angry about. That's going to have no bearing on how we play
against them whatsoever.
Trundle, along with team-mate
Alan Tate were arrested over the flag waving and received one match bans from
the FA of Wales.
Jones acknowledges the incident
but says Trundle will be treated the same as any other player the Bluebirds
face.
"I know Lee, he's a nice
lad, he's a good player and he's been around a long, long time.
"Sometimes if you say the
wrong things or do something it sticks with you for a long, long time.
"But for 90 minutes, it
doesn't matter whether he is Lee Trundle or anybody else, we're not going to be
friendly with him.
BBC |
|
DEC-13
|
|
We’ll
do it, say Port Talbot
|
|
PORT
Talbot believe they can win their next six matches
– including two derby games against Neath Athletic
– to propel themselves towards European
qualification.
Manager
Nicky Tucker predicted the Christmas and early New
Year fixtures will break up the tightly packed group
of teams just below the top three of the Welsh
Premier league.
After
a waterlogged pitch caused the postponement of last
weekend’s game at Llangefni, the former Dinas
Powys boss is looking to his players to kick-start a
run of results that will make them one of the 2008
challengers.
He
said: “From now until Christmas and the New Year
is a crucial period. It’s very tight at the top of
the table and any side that can put together five or
six wins will push away and challenge for that third
spot. You look at our next six games and they are
all winnable matches. Nothing happens like that but
we are looking at winning them all.”
Tucker’s
confidence comes despite watching European rivals
Carmarthen win 8-0 at the weekend. With his own
side’s game off, he travelled west to watch the
home side thump Connah’s Quay.
He
said: “I went for a general look but I didn’t
learn anything. Carmarthen took their goals well but
the game was over after 15 minutes. If I’d had any
sense I would’ve come away after 20 minutes but I
stayed until the end.”
Saturday’s
home game with 11th place Caernarfon is Port
Talbot’s first game since they lost to Rhyl two
weeks ago.
Tucker
said: “We just want to get playing again now. Our
home form is good (four wins, three draws, one
defeat) but it will be a tough game.
“They
have won four out of seven away games, but I am sure
we’ll pick up three points.”
ICW
|
|
DEC-13
|
|
Brace
ready for Rhyl challenge
|
|
Fresh
from their 8-0 mauling of Connah's Quay Nomads,
Carmarthen Town face Rhyl in a battle between two
sides battling for the league's final European spot.
With Llanelli and The New Saints likely to occupy
the top two spots in the league, the race is on for
the chasing pack to seal third place in the Welsh
Premier, and Town's next fixture is a massive clash.
The Old Gold host Rhyl at Richmond Park looking to
avenge their defeat at Belle Vue on the opening
weekend and extend their advantage over the
Lilywhites.
Deryn Brace's side sit one place and one point ahead
of Rhyl in the standings but have played a game
more.
And Saturday's game, the pick of the fixtures this
weekend, could play a vital part in both clubs'
ambitions.
They go into the match with Neil Smothers, Liam
Hancock and Chris Thomas all doubts after they
missed the thrashing of Nomads at the weekend.
But coach Mark Aizlewood is looking forward to the
tussle. The former Wales international said:
"Rhyl will give us a harder test defensively
(than Nomads). But we can't do more than win our
home games and we will take that.
"It's a disappointment that Neil Smothers has
picked up an injury as we are currently without Liam
Hancock and against Nomads we were without Chris
Thomas.
"But we have to manage with the resources we
have, and like many clubs we will be looking to add
to the squad in the January transfer window."
ICW
|
|
DEC-13
|
|
Smith
wants to face idol Fowler
|
|
CHASETOWN’S
FA Cup hero Danny Smith is desperately hoping Robbie
Fowler is fit and firing for Cardiff City again when
the two teams meet in a David versus Goliath FA Cup
third-round battle.
Smith’s
last-minute winner for the non-league minnows
against Port Vale on Tuesday night set-up a showdown
with Dave Jones’ Bluebirds.
By
a strange twist of fate, 20-year-old Smith admitted
Fowler was his footballing idol ... and wants to see
the ex-Liverpool hitman line up in the cup clash.
Fowler
has been sidelined recently because of injury,
watching on as City have recorded back-to-back
Championship wins over Colchester and Blackpool.
Smith
said, “I just hope Robbie is in the team to face
us when the game comes around.
“I
have got miniature statues of Robbie Fowler in my
bedroom. He is my idol.
“I
am Liverpool fan so to be playing on the same pitch
as Robbie is something that dreams are made of. I
will just want to hug him!
“I
had a Liverpool season ticket, but when Robbie left
I didn’t want to keep it.
“I
just followed him and his career. I have got his
book at home and I might bring that down to the game
and get him to sign it.”
Of
his winner against Port Vale, which ensured the big
date against the Bluebirds, Smith said, “It was
sheer euphoria, but I can’t really remember it to
be honest.
“It’s
something of a blur. I had to watch the replay the
next morning and see what my reaction was. When I
saw it on the TV, I was amazed and I couldn’t be
happier.
ICW
|
|
DEC-13
|
|
Go
for Liberty lift, says Martinez
|
|
ROBERTO
MARTINEZ last night backed growing calls to move
some of Wales’ key World Cup qualifiers away from
the Millennium Stadium.
The
Swansea City chief believes a packed Liberty Stadium
would give Wales an extra edge for their big matches
against Germany, Russia and Finland, rather than a
half-empty Millennium.
Wales
boss John Toshack and FAW chiefs are exploring the
prospect of taking some of the qualifiers to smaller
venues like the Liberty, Ninian Park and the
Racecourse... which is exactly what happens in other
countries.
And
Martinez, who acts as a European football expert for
Sky TV, is adamant the idea is excellent in
principle... and that Wales must go to the Liberty.
A
packed 20,000 Swansea crowd roaring on Wales, as
opposed to 40,000 inside the Millennium Stadium,
would be better for Toshack’s players, insists
Martinez.
Toshack
has himself spoken about how a half-empty Millennium
creates “a negative affect” as opposed to the
positive vibe a sell-out crowd would generate
elsewhere.
Martinez
concurred, saying, “If you have a stadium like
ours with a full house, obviously it will give you a
better atmosphere than a Millennium Stadium that’s
only a third or half full.
“You
can understand that the Millennium Stadium is
Wales’ home and it will be difficult to change
that. But to have the odd game here at the Liberty
would be advantageous for everyone involved at
Swansea and Wales.
ICW
|
|
DEC-13
|
|
Goal
hero Thompson still up for a transfer
|
|
TRANSFER-LISTED
strike hero Steve Thompson was today told by Dave
Jones: “Keep scoring and you’ve got a future
here.”
The
Scottish marksman fired a stunning 25-yard winner
for Cardiff City in their 1-0 win at Blackpool last
night – their first at Bloomfield Road for 39
years.
But
while Jones was delighted with Thompson’s
contribution, he insisted he still remains up for
sale – for now.
“I’d
forgotten he was still on the list – but he’s
staying there,” said Jones.
“Nobody
came in for him, but Steve is on fire right now.
“I
want to see more, though.”
Thompson’s
goals – three in four matches – have sparked a
Cardiff City revival and they have lost only once in
their last six games.
Jones
added: “Steve has a future with this club if he
keeps playing like this.
“If
I put somebody on the transfer list and say they are
finished with the club then that’s it, there is no
way back.
“But
that was never the case with Steve. He is still my
player and while he produces the quality
performances he is now he will stay in the team.
“There
is nothing personal about this – it’s
business.”
ICW
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DEC-13 |
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Cardiff awaiting March
court date
|
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Club chairman Peter Ridsdale
expects Cardiff's court case with creditors Langston to be set for March.
The Bluebirds were due in court
for a hearing over a claim for missed loan repayments this week, but Langston's
solicitors sought a deferral.
"In terms of a date for a
summary judgement, the earliest would be the second week in March,"
Ridsdale told BBC Sport Wales.
"But I'm hoping we can
resolve things before that through dialogue."
Last week, a furious Ridsdale
described the delay of Langston's claim the "worst possible outcome"
for the club and blamed it on the Swiss-based firm.
Langston's lawyers claimed the
delay was due to Cardiff "not presenting its evidence in a timely
manner".
BBC |
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DEC-13 |
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Toshack factor key to
FA's Capello swoop
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ENGLAND have swooped for Fabio
Capello as their next manager on the recommendation of Wales boss John Toshack,
FA sources have revealed.
Toshack has steadfastly refused
to say which candidate he suggested to Brian Barwick after being approached for
advice by the FA chief.
But Soho Square sources have
hinted that Capello was the No1 suggestion from Toshack ... and his advice
prompted Barwick to make a move for the former AC Milan and Real Madrid boss.
The Capello bandwagon gathered
momentum yesterday when Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger threw their support
behind the Italian, who flew to London for talks.
Toshack was one of three
big-hitters approached by Barwick for advice two weeks ago when the World Cup
draw was being made in South Africa.
As well as Toshack, the FA boss
canvassed the opinions of German legend Franz Beckenbauer and French great
Michel Platini as he looked for the right man to get England to the next World
Cup.
Toshack and Barwick go back
many years and FA officials say in private the way the Wales boss spoke so
glowingly about Capello prompted Soho Square bigwigs to place him No1 in their
pecking order.
According to FA sources,
Capello was ahead of Jose Mourinho on their short list.
FA officials say Toshack spelt
out to Barwick what a success Capello had been in management, having won nine
major titles during a glittering career which has included spells at Juventus,
AC Milan, Roma and Real Madrid.
ICW |
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DEC-12 |
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Aiming high at Neath
Athletic
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THE best could be yet to come,
Neath Athletic’s manager has told the club’s fans.
Andy Dyer said his team,
currently mid-table during their first season in the Welsh Premier, was still
capable of pushing on and climbing higher.
With bottom club Porthmadog due
at Llandarcy Park on Saturday, there are high hopes of another win this weekend.
Dyer said: “We are as high as
we are because we deserve to be there – we are a decent side.
“How high can we finish?
That’s the million-dollar question. The players will decide that, and I’m
not going to start putting extra pressure on, but we are capable of pushing on.
“Only once this season have
we let ourselves down – that was the 5-2 home defeat against Welshpool.
“In every other game we have
gained respect. When people come to see us play it’s hard for them not to see
that we are a decent team.”
With 15 games gone and 20
points in the bag, Athletic can afford to look up rather than down as they head
towards the busy Christmas programme.
The manager revealed that the
foundations of this season’s success were laid three years ago.
He said: “The gulf between
the Welsh Premier and the Welsh League is huge and a lot of teams come up from
the Welsh League and are not quite ready.
“We built this team over
three years, scored more than 100 goals and took a record number of points in
winning promotion, and we were ready for the Welsh Premier.
“We are a good, young team,
well-organised and we do our homework. We are a professional club and you can
see the benefits in our play.
“We are ninth in the table
and, if anything, I’m surprised we are not higher.”
ICW |
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DEC-12 |
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ENTO hope to up the
ante
|
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WITH the MacWhirter Welsh Football
League season around one-third over, Ento Aberaman are looking for an injection
of pace in their quest for the Division One title.
They currently lie seventh in
the table with six wins, three draws and three defeats from 12 matches.
With 21 points, they trail
leaders Ton Pentre by eight, and know they must string together a series of good
performances if they are to cause the Rhondda side much concern.
Cwmaman Institute have every
chance of lifting the Division Three title.
With nine wins, one draw and
two defeats from 12 matches, they share the lead on 28 points with Newcastle
Emlyn.
But the West Walians, beaten
just once so far, do have the advantage of a match in hand.
Fifth-placed AFC Llwydcoed are
by no means out of it either.
They trail the leaders by just
four points, their seven wins, three draws and two defeats having earned them 24
points so far.
Penrhiwceiber Rangers are
comfortably in mid-table, their six wins and seven defeats having earned them 18
points.
ICW |
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DEC-12 |
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Andrew York takes up the
challenge
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TREDEGAR Town have brought in a
new manager to replace Robert Ellis.
Ellis resigned from the club
after a poor run of results left Town rooted at the bottom of Division Two of
the Welsh League.
The club acted quickly to bring
in a new manager before the New Year, and contacted Nantyglo’s Andrew York,
who has captained Barry Town and Merthyr Town and has played for Chesham United.
It is understood York was
contacted by a member of Tredegar Town at the beginning of last week and, after
a few days considering the offer, decided to take over the role of
player-manager with immediate effect.
Club secretary, Riley Gray,
released the following statement: “To have someone of Andrew’s pedigree,
with his experience, to go along with our excellent set-up at Tredegar, will
undoubtedly be a huge boost to all of us at the club.
“It will be a huge challenge
for Andrew but I am sure that, once the transfer and registration deadline is
lifted for one month on January 1, he will be trying his best to bring in local
talent to strengthen the squad.”
York brings a wealth of
experience to Tredegar as he was a professional player with Barry Town and
captained the side that won the League of Wales title and also the Welsh Cup.
He also played for Chesham
United in the Diadora League where he won the first division title.
Mr Gray added: “With that
experience behind him, Andrew could command a position at a bigger club, but we
at Tredegar are very grateful that he will be giving up his time to accept the
challenge and the committee, players and supporters will give him 100 per cent
backing to make sure he is happy at the club.”
York’s challenge begins this
Saturday, December 15, when Tredegar travel to play high-flying Cardiff side,
Grange Harlequins, at 2pm.
ICW |
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DEC-12 |
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Swansea linked again with
Van Zanten
|
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Swansea
City are again being linked with a move for St Mirren defender David van Zanten.
The 25-year-old Irishman was touted as a possible target for Roberto Martinez
during the summer.
And there is speculation north of the border that the Swansea manager is keen
ahead of the January transfer window.
A consistent and pacy right-back, Van Zanten has made more than 150 appearances
for St Mirren over the last five seasons after failing to make the grade at
Celtic.
But he is out of contract with the Scottish Premier League
strugglers next summer and is also said to be attracting interest from Southend,
Yeovil, Gillingham and Championship side Norwich.
EP |
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DEC-12 |
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Thommo fires Cardiff to
victory
|
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STEVE THOMPSON'S goal glut
continued as Cardiff’s three-month wait for an away win in the Coca-Cola
Championship came to an end at Blackpool.
Thompson found the net for the
third time in his last four outings early in the first half to help the
Bluebirds record a first victory at Bloomfield Road since 1968 and pull further
away from the relegation places.
City goalkeeper Kasper
Schmeichel enhanced his burgeoning reputation with an outstanding display to
further frustrate Simon Grayson’s side, who can count themselves unfortunate
not to get something out of the game.
Time and again, Schmeichel came
to the rescue with a string of fine saves and, when he was eventually beaten,
Gary Taylor-Fletcher’s volley cannoned to safety off the crossbar.
Defeat was only Blackpool’s
second loss on home soil since February, while Cardiff claimed back-to-back wins
at a critical time with the hectic festive period looming.
ICW |
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DEC-12 |
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Bellamy may need second
operation
|
|
West Ham will decide over the next
few days if striker Craig Bellamy needs a second operation on his persistent
abdominal injury.
The 28-year-old Wales captain
had surgery in Germany in October but it failed to cure the problem which has
kept him out for the last six weeks.
And Hammers boss Alan
Curbishley admits surgery may be the only answer if the club's medics cannot
find a solution.
"We have to decide this
week where we are going to go with Craig," he said.
"We have to decide whether
to continue with the route we are going down which, if it is successful, will
result in a shorter route.
"Or we may have to go down
the surgery route which will be a longer one.
"If that is the case I
can't put a time-frame on it."
Surgery would almost certainly
rule Bellamy out of the club's hectic Christmas schedule, with a run of eight
games in a month starting with Wednesday night's Carling Cup quarter-final
against Everton.
BBC |
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DEC-12 |
|
Chasetown set up
Bluebirds FA cup clash
|
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DANNY SMITH was the hero and
Luke Rodgers the villain as non-league Chasetown reached the FA Cup third round
with a last-gasp 1-0 win over Port Vale, setting up a tie at home against
Cardiff City.
Having held the Coca-Cola
League One strugglers to a shock 1-1 draw, tonight’s replay saw the British
Gas League Midland Division part-timers complete the upset, thanks to Smith’s
89th-minute header and a double penalty miss from Rodgers.
The Vale striker twice had the
ball on the spot within seven second-half minutes, firstly when Vaughan Thomas
brought down Calum Willock.
That effort hit the crossbar
but Rodgers soon had the chance to make amends when he was felled by Joe
Williams.
This time he was denied by
Chasetown goalkeeper Lee Evans.
Smith made Rodgers pay when he
nodded in Kyle Perry’s cross to set up a third-round home clash with Cardiff.
ICW |
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DEC-12 |
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Martinez relief after FA
Cup win
|
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Swansea boss Roberto Martinez said
he was relieved his players showed enough character to overcome non-League
Horsham in their FA Cup replay.
The Swans twice had to come
from behind before securing their place in the third round with a 6-2 win.
"You could see how much
the magic of the cup can give you a little boost and I think Horsham were
fantastic," said manager Martinez.
"But I'm proud of my
players, they did a professional job."
Martinez added: "This was
a test of character and when things went against them a little bit, they reacted
well, they got the ball down and played and scored a few goals and created many,
many chances.
"I think we created less
chances than we did at their place but I think we were a bit more clinical and
our finishing was a bit better.
"The two goals we
conceded, sometimes you wonder if that is the magic that you are going to
concede those types of goals.
"But overall it's a
performance where the players took responsibility and found what was needed to
win the football game."
BBC |
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DEC-11 |
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Sextet come to Swans
rescue after early scare
|
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Swansea ended non-League Horsham's
FA Cup dream but had to come from behind twice to do so in a thrilling tie.
Lee Farrell gave the
part-timers a deserved lead on 20 minutes lobbing keeper Dorus de Vries, before
Darren Pratley levelled within a minute.
Farrell then capitalised from a
dreadful error from de Vries to put the Ryman League side 2-1 up.
But Leon Britton, Jason
Scotland, Ferrie Bodde, Andy Robinson and Warren Feeney made sure of Swansea's
win.
Horsham were unlucky not to
have had a penalty after just eight seconds when Lee Carney was fouled on the
edge of the box by Kevin Austin.
Credit it to the visitors, they
continued to push the Swans before twice taking the lead.
But when the League One side
got themselves back to 2-2, they turned up the tempo with Scotland and Bodde
scoring twice in quick succession before the break.
Robinson's early second half
goal was enough to kill the game off and it was one-way traffic from then on.
Swansea now face Blue Square
South outfit Havant & Waterlooville in the third round next month.
BBC |
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DEC-11 |
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Jones has big plans for
Dinas
|
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DINAS
Powys are aiming high in the MacWhirter Welsh Football League this season.
They
have appointed Cardiff-based Mark Jones manager following the departure of Nick
Tucker – and they have applied for promotion to the Principality Welsh Premier
League.
“Our
aim this season is to finish as high as possible in the Welsh League,” says
Jones.
“And
the club have applied for promotion to make sure we are in position should we
finish in the top two.”
Jones
and Dinas Powys are hugely ambitious. There are plans for a new stadium to take
the village club, while if they were promoted this season then Barry Town’s
Jenner Park would be investigated as a suitable venue.
Jones
has linked up again with John Karamousis at Dinas Powys.
They
were together at Carmarthen Town and Port Talbot Town in the Welsh Premier and
Jones says: “John and I have worked together at every club I have managed.
“John
will be assistant manager at Dinas Powys, while Gareth Morgan will be first team
coach.”
Morgan
took over as caretaker-manager when Tucker left for Port Talbot.
He
remains part of the Dinas Powys coaching structure.
SWE |
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DEC-11 |
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‘Jones spot on with
selection’
|
|
“FOR once manager Dave Jones got
his selection right and it was 100 per cent better all round in my opinion.
There was more energy and
movement in the midfield area with Joe Ledley making himself busy and creative.
Peter Whittingham was man of
the match and looked a different player to the one that comes off the bench.
With that in mind I see no
reason why City can’t win tonight and then finally start climbing away from
the danger zone.
The players showed great
character in coming from a goal down and that is exactly what is needed tonight
I think we will get something out of the fixture.
I and eight others will support
the team again in a nine seater hoping that it’s all worthwhile.”
ICW |
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DEC-11 |
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Changes in Europe for
Welsh Premier teams
|
|
The welsh premier league will have
3 teams in the UEFA cup starting in the 2009-10 season.
This comes about due to the
fact that the Intertoto cup will be scrapped after next season, so the league's
3rd club finisher will qualify for the UEFA cup instead of the Intertoto cup,
allowing that the team finishing in 3rd place meet UEFA standards.
Qualifying rounds for
the first leg ties will be played between the 15th and 21st June and the second
leg ties between 22nd and 28th June 2009.
TONY |
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DEC-11 |
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Colwyn Bay keep spending
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COLWYN Bay yesterday signed two
players ahead of Saturday’s FA Trophy first round meeting with Burton Albion,
and manager Gary Finley is also hoping to complete a deal for a third new face
before the club’s biggest game of the season.
Striker Lee Spike and defender
Chris Taylor have been recruited to strengthen a Seagulls’ squad which has
been hit in recent weeks by suspension and injury and the pair are expected to
line up against the Blue Square Premier club who are managed by Nigel Clough.
Spike, 27, has a wealth of
experience in local football, having played for Welsh Premier sides, Aberystwyth
Town and Rhyl, scoring 23 goals in 64 outings.
Taylor has also done the rounds
with the likes of Bangor City, Rhyl and TNS, and is one short of 300 Welsh
Premier appearances.
Bay Boss Finley said: “Lee
will add height and power up front while Chris will bring some experience to the
defence.”
DP |
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DEC-11 |
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Bale out for 3 months
|
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WALES left back Gareth Bale is set
to be out of action for at least three months after injuring his right foot in
action for Tottenham.
The 18-year-old limped off in
Spurs' 3-2 loss to Birmingham at the start of the month and will now have his
foot examined to assess the damage.
The club's sporting director
Damien Comolli said: "Gareth is obviously disappointed to be sidelined for
this length of time but he is still young and we have to do what is best for him
in the long run."
A foot injury also
forced Bale out of the Euro 2008 qualifiers with the Republic of Ireland and
Germany and now boss John Toshack will have to make do without the starlet for
his friendly with Norway in Wrexham in February.
SWA |
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DEC-11 |
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Ryan Giggs to get his
OBE
|
|
Manchester United winger Ryan
Giggs has collected an OBE from the Queen for services to football.
The 34-year-old Cardiff-born
former Wales captain, who made his Old Trafford debut at 17, collected the award
at Buckingham Palace.
Giggs, who was given the day
off to attend the ceremony by club boss Sir Alex Ferguson, said: "It is a
very proud day for me and my family."
He was among a number of sports
people honoured in the Queen's Birthday List.
The father-of-two, who has
clocked up more than 700 appearances for United, said that Sir Alex had given
him some advice prior to the ceremony.
ICW |
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DEC-10 |
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City's investors say no
to Hammam return
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CARDIFF City’s major investors,
property firm PMG, have landed a devastating blow on former owner Sam Hammam’s
bid for a return to Ninian Park.
Mike Hall and Paul Guy, PMG
directors who have put £12m into the new stadium project, are backing club
chairman Peter Ridsdale and say: “We will not work with Sam Hammam or
Langston. There is no way back for Hammam at Cardiff City Football Club.”
Hall and Guy made their
position clear following the Bluebirds’ welcome 4-1 Championship win against
Colchester United at Ninian Park.
Hammam and Langston, the
mystery company he has represented at meetings, have taken Cardiff City close to
administration through a high court action for £24m in loans he took out while
he was club chairman.
“For the avoidance of doubt,
Cardiff City are totally committed to repay Langston in full,” said Hall.
“But there is no way we will ever entertain Sam Hammam or Langston having
anything to do with the running of the club.
“Paul Guy and I have no axe
to grind with Sam Hammam or Langston. There is no personal grievance. We would
always be happy to meet representatives of Langston. In fact, Sam Hammam turned
down a meeting with us on Thursday. We are still ready to sit down with them and
work this out.
“We have acted in the best
interests of Cardiff City – not with words, but with cash. The legal action by
Langston is unwarranted and aggressive. It is placing a financial stranglehold
on the club.”
ICW |
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DEC-10 |
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Players have say as Barry boss starts to rebuild club
|
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GAVIN Chesterfield is looking well
into the future at Barry Town – and he sees a time when the Dragons will be
back at the top level in Wales.
He is building slowly, and the
first step is to lead Barry back into MacWhirter Welsh League Division One.
The are currently in the second
tier of Welsh League football and holding their own, although they have had
matches against Pontyclun, on Saturday, and Ely Rangers, a week earlier,
postponed because of bad weather and the clash with Llanwern abandoned because
of a serious injury.
“Barry are a special club in
Wales, no doubt about that, and they have come a long way down,” said
Chesterfield. “It will take a similar length of time to get back to where they
were, but that’s where we are aiming for.
“It’s going to be a long
journey, but I am a young manager and will build brick by brick.
“The chairman, Stuart
Lovering, has had his critics, but for me he has been superb. We have had an
issue over the budget, but we had a meeting involving Stuart, our coaching
staff, players and everybody involved.
“I demanded my players had
their say and they did. It was an open and frank discussion and now we can move
on as a unit.”
Barry Town’s playing budget
has been cut to zero for the time being, although Lovering has promised to
review the situation in the new year.
Players cannot change clubs
until the January transfer window opens, but Chesterfield said: “I will be
disappointed if other clubs don’t come in for our players. If nobody does then
maybe they aren’t doing as well as they should.
“But we have pledged to stick
together and that’s what I believe will happen.”
Chesterfield praised his
coaches, Jeff Shaw and Mike Coslett, plus the young players coming through from
the under-17 team.
“Jeff and Mike are both Barry
lads and we all want to take Barry Town forward,” said Chesterfield.
ICW |
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DEC-10 |
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Brazil delight at Bluebirds
success
|
|
FOLLOWING five successive defeats,
this victory came as a relief to Haverfordwest’s supporters, who were
beginning to fear that their team could be plunging into the relegation area.
This success took them to 10th
spot and delighted manager Derek Brazil. He said, “You can stop using the
phrase free-falling now. This win will be a big confidence booster to my
players.”
“We are not a club flush with
funds so we rely on a small squad of mainly young, homegrown lads and injuries
have taken their toll recently.
“The absence of key players
such as Tom Ramasut, Neil Thomas and Gareth Elliot has put added pressure on the
our younger players as we need the quality they provide.”
Brazil added, “Although we
lost five on the trot, a couple of wins can change everything and I’m hoping
this result will help us build from here.
I hope to bring in a couple of
players in the January transfer window.”
ICW |
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DEC-10 |
|
Carmarthen probe match
attendance figures
|
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Carmarthen Town Chairman Jeff
Thomas has commissioned a task group to look into the drop in match attendances
that is now having a critical and serious effect upon the Club’s budgetary
planning.
Thomas has asked Roger Hunt,
the club’s Executive Committee member with responsibility for strategic
development, to Chair the Action Group with a view to producing an action plan
to redress the decline.
Hunt who is a businessman with
16 years experience as a Director of Cambridge United Football Club is joined by
Geraint Hughes, a former Primary School head teacher with a lifelong involvement
in junior football; Paul Ashley Jones the Chairman of Town’s Supporters Club;
Jason Murphy the club’s Community Development Officer who also has wide
experience within Football League; Peter Bates a junior team manager and a coach
at the club’s Development Centre; Peter Price a former first team captain who
has wide knowledge of the local scene and Huw Davies, Vice Chairman of the
club's General Committee.
In outlining the task Jeff
Thomas said, “It is hoped that the Group will research widely, be daring in
their approach, think ‘outside the box’ and make firm and exciting
recommendations aimed at redressing the current situation”.
Town's Chairman went on to say
that he hoped that the group membership would not be restricted to the above.
“Should any person wish to join they will be royally welcomed. In any event
the view of every Committee person will be sought, the views of fans will be
canvassed through the club’s Match Day programme and any ideas will be more
than welcome”.
Carmarthen Town
official website |
|
DEC-10 |
|
Giggs deserves more
praise say Rio
|
|
RYAN GIGGS added the milestone of
100 league goals to his 736 appearances, nine Premier League titles, four FA
Cups and a Champions League triumph with Manchester United, yet Rio Ferdinand
still believes the veteran winger is one of the most under-rated players in the
game.
Giggs has been strutting his
stuff for the Red Devils for an incredible 16 seasons now and, despite hitting
the grand old age of 34, has already pocketed a contract which will keep him at
Old Trafford until 2009.
It is now virtually impossible
to imagine he will not eclipse Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time appearance record
of 759, possibly as early as this season if the Welshman stays fit.
However, Ferdinand is convinced
Giggs will not truly be appreciated until his playing days are over.
“Some people don’t get 100
appearances let alone 100 goals,” said Ferdinand.
“It is phenomenal and no
surprise for a player of his calibre.
“I just don’t think Ryan
really gets the credit he deserves for what he has achieved in the game, not
only in terms of winning medals but the quality of his play on the left wing
year in, year out.
“It is a shame we don’t
really appreciate a footballer who has been the most successful of our
generation.
ICW |
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DEC-10 |
|
Premier Cup rivals set their
dates
|
|
DATES have now been agreed for the
quarter-finals of the FAW Premier Cup.
Swansea City will kick off the
quartet of matches when they visit Newport County on Wednesday, December 19,
kick-off at 7.30pm.
The match has been brought
forward because of Swansea’s involvement in the Johnstones Paint Trophy in
January.
Llanelli will host Wrexham on
Wednesday, January 9, with a kick-off time of 7pm as the match will be screened
live on BBC Two.
The other matches will be
played on Tuesday, January 8.
Cardiff City travel to
Welshpool Town, while Carmarthen Town receive holders The New Saints at Richmond
Park.
The draw for the semis has
already taken place and if Llanelli defeat Wrexham they will entertain the
winners of the tie between Carmarthen and TNS which would guarantee Welsh
Premier representation in the final for the second year in succession.
The last four promises to throw
up a mouth watering clash between Cardiff and Swansea at Ninian Park, subject to
them overcoming their lower league quarter-final opponents.
ICW |
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DEC-10 |
|
Bowes goes on the
rampage
|
|
PRESTATYN established a huge
13-point lead at the top of the Cymru Alliance when they romped to a 4-1 Bastion
Road victory over Glantraeth in one of only two games to survive, writes Chris
Smart.
Steve Bowes bagged a stunning
hat-trick, opening the scoring after only 30 seconds following a mistake by
visiting keeper Gareth Roberts. Dave Hayes also scored while Nigel Barry got a
consolation goal for Glantraeth.
Jon Slater went one better for
Llandyrnog, grabbing four goals as they overwhelmed Holyhead Hotspur 6-2.
Slater notched up a hat-trick
inside the opening 15 minutes as Llan dominated all phases of play on a pitch in
surprisingly good shape considering the weather.
Owain Roberts extended their
lead to 4-0 before Hotspur got into the game with Mike Edwards scoring on each
side of half-time. Craig Wilkinson was on target with a fifth for Llan before
Slater completed the rout with his sixth goal.
ICW |
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DEC-10 |
|
Martinez accepts
no-win situation facing Swans in cup
|
|
ROBERTO MARTINEZ believes his
Swansea City team are once again facing a no-win situation against Horsham
tonight, especially now they are at home and the clear favourites to win.
When the two sides initially
met 10 days ago, Martinez was adamant the game’s non-league setting made
Horsham the favourites.
But now, with the Ryman Premier
League side travelling to the Liberty Stadium, there is no denying Swansea are
expected to cruise to victory.
But Martinez is still
predicting a tough test from Horsham, a side looking to keep their dream, and
the magic of the FA Cup, alive.
Moreover, the Spaniard knows
the visitors will arrive having absolutely nothing to lose and everything to
gain.
“I said before that when you
go into a non-league environment, they are favourites,” he explained.
“But they are coming to us
now and I accept we are expected to win.
“It’s going to be a
difficult game. But they are coming into our environment and that makes us
favourites.
“We need to accept the
responsibility that gives us. We need to make sure we are on top of our game.
“It’s still a no-win
situation though. If we win, it’s expected and anything less than that is a
great story for Horsham.”
ICW |
|
DEC-9 |
|
Double Jack helps Haverfordwest sink Druids |
|
Haverfordwest 3-0 Newi
Cefn
HAVERFORDWEST arrested a
disappointing run of results to overwhelm Newi Cefn Druids yesterday, scoring
three superb goals.
Former Swansea City player
Jonathan Coates was one of the stars of the afternoon as he played a major role
in the first two goals, both scored by Jack Christopher.
It was Christopher who opened
the scoring after just three minutes following a splendid cross by Lee Hudgell.
It was met by Coates who passed to Christopher to tap home from close range.
A Coates run resulted in
Christopher getting the second goal 16 minutes after the interval.
The game remained locked at 2-0
until 17-year-old youth product Craig George swooped to score a minute from
time. His goal followed a melée in the box and it was at the second attempt at
finding the net that George delivered.
Haverfordwest have met some
tough opposition lately and manager Derek Brazil will have been delighted by
this latest display which could well herald turning the corner.
WOS |
|
DEC-9 |
|
Sharpshooter Tim Hicks blasts five
past Nomads |
|
Carmarthen 8-0 Connah's Quay
CARMARTHEN TOWN went goal crazy at Richmond
Park yesterday to demolish hapless visitors Connah’s Quay Nomads and move into
third place in the Welsh Premier League on a day when only two matches survived
the stormy weather.
In a game dominated from the start by the West
Walians, sharp-shooting Tim Hicks was the star performer, bagging five well-
taken goals.
All his scores – four in the first half and one
nine minutes from time – showed clinical finishing.
Danny Thomas, one of the Premier League’s most
prolific scorers, started the spree for Carmarthen just five minutes before
Hicks grabbed a hat-trick inside five magical minutes.
Thomas then scored his second goal to make it
5-0 and at this stage it was only a matter of how big Carmarthen’s winning
margin would be – there was just one side in it.
Jamal Easter netted in the second half for the
hosts before Hicks appropriately completed the rout.
WOS |
|
DEC-9 |
|
Gutsy
display from City crushes Colchester |
|
DAVE Jones and his Cardiff City
team lifted confidence in the Ninian Park camp with a gutsy display in their
4-1 win against Colchester United.
And suddenly, from the gloom of
City's midweek shocker against Charlton Athletic, comes hope for the future.
City have lost only once in their last five Coca-Cola Championship matches -
and travel to Blackpool for Tuesday's clash lifted by renewed optimism.
The Bluebirds have banished talk of who might replace under-fire Dave Jones
and are still talking of moving up the table.
Cardiff came from a goal down at half-time to win 4-1 and there is no doubt
they deserved the victory.
Peter Whittingham was the star of the show. He was easily the best player on
view, scoring and making two others.
Steve Thompson, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Whittingham and an own goal secured
the points.
WOS |
|
DEC-9 |
|
Little admits selection mistake |
|
Brian Little admits he made a mistake
in his team selection for the 3-0 defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge.
The Wrexham boss stuck to a 5-3-2 formation that saw off
Bury last Tuesday, but was forced to change things round at half time.
"We won at Bury in midweek and that convinced me enough
to play the same team again," said Little.
"On reflection it wasn't the right thing to do. We were
poor in the first half. We all make mistakes."
Steve Evans turned the ball into his own net on 24
minutes trying to stop Jon Nurse's cross to put the home side ahead at the
break.
And Little said his side improved in the second half
only to be hit by a "sucker-punch" at the end with goals from Ben Strevens and
Jamie Taylor.
"The players responded in the second half," he said. "I
thought they were very good...but we were sucker-punched before the end.
"Today is a poor result for us. It will stick in our
throats, it will stick in our minds, it's a result we can play on, it's a
performance in the first half we can talk about and improve on.
"It's a bit doom and gloom at the moment but as a group
we have already talked about bouncing back next week
"We'll roll our sleeves up and hopefully put it right."
BBC |
|
DEC-9 |
|
Trundle: I’m ready to face
Bluebirds |
|
LEE TRUNDLE gets ready to run
the Cardiff City gauntlet this week, but insists: “This match is bigger than
me”.
Trundle will be in Bristol
City red for Saturday’s white-hot clash between the cross-river rivals.
It will be the first time the
former Swansea icon has come face to face with the fans he angered so much
with his Millennium Stadium antics last year.
But although the showman
striker is relishing a chance to finally take on the Bluebirds, he reckons the
derby is big enough without things getting personal.
Trundle, 31, said: “I can’t
wait – it’s a game I’ve been really looking forward to. I would have loved to
have played in a Swansea-Cardiff game, but that never happened. This match
will be the closest I will come to it.
“I know I’m going to get a
lot of stick from the Cardiff fans, but that won’t bother me, stuff like that
never has.
“And to be honest, I think
this game is big enough anyway without me being involved; a big derby with a
big crowd.
“I haven’t been here that
long, but I’ve already heard stories about Bristol City and Cardiff games and
fans have told me how much this means. So it’s a bit daft to talk about me.
“More than anything both
sides need the points. They’re at the bottom end of the table scrapping for
points and we’re desperate to stay in among the top teams; so we want the
result just as badly. The whole place here is buzzing and ready for it.”
WOS |
|
DEC-9 |
|
Jarman key in County’s trophy push |
|
LEE Jarman is playing a key role for Newport
County in their quest for league and cup success.
The former Cardiff City defender is at the
heart of a Newport defence as they step up their chase in the Blue Square
Conference South, where they lie third, the FA Trophy and FAW Premier Cup.
Next Saturday, Newport face Bath City at home
in the Trophy, while they entertain Swansea City in the Premier Cup
quarter-finals.
And former Wales Under-21 international Jarman,
29, is among a number of former Bluebirds’ players at Newport Stadium - with
Steve Jenkins, Damon Searle, Jason Bowen, Lee Fowler and James Simpson.
Jarman played nine times for Wales at under-21
level, while he has played club football for Merthyr Tydfil, Exeter City, Oxford
United, Barry Town and Weston-super-Mare.
“I joined Barry because I needed more security
and it looked uncertain for me in league football,” said Jarman.
“I had friends playing for Barry and we were
winning all the time.”
Barry were also involved in European football
and Jarman scored against Skopje from Macedonia.
This season, Jarman moved back to South Wales
from Weston and signed for Newport County.
“I kept in touch with my old colleague at
Cardiff, Scott Young, who is assistant manager at Newport,” said Jarman.
“When I felt it was time for a change from
Weston, I told the club chairman and, eventually, I came to Newport County.”
WOS |
|
DEC-9 |
|
Evans on the mark again
to fire Wales ambitions |
|
WALES youngster Ched Evans
has targeted more international glory after scoring within two minutes of his
first league start.
Evans, who trained with John
Toshack’s senior squad last month ahead of their final Euro 2008
double-header, hit the headlines with a hat-trick two weeks ago in Wales’ 4-2
victory over France in the Uefa Under-21 Championship.
The 18-year-old was
immediately snapped up on loan by Championship club Norwich and had made two
substitute appearances before Tuesday’s visit of Plymouth.
Given the nod by Canaries
boss Glenn Roeder, Evans marked his first league start by finding the net
within two minutes as Norwich finally emerged 2-1 winners.
“It was a great feeling. I
was overwhelmed when I scored,” said Evans.
“You’ve just got to focus
when you’re in those sorts of positions and concentrate.
“If you concentrate, then
you’re more likely to hit the back of the net.”
Evans’ only appearance for
his parent club Manchester City came in a Carling Cup tie earlier this season,
ironically against Norwich.
But he is relishing the
opportunity to get first-team football in East Anglia and believes it will
ultimately help his international ambitions.
WOS |
|
DEC-8 |
|
Big clash is only three
points says boss McKenna
|
|
THE mind games have begun
ahead of the season’s biggest match so far.
This Sunday the
television cameras will be at Stebonheath Park to see Llanelli entertain
The New Saints, who lead the league on goal difference alone from their
hosts.
And while Llanelli
manager Peter Nicholas earlier this week insisted the showdown won’t
decide the destiny of this season’s title, Ken McKenna says his Saints
side don’t fear their opponents any more than they do the other 16 teams
in the league.
The TNS boss said
yesterday: “It’s only three points, the same as any other game.
Obviously it’s important in terms of them being another full-time team
and being level on points with us, but it’s not going to decide
anything. It’s not even Christmas yet.
“If we win, we only get
three points, if they win they get three points. It’s not the be-all and
end-all. There’s no pressure at all on the lads to win and I’m really
looking forward to it. It’s on the telly, so the lads will want to go
and give a good account of themselves and play some good football.”
“The league gets better
every year,” said the manager. “We’ve won the league three times on
the trot and that makes it difficult. People are plotting how to beat us
– you’re everybody’s cup final so they raise their game for you.
“It’s an unbelievable
achievement by my lads to win the title three years in a row, and you know
come the fourth year it’s going to be even harder.”
ICW
|
|
DEC-8 |
|
Jones sets target of
Welsh Premier football for Dinas
|
|
MARK Jones takes charge of
Dinas Powys for the first time today for their Nathaniel Car Sales League
Cup tie at home to Ely Rangers (1.30pm).
Cardiff-based Jones has
been appointed manager of MacWhirter Welsh League Division One
title-chasers Dinas following the departure of Nick Tucker to Port Talbot
Town.
He is a former Grange
Albion, Maesteg Park, Port Talbot and Carmarthen Town manager, while
caretaker boss Gareth Morgan now reverts back to assistant manager.
Jones, whose last
competitive match was guiding Welsh Premier outfit Carmarthen Town to the
Welsh Cup, is delighted to be back in football after a short break.
“I’m looking forward
to a fresh challenge and on first impressions the club has a real
ambitious feel about it,” he said.
“The Welsh League is a
competitive level and obviously the club has a target of playing in the
national league and that will be my goal as well.”
ICW
|
|
DEC-8 |
|
City fan Williams plans
to get one over on the Bluebirds
|
|
RHONDDA schoolboy Geraint
Williams loved cheering on the Bluebirds as a schoolboy.
His favourite players
were Brian Clark and John Toshack – and he travelled on the matchday
special into Cardiff for home matches.
This Saturday Geraint,
nicknamed ‘George’ by his pals, is back at Ninian Park.
And this time his task is
to get away with all three Championship points and pile even more pressure
on Bluebirds’ under-fire manager Dave Jones.
Williams is Colchester
United’s manager and they lie level on points with Cardiff, just outside
the relegation zone.
“The main factor is
winning the match – and we are coming to South Wales with a positive
outlook,” said Williams. “We want all three points.
“I will always have
affection for Cardiff City, my local club, and I want to see them do well.
“Today though, it’s
down to business and Dave Jones will understand that. We’ve drawn far
too many matches this season and we need to win at Ninian Park.
“After the match I’ll
be popping down to stay with my mother and catch up with friends and
family.
“If, as I hope,
Colchester win then maybe I will have upset a few of them who follow
Cardiff, but that’s football.”
ICW
|
|
DEC-8 |
|
Juan Ugarte has work to
do say's Little
|
|
BRIAN LITTLE is hoping
Wrexham Juan Ugarte can come back into the reckoning as soon as possible
to add another dimension to his strike force.
Little admitted to
knowing a lot of Ugarte and added he hoped to have in back in training to
add another goal threat.
“He has to start
training with us first of all,” said Little. “At the moment he is not
training with the first team and we are just waiting for the medical staff
to say when he will be ready to return to us.
“But I know all about
Juan. If he is fully fit then he can be a brilliant player and I would be
more than happy to have him in the squad, because he is someone who can
always score you goals.
“I’ve spoke to him a
couple of times and I’ve had a few one on ones with him and we are just
hoping he can be back soon.”
Ugarte is expected back
in training within the next week to ten days all being well according to
club physio Mel Pejic, who has been working hard to find a rehab course
for the Spaniard.
“We are doing quite a
lot of rehab with Juan at the moment,” said Pejic. “He is still a
couple of weeks away from being back in training and he is due to see a
consultant next week.
“He is working hard to
get back, but it has been frustrating for him.”
DP
|
|
DEC-8 |
|
Beadle calls for festive
victories
|
|
NEWPORT County boss Peter
Beadle is urging his side to go on a winning run over the Christmas
period, believing they've only played to their best TWICE in the campaign
to date.
The fourth placed Exiles
travel to the Camrose Stadium to face ninth placed Basingstoke Town in the
Blue Square South tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).
Beadle's boys trail
league leaders Lewes by a whopping ten points, but the pace-setters face
two games with second placed Eastbourne Borough over the festive period
and still have to travel to Spytty Park.
County have showed decent
consistency so far this term without really excelling and Beadle feels now
is the time for his team to take it up a notch.
He explained: "It's
the old cliché but the Christmas and New Year period generally makes
things a lot clearer, it's a pivotal point in the season.
"We've done fairly
well so far this season, but now is the time for us to go to the next
level and show we are serious contenders for automatic promotion.
"We've played all of our
toughest away games and have only lost three times this season, but now we
need wins.
SWA
|
|
DEC-8 |
|
Young Lee Relishing chance
to follow father
|
|
CAERLEON defender Lee Relish
has followed his Newport-based father John into football management by
becoming boss of British Gas Southern League Midlands Division outfit
Cinderford.
And Caerleon have
suffered a second blow with the loss of experienced central defender Jason
Price, who Lee Relish has taken to Cinderford as his player-assistant.
Relish Jnr will be in
charge of Cinderford for the first time on Saturday during the home game
against Sutton Coldfield-based Romulus.
"I've been involved
in coaching for a long while now and management is something which has
always appealed to me," said 29-year-old Lee Relish, who has also
appeared for Newport AFC, Cinderford and Western-super-Mare.
"I've learned a lot
off my dad over the years and I will obviously be seeking his advice from
time to time.
"We've already
spoken about half-a-dozen times since I accepted the job and it's really
good that I can consult with someone of his experience.
"Doubtless there'll
be a pre-season friendly arranged between our clubs and there's always the
possibility of us being drawn together in a cup competition."
SWA
|
|
DEC-8 |
|
5 Gwent teams seek quarter
final spots
|
|
FIVE Gwent teams bid to
reach the quarter finals of the Nathaniel League Cup tomorrow although
only one will have home advantage.
Caerleon entertain
MacWhirter Welsh League Division One rivals Pontardawe Town at Cold Bath
Road, where manager Brendan Dowd's men will start as slight favourites to
progress to the last eight.
However Dowd will be
without left back Lee Relish and central defender Jason Price, who have
joined British Gas Southern League Midland Division outfit Cinderford Town
as manager and player-assistant respectively.
Meanwhile another central
defender, Josh Collins, serves a one-match suspension.
Dowd has guided Caerleon
to eighth of 18 while Pontardawe are just two points and one place above
the three-strong relegation zone. The teams have already met in the league
at Pontardawe's Recreation Ground this season. Back in October, a goal
from midfielder Kristian Hanbury looked likely to hand Caerleon the three
points until a last-gasp goal earned the West Wales outfit a 1-1 draw.
Newport YMCA and
Croesyceiliog, 11th and 14th respectively in Division One, visit Division
Two opponents - both of whom are considered to be genuine promotion
contenders.
YMCA, who are minus only
injured central defender Daniel Heath, are at Swansea-based West End, who
are one rung below Croesyceiliog's opponents, Cardiff Corinthians, in
fifth position. Croesyceiliog are without the Jenkins brothers, Jamie and
Jody.
Division Two
promotion-seeking Llanwern have arguably the most difficult task of the
Gwent clubs - an away clash against big-spending ENTO Aberaman.
Llanwern will be unable
to call on injured duo Paul Tanner and Gareth Wysome plus the unavailable
Carl Bough and the suspended Steve Minton.
Tredegar visit Division
Two rivals Ammanford, who already hold a 2-1 win over them in a league
encounter at Tredegar on the opening day of the season, August 11.
SWA
|
|
DEC-7 |
|
8 northern clubs apply to
join welsh premier
|
TWO local clubs are among a
list of clubs to apply for promotion to Wales' top league.
Bala Town, currently third in the standings, and Denbigh Town, lying fifth,
are two of eight clubs from the Cymru Alliance who have applied for
promotion to the Welsh Premier League next season.
The other clubs to make similar applications are league leaders Prestatyn
Town, second-placed Llandudno, Flint Town United, Gap Queens Park, Holyhead
Hotspurs and Penrhyncoch.
Welsh Premier League secretary John Deakin said: "It's pleasing to see
so many clubs are keen to get into the league from the north,
"We're just awaiting nominations from the south now and then we'll be
visiting all the clubs in January."
Bala were so close to gaining promotion last time around, only to be pipped
to the post by Llangefni Town.
This is Denbigh Town's first season back in the Cymru Alliance after
spending five seasons in the Welsh Alliance and under Tim Dyer, the Central
Park club have made a fine start to the campaign.
A spokesman for the Denbigh Town said: "We have registered our intent.
"We are sending the message out that we have ambition and we want to
progress as a club both on and off the field.
"Our ultimate aim is Welsh Premier status."
DFP
|
|
DEC-7 |
|
Cardiff court case delay
likely
|
|
Cardiff City's High Court case
brought by creditors Langston looks set to be put back until the new year.
Langston's solicitors,
Hextalls, have requested the hearing - which had been scheduled for Monday -
be deferred until 18 January at the earliest.
Cardiff chairman Peter
Ridsdale says the club has "reluctantly agreed" so as not to waste
the High Court's time.
Langston is owed £24m
which it wants repaid now, but Bluebirds officials insist the sum is not due
until 2016.
Ridsdale told BBC Sport
Wales: "We have had a request from Hextalls. We believe the court case
should go ahead on Monday and we believe if it did, we would win it.
"We are extremely
disappointed at the further delay. But we are mindful of the fact that we do
not want to waste the court's time.
"Therefore we expect
the court to accede to Langston's request.
''We think it should be
heard on Monday. They are saying they are not in a position to respond to
our response until January 18th at the earliest."
Ridsdale added that the
Cardiff City defence against the claim from the Swiss-based firm, Cardiff's
biggest creditor, was "thorough and robust".
Far from aiding the club,
the delay could add to the financial pressures on the Championship outfit as
the case looms over them.
"We are reviewing our
financial position in view of this delay, which we find particularly
unhelpful to this football club," Ridsdale said.
BBC
|
|
DEC-7 |
|
Let's finish on a high
says Wrexham's Steve Evans
|
STEVE EVANS hopes to round
off a good week's work with a favourable result at Dagenham and Redbridge
on Saturday.
Wrexham go into a first ever
meeting against league new boys Dagenham at Victoria Road on the back of a
four point return from two previous away trips.
A 0-0 draw against Rochdale was followed up by a 1-0 victory at Bury on
Tuesday – manager Brian Little's first win as manager of Wrexham – and
a result which took the Reds out of the relegation zone and up to 20th
position in League Two.
Centre-back Evans is targeting a win at Dagenham, who have not won in nine
league outings, although the Wales international would just be happy to
complete the triple header of away games unbeaten.
"We have got to take it one game at a time and keep churning out the
results, whether they are pretty or scrappy games," said Evans today.
"We are just concentrating on working hard and getting the points.
"Confidence is high and it would be great to continue this.
"It is a long trip to Dagenham and if we get any kind of result
there, it will have been a good week for us.
"Hopefully we can win – or if not get a share of the spoils. We
would not argue with the week and we would have taken that at the start of
it
DFP
|
|
DEC-7 |
|
Hasselbaink
has Sheringham in
his sights
|
|
JIMMY Floyd Hasselbaink
would love to do a ‘Sheringham’ and play on for another six years.
The two former
Premiership and international stars clash in Coca-Cola Championship action
at Ninian Park on Saturday when fellow strugglers Colchester United face
Cardiff City.
“I’d like to play
on,” says Hasselbaink.
“Teddy Sheringham is 41
now and still going strong.
“What he is doing is
amazing.
“He is a completely fit
player and I have a lot of respect for him.”
Sheringham has made more
than 900 first team appearances during his career, scoring 349 goals,
including Manchester United’s equaliser in the 1999 Champions League
final. Together, Sheringham and Hasselbaink have made more than 1,400
appearances between them and fired almost 600 goals.
When Sheringham started
his senior playing career, during 1984, he was a hero of seven-year-old
Darren Purse, who watching from the terraces.
Schoolboy Purse, now aged
30, watched Sheringham score 93 goals in just over 200 league starts for
Millwall between 1984 and 1991 before he moved on to Nottingham Forest in
a £2m transfer.
ICW
|
|
DEC-7 |
|
Hands off our Wayne,
warns Wolves boss
|
|
WOLVES have issued a
hands-off warning to the Premiership big guns hovering over highly-rated
Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.
Wolves manager Mick
McCarthy says he understands the interest in his Welsh young gun.
But he is adamant
Hennessey is going nowhere during the January transfer window, despite
Tottenham, Everton and Bolton being among the club’s eyeing his
services.
Hennessey’s reputation
has gone through the roof after his performances at international level
for Wales and his displays in the Championship this season.
He also made a name for
himself last season by keeping nine successive cleansheets ... a Football
League record.
Hennessey signed a new
three-year contract in August that ties him to Wolves until the summer of
2010.
But Everton are among the
big guns closely monitoring his progress.
Everton boss David Moyes
has sent his goalkeeping coach, Chris Woods to check on Hennessey, with a
view to a big-money January swoop.
Bolton and Spurs are
among the other sides interested in signing a goalkeeper shrewd pundits
tip to be amongst the best in Britain.
ICW
|
|
DEC-7 |
|
Liberty may get Wales date
|
|
Swansea's
Liberty stadium could be in line to host Wales's friendly international
against Georgia in August.
The FAW has agreed a fixture with the Georgian FA for August 20, but the
venue has yet to be decided.
The Liberty Stadium - which hosted Wales's 0-0 friendly draw with Bulgaria
in August 2005 - is believed to be a front-runner to stage the clash along
with Wrexham's Racecourse ground.
It is unlikely the Millennium Stadium will be used for
the match because of the modest crowd likely to attend.
If the Liberty Stadium is selected, it could pave the way for the ground
being used for 2010 World Cup qualifiers after Wales boss John Toshack
revealed there is a possibility some of those matches could be played away
from the Millennium Stadium.
EP
|
|
DEC-6 |
|
Discipline is critical
believes Tucker
|
|
PORT Talbot Town’s new manager
Nicky Tucker believes discipline is key to his side’s European ambitions,
writes ANTHONY O’CONNELL.
Working with a squad of only
16, Tucker has warned his players against picking up needless red and yellow
cards.
Most at risk is midfielder
Liam McCreesh, who has been booked four times this season and would be
suspended if he receives another caution.
Tucker said: “The squad’s
light on numbers and we can’t afford any suspensions or injuries.
“A red card for anyone, or
another booking for Liam, would be a problem for us and the players are well
aware of this.
“Discipline is a big part
of what we are trying to instil here – and that even includes giving away
needless free kicks.”
After last weekend’s 2-1
home defeat against high-flying Rhyl, Tucker’s side travel to Welsh Premier
strugglers Llangefni Town on Saturday.
“It’s a must-win for
us,” said Tucker.
“We’ve shown in our
second half against Rhyl that we can take on the top sides. Now we have to go
to one of the lower sides and get three points.
“We have to learn from the
Rhyl game, in which our first half was poor but our second half was totally
different.
“We have to be a 90-minute
team.”
Port Talbot are eighth in the
Welsh Premier league, eight points off the European places.
Striker Kerry Morgan remains
on the injured list but Tucker has no new injuries and will select his side
from the same players on duty against Rhyl.
ICW
|
|
DEC-6 |
|
Nico: TNS game big but not
crucial
|
|
Peter
Nicholas has calmed the storm brewing ahead of Llanelli's televised home clash
with champions The New Saints by insisting: "This game won't decide
anything". The Reds boss is not getting carried away with all the hype
heading into Sunday's clash with Ken McKenna's three-time champions. Instead,
he is keeping a cool head.
Nicholas prefers to look at the bigger picture of a complete league campaign
rather than one match. Whether or not that approach works for his side will
only be known after 3pm on Sunday.
The title hopefuls versus the title holders - it's easy to see just why
broadcaster S4C chose this game as the match they would screen live.
The Saints have responded excellently after two opening
defeats, winning 15 consecutive games prior to last week's shock 0-0 draw with
Airbus.
Llanelli, on the other hand, have slipped up on the odd occasion.
Worryingly, perhaps, Llanelli's two defeats and one draw this season have all
come at home.
On the road, Nicholas has seen his side win all seven games - a perfect
record.
But the former Wales midfielder knows that when the Saints roll into
Stebonheath Park his side needs to be at their best.
"The Saints are the yardstick of the league because they are the
champions.
"We have a chance to move three points clear of them on Sunday and to do
that we will have to be at the top of our game."
LS
|
|
DEC-6 |
|
Scotland's 20 goal target
|
|
Jason
Scotland has set his sights on 20 goals this season after taking his tally to
10 with a double against Northampton on Tuesday night. Scotland ended a
five-game barren spell with a strike in each half as Swansea City eased past
the Cobblers.
And the Trinidad and Tobago international is now aiming to emulate Lee Trundle
by getting to the 20 mark.
No Swansea player had reached the magic figure since Jimmy Gilligan in
1990-1991 until Trundle arrived from Wrexham and managed the feat four years
running.
But Scotland looks a good bet to pick up the baton with well
over half the League One season still ahead.
"You guys have been trying to get me to set a target all along,"
Scotland smiled, "and I suppose at the rate I'm going, 20 is a figure I
can get to.
"I would have been happy if you had said to me at the start of the season
I'd have 10 goals in the first week of December.
"The majority is still ahead, so hopefully I can push on from here
now."
Scotland netted for the first time in a month against Northampton despite the
fact that he was the only Swansea striker taking on three visiting defenders.
And he confessed: "I don't really like being the one up front, but it's a
job I have to do for the team.
LS
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DEC-6 |
|
Spurs tracking Cardiff
City's teen ace Gunter
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TOTTENHAM Hotspur are the latest
club to be tracking Cardiff City youngster Chris Gunter.
Both Everton and Blackburn
Rovers representatives were at Ninian Park on Tuesday night to watch the
right-back put in another solid display, despite the Bluebirds losing 2-0 to
Charlton.
Fulham have also cast their
eye over the 18-year-old and will keep monitoring the situation very closely.
Just three weeks ago Gunter
was banished to the bench and reserve games, but impressive Wales performances
for John Toshack pushed him into the City starting line up where he’s
stepped-up to the plate in some style.
City will be bracing
themselves for the January transfer window to open and expect great interest
in the defender along with midfielder Joe Ledley.
For Gunter to leave for the
big lights of London, City will ask for around £3m, plus add on’s such as
appearances.
And Gunter will be in good
company with Cardiff-born and fellow Welsh international Gareth Bale making
the move to London via Southampton in the summer for £10m.
Gunter offers a manager the
new modern full-back style with plenty of pace keen to join the front line,
and although Gunter is not yet the finished article, clubs buy players based
on their potential.
ICW
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DEC-6 |
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Ex-Derby boss waits in the wings
|
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BILLY Davies is in line to be
the next Cardiff City manager – if Dave Jones fails to spark an immediate
revival.
The man who led Preston North
End and Derby County – twice – into the Coca-Cola Championship play-offs
is the one who will be courted by the City hierarchy, should Jones not turn
things around.
But the Bluebirds boss still
has time to avoid the axe because of Monday’s looming case against Langston
in the High Court, which makes the club’s short-term financial future
uncertain.
Jones is under pressure again
after Cardiff’s disastrous 2-0 home defeat against Charlton Athletic this
week.
City have still only won two
Championship home matches – and Jones’ immediate future will be shaped by
Saturday’s home clash with Colchester United and next Tuesday’s trip to
Blackpool.
No matter what happens
against Colchester, Jones looks certain to be in charge for the Blackpool
match.
Chairman Peter Ridsdale
cannot possibly make any long-term decisions until after the court case on
Monday.
He would surely not make any
change before Tuesday, but he will be checking out options in case he has to
act quickly.
The difference between the
situation now and a few weeks ago, when Jones was given two games to save his
job is that there was nobody obvious available. But now Davies fills that
void.
He has told those close to
him he is keen to get straight back into a Championship job – and his
back-up team from Derby County all left Pride Park at the same time.
Glasgow-born Davies, 43, has
been linked to the Scotland job, but may not be experienced enough yet.
ICW
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DEC-6 |
|
Coyne says: keep feet on
the ground
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Aberystwyth
Town boss urges his side to stay focused ahead of their trip to face Newtown
ABERYSTWYTH Town manager
Brian Coyne has urged his players to keep their feet firmly on the ground,
after they maintained their good form with back to-back wins last week. Having
beaten high-flying Carmarthen Town at Richmond Park to book a place in the
semi-finals of the Loosemores League Cup, Aber maintained their momentum last
Saturday. A convincing four-goal home triumph over Caernarfon Town saw the
Seasiders reclaim a top six position in the Welsh Premier, and remain within
five points of third-placed Rhyl.
To cap a superb week,
mid-fielder Luke Sherbon, who has scored eight league goals from 15 starts
this season, was also named as the league’s Player of the Month for
November. However, the experienced Coyne is warning against complacency as his
side attempt to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches at his former club,
Newtown, this weekend. “It has been a good week all-round, and I am
delighted with the way things have been going,” reflected Coyne. “We’re
still in two cup competitions, and we’re in a top six position.
“It is great that the lads
are getting some of the credit they deserve, but having said that, it is very
important we do not get carried away, we are by no means the finished article
yet. “There is still a lot of hard work to do, but the important thing is
that the lads want to improve, their attitude really has been fantastic, and
this makes my job a lot easier. “Just when you think that things are rosy,
this wonderful game of ours can often kick you in the teeth, so it is vital
that nobody gets carried away, it is still early on in the season.
AT
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DEC-5 |
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Brace eye's home points
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Deryn
Brace hopes home comforts will give Carmarthen Town the edge as the race for
European qualification hot's up this month.
The Old Gold's' manager is targeting a realistic finish of third this term as
the club looks to secure a fourth consecutive appearance in continental
competition.
In his first season in charge at Richmond Park, Brace has developed a youthful
squad and that will undergo a major test this month.
After Saturday's 2-1 win at Porthmadog, Carmarthen now have
the luxury of four straight home games before the turn of the year.
Those games will provide huge tests, however, with Rhyl - who should battle
Carmarthen for third spot - relegation-threatened Llangefni and title-chasing
Llanelli to arrive at Richmond Park this month.
First up, though, is a tough test against under-performing Connah's Quay
Nomads on Saturday.
Having lost 4-0 at Llanelli last weekend, Nomads lie fourth from bottom and
are surprisingly struggling.
But Brace is well aware of the threat the North Walians possess and he is
confident his side will not underestimate them as they look to pick up the
pace.
"Nomads can beat most of the teams in this league and they are a
dangerous side," said Brace.
"They started well but then found results hard to come by.
"We know all about them having beaten them in the FAW Premier Cup and we
will need to produce a similar workmanlike performance like we did on
Saturday."
Brace added: "It's nice to have four home games on the bounce, but saying
that, our home form has not been too good. We are looking at pushing for third
spot and these games could go a long way to helping us achieve that.
"It looks like The New Saints and Llanelli will be the top two, so it is
left to the rest to fight it out.
CJ
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|
DEC-5 |
|
Mark Jones back in the hot
seat
|
|
Dinas
Powys have
announced the appointment of Mark Jones as Club Manager.
Mark
brings a wealth of experience to the club at Welsh League and League of Wales
levels. Previous clubs include Maesteg Park, Port Talbot Town, and Carmarthen
Town, winning the Welsh Cup.
His
first managerial appointment was at Grange Albion when injury shortened his
playing career.
This
appointment strengthens the clubs resolve to continue with the improvements
made this season.
Dinas
Powys thanked Gareth Morgan for his successful time as caretaker manager and
would like him to continue his role as assistant to Mark Jones.
|
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DEC-5 |
|
Swans stay top of the pack
|
|
Swansea powered on at the top of
League One as a starring display from Jason Scotland saw off troubled
Northampton.
Persistence from impressive
midfielder Leon Britton set the striker up for an early 12-yard, right-footed
volley.
Three minutes later Scotland
beat the offside trap and picked out Darren Pratley, who side-footed in the
second.
Scotland completed the rout
after the break with a penalty after Guy Branston fouled Dennis Lawrence, the
Cobblers falling to their fifth loss in a row.
BBC
|
|
DEC-5 |
|
Fans call for Jones head
after another defeat
|
|
High-flying Charlton added to
Cardiff's woes with a comprehensive win over the woeful Bluebirds at Ninian
Park.
Joe Ledley's headed clearance
from a corner fell to Matt Holland on the edge of the area, his low volley
flying past unsighted goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
After the break, Darren Purse
slipped then pulled down Darren Ambrose in the box, Andy Reid scoring the
penalty.
Cardiff failed to muster a
credible threat on goal all game and left with fans calling for boss Dave
Jones' head.
Cardiff manager
Dave Jones:
"It's hard to explain
how we can go from recent hard, battling displays to that, you think the
players are up for it then this happens.
"That's the worst
performance I've seen from us for a very long time, it was lazy minded. I
won't blame the court case.
"We haven't dealt with a
corner for the first goal and we've then let that affect us.
"The whole performance
was not acceptable. I'm the man in charge, so I'll accept the abuse at the
end."
BBC
|
|
DEC-5 |
|
Wrexham get 1st win under
new boss
|
|
A dreadful Jim Provett blunder
helped struggling Wrexham to their first win under new manager Brian Little.
The Bury keeper misjudged
Richard Hope's long 31st minute clearance and saw the ball bounce over his
head.
Eifion Williams was on hand
for an easy header into an empty net, although the Wrexham striker pulled a
hamstring in the process and was then substituted.
But the Dragons were able to
hang on to their lead to lift them out of the League Two relegation zone.
Nicky Adams went close for
the Shakers and defender Paul Scott forced a bright save from Wrexham keeper
Anthony Williams, who previously had a loan spell with Bury.
But Wrexham were worthy
winners and could have scored more, substitute Marc Williams forcing Provett
to make a smart save and having a powerful shot charged down.
BBC
|
|
DEC-5 |
|
New boss for Monmouth Town
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|
MONMOUTH Town have moved quickly
to appoint Nick Oxford as their new manager in succession to player-boss
Andrew Smith, who has stood down.
Smith, who remains with the
MacWhirter Welsh League Division Three outfit as a player, ends a
three-and-a-half year reign in charge of the Kingfishers, who he guided to
three successive promotion campaigns.
However the 27-year-old
admitted his on-the-field performances were suffering as a result of trying to
dovetail both roles.
Monmouth chairman Lee Robson:
"It's typical of Andrew to think of what's best for the club," he
said. "He's so passionate and determined and I'm really glad he'll be
staying around to boost the morale of the players and help us continue to be
successful.
"I've thoroughly enjoyed
working with him and the whole town should be grateful to him for putting us
on the football map."
Oxford, 45, takes charge of
his first home game Saturday when Monmouth entertain fellow-strugglers
Ystradgynlais.
"My job is really to
build on Andrew's success and make the little changes in attitude and
organisation that will turn some of our defeats into draws and draws into
wins," said Oxford, who has been helping out behind the scenes this
season.
SWA
|
|
DEC-5 |
|
Brave effort from young
guns but County crash out
|
|
COUNTY fielded seven teenagers
in their squad for last night’s Setanta Shield encounter in London and the
kids did themselves proud as they pushed Blue Square South third-placed side
Hampton and Richmond Borough all the way.
After an opening half hour in
which neither side mounted a serious threat, Hampton took the lead on 34
minutes when loan signing from West Ham Jack Jeffrey slotted the ball home
after a period of Hampton pressure.
But County bounced back well
and James Simpson (pictured) notched his first goal for the club in the 41st
minute, after Hampton failed to clear a Richard Evans corner.
Shaun McAuley fired the
winner on 63 minutes while County goalkeeper Tony Pennock made some heroic
saves late in the game.
ICW
|
|
DEC-5 |
|
Home sweet home again for
Martinez
|
|
Roberto
Martinez reckons Swansea City are finally starting to settle at the Liberty
Stadium after a 3-0 win over Northampton last night, claiming: ''We've got
that Vetch Field feeling.
''The fans and the players are looking forward to home fixtures again,''
Martinez said.
''We are playing football with some confidence and enjoying and it hasn't been
easy to say that in the past.
''We're getting that Vetch feeling at the Liberty Stadium -
the boys are really enjoying the environment and the fans are reacting to
that.
''That is a fantastic situation and it's something we need to carry on.''
Martinez pointed to an overall win record of just 50 per cent in Swansea's
two-and-a-half years at the Liberty as an area where they had to improve.
And while there is still work to do, the mood has lifted after an awkward
start to this campaign on home turf.
''It's pleasing to win well in front of our own fans because that's the best
way to repay our fans for their support,'' Martinez added.
EP
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|
DEC-4 |
|
Double striker injury for
Saints
|
|
The New Saints will be without strikers Michael Wilde and Ronnie Morgan for
two months after the pair were ruled out with injuries on Monday.
Hospital tests on Wilde's
dislocated shoulder showed he will need it pinned in order to make a full
recovery.
Morgan faces an operation on
his back, following a long lay-off with a stomach muscle problem.
Manager Ken McKenna will miss
Wilde in particular as he has scored eight goals from 13 league games this
season.
BBC
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|
DEC-4 |
|
Lovering a member of
the Chesterfield fan club
|
|
STUART Lovering, Barry Town’s
owner, reckons he has, in Gavin Chesterfield, a manager at Jenner Park who
will bring back successful times to the Welsh League club.
The football club were rocked
by the resignation of long-term official Dave Cole, who resigned in protest
after the playing budget was cut.
Lovering, though, sees
Chesterfield as a top-rate manager, saying: “I’ve seen his coaching
methods and we have one of the best coaching managers at this club I have ever
seen.
“He has the total backing
of the players and there are only four points separating us in 10th place and
fourth spot.
“If we win our two games in
hand, we will be second.
“There is everything to
play for and I’m confident our team will be there or thereabouts at the end
of the season.”
Barry Town’s game last
Friday, at Ely Rangers, was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
This Saturday, Barry Town
play Pontyclun at Jenner Park.
Lovering is celebrating
success off the pitch – after Barry finished second in their quest for a
national award.
He believes that investing
more than £40,000 in the function suite at the club will help provide a
platform for the football team.
The Jenner Park social club
has just undergone a major refurbishment and Lovering says: “We were only
beaten by a tennis club in Surrey.
ICW
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|
DEC-4 |
|
Cardiff City fans want
Peter Ridsdale
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|
CARDIFF City fans have
overwhelmingly decided they want Peter Ridsdale, and not Sam Hammam, to take
the club forward.
In our exclusive icWales
online poll we asked supporters which of the two men they want in charge, as
the club gear up for a December 10 High Court showdown with Langston, a
company Hammam has an influence over.
Current chairman Ridsdale
polled a massive 83 per cent of the vote, with Hammam attracting just a 17 per
cent share.
There was an enormous
response, with nearly 500 people taking part – 400 of whom backed Ridsdale,
and only 81 Hammam.
Colin Lewis from Cardiff, a
Bluebirds fan for more than 60 years, said: “I do not want to see Sam Hammam
come back. Peter Ridsdale must stay in charge.
“Ridsdale always seems to
be as honest and open as possible. It would be the worst thing possible for
Hammam to come back.”
Gwilym Rees, 47, a committee
member of Cardiff City Supporters’ Club and part-owner of RE/MAX estate
agents in Cardiff, has supported the Bluebirds for 40 years.
“There is no way back for
Sam. The fans have had a guts full of him. He needs to settle this out of
court.”
ICW
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|
DEC-4 |
|
Swans replay on Sky
Sports
|
|
Swansea City
will make their second live TV appearance in 10 days after Sky opted to screen
their second-round replay with Horsham.
The decision
means Swansea will bank another £75,000, and has seen the game brought
forward 24 hours to Monday, December 10 (7.45pm).
EP
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|
DEC-4 |
|
Little targets gradual
evolution
|
|
New manager Brian Little says
Wrexham are seeking a change of emphasis ahead of Tuesday's visit to Bury.
Little has begun his tenure
at the Racecourse with two draws, 2-2 against Chester and 0-0 at Rochdale.
He has welcomed the points as
the Dragons battle relegation, but in the longer term wants a more expansive
and ambitious style of play for his side.
"In possession we want
to expand our game, but first we need three points to gain confidence,"
Little told the BBC.
"We have to stay strong
as a group and ensure that the opposition don't like playing against us,
that's the priority.
"I've been happy with
the two results so far for different reasons - we fought back for a point
against Chester, and not many teams go to Rochdale and keep a clean sheet. But
we are trying to win games.
"The basis of our game
is going to still be about three centre-backs, but against Bury we'll be
looking at an additional man up front in a 5-3-2 formation."
BBC
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|
DEC-4 |
|
Swans looking to
continue home run
|
|
Roberto
Martinez hopes new-found confidence will be key as Swansea City bid to keep on
improving their home record against Northampton tonight.
Martinez's
men lead League One ahead of the Cobblers' visit, yet they boast the worst
home stats in the top eight even after last Tuesday's Liberty Stadium win over
Hartlepool.
In fact, only seven sides in the division have banked fewer points than
Swansea on their own patch this season, but Martinez believes the Hartlepool
victory could be a springboard to success.
"Confidence is vital, especially with the way we play," said the
Swansea manager.
"If you haven't got that edge which confidence brings,
the passing and the tempo of your movement is completely different.
"Beating Hartlepool will definitely help us. It boosts our confidence and
gives us a platform to build on against Northampton, which is something we
must do because our home record is still not good enough."
EP
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|
DEC-4 |
|
New offer for Tosh?
|
|
JOHN Toshack's five-year tenure
as national coach could be extended into the next decade according to the
Football Association of Wales president.
While public opinion seems
split on how successful Toshack's reign as manager has been, the FAW are ready
to back the boss to the hilt.
With England, Scotland and
the Republic of Ireland all without a manager and with Northern Ireland boss
Nigel Worthington's future increasingly unclear, Toshack is sitting pretty as
the most secure national coach in the British Isles.
Toshack's current contract
runs until the end of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, which was assumed to
be the end of his five year tenure at the top.
However, while discussions
have not yet begun, it seems to be a case of when and not if the FAW extend
his current deal.
FAW president Peter Rees
explained: "If John Toshack comes to us and says he wants to extend his
contract we'll be happy to extend it.
SWA
|
|
DEC-3 |
|
TNS Scoop BBC Wales
Team of the Year |
|
The New Saints FC have been named as the BBC Wales Team
of the Year for 2007. The award marks an outstanding achievement for Ken
McKenna's side and is a huge honour for the club and indeed the Principality
Welsh Premier League.
To win the Welsh Premier three times is a massive
achievement for us and the Premier Cup is my best memory
The Award was announced at the Celtic Manor Hotel,
Newport this evening and Managing Director, Mike Harris as well as Club
Secretary Ian Williams and players Scott Ruscoe and Chris King were at the
plush ceremony to receive the Award. Mr. Harris spoke to BBC Wales' Jason
Mohammad to accept the award and said,
"I'd like to thank these
guys (players), Ken, all those involved in the club and especially Ian who
does all the work to achieve our Licence." Mr. Harris also discussed the
famous Premier Cup win over Newport, when his side had to travel to the Exiles
Ground to play the final, and he was presented with the award by former Wales
'keeper Paul Jones, who Harris tried to sign for the Champions League this
year.
Ken McKenna wasn't at the
Hotel, but spoke on a pre-recorded video and said,
"To win the Welsh
Premier three times is a massive achievement for us and the Premier Cup is my
best memory. It was a harder challenge for us, but those victories were
tremendous because people stood up to take notice of us."
The League's Champions beat
Cardiff Devils and Rugby League side Celtic Crusaders among others, to scoop
the Award. Para Olympic Champion, Tanni Grey-Thompson - who won the Individual
Award three-times said,
"I think the awards are
so important because they are the recognition from your country that you've
done something really great in sport."
OWP
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|
DEC-3 |
|
Bangor Boss Powell
scoops Monthly Award
|
|
The Principality Building
Society Welsh Premier League Manager of the Month Award has been awarded to
Bangor City's Neville Powell.
The Citizens boss, who didn't
enjoy the greatest start to life in the Farrar Road hot-seat, has now found
his feet, and the club have risen into the Top Seven and qualified for the
Loosemores Cup Semi-Final, following a tremendous month of November.
It began with a Welsh Cup win
over Caersws in Extra-Time, but League victories followed at home to Viv
Williams' CPD Porthmadog, by two goals to nil - Courtesy of two late strikes
from one of Powell's signings, Michael Johnston and Ashley Stott, but they
then hammered his former side, Connah's Quay Nomads at the Deeside Stadium, by
7-0, with Sion Edwards grabbing a hat-trick. The only games that Powell's side
failed to win was a respectable draw at home to a strong Carmarthen Town
outfit and last night's 2-2 draw at home to Llangefni after a late, late
comeback saw them score twice in added-time. But, the month peaked with two
outstanding away victories at Rhyl's Belle Vue in the League followed by the
first ever Away win at Park Hall, home of The New Saints to dump the
Professional outfit, out of the Loosemores Cup.
Powell made a number of new
signings when he joined the Citizens, mainly from his former Nomads' side but
the shrewd acquisitions of Les Davies from Porthmadog who has been in
scintillating form and Johnston, who is on-loan from Tranmere Rovers has
ensured that he has a formidable squad at his disposal at Farrar Road.
OWP
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|
DEC-3 |
|
Aber's Sherbon takes player
of the month Award |
|
The Principality Player of the
Month goes to Aberystwyth Town's Luke Sherbon who has been in great
goal-scoring form for the Seasiders. The Ceredigion-based outfit have climbed
into the Top Eight of the League and progressed through to the Semi Final of
the Loosemores Cup this month and the 21
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