Caerleon League Prog's edition

I'd like to welcome tonight’s match officials to the Marston’s Stadium for the MacWhirter Welsh League Division One match against Caerleon.  They are Paul Walters, David Powell and Ian Bird, enjoy the game and we’ll see you in the club afterwards.

I’d also like to welcome the officials, players and supporters of Caerleon Football Club.  Our opponents have lost only 3 games this season therefore I am anticipating a very close game. They seem to have a good team spirit with a squad of players who have played together for a couple of seasons.

Since my last report we have managed two successive wins without conceding a goal. A 2-0 home success against Taffs Well was followed by a 1-0 win at Croesyceiliog. A win tonight can leapfrog us into joint fourth position which would be an excellent achievement from the players. Steve Davies misses the game whilst Shaun Morgan will undergo a late fitness test. On a positive note we welcome back our captain Karl Lewis and defender Steve Parry.

I've become a little disillusioned by certain people's attitude about players leaving the club. With the transfer window as it is, we are always going to be rich pickings for other clubs especially where there are three South Wales Amateur clubs in the area. Unfortunately for ourselves players left out of Port Talbot or Neath wont drop out of the Welsh Premier and Goytre traditionally carry a very small squad, thus leaving us very vulnerable. I can only pick 14 players and start 11 and those players left out should fight for their jersey back, (a perfect example of this was Kieron Howells) who has played very well recently and responded in the right fashion. I can understand players wanting to play and not sit on the bench, a perfect example was Chris Latham. Chris was the only player who came to Mark and myself explaining the situation that he needed to play regular football and leave the club to achieve that. I take my hat off to Chris because he left the club in an adult manner and hopefully one day he will be back at this club. Other players didn't even discuss themselves leaving with Mark, Dai or myself which I find quite baffling. This only enhances the chances for our talented youngsters at the club and combine these players with the ones we have brought in and the talented players who have remained at the club, I think along with the supporters it's about time we all sung from the same hymn sheet and want what's best for our club.