WELSH
SOCCER NEWS PAGE FOR DECEMBER 2007
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Players want World
Cup qualifiers moved
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WALES and Tottenham Hotspur
defender Chris Gunter has joined the campaign to take their 2010 World Cup
qualifiers away from the Millennium Stadium.
Several senior players,
including Jason Koumas and Simon Davies, have suggested that fixtures against
the so-called lesser sides should be taken to grounds such as Ninian Park
(Cardiff City), The Liberty Stadium (Swansea City), and Racecourse Ground
(Wrexham), rather than have 20,000 fans scattered around the 72,500 capacity
Millennium Stadium.
And with Wales’ first three
home fixtures coming against Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein and Finland, the
players believe have a strong case.
But Gunter feels such moves
it could backfire on the Football Association of Wales if they agreed to stage
the earlier games around the Principality.
“While I agree it would
benefit the players, the supporters could lose out because the domestic
grounds only hold around 20,000, which could mean that 5,000-10,000 supporters
would not have tickets so the FAW have to take that into consideration,”
said the 18-year-old full-back.
“I know the players and the
manager would like the idea, because it would help us playing in front of
packed grounds and it’s not ideal playing in a stadium that virtually looks
empty.
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Nicholas
dedicates Cup win to Gilbert Lloyd
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Peter
Nicholas dedicated Llanelli's FAW Premier Cup semi-final win over Carmarthen
to the late Gilbert Lloyd. The Reds saw off a tough challenge from their local
rivals, but Nicholas's side overcame an emotional week to earn a place in
their second final of the season.
Lloyd's son Gary, a solid performer for Llanelli this season, sat this
encounter out, but he watched on full of pride and received a huge ovation
when congratulating his team-mates in the dressing room.
"It's been a difficult week for the boys, especially for Gary and his
family," said Nicholas.
"I spoke to them about Gil before the game and they were
determined to win it for him.
"We did, though we made hard work of it. Their keeper was sensational but
we did enough, and that's all that counts in cup football.
"However, we know we have won nothing yet. We are in two cup finals and
going well in the league, but we could end up with nothing.
"The squad is strong enough here and that is why we are in a better
position this season. There are some major challenges ahead - all our games
are cup finals from here in - but we are just going to enjoy this first."
LS
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Giant-killers
set to meet Citizens in cup clash
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FIVE-TIME
Welsh Cup winners Bangor will be determined not to become the latest victims
of giant-killers Guilsfield this Saturday.
The
Cymru Alliance outfit have caused quite a stir in this year’s competition,
already knocking out Welsh Premier clubs Airbus UK Broughton, Connah’s Quay
Nomads and Caernarfon Town en route to the last eight.
But
in Bangor they face their toughest test yet by far at the Community Centre
Ground in front of the S4C Clwb Pêl Droed cameras.
City
are without a win in five starts and the goals which flowed not so long ago
have dried up, but with a place in the semi-finals at stake, Neville
Powell’s men are sure to be up for the challenge in mid-Wales.
Guilsfield
are currently languishing in 12th in the Cymru Alliance and are not in the
best of form, having lost 3-1 at home to Denbigh Town on Saturday on the back
of a 5-0 drubbing at Holyhead Hotspur.
But
the Welsh Cup seems to bring the best out of Graham Evans’ charges.
Bangor
will pose a threat all over the park, especially at set pieces with central
defender Lee Webber always a man to fear.
Top
scorer Ashley Stott and strike partner Les Davies have not been firing on all
cylinders in recent games, but the pair have amassed over 40 goals between
them this term.
Key
operators for the all-blues could be wide men Marc Limbert and Karl Noon, both
very impressive in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Port Talbot at Farrar Road.
HAM
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Swans heading for break
in Spain
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Swansea boss Roberto Martinez is
taking his players to Barcelona for a break after Saturday's trip to
Huddersfield.
The match will be the
promotion-chasing Swans' sixth in 19 days as they look to make it 18 games
unbeaten in the league and 12 unbeaten on the road.
Huddersfield were the last
team to beat the League One leaders back in November and Martinez does not
want a repeat.
"We are looking to get
something back from the first game we played at the Liberty Stadium," he
said.
Huddersfield's Galpharm
Stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for the Swans as they have lost
all four visits there.
February 1994 was the last
time they left the town with any points after securing a 1-1 draw at the old
Leeds Road ground, and it was September 1992 when they last won.
Martinez has already ended
the winless hoodoo at Yeovil earlier this season and is hoping to do the same
on Saturday.
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We must go for it
more - Brian Little
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WREXHAM manager Brian Little
looks set to adopt a more adventurous approach as the Dragons embark on a run
of seven matches that could determine their fate at the end of the season.
After seeing his side’s
six-match unbeaten run ended by high-flying Peterborough United on Tuesday
evening, the Racecourse boss admitted the club’s relegation battle was
entering a new, critical phase.
Rock-bottom Wrexham entertain
second-bottom Mansfield Town in their third home match in eight days on
Saturday.
And St David’s Day marks
the beginning of a month that brings seven fixtures, of which all but two are
against teams in the lower half of the League Two table.
And Little is pondering a
change in both tactics and his 3-5-2 formation after Wrexham picked up 10
points from a possible 18 in a run that brought unexpected but welcome
victories against League Two leaders MK Dons and promotion hopefuls
Darlington.
Speaking after Tuesday
evening’s 2-0 reverse, a result which saw visitors Peterborough jump into
second spot, the Dragons boss said: “Against the better teams we’ve played
a system that can frustrate them and has got us points.
“We have to analyse this
next phase of games and decide whether we play that system or whether we’re
a little bit braver in our play.”
“We’re down a little bit,
but we’ll brush ourselves down and get ready to go on Saturday.
DP
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No op for Swans Lawrence
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Dennis
Lawrence should be set for a first team return in two weeks after a specialist
confirmed he would not need an operation on his injured knee. It had been
feared the 33-year-old centre back could miss the rest of the season if he
required surgery on the injury he suffered at Crewe on February 9.
But after travelling to London to see a consultant, Swansea physio Richie
Evans revealed the defender needed only minor treatment.
"Dennis doesn't need an operation. The MRI scan showed some wear and tear
in the knee, but that's perfectly normal for a player of his age," he
said.
"The injury hadn't settled down as we'd have liked so we
sought further advice.
"But the consultant's very happy, it'll just take a couple of injections
to calm the inflammation down.
"It's great news for us and great news for Dennis," he added.
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Caersws part company
with boss Barton
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MIKE Barton has resigned as
manager of Caersws Football Club after less than a season in the Recreation
Ground hotseat.
The club confirmed Barton had taken the decision to step down with assistant manager Dave Taylor
taking over as caretaker boss until the end of the current campaign.
Caersws are currently third from bottom in the Principality Welsh Premier with
only six league wins in 24 games under Barton.
Barton acknowledged the club face a real battle for survival but backs them to
maintain their prized Welsh Premier status.
"I'm gutted to be leaving Caersws," said
Barton. "In hindsight I was not up to the challenge but I will never
regret joining the club.
"In a way it was a job that nobody wanted but I think I did a good job
considering the budget I had available to me.
"I wish Caersws Football Club all the best for the future and sincerely
hope Dave can keep them up and get the job full-time."
Barton reflected: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Caersws and
although it has been tough I hope to use the experience I gained in any future
appointment.
"I have not become a bad manager overnight so to any critics I say look
at my record at Guilsfield where we improved our league finish every
season."
A Caersws spokesman said: "The club would like to thank Mike for his
efforts this season and wish him the best in the future.
"Dave Taylor has agreed to take over as first team manager until the end
of the season."
CT
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Lido pool talents in
promotion dogfight
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DARK horses Afan Lido are hitting
their straps as momentum builds in the Welsh League Division One title race,
writes Robert Skeels.
With leaders Goytre United
tripping up at ENTO Aberaman with a shock 1-0 defeat, the Lido’s own promotion
aspirations were given a leg-up.
Lido are now just seven points
adrift of Andrew Radford’s Afan Valley side – with a game in hand.
Now Saturday’s match away to
third-place Dinas Powys has massive implications for the seasiders. Win this one
and seventh place Lido will be serious contenders in the title showdown.
At the end of last year general
manager Mark Robinson backed his young side to go on a decent unbeaten run.
Well, that’s just what the
Lido have done – seven games without defeat in an uncompromising league.
“The boys are doing pretty
well lately,” was an understatement from Lido’s general manager Mark
Robinson.
“The average age of the team
against Caldicot was 22, they are still learning but winning games which is a
bonus.
“Everyone is enjoying
training sessions and we are back in the promotion race after being well, well
off the pace before Christmas.”
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Brace wants six of the
best
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Deryn
Brace has called for six of the best as Carmarthen Town chase their European
dream.
The Richmond Park boss believes his side may have to win half a dozen of their
remaining league games if they are to clinch a top-three finish in the Welsh
Premier League.
Town were beaten 3-1 at Newi Cefn Druids last Saturday, a defeat that leaves
them fifth in the table, just three points behind third-placed Rhyl but having
played three games more.
"Before this game you would have asked for all the other
results to have gone the way they did, and the only result that didn't go our
way was the one we had the biggest influence on," said Brace.
"What it means now is that of the remaining games we probably have to win
all six so we will have to go on a magnificent run.
"We have got to learn to come to sides that are fighting for their league
survival and show the same passion. If we don't do that then we will always be a
'nearly' team instead of being up there challenging for honours."
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Swans lead looks less
secure
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SWANSEA CITY’S 12-point lead at
the top of League One was looking less secure last night as Leeds United took a
significant step towards overturning their 15-point deficit.
Carlisle’s 1-0 win at Crewe
on Tuesday night cut runaway leaders Swansea’s advantage to 12 points with 14
games remaining.
But Leeds would be within eight
points of Swansea if their punishment for not properly following insolvency
policy after slipping into administration was quashed.
Leeds chairman Ken Bates
revealed yesterday that the club have been invited to arbitration by the
Football League as they look to overturn the deficit imposed on them last
August.
The club – now five points
off the play-offs – served a High Court writ on the league earlier this month
challenging the 15-point deduction and Bates has disclosed the league made their
offer of arbitration on the day their deadline to respond was due to expire.
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Hulse
expects a tough test against Queens Park
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ANYONE
expecting Rhyl to have an easy passage into the Welsh Cup semi-finals this
weekend would do well to remember last season’s competition, says Lilywhites
manager John Hulse.
In
a major shock, the Lilies went out 1-0 in the 2006/07 third round at Ton Pentre,
who play in the Welsh League – the equivalent level to Saturday’s opponents
GAP Queens Park.
Currently
sixth in the Cymru Alliance, Wrexham-based GAP have a number of ex-Welsh Premier
players in their ranks including former Rhylite Ricky Evans, Colin Quirk, Kevin
Leech and Steve Cowap.
“People
have been coming up to me talking about the semi-finals already but nothing
could be further from my mind,” stressed Hulse. “I will be reminding the
players this week about what happened at Ton Pentre and stressing there will be
no room for complacency.
“I’ve
watched Queens Park myself – against Buckley recently – and have had good
reports about them off people from their league.
“We
will be putting as much effort into preparing for Saturday’s tie as we would
if we were playing the top two TNS or Llanelli.”
Hulse
was impressed by what he saw of GAP in their 7-1 win at Globe Way on February
13.
“They
have a lot of decent players,” he opined. “In Ricky Evans and Colin Quirk
they have two capable of turning it on against any side and in my opinion they
should, in Ricky’s case especially, still be playing in the League of Wales.
“The
way they play I don’t expect them to defend and look to hit us on the counter
as some Welsh Premier sides do. They like to play in the opposition’s half and
won’t be coming for a draw as there has to be a result on the day. It’s
going to be a very difficult test.”
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Beadle joy at County win
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Welling 1-2 Newport County
COUNTY got their show back on
the road with a hard-earned victory in south-east London last night.
Newport boss Peter Beadle was
forced to give 18-year-old keeper Scott James his debut and recalled long-term
injury victim centre-half Paul Cochlin after more than a year out of the County
side.
Newport settled quickly and
took the lead with a 15th-minute penalty from Jason Bowen, awarded for a
needless handball by Welling’s Chris Moore.
Cochlin added to the advantage
on 27 minutes with a glancing header from an Andy Gurney free-kick, but County
allowed Welling back into the game when Sam Gargan forced the ball home after a
36th-minute corner.
Beadle said, “We had a good
chance after Sunday’s defeat and tonight they all did what I asked of them. I
asked the team to go back to basics and we had a little bit of zip back in our
game after our recent disappointments.”
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Swans: Lets go for
Eastwood
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Another
thing that is beginning to bother me is the number of chances Swansea are
wasting and I believe there is a simple solution to this problem - bring in
Freddy Eastwood. Roberto has assembled such a good footballing side they carve
out great chances.
They created three one-on-one opportunities in the first leg against MK Dons and
at the start of the second half of the second Fabien Brandy was played in and
should have scored.
You can praise the keeper for making the save but for me that should have been
one touch, 2-0 and game over.
Like I say Swansea have such quality they create a lot of
chances, but they miss a lot as well.
They need to be more clinical and in my opinion should have a 20-goal-a-season
striker in their sights.
Eastwood is the obvious target for me.
He is not in the Wolves team and I think he would jump at the chance to come to
Swansea.
If he had three or four one-on-ones, he would score two of them.
Maybe Swansea don't even need to wait until the end of the season, they could
get him in on loan now.
It would do his international career no harm at all, being so close to Wales
boss John Toshack. I think Wolves would let him leave.
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Llanelli through to Prem
cup final
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A solitary Mark Pritchard goal
means that Llanelli have reached their first ever FAW Premier Cup Final, in what
is likely to be the last match played in the eleven years of the competition.
The Reds overcame
Carmarthenshire neighbours, Carmarthen Town at an emotional Stebonheath Park on
Tuesday evening, in the first game that the Reds have played since the sudden
death of Llanelli legend Gilbert Lloyd.
For Llanelli boss Peter
Nicholas, it means that he will relish the opportunity of facing his former
club, Newport County in the Final for the £100,000 prize and prestigious Title.
The only goal of the Semi-Final
came from former Wales Under 21 youngster Mark Pritchard, who has been a
bit-part player for Nicholas in the last few months, but his header would have
delighted his boss as it helped his side see off Carmarthen for the third time
this season.
Striker Pritchard beat Neil
Thomas from Andrew Mumford's free kick in the first half and that was enough for
the win. The experienced Thomas produced a series of outstanding saves to give
his side hope until the death, denying leading scorer Rhys Griffiths, Wyn Thomas
and Mark Jones. The Old Gold also had a near miss as Ryan Harrison was beaten by
Tim Hicks, only for his effort to be denied by a post and midfielder Gregg
Coombes also went close with a long-range effort. However, it wasn't to be for
Deryn Brace's side and Carmarthen were generally outplayed on the night and the
full-timers deserve their spot in next months Final. |
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Ferguson enjoys return to
Wrexham
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Former Wrexham favourite Darren
Ferguson left the Racecourse Ground a victorious manager of Peterborough
following Jamie Day's double strike.
Day's 65th-minute opener, a
free-kick curled in from just outside the box, was his first goal in 19 months.
Nine minutes from time Day
repeated the feat following a foul.
Defeat deepened Wrexham's
relegation fears, which were worsened by fellow strugglers Mansfield's 1-1 draw
with Bury at Field Mill.
The Stags travel to Wrexham on
Saturday in what will be one of the biggest games of the season for both clubs.
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Haverfordwest win battle
of the Bluebirds
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n the only match in the
Principality Welsh Premier League this evening, it was the visitors who won the
Battle of the Bluebirds as the Mid Wales strugglers Caersws went down 1-2 to the
South Wales variety - Haverfordwest County. The win was the visitors first
victory at the Rec since 2000 and the defeat for Caersws adds pressure on the
village club in their Battle against Relegation.
Caersws fell behind as early as
the second-minute as January signing Mike Hartley, who has impressed on the
center since his move from Welsh League side, Bridgend opened the scoring for
the visitors. The lead was doubled in the Second-Half when athletic striker Jack
Christopher added to his growing reputation to double the advantage just after
the hour. Neil Mitchell gave the hosts some host by pulling one back on 68
minutes but it wasn't enough as Brazil's Boys held on for the three points.
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Prestatyn may need to
ground share if promoted
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RUNAWAY Cymru Alliance leaders
Prestatyn are being forced to consider a ground-share for next season if they
win promotion to the Welsh Premier.
Colwyn Bay's Llanelian Road and
Flint's Cae-y-Castell are the candidates as the Seasiders seek planning
permission for floodlights at their own Bastion Road ground.
Occupants of houses which fringe the ground, including a local councillor, are
against the proposal and the club do not expect to be able to meet the league's
May deadline for ground grading.
One solution may be the installation of retractable lights, similar to those
used by Airbus UK Broughton, which can be raised and lowered before and after
games.
The club's main stand, which
started life at Manchester City's old Maine Road ground, also needs extending to
meet Welsh Premier requirements and footings are already in place to extend the
structure along the length of the touchline.
But the future of top flight
football in the seaside town now lies in the hands of Denbighshire County
Council planners as much as form on the pitch.
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Llangefni hope for
silver end to season
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WELSH Premier strugglers Llangefni
Town hope for a silver lining to their traumatic season by lifting the North
Wales Coast Challenge Cup.
But first they have to deal
with hosts Flint Town United, fourth placed in the Cymru Alliance, tonight in a
delayed second round tie.
The winners will take on
Denbigh Town in the semi-final, while the other last four pairing will involve
Bethesda Athletic and Llandudno Town.
Llangefni’s joint manager
Derek Roberts said: “As the last surviving Welsh Premier club in the
competition, we fancy our chances and hope to put our league woes behind us
briefly.
“If we can pull off a win at
Flint, where we have had some memorable battles in the past, it will restore
confidence among the lads and perhaps rub off on our other commitments.”
One squad change will involve
recent goalkeeper signing Dave Vickers, from Buckley Town, making his debut as
stand-in for unavailable Farai Jackson.
Holders Flint Town United
welcome back three regulars, writes Mike McEvoy.
Skipper Stuart Hughes, central
defender Steve Hughes and utility man Steve Alcock are all added to the squad.
Manager Paul Davies said: “We
beat Llangefni in this same competition last season on our way to winning the
trophy and we are looking forward to taking them on again.
“We are preparing for a hard
game because this is a trophy we are very keen to win.”
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Cardiff City's bid
for Earnshaw fails again
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CARDIFF City have made a second
bid to bring goals ace Robert Earnshaw back to Ninian Park.
But the Bluebirds have suffered
another disappointment with Derby manager Paul Jewell turning down the latest
approach to bring the Welsh striker back to Ninian Park.
Earnshaw, 26, joined
newly-promoted Derby County from Norwich City for £3.5m last summer, but has
made only four starts in the Premiership this season.
He has also made 10 appearances
as substitute, but has scored only one goal.
The Bluebirds, who also
approached Derby during January, are among several clubs keen to sign Earnshaw
on loan.
Coca-Cola Championship League
one side Nottingham Forest are also interested and have made a strong bid for
the Zambian-born striker.
If Jewell could be persuaded to
release his striker to Ninian Park, Earnshaw would start alongside Jimmy Floyd
Hasselbaink with Paul Parry reverting to a wide midfield role.
Earnie, who fired more than 100
goals for the Bluebirds in his first spell, is one of two players Dave Jones has
enquired about over the last week – and the City manager is still keen to add
a striker to his squad.
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Swans suffer Painter
injury blow
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Swansea left-back Marcos Painter
will be out for up to three weeks after tearing his hamstring in the loss to MK
Dons in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
Manager Roberto Martinez is
considering bringing in a replacement on loan after Painter's injury on Monday
night.
There is also a fitness doubt
about fellow defender Dennis Lawrence for Saturday's league trip to
Huddersfield.
But Paul Anderson is now fit
after his hamstring problem, while Leon Britton and Ferrie Bodde could also
figure.
The midfield pair were injured
during last week's 1-0 win over Luton Town, Bodde suffering a shoulder problem
while Britton picked up a calf strain.
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Ineffective Savage may
drop out
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Derby County captain Robbie Savage
could be dropped for Saturday's game against Sunderland, after his manager Paul
Jewell branded him "ineffective".
Savage, 33, has struggled for
form since his £1.5m move from Blackburn and Jewell told BBC Radio Derby:
"Robbie is very low on confidence at the moment.
"He is playing with
injuries that he probably shouldn't be.
"He will be an effective
player for us, but like a few players at the moment he is ineffective."
Jewell added: "His
performances are going to attract criticism. There are no two ways that Robbie
has played well.
"He is almost trying too
hard, and we might have to say 'let's try and get him properly fit and back to
where he has been for most of his career'."
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Where will it all end for
hapless Cwmbran Town?
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WHERE will it all end for hapless
Cwmbran Town? Their 2-0 defeat at high-flying Newport YMCA means they are now
closer to the MacWhirter Welsh League Division One relegation zone than they are
to a promotion spot.
The Crows have no wins from
their last 11 games and have only taken a paltry eight points from the last 42
on offer - relegation form in anyone's book.
They now trail Ton Pentre, who
are in second position - the lowest promotion place - by 16 points. However,
they are just 14 ahead of relegation candidates Maesteg Park, who have three
games in hand, and the Crows' next trio of matches are against higher-placed
sides.
Cwmbran's problems were clear
for everyone to see - they simply can't score goals.
The stats, failure to score in
eight of their last 11 matches, and assistant manager Gary Proctor backed up the
synopsis.
"Our performance was the
same story as the last few weeks, when we've had plenty of possession, but have
done nothing with it in front of goal," said Proctor, back with Cwmbran
following a short spell as coach under the late Tony Willcox in the 1990s.
"We just can't seem to
convert anything at the moment and we seem to be chasing games after putting
ourselves in good positions.
"All of a sudden we find
ourselves 1-0 down and we certainly need to work on certain aspects of our
play."
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Martinez rallies his
players
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Roberto
Martinez has urged his Swansea City players to use their Wembley disappointment
to motivate their League One promotion bid.The Swans agonisingly missed out on a
trip to Johnstone's Paint Trophy final by losing to MK Dons on penalties in last
night's area final.
The Swansea boss said: ''We need to show our character now and bounce back from
this disappointment in the league.
''It was so near and yet so far.
''Now we must regroup and regain that winning feeling in the
league.
''We must keep faith and ensure we take whatever is in our reach.''
Swansea go to Huddersfield on Saturday, leading the League One table by 14
points.
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City U19's take on Lido's
conquerors
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CARDIFF City are in FAW Youth Cup
quarter-final action against Cardiff Celts at University Playing Fields,
Treforest, tonight (7.30pm).
Bluebirds’ youth team coach
Geraint Twose, whose side beat Bryntirion Athletic 3-0 in the previous round,
had to wait to select his line-up for the tonight’s tie with six players away
with the Wales Under-17 squad and Cardiff City hoping to arrange a last-minute
reserve match this week.
The six away with Wales in
Turkey this week are Adam Matthews, Dean Hudson, James Bloom, Zac Evans, Jon
Meades and Craig Mason.
City’s Kye Edwards was also
on the standby list for a training camp trip which includes a warm-up match
against Austria in Turkey on Thursday.
The Welsh team, coached by
Brian Flynn, are preparing for their Uefa Championship qualifying group matches
in Northern Ireland next month.
All six Cardiff City players on
the Welsh trip appeared for their club in a youth Academy match against
title-chasing Leicester City away on Saturday.
Striker Mason was man of the
match for the Bluebirds, who fielded a young team, including six under-16
players, against Leicester City opponents who used their full quota of four
over-age players.
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Swans suffer shoot-out
woe
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MK Dons win 5-4 on penalties
Jason Scotland was first Swansea's penalty hero then villain as MK Dons won
through to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final after a penalty shoot-out.
Dons had won the first leg in
Swansea 1-0, but Scotland levelled the tie from the spot on 20 minutes after
Keith Andrews brought down Andy Robinson.
Both sides wasted good chances
and the aggregate remained deadlocked at 1-1.
Cruelly only Scotland failed in
the shoot-out, as Dons goalkeeper Willy Gueret guessed right with a fine save.
Having now triumphed in this
southern area showdown, the Dons will face either Morecombe or Grimsby in the
final at Wembley on 30 March.
Gueret had been superb in the
first leg at the Liberty Stadium last week when Dons won 1-0, but could do
nothing to stop his former club gaining parity at Stadium MK.
Striker Scotland and Robinson
combined with a clever one-two and as the midfielder charged into the Dons box
he was clipped by Andrews.
Referee Andy D'Urso pointed to
the spot and Scotland sent Gueret the wrong way for his 20th goal of the season.
If the League One leaders
thought a winner was only a matter of time they were rocked back by a determined
MK Dons assault, the League Two front-runners led by the excellent Jemal
Johnson.
Only a brave defensive block by
Gary Monk denied Johnson, although at the other end Gueret had to save smartly
from Febian Brandy before the break.
Both sides had chances to win
it in a frenetic second half, Swansea's Shaun MacDonald and the Dons' Kevin
Gallen both guilty of glaring misses as the 90 minutes ran out.
The penalty shoot-out began
with four excellent spot-kicks before Scotland stepped up to take Swansea's
third attempt.
The striker picked the same
spot as before but Gueret read his double-bluff, flinging himself left to stop
Scotland's shot with a strong hand.
No more penalties were missed
and to add insult to injury it was substitute striker Drewe Broughton - just
back from a loan spell at Swansea's Welsh rivals Wrexham - who kept his cool to
smash the Dons into the final with the deciding kick.
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Llanelli & Carmarthen
Prem cup preview
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Llanelli will give Craig Jones
(ankle), Rhys Griffiths (hamstring) and Craig Williams (finger) late fitness
tests for their home FAW Premier Cup semi.
But midfielder Stephen Evans
(ankle ligament) and goalkeeper Duncan Roberts (broken wrist) are definitely
out.
Carmarthen's only doubts are
striker Tim Hicks and full-back Paul Keddle but both are expected to make the
squad.
Neil Thomas, Kris Thomas and
Jamal Easter are clear to play despite facing suspensions in the Welsh Premier.
Llanelli have enjoyed dominance
over the Old Gold in the Welsh Premier this season, but Carmarthen defender
Rhodri Jones says past form will count for nothing on Tuesday night.
"Llanelli have beaten
Carmarthen twice this year, but since the new year Carmarthen have strengthened
and shown their resolve," Jones said.
"There was a good result
against The New Saints recently, although it was a bad defeat to NEWI Cefn
Druids on Saturday.
"But it's a cup match and
we'll give Llanelli a good game."
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Jones: Court case not
helping us
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Boss Dave Jones admits next
month's court case with Langston is hampering Cardiff City's progress.
The club's biggest creditor
Langston wants a £24m debt repaid now, but City officials say it is not due
until 2016.
And Jones blamed naming only
four substitutes in Saturday's 1-0 loss at Sheffield Wednesday on injuries and
finances preventing bringing anyone in.
"Until we sort out the
side issues and everything else with the situation we are in, we have to battle
on," he said.
Michael Oakes, Steve Thompson,
Trevor Sinclair and youngster Jonathan Brown were the four players on the bench
on Saturday
"We are that thin,"
said Jones. "Jonathan Brown is not ready to be fair. He was only there
because we haven't got anybody else.
"Trevor shouldn't have
been on the bench because he's not ready to go and play in a campaign.
"Basically we were looking
at one fit (outfield) substitute for the first team and it's not acceptable, but
because of the situation we are in there isn't anything we can do."
Jones said there was no scope
to bring any players in on emergency loan and the situation is affecting their
slim play-off hopes.
"It's a major thing for us
and we're in with a shout (of the play-offs) and we can't help ourselves and
that's the annoying thing," he said. "It's hard to swallow sometimes.
"I'm not complaining
because it's part and parcel of being manager of Cardiff so we'll just get on
with it."
No date has been confirmed yet
for next month's court case.
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Dragons defender
Evans unfazed by Posh fall-out fears
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WALES defender Steve Evans does
not believe there will be any fall-out from Wrexham’s feisty trip to
Peterborough in the Racecourse rematch tonight.
The Dragons’ goalless draw at
London Road just over a fortnight ago was mired in controversy after a collision
involving centre-back Evans and home goalkeeper Joe Lewis, who was stretchered
off as a result.
Evans was cautioned for his
part in the incident, which sparked a melee involving all 20 outfield players.
Posh manager Darren Ferguson
later accused his former Wrexham team-mate of head-butting Lewis, but that
charge was not supported by TV evidence.
Anxious to play down any
suggestions of renewed resentment tonight, Evans said, “It was just a case of
handbags on the day and I’ve forgotten it now.
“All we have to do is
concentrate on ourselves and make sure we stay focused on the job in hand, which
is to try and take all three points.
“They weren’t very happy in
the previous game because they probably expected to win, but we frustrated them
and were probably the better team on the day.”
Still anchored to the foot of
the League Two table, the Dragons extended their unbeaten run to six matches in
Saturday’s goalless home draw with Grimsby.
“It was not much of a
spectacle for the fans, but it was a third successive clean sheet and we
extended the unbeaten run,” he added.
“We know we can’t let our
standards slip because there are other lads waiting to get their chance. We are
building a sequence of results to keep the points ticking over and hopefully we
can go one better against Peterborough and pick up all three.
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FAW Premier Cup just
never took off
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BARRING an organisation agreeing
to plough £360,000 a year into a competition which Cardiff City and Swansea
City stick their reserves into, the FAW Premier Cup will cease to exist within
the next few days.
A board meeting takes place
this week to determine the future of the often-troubled tournament.
And, unless FAW secretary David
Collins has a hush-hush new sponsorship deal up his sleeve (which I doubt),
there is only one realistic outcome.
Current backers BBC Wales have
done their best to trumpet the competition during its 11-year history. But the
reality is that, in the eyes of the majority of the Welsh public, the Premier
Cup never matched up to its name tag.
On the contrary, far from being
premier, too often it has been perceived as second rate.
And that is a shame, because in
theory this is a cup competition that has done an awful lot of good for Welsh
football.
Most significantly, it brought
our game back together again after the huge divides that were created at the
start of the1990s when the League of Wales was set up.
There was anger, friction,
resentment at the time. We even had the absurd situation of the FAW kicking
Newport, Merthyr and Colwyn Bay into exile ... Welsh clubs prohibited from
playing their home matches in Wales because they wouldn’t entertain the idea
of joining the new league.
Money from the Premier Cup has
helped LoW clubs greatly improve their ground facilities.
More significantly, the £100,000
generated from winning the competition has played a part in helping our Big
Three to keep going at various points over the past 11 years.
Each of the league trio have
faced a financial crisis during that period. Each of them gratefully accepted
the money from the Premier Cup... whether to pay summer wages, Inland Revenue
bill, sign a new player, whatever.
But, to be blunt, the real pros
of the Premier Cup pretty much end there. It has always been a competition
fighting on the back foot in terms of winning over officials, managers, top
players and, most importantly, the fans.
The most fundamental reason is
because the FAW never sanctioned, or could never sanction, European entry for
the winners.
That resulted in lifting the
trophy meaning diddly squat to the players of Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham, who
rightly thought they had much bigger fish to fry.
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Swans go in search of
Wembley spot
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TOM BUTLER says the Swans will
hold nothing back as they attempt to overturn a one-goal deficit against MK Dons
tonight.
Swansea go into the second leg
of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy southern area final one behind after last
week’s loss to Paul Ince’s men.
With nothing to lose, Butler
insists the Swans will be looking to even the tie as soon as possible at the
Stadium MK and go on to book their place in the Wembley final.
He said, “We are 1-0 down so
we will have to go at them, but, whether we are home or away, we have been
attacking teams all season.
“If we are still 1-0 down
after a while the manager is just going to tell us to go out and attack, attack,
attack. As a winger to have that freedom is great because you can really have a
go at defenders, and for the other team that must be a nightmare. “When you
play out wide you love getting the ball all the time. In this team you are
always going to get a lot of chances, I’ve had six goals this season, but I
probably should’ve had a few more.”
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Beadle baffled by woeful
display
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COUNTY manager Peter Beadle
slammed his players after yesterday's 3-1 loss at home to Lewes, labelling their
display "unacceptable."
The Exiles looked to have
claimed a fortunate draw with Charlie Griffin's equaliser 10 minutes from time
but two goals deep into injury time gave the league leaders the win they fully
deserved.
A baffled Beadle found it hard
to explain the disparity between the fantastic display at Cardiff City and
yesterday's woeful effort just five days later.
"There's no middle ground
with us, we're either very good or very bad and today we were very bad," he
said.
"They could have quite
easily been out of sight at half-time. We just didn't turn up.
"They looked like they
wanted it more than we did and like they had more know-how than we did.
"We didn't even match them
for effort, which was really disappointing. We just got beaten by the better
team."
The result, the fourth league
game without a win this month, leaves County in eighth position, six points off
the play-off positions and Beadle knows they need to improve quickly.
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Impressive run ends for
Neath
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Neath's
superb six match unbeaten run came to a disappointing end at Broughton where
they went down 2-1 to improving Airbus UK. The match was a reversal of the
Eagles' recent matches where they have stormed to victory in the final 15
minutes.
This time, Andrew Hill appeared to have won it with a 72nd-minute spot kick -
his league tally now stands at 13 - but the Wingmakers hit back with goals from
Phil Molyneux, 13 minutes from time, and Danny Desormeaux 3 minutes later.
Molyneaux's equaliser came courtesy of a poor headed back-pass by David Burrows,
the winner a 25-yard screamer which gave goalkeeper Craig Morris no chance.
"A moment of madness and a shot out of the blue cost us
and it's very disappointing, especially looking at the results of the other
teams around us," said Neath manager Andrew Dyer.
"After we took the lead, the game should have been done and dusted but I
suppose we have done to teams recently what was done to us today, so we
shouldn't complain.
"We have to just take it on the chin and put it right next time. Conditions
were really difficult with a gale blowing across the pitch.
"That's not an excuse, but I do think we were unlucky as Carl Shaw had a goal bound
effort saved by a trailing foot 7 minutes from time."
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Steelmen stay on course
for Europe
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Port
Talbot's dream of a first European qualification remains on course following a
battling 0-0 draw at Bangor City. The hosts maintain a three point advantage
over Nicky Tucker's side but have played a game more while Carmarthen have also
been egged back to within three points after their shock 3-1 loss at Newi Cefn
Druids.
But the Steelmen have two games in hand over their Richmond Park rivals, so the
battle for fourth place, which could provide qualification into the Uefa Cup, is
really starting to hot up.
Tucker was satisfied with a point which extends the Steelmen's fine unbeaten
sequence to five matches producing a 13-point haul.
"Yes, I'm pleased with a point but we could have sneaked
all three as we were dominant for the final 25 minutes," he said.
"Overall, I think a draw was about right as both sides had chances to win
it."
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Dragons loanee striker
Broughton in demand
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Drewe Broughton
could play three games in four days if MK Dons allow the striker to return on
loan to Wrexham.
The 29-year-old skippered
Wrexham in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Grimsby but has gone back to MK Dons
after his month's loan at The Racecourse expired.
Injuries at MK Dons could see
Broughton play in their Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie against Swansea on Monday.
If Dons boss Paul Ince OKs
Wrexham's request, Broughton could play in their game with Peterborough on
Tuesday.
Broughton impressed Brian
Little during his month at The Racecourse.
Now the Wrexham boss wants the
striker to aid the League Two strugglers fight to avoid relegation to the
Conference.
A Wrexham spokesman confirmed:
"We have asked MK Dons to extend Drewe's loan spell and we are awaiting a
decision from Paul Ince.
"An injury crisis, though,
mean Drewe could play for MK Dons against Swansea on Monday.
"But we hope they will
allow Drewe to return to us after the tie so he can be in contention for the
Peterborough game."
Wrexham are struggling in the
striking department as Neil Roberts and Eifion Williams are injured.
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Goytre under threat
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GOYTRE United still cling onto top
spot in the Welsh League despite going down to a shock 1-0 defeat at ENTO
Aberaman yesterday.
A strike from the much
travelled Chris Summers helped the Cynon Valley side achieve a double over their
title rivals.
Second placed Ton Pentre, the
former champions, had to battle hard to gain the full points against lowly
Pontypridd Town. A goal either side of half time from Andrew Pearson earned the
points and Rasal Abdul reduced the arrears for Pontypridd.
Bryntirion Athletic kept alive
their aspirations by beating third placed Dinas Powys 2-1. Robbie Walters scored
from the spot and increased his considerable tally with a header.
Jason Powis replied for Dinas
but the story of the day belongs to Alan Founaguin, the Bryntirion goalkeeper
who on his return from suspension immediately picked up another red card for
exactly the same offence, handling outside the area.
Newport YMCA cemented their
mid-table spot with a 2-0 victory over Cwmbran Town, Steve Edwards and Alex
Stewart both netting.
Bridgend Town fought out an
entertaining 3-3 draw with Croesyceiliog and the honours were also shared at
Maesteg Park who drew 2-2 with Cambrian and Clydach.
Taffs Well pulled well clear
from the danger zone with an impressive 3-1 win at Caerleon.
Not one of the top three teams
in division two gained maximum points yesterday.
Leaders Barry Town were held to
a 1-1 draw at home by mid-table Caerau Ely. Rhys Jones scored for Barry and
Martin Bridgeman bagged the Caerau equaliser.
Second placed UWIC drew 1-1 at
Tredegar Town where Andrew York was the game’s only scorer as he netted for
Tredegar and then went on to score an own goal.
Third placed Bettws went down
to a shock 2-1 defeat at lowly Troedyrhiw, a victory which lifted the hosts out
of the relegation zone.
Cardiff Corries narrowed the
gap at the top by winning 4-3 at Briton Ferry with goals from Rhys Yates, Robbie
James, Andy Smith and Sam Jacobson.
The Corries were cruising 4-1
at one stage but a late rally from Ferry almost brought them a point.
Ammanford eased their
relegation fears with a 2-0 success over Llanwern.
All the top three teams in
division three won their matches.
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Port Talbot & Bangor
firing blanks
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BANGOR City and Port Talbot, fifth
and sixth-placed in the rankings – just outside the Euro frame – slogged out
their second goalless draw of the campaign.
Just as on October 20 at the
Remax Stadium, the rivals fired blanks for 90 minutes in the Farrar Road return,
as both rued wasted chances.
For Bangor, until recently
free-scoring entertainers, this was their fourth blank in five outings – a bad
habit they must shrug off in their Welsh Cup test at Guilsfield this weekend.
City’s concerns also involved
goalkeeper Paul Smith, who damaged a knee during the first half but battled on
only to take another knock later that caused him to withdraw.
Defender Peter Hoy switched to
between the posts and Dave Swanick moved off the bench to complete the line-up.
City were close to finding the
target in the opening quarter, when Karl Noon swept a good-looking 25-yarder
just wide and captain Marc Limbert tested keeper Kristian Rogers from the edge
of the box.
Equally, Port Talbot cursed
their luck when Lee John had a goal-bound effort cleared off the home line and
the same player lobbed over the bar, after spotting Smith out of position.
Noon put in a close-range shot
that deserved to succeed in the second half, only for Rogers to collect, but it
was the away side who finished stronger and James Burgin blasted a 35-yard
rocket against the angle of the goal frame.
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Seven-goal glut gets
TNS back on track
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The New Saints 7-1 Llangefni Town
TNS showed they have no
intention of throwing in the title towel after turning up the heat on the
leaders with a seven-goal romp against lowly Llangefni.
Having lost two of their
previous three league outings, the Saints steadied the ship in style at the end
of a week that saw manager Ken McKenna announce he would be stepping down at the
end of the season.
And the Saints boss, looking to
sign off his 10-year reign at the club with a record-equalling fourth successive
league crown, would have been happy with what he saw.
Newcomer Kevin Townson led the
charge with four of the goals in this one-sided affair as the defending
champions moved level with pace setters Llanelli, although the blitz was not
quite enough to take them top on goal difference.
As for Llangefni, the Anglesey
men now appear to be hurtling back to the Cymru Alliance after suffering their
sixth straight defeat.
Townson was the chief
beneficiary with his goal count at Park Hall, but the former Rochdale striker
was provider early on, teeing up Paul Henry to make a 13th minute breakthrough
from six yards.
Four minutes later, the
high-flying hosts doubled the lead when Martyn Naylor’s right wing cross found
Jamie Wood, who beat keeper Farai Jackson with a point blank header.
Llangefni were always at full
stretch and, after several chances had gone begging, Townson opened his account
on 40 minutes when Jackson could only parry Wood’s shot for a another close
range goal.
A fourth goal arrived on the
stroke of half-time when Scott Ruscoe’s long ranger appeared wide but was
headed by Geraint Mitchell into his own net.
The visitors defended valiantly
after the break but the Saints made it five on 68 minutes when Chris King’s
shot was parried by Jackson for another simple scoring opportunity for Townson.
Carl Lamb nearly added the
sixth with his first touch after coming off the bench, while keeper Jackson made
a fine save to deny Steven Beck.
But Townson completed his
hat-trick after good work from Tommy Holmes.
Then he added his fourth by
running on to a through ball.
The Saints, however, would have
been disappointed to concede a consolation goal in the last action of the game,
from a Craig Hogg header.
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Airbus flying against
Neath
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Airbus UK 2-1 Neath
AIRBUS UK have collected the
magical 30 points that most managers count on as being the survival mark for a
further season at top flight after they narrowly defeated Neath Athletic 2-1.
Rest assured, this was hardly
the sort of game to bring the crowds back. The first half was played at a very
pedestrian pace and the number of goal opportunities were few and far between,
with just a half-chance by the Wingmakers’ Gareth Sudlow being the highlight.
The second period did improve
considerably and James McIntosh almost put the hosts ahead, but his shot shaved
the bar.
At the opposite end Jarrod
Price went close as Neath started to take control and they eventually broke the
deadlock in the 72nd minute through Andy Hill. Airbus hit back in the best
possible fashion and they were soon to level thanks to a clever flick from Phil
Molyneux.
It was the boost his side
needed as they gained in stature and doubled their tally in the 80th minute
through Danny Desormeaux, who lobbed Craig Morris from distance and the goal
proved decisive. In the dying moments of the game, though, and Neath doing all
the pressing, Airbus keeper Chris Doran tipped over a stinging shot from Hill.
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Haverfordwest rue
missed opportunities
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Haverfordwest 1-1 Caernarfon
THIS was a game Haverfordwest
should have won.
In the first half, the
Caernarfon crossbar was rattled three times, but the visitors went into the lead
after John Rowley flicked in a low cross from James Thomas.
Frustrated home fans saw a
cross from Lee Hudgell come back off the bar, and watched as a 25-yard shot from
Tom Ramasut hit the same spot.
Just before half-time, Mike
Hartley hit a fine cross from the right, and this time it was Hudgell’s turn
to hit the bar with a header.
To make matters tougher for the
visitors their left back, Phil Doran, was sent off after 25 minutes. One yellow
card for kicking the ball away wasn’t enough for Phil, and he repeated the
offence 60 seconds later.
It was one way traffic in the
second half, and an equaliser finally came when Abdi Ahmed’s cross was forced
home from close range by his fellow substitute, Nick Woodrow. Neil Thomas and
Jack Christopher both had chances to clinch the three points in the last 10
minutes, but it was not Haverfordwest’s day.
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Jones blames defenders
for result
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DAVE Jones refused to blame his
lack of numbers for his Wednesday defeat – and instead turned on his defenders
for costing Cardiff the game.
Jones was furious his back four
waited for an offside before Tudgay struck and he said: “Sometimes you don’t
have to be good, you just have to be lucky and they were lucky today.
“We came in one down at the
break because we fell asleep when we shouldn’t have and we didn’t take our
chances. It was there for us.
“They’ve not caused us any
problems and we just should not have conceded that goal. It’s a lack of
concentration at the back.
“Perhaps it’s because
we’ve been so much on top they thought it would be easy.
“They’ve all worked really
hard but when you do that you’ve still got to keep the back door shut.
“We had chances but the
keeper’s made some good saves and there’s been a bit of poor finishing.”
Jones admitted his player
crisis could really hamper his play-off bid and revealed his reasons for only
naming four subs.
He said: “We named four subs
because that’s all we have, that’s all we’ve got. You can’t put a 15 or
16-year-old in there when they’re not good enough. It just sums up what
we’ve got at the moment but we still should have won.
“Yes, if we get a couple of
injuries we could be in real problems, but that’s what we’re facing until we
sort out this court business and we’re just getting on with it because
that’s all we can do.”
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Cymru Alliance round up
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GUILSFIELD, whose thrills have
come in the Welsh Cup – wins over three Welsh Premier sides already and Bangor
City next in line on Saturday – suffered the Alliance blues.
Manager Mike Barton’s men
flopped 3-1 at home to Denbigh Town, who earned the points through goals from
Ian Evans after eight minutes, Jamie Hobson from a penalty after 70 and Kenny
Burgess after 79.
All that Guilsfield managed was
a 25th minute spot-kick reply from Graham McGill.
Flint Town were other
ineffective home performers, having to share the spoils with Gap Queen’s Park
in a 1-1 draw, when they needed maximum reward to help their honours bid.
But things might have been
worse, because after Gap had taken an 11th minute lead through Kevin Breeze,
Flint’s equaliser was left until the 89th, when Sean Beck pounced.
Glantraeth were also losers in
front of their own fans, as Bala Town plundered a 1-0 result by means of a
disputed penalty around the hour mark.
Hugh Price held his nerve to
convert after Glantraeth’s Richard F Owen had been punished for pushing
opponent Mark Griffith in the back.
League leaders Prestatyn Town
fell to a shock 2-1 defeat at Mynydd Isa who make a habit of doing well against
the big teams but are faltering regularly to poorer opposition so this was not
too much of a surprise for the Isa faithfuls.
The league leaders took a 20th
minute lead through Dave Hayes but by the break Isa were all square when Chris
Boulton got the final touch to a Barry Calder cross. Isa’s perseverance was
rewarded in the 72nd minute when Sam Pugh netted the winner from a close range
when Prestatyn failed to clear their lines.
Llandudno consolidated their
second placed showing when they picked up a narrow 1-0 win at LEX XI. The
game’s only goal came in the 61st minute when, following a defensive error,
Lee Thomas reacted quickly to stab the ball home from close range.
In the basement battle at
Ruthin Town, Buckley Town stole the honours to win quite convincingly 3-0. Simon
Holloway, back on his old hunting ground, steered Buckley into a 10th minute
lead, skipper Nick Whitely bagged second goal with the first action of the
second half and there was no way back for Ruthin after Alan Dawson finished off
a fine move started by Matty Roberts with style.
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Wrexham's Little big man
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NOW is the time for Brian Little
to show he really is the big man – because that is just what Wrexham need.
The person who sits in the
manager’s office at the Racecourse certainly has the calibre.
Anyone who doubts that only has
to cast an eye towards Wembley today to remember that the last Englishman to win
any major trophy and still be in employment is the man charged with saving the
Red Dragons’ Football League status.
But Little himself acknowledges
the success of one cup final provides little comfort ahead of the 16 that will
soon follow for the North Wales outfit.
Keeping Wrexham in the Football
League is all about the here and now.
“It’s a nice
recognition,” admits the former Aston Villa boss. “You can go further
because I’m not so sure how long it’s been since an English manager took a
club to fourth and fifth place in the Premier League in successive seasons and
to the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup either.
“But I’m not the type of
person who looks backwards, has regrets or laments anything.
“I’d like to think I could
describe myself as someone who has always done what he’s wanted to do.
“When you look at my
management stats I think I’ve done reasonably well and my record stands up
against others.
“I’ve done what I’ve done
at the top and that’s part and parcel of me as a manager; and I’ve also
managed at the lower levels and I’ve no shame in that.
“I’ve always been quite
happy to face these kind of challenges and I don’t think there’s many
managers who can go around saying that.”
Possibly because few others
would fancy getting their hands as dirty as Little has done since accepting
Wrexham’s offer last November.
He soon promised to rip the
side up and start again, the January transfer window proving his words were
anything but hollow as a blur of new faces freshened up a jaded Dragons squad.
Yet, while the improvements
have been obvious, the spectre of slipping out of the league very much remains.
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Port Talbot’s
sights set on Europe
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PORT Talbot Town must take at
least seven points from their next three matches to give themselves any chance
of European qualification, their manager has said.
Nicky Tucker admitted that,
despite last weekend’s 3-1 home win against Caersws, his sixth-place side
could need to win seven of their remaining nine matches to finish in the top
three.
However, he’s hoping Welsh
Cup success against Bangor or Llanelli will open the way for the fourth-placed
side to get into Europe.
He said: “Fourth could be
enough for Europe and it will be enough to get us into the second round of next
season’s Premier Cup.
“To give ourselves a chance
of getting fourth, our next three matches are crucial. We play at Bangor on
Saturday, Llangefni away on March 1, and Llanelli at home on March 7.
“We must beat Llangefni and
at least win one and draw one of the other two.”
In order to maximise their
chances of success, the club has paid for its players to travel to North Wales
on Friday.
Tucker said: “Fair play to
the chairman for that. He’s giving us the best possible preparation.”
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Llanelli missing big 5
Newtown clash
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Welsh
Premier League leaders Llanelli will be without five key players ahead of
Saturday's clash with Newtown at Stebonheath Park (1pm).
Striker Rhys Griffiths, midfielders Craig Jones, Craig Williams and Stephen
Evans and keeper Duncan Roberts are definitely out of the clash with the Robins.
However, manager Peter Nicholas is hopeful that Griffiths - who has 32 league
goals to his name this term - Jones and Williams can overcome their injuries in
time for Tuesday night's FAW Premier Cup semi-final with Carmarthen (7pm).
Griffiths is struggling with a hamstring pulled in the League
Cup win over Aberystwyth while Jones has a bruised bone in his ankle and
Williams has a broken metacarpal in his finger.
While those three are in contention for Tuesday's game, Evans and Roberts are
definitely out.
Evans suffered ankle ligament damage against Aber while Roberts has broken his
wrist - both are likely to be out for six weeks.
But good news for Nicholas is that defender Stuart Jones came through his first
game in three months in last weekend's 1-1 draw at Bangor.
Llanelli hope to seal their 20th league win this season when Newtown roll into
town on Saturday.
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Welsh league preview
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Leaders
Goytre United have both Steve Conaty and Jonny Walkley suspended for
tomorrow's important first division clash at ENTO Aberaman. Both Ryan Durham
and Ian Morgan are likely to miss out through injuries as well.
Chris Parfitt comes into the squad as Goytre look to overturn a 3-2 loss
against the Cynon Valley side in the reverse fixture.
Maesteg Park will be looking for more goals from their new strike partnership
of Robbie Fowler and Dan Nash at home against Cambrian & Clydach.
In
the second division, Garden Village have centre-back Gary Davies back from
suspension at home to Pontyclun.
Village also have Anthony Wright back, but it remains to be seen whether
manager Robert Lloyd makes changes to a team that carded a 3-2 win at Ely
Rangers last week.
Briton Ferry challenge promotion-seeking Cardiff Corries at Old Road with Dean
Morris and Stephen David having both completed bans.
However, Craig Edwards starts a two-match suspension, while Ferry are hoping
Dan Thomas has recovered from injury.
Thomas missed the 2-1 loss at Caerau Ely last weekend - this defeat sent Ferry
plunging into the drop zone.
A key encounter in the third division sees Morriston visit Monmouth for the
first time.
The Dingle men are beginning to run out of games, as they look to maintain a
57-year association with the Welsh League.
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Under 23s boss
praises Mid Wales game
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TONY Pennock has backed Mid
Wales clubs to continue producing future Welsh footballing talent.
The Wales under 23s manager
watched the Dragons go down 2-1 to a highly-rated England C side in Exeter on
Wednesday night.
However Pennock took plenty of positives from the game which saw Welshpool
Town midfielder Ross Stephens make his international debut.
Stephens was an 82nd minute replacement having been called into the squad in
the build-up to the match.
Welshpool Town team-mate Chris Venables was an unused substitute having picked
up a knock while representing the Lilywhites.
Pennock said: “Ross came on
late on and really enjoyed himself which can only bode well for his future
career.
“Unfortunately Chris could not shake off the injury he sustained for his
club and we felt it more sensible not to risk him against the English.”
The defeat spelled the end of Wales’ lingering hopes of qualifying for the
latter rounds of the International Trophy, but Pennock remains up beat.
“The whole point of this team is identifying talent who can make the step up
to the professional game and increase the pool of players available to Wales
and I think this is being achieved,” said Pennock.
“In Mid Wales there is a tradition of giving young Welsh players an
opportunity and this is reflected in the standard of its leading clubs.
“In the future I can really see a place for Caersws midfielder Aeron Edwards
and Newtown goalkeeper Dave Jones in the Welsh set-up.”
CT
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Butler goal saves Swans
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Tom Butler rescued Swansea City
against 10-man Luton Town with a late winner.
Struggling Luton frustrated
League One's runaway leaders but Butler's 79th-minute strike extended Swansea's
unbeaten league run to 17 games.
Luton defended resiliently as
they looked to spoil Roberto Martinez's one- year anniversary as Swansea
manager.
But Sol Davis' dismissal in the
69th minute after a foul on Butler proved crucial as, after hitting the
woodwork, the ex-Irish international settled it.
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Giggs could become Man
Utd coach
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Sir Alex Ferguson could offer Ryan
Giggs a coaching role at Manchester United once the Welshman quits playing.
Man Utd boss Ferguson has
hailed 34-year-old Giggs' decision to study for his Uefa 'A' licence with the FA
of Wales in Aberystwyth in June.
Giggs could follow Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer from dressing room to boot room.
Ferguson said: "A future
with us in relation to a position at the club is something we will be looking at
because he has been a fantastic example."
Old Trafford has been a good
breeding ground for managers, with the likes of Gordon Strachan, Steve Bruce,
Paul Ince and Giggs' compatriot Mark Hughes all graduating from playing.
"Ryan has indicated he
wants to come and do his Uefa 'A' Licence with us in Aberystwyth in June,"
said FAW technical director Osian Roberts.
"It's great news for us in
Wales and I think it's also great news for football that someone of Ryan's
calibre and status will stay in the game.
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Premier Cup Future to
be Discussed Next Week
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It has been reported by Steve
Tucker in the Western Mail today that the future of the FAW Premier Cup will be
discussed at a meeting next week.
The competition, which involves
Wales' three Football League clubs against its prominent exiles and the top
Principality Welsh Premier League sides, faces an uncertain future and there is
growing speculation that it could now be scrapped.
The competition was the
brainchild of BBC Wales and was ostensibly seen as a way to provide football to
fill the station's schedules when it did not have the rights to show extensive
Football League action featuring Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham.
But, with the BBC having
secured a three-year deal to show highlights and 10 live matches from the
Championship from 2009, the Premier Cup could well become superfluous to
requirements. But FAW general secretary David Collins said he hoped the
competition would continue and hailed it as a great success for Welsh football.
However, Swansea and Wrexham
were knocked out in the quarter-finals this year and Cardiff fielded a
second-string side in succumbing on penalties in the semi-final to Newport on
Tuesday. The final will now be contested by Newport and either Welsh Premier
sides, Llanelli or Carmarthen with the winner pocketing £100,000.
Many have questioned the
validity of the competition, especially when efforts to gain a European place
for the winners floundered early on.
But Collins said,
"Personally, I would like to see it continue and I am sure the FAW
directors on the board would go along with that.
"I think over the last 10
years the competition has been a big success. It has been a chance for the three
professional clubs in Wales, the likes of Newport and Merthyr and the Welsh
Premier sides to meet each other.
"The financial rewards
have always been important and we have seen ground improvements at some clubs in
line with the televising of certain ties...Whether the BBC gaining rights to
Football League action has a bearing on the competition's status remains to be
seen."
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Swansea suffer Bauza
injury blow
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Swansea will be without Guillem
Bauza for up to three weeks after the striker suffered a groin strain in
Tuesday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat.
The Spaniard lasted 64 minutes
of the 1-0 first-leg home loss to MK Dons before coming off with the injury.
Swansea physio Richie Evans
confirmed on the club website he expected Bauza to be out "for two to three
weeks".
"He has been doing well so
the injury is a big disappointment for us," said Swans boss Roberto
Martinez.
Bauza's appearance in Swansea's
midweek defeat was his fourth game in just ten days and Evans believes the
hectic schedule has taken its toll.
"There is only so much you
can do when fatigue sets in due to the huge fixture schedule," Evans said.
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Barry Town to put an end
to flare up
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BARRY Town owner Stuart Lovering
says the club will take no further action after a stormy clash with Bettws ended
in an altercation between manager Gavin Chesterfield and a linesman.
Town lost the match 2-1 –
their first reverse in eight games – but the clash will be more remembered for
its unsavoury nature.
Barry had defender Geraint
Goodridge sent off after just two minutes of the game for a foul, but while
Lovering conceded the challenge was reckless he also claimed there was
intimidation from the Bettws camp.
Lovering said Chesterfield
became angry at the final whistle, claiming a Bettws player had illegally gone
onto the pitch to confront Goodridge.
When he confronted the linesman
about the matter there was an altercation between the two.
“The linesman apologised
after the match in the clubhouse, Gavin accepted it and the matter ends
there,” said Lovering.
Chesterfield added: “It is
always difficult to go to Bettws and it didn’t help us having a player sent
off after two minutes. We didn’t play our best.
“My clash with the linesman
was something and nothing.
“These things happen in
football and we shook hands afterwards and forgot about it.”
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Ken McKenna - My exit
can spur others
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Ken McKenna believes his impending
exit from The New Saints will fire up his players for a fourth consecutive
league title.
The hugely successful TNS boss
this week announced he will leave the club at the end of this season in search
of a new challenge.
McKenna’s magnificent
seven-year spell as manager saw the Saints win back-to-back titles for the last
three seasons, while he also led the full-timers into Europe every season he was
in charge.
His decision to leave ends a
10-year association with the club after he joined as a striker from Bangor City
in the 1998-9 season.
And while he admits his
departure will be a wrench both for himself and his players, with the Saints
currently three points behind leaders Llanelli having played a game less, he
believes the timing of his announcement will spur TNS on in the final push for
glory.
"The reason why I
announced it now is it gives the players a chance to get it in their
heads," said McKenna, whose side travel to Llanelli a week on Tuesday
before hosting them in the final game of the season on April 19.
"It gives them a chance to
show the club how much they want to be here, and to show any potential new
manager that they’re good enough to be here.
"The reason behind me
making my announcement now is so it makes them work a bit harder, and hopefully
we can win the league again this season. I want to go out having won the league
for the fourth time in a row."
He added: "It’s been a
little bit sad – a lot of the players have been saying ‘why are you going,
we want you to stay’. A lot of them have been with me for anything from four
to seven years.
"But we’ve been working
with each other every day on the training ground – they respect my decision
and everything’s been positive this week."
McKenna says his proudest
moments with TNS have come in European competition, with last summer’s
first-ever Champions League victory at home to Ventspils up there among
memorable nights at Anfield and the City of Manchester Stadium.
"Winning in Europe for the
first time was a proud moment, even though we never managed to win away,"
he said. "The Liverpool game was a big one as well, and Man City."
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County to sign former
Liverpool and Man United forward
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PETER Beadle is set to capitalise
on County's sensational win at Cardiff on Tuesday night by signing two of the
brightest prospects in Welsh football, the Argus can reveal.
With funds available after the
Exiles netted £50,000 for reaching the final of the FAW Premier Cup, boss
Beadle is ready to strengthen his squad ahead of a promotion push and Sunday's
massive clash with Lewes at Spytty Park, (kick-off 1pm).
Top of the agenda is former
Liverpool and Manchester United forward Ramon Calliste, 22, who Beadle hopes to
have in his squad in time for the trip to Welling on Wednesday.
Beadle is also hopeful of
signing Cardiff City's Newport-born left-back Matthew Smith - who played against
the Exiles on Tuesday night - in a loan deal.
Smith, 19, would replace Shane
Brewer after County last night released him.
Brewer has been on loan at Yate
but is now deemed surplus to requirements at Spytty Park after a falling out
with Beadle.
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Ince accuses Swans of
Gueret sale blunder
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MK DONS boss Paul Ince has accused
Swansea City of blundering by selling goalkeeper Willy Gueret to them.
Gueret made over 150
appearances for Swansea in a three-year spell and was part of Kenny Jackett’s
side which clinched promotion to League One in 2005.
But the Frenchman was deemed
surplus to requirements by Swansea boss Roberto Martinez and joined MK Dons at
the start of the season.
And, in time-honoured football
fashion, Gueret came back to haunt his former employers with the Dons taking a
1-0 lead into the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Southern Area final second leg.
“If it wasn’t for Willy
they would have scored two or three in the first half,” said Ince.
“He made three unbelievable
saves and Swansea will be regretting ever letting him go. I’m glad we’ve got
him, that’s for sure.
“I’ve said it all along
that Willy should not be playing at this level.
“I look at some of the
goalkeepers in the Premiership and he is better than some of them. He’s
mentally strong.
“It would have been easy for
him to come here and have a nightmare after the circumstances when he left, but,
credit to the lad, he’s been sensational for us.
“We’ve got to thank him for
coming away with the 1-0 win.”
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Caernarfon
aiming for six more points
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CANARIES manager Steve
O’Shaughnessy believes his team needs a couple more wins at least to guarantee
their Welsh Premier status next season.
But the former Rochdale midfielder has more on his mind than just survival.
“I think a couple more wins could make us mathematically safe, but really the
aim is to try to win as many games as possible between now and the end of the
season as we’re still in with a chance of a Premier Cup place,” said
O’Shaughnessy.
Town picked up another useful point on Friday night against mid-table Newtown,
but O’Shaughnessy felt it should have been more.
“I thought there was only one team in it really; I’m disappointed we
didn’t get the three points, but on a positive note we did keep a second
successive clean sheet at home.”
The Canaries chief has a positive outlook ahead of Saturday’s visit to
Haverfordwest County.
“It’s a long journey there, but we seem to play better away from home at
times and the lovely pitch at Haverfordwest will suit our game more.
“I think we’ve been playing well since Christmas apart from the (Welsh Cup)
Guilsfield result, and we’ll be going there (Haverfordwest) looking for three
points.”
Town paid the price for a series of missed opportunities as they were held to a
goalless draw against the visiting Robins.
Four points in the last two Oval encounters has eased their relegation worries
considerably
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Hackett
happy to shuffle midfield pack
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CONNAH’S
Quay Nomads boss Jim Hackett will be spoilt for choice if midfielder Danny Forde
fails a fitness test before tomorrow’s trip to Aberystwyth (1pm).
The
former Oldham Athletic trainee limped off in Friday’s crucial 2-1 home victory
over fellow strugglers NEWI Cefn Druids with a knee injury.
Forde
– who has caught the eye since arriving on Deeside last month – was put
through his paces in training last night to see whether he can take his place on
the coach to West Wales.
If not,
his shirt will be taken by Mark Cadwallader, Forde’s impressive replacement on
Friday, the fit-again Wes Kilgannon, the league’s player of the month for
December, or the suspension-free Craig Jones, one of the Quay’s most
consistent performers this season.
But
Hackett is unlikely to make other changes to his side, who as a result of their
win over Druids – secured by a fluke from top-scorer John McAllister – are
now eight points clear of the drop spots in 14th.
Hackett
said: “The win could be the important one that we’ve been looking for.
Although I don’t think we played great, and we needed a fortuitous goal to
win it, I thought we deserved to as we played the better football and had the
better chances with their keeper making one great save.
“Other
results are going for us at the moment but we know it’s still up to
ourselves to get clear of trouble, and in the last couple of games we’ve
done that.”
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Neath
Athletic on a roll |
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WELSH Premiership surprise package
Neath Athletic stretched their unbeaten run to six matches with a 2-1 victory
over Haverfordwest at Llandarcy Park.
This season’s new arrivals in
Welsh football’s top flight continue to defy the odds with some top class
performances.
With fellow newcomers Llangefni
destined for a return to Welsh League Division One, it’s a completely
different story for Andy Dyer’s men.
Instead of concentrating on
survival in this demanding league, Neath’s energies are being directed at
securing a top 10 finish to qualify for the FAW Premier Cup next season. They
are currently in seventh place - six points ahead of 10th placed Haverfordwest
which shows how crucial their victory over the Pembrokeshire side was.
The club are not interested in
qualification for Europe as manager Andy Dyer does not hold a Pro-licence A
badge, while the ground is not yet up to the standard to host European football.
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England edge out Wales in
Semi-Pro game
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England came out on top of the International
Challenge Trophy match at Exeter last night before a crowd of almost two and a
half thousand.
The Welsh lost 2-1, but were
unlucky early on not to take the lead, firstly Stuart
Fleetwood hit the post in the 5th minute and former Afan Lido winger Craig Jones
had a shot saved by English keeper Cronin.
The english took the lead with
5 minutes left of the first half with a goal from Mitchell
Cole, 4 minutes after the re-start Wales were back in it when Alex Lawless
scored with a 20 yard strike, but Wales's parity lasted just two minutes when
Lewis Chalmers made it 2-1 and that's how the game ended.
The Welsh premier had 3 players
in the starting 11, Craig Jones (Llanelli) Lee Surman (Port Talbot) and Paul
Fowler (Carmarthen)
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Bettws riding high with
victory over Ely
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Bettws moved joint top of division
2 with a 2-1 win away over Ely Rangers last night.
They trail Barry Town by goal
difference only for top spot outright. Bettws are on a terrific run and are
unbeaten in 10 games, their last defeat was back on November 3rd when they lost
3-0 away to West End. They have since taken 24 points from a possible 30 and
must be favourites along with Barry Town to gain promotion back to division 1.
On the other hand Ely Rangers
who looked likely to regain their status in division 1 at the first attempt have
floundered. They are without a win in 7 games and have lost their last 3, they
lie 8 points off the promotion places and have players more games than the top
3.
It's a far cry for Ely who had
an 8 game winning streak earlier in the season and boasted being top of the
table last September.
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Dragons riding
high in April or shot down in May
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APRIL is shaping up to be a crunch
month in Wrexham’s battle to retain their Football League status after last
night’s trip to Hereford United was postponed because of a frozen pitch.
It was the second successive
blank for the Dragons, whose scheduled match at MK Dons on Saturday also fell
victim to the cold snap, and club officials now face the task of finding
alternative dates.
Racecourse secretary Geraint
Parry said both fixtures were likely to be staged in April, with Hereford
already offering the 22nd for the Edgar Street clash.
MK Dons, who are still chasing
silverware in the JPT competition, are awaiting the outcome of their two-legged
southern area final against Swansea City before revising their league schedule,
but have also indicated their preference for an April date.
Any arrangements are subject to
Football League approval and Parry is keen to avoid adding to the March
programme, which includes the Easter fixtures and an international date that
sees both the Wales senior and under-21 teams in action.
“We looked at March 4, but
that meant we would be playing three away games in the space of eight days,”
he said yesterday.
“There are three league games
in a week at the end of that month plus the Wales matches, which could involve
several of our players, so it’s all getting a bit crowded.
“Hereford have been very
prompt in coming up with the April 22 suggestion, which is okay from our point
of view, and that’s when it will be played, subject to the Football League’s
agreement.”
Wrexham’s preference for the
MK Dons game is April 8 because the following Tuesday falls only two days after
their Sunday visit to neighbours Shrewsbury Town.
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Giggs achieves European
milestone
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Sir Alex Ferguson has saluted Ryan
Giggs' professionalism ahead of the winger's 100th Champions League tie for
Manchester United in Lyon.
Giggs, 34, was named in
United's side, becoming the eighth player to reach the mark, after his 1994
tournament debut.
"That is because of his
ability, his longevity and how he prepares himself - a good lifestyle,"
said boss Ferguson.
"He has been an absolute
model in his time with us. It'll be a great occasion for Ryan and we are all
proud of him."
And Ferguson believes more
glory will come the former Wales international's way if Giggs continues to
manage his body carefully.
"Even at 34, we expect big
things from him," added Ferguson. "Obviously, we don't play him in
every game but that's natural for someone of that age.
"We want to play him in
games that really matter to our club. The Champions League, to me, represents
the biggest challenge in football.
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Martinez rues his 'soft'
Swans chances
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Roberto Martinez hit out at
Swansea City's "soft" defending that makes MK Dons
"favourites" to reach the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final.
Jemal Johnson's solitary goal
has given the League Two leaders the edge ahead of Monday's area final second
leg.
Swans boss Martinez said:
"The disappointment is the soft goal we conceded and the chances we
wasted."
Swansea are chasing their third
Trophy triumph but the shock home area final first-leg defeat has handed Paul
Ince's team the initiative.
The Swans are bidding to become
the first Welsh club to appear at the new Wembley.
But Martinez admits that:
"Taking a 1-0 lead back to their place obviously makes them favourites.
"We're still right in the
tie though, but this is a real test of character for our team."
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Hasselbaink is looking
for cup return
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CARDIFF CITY crashed out of the
FAW Premier Cup... but star striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink admits his thoughts
have already turned to the glamour of a potential big FA Cup quarter-final tie
with his old club Middlesbrough.
The Bluebirds missed out on a
£100,000 Premier Cup windfall as Newport County beat them 5-4 on penalties at
Ninian Park.
Hasselbaink did not play in the
match as Dave Jones put out a number of second string players.
But speaking for the first time
about the FA Cup draw, after his wonder goal helped dump out Wolves, the
Bluebirds ace said he was relishing the prospect of tangling with Gareth
Southgate’s Boro.
City are waiting on the outcome
of the replay between Boro and Sheffield United a week today.
And Hasselbaink, who played for
Middlesbrough between 2004 and 2006, beamed: “No disrespect to Sheffield
United, but when the draw was made, I was instantly thinking about
Middlesbrough.
“It would be an emotional
occasion if I was able to go back. “The supporters were magnificent to me and
I would like the opportunity to play in front of them again,”
Hasselbaink, who scored 23
goals in 48 Boro League starts, continued: “It would be very special to be
going back and playing against some of my good friends like George Boateng.
“At least there would be some
more old men on the field other than myself!
“I’d like to think I scored
one or two special goals at the Riverside, so maybe I can go back there and
score one more.”
Hasselbaink was a member of the
Middlesbrough side that made it to the FA Cup semi-final two years ago, in the
season that also saw the Teessiders reach the final of the UEFA Cup.
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Savage boost for
struggling Rams
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Derby County midfielder Robbie
Savage is back in training and in contention to face Wigan on Saturday.
Savage limped out of the recent
defeat against Spurs with a badly bruised foot and left Pride Park on crutches.
But Savage's recovery has gone
well and boss Paul Jewell is eager to get him fully fit and back in the side.
Jewell said: "He has had
niggle after niggle but we hope to get him playing pain-free and playing
somewhere near his potential."
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Take your premier seat
for sporting chance of a lifetime |
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THE new Cardiff City stadium has
secured £12m from businesses buying into the arena’s premier club seats
initiative. The
under-construction stadium, which will be ready for the 2009-10 season, has
already sold more than half of its 2,250 exclusive premier seats.
The seats are being sold for
either football or rugby (professional region the Blues will play at the new
ground), or for both sports.
To date 1,400 of the seats have
been sold with 556 “dual membership” seats for rugby and football.
The premier club is estimated
to generate a total revenue of more than £36m for the clubs over the next five
years.
Members pay a one-off joining
fee of £1,250 (valid for 20 years) to attend Cardiff City home games; £750-£1000
to attend Cardiff Blues matches; or £1,500 for a combined seat.
Each seat carries a monthly
subscription rate. For Cardiff City FC they are £119 a month for gold membership
and £149 a month for diamond – and is fixed until 2014.
For Cardiff Blues Rugby it is
£99 a month for gold membership and £125 a month for diamond.
Membership gives access to
every home game and the premier club bars and restaurants.
Gold membership brings one car
parking space for every four seats, diamond membership offers one parking space
for every two seats.
All money generated from the
seats will be directly invested in the clubs.
Members of the premier club
will enjoy a host of benefits including allocated, padded seating overlooking
the half-way line, corporate hospitality and tickets to every home game.
Ashley Donlan, managing
director of the premier club, said, “The club’s ideal for small and medium-sized
businesses because it’s so flexible.
“Business membership
traditionally means paying for a box or a table of ten, but at the new stadium
you can choose the number of seats you’d like to buy, choose on the day the kind
of dining you’d like and crucially choose how much you would like to pay.
“It allows smaller businesses
to enjoy all the benefits of corporate hospitality at a fraction of the cost.
It’s unlike anything seen in Wales before.”
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Newport claim Cardiff
scalp
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Newport County won through to
the final of the FAW Premier Cup after claiming the scalp of Cardiff City in a
penalty shoot-out at Ninian Park.
A deadlocked regulation 90
minutes saw the game go into extra time.
Jason Bowen put Newport ahead
with a diving header on 113 minutes, but Steve Thompson's rifled equaliser meant
the tie would be decided from the spot.
County's Damon Searle was the
first to miss but Thompson then shot wide before Jack Carlisle saw his effort
saved.
Newport are now guaranteed at
least £50,000 for reaching the final, with a possible £100,000 up for grabs if
they can overcome either Llanelli or Carmarthen, who meet in their semi-final
next Tuesday.
Charlie Griffin should have put
Newport ahead with an early chance, but pushed his shot across the Cardiff goal
after a good turn had created space.
After that Cardiff - fielding
several senior players - took control, as might be expected from a Championship
side playing at home against a non-League side from the Conference South.
But a mixture of good keeping
from Glyn Thompson and Cardiff profligacy - Thompson, in particular, wasting
several good openings - kept the County goal intact.
Newport were still dangerous on
the counter, however, with ex-Bluebird Bowen showing his class while Andy
Gurney, Craig Hughes and Richard Evans all tested Cardiff keeper David Forde.
It also needed a fine challenge
by Bluebirds skipper Darren Purse to deny Julian Alsop as the game heated up in
the last 10 minutes of normal time.
At the other end Glyn Thompson
had to be at his best to deny Jonathan Brown and namesake Steve Thompson in
quick succession.
Extra time followed a similar
pattern and the deadlock was finally broken as Searle's fine cross to the back
post was rewarded with an even better header from Bowen, hurling himself full
length to find the net.
But with Newport scarcely
finished celebrating Cardiff hit back, Glenn Loovens' driving run allowing
Tyrrell Webbe to lay-off for Thompson to curl home right-footed.
The penalty shoot-out that
followed began with eight excellent strikes that gave neither keeper any chance
of a save.
But then Searle smacked
Newport's fifth spot-kick against the bar, only for Thompson to hurry his
following effort and scuff wide Cardiff's chance to take the advantage.
Lee Jarman then made no mistake
to heap the pressure on Cardiff youngster Carlisle, whose shot was on target but
not good enough to beat County keeper Glyn Thompson.
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Swans Don and dusted by
MK
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Jemal Johnson gave Milton Keynes
Dons a one-goal advantage in the first leg of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy
southern area final tie at Swansea City.
The home side started brightly
at the Liberty Stadium and it took a string of fine saves from Dons goalkeeper
Willie Gueret to hold his former club.
Febian Brandy was Swansea's
biggest threat but he could not find a finish.
Then in the 69th minute Johnson
rifled home a 25-yard winner after Keith Andrews squared a quick free-kick.
Swansea pushed for an equaliser
and Tom Butler, Alan Tate and Angel Rangel also had efforts saved by Gueret as
MK Dons held on for the win.
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Rhyl ready for Welshpool
test
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ONE
of the less inviting grounds in the Welsh Premier awaits John Hulse’s Rhyl
side this Saturday.
The
pitch at Maesydre, Welshpool, is one of the poorest in the WPL – definitely
not conducive to good football.
So
who will win this clash of the all- Lilywhites? Recent results suggest it could
easily be a draw as that has been the outcome of the last three meetings.
Welshpool
are a much improved side under Tomi Morgan over the past couple of seasons,
having finished fourth last term and sixth in 2005/06.
They
currently occupy ninth spot but remain one of the hardest sides around to beat.
Third-placed
Rhyl were denied a chance to put pressure on the top two last Sunday when their
match against champions TNS was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
Midfielder
Gareth Wilson could come into contention for the Welshpool game having played a
couple of matches for the reserves since returning from a hernia operation. News
is awaited on Stuart Graves who has missed the last five matches through injury.
Rhyl
and Welshpool have met 15 times in the WPL and John Hulse’s side lead by seven
wins to three with five draws.
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Lilywhite added to Wales
U23 squad
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Welshpool Town's left-sided
midfielder Ross Stephens has been added to the Wales Semi Pro Under 23 squad,
which takes on England in Exeter tomorrow evening.
The Llanidloes-born player, who
joined the Lilywhites from Rhyl in the summer, has been drafted in as cover for
fellow Principality Welsh Premier players, Welshpool's Chris Venables and Sion
Edwards of Bangor. Stephens, who started his Welsh Premier career with Caersws
after Shrewsbury Town released him as a teenager, is uncapped and is likely to
start the match on the bench.
Stephens' inclusion means that
he is the eighth League player to be involved in Tony Pennock's squad for this
must-win fixture. He is very well-known to Assistant Manager Terry Boyle, who
carries out the same role with Welshpool. He will join the squad at their
Swansea base this evening before they depart for Exeter tomorrow morning.
He joined Welshpool in June
2007 after playing 14 matches and scoring 1 goal for Rhyl in a short spell at
Belle Vue. He became John Hulse's first signing of 2007 when he joined the Rhyl
from Caersws on Thursday 4th January. He previously signed permanently for
Caersws in June 2005, after a loan spell at the Recreation Ground in 2003. He
was released by Shrewsbury at the end of the 2004/05 season after a loan period
at Redditch United.
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Coleman unveiled as
Coventry boss
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Welshman Chris Coleman has signed
a three-and-a-half year deal to become the manager of Coventry City.
The former international and
Fulham boss, 37, had been out of work since leaving Real Sociedad last month.
Chairman Ray Ranson said
Coleman is a "progressive young manager with excellent coaching
credentials".
The Championship side sacked
Iain Dowie on 11 February after Ranson said there was a difference of opinion
over the future direction of the club.
The Sky Blues are 20th in the
table and were thrashed 5-0 by West Brom in the FA Cup at the weekend.
Dowie, 43, took over at the
Ricoh Arena in February 2007, succeeding Micky Adams, but the ex-Charlton boss
won only 20 of his 49 games in charge.
Ranson added that Coleman was
always top of his manager hit-list.
"I have been flattered by
the number of top-class coaches and managers who have shown an interest in
managing Coventry City, but Chris was always our number one target," said
the City chief.
"I am looking forward to
working with him we share the same passion for football and how a club should be
managed, I have no doubt that he will help to take this great club
forward."
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Former Bluebirds
making Ninian Park return with Newport
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NEWPORT County bring a wealth of
Bluebirds’ experience with them to Ninian Park this evening.
Assistant manager Scott Young,
who is now Football in the Community manager at Cardiff City, plus
ex-Bluebirds’ players Damon Searle, Lee Fowler, Lee Jarman, Jason Bowen, Steve
Jenkins and James Simpson have all spent part of their careers at Ninian Park.
They have made almost 900 first
team appearances between them for the Bluebirds – and scored more than 60
goals.
Newport, currently pressing for
promotion from Conference South, and Cardiff City are battling for a minimum £50,000
tonight.
That’s the minimum
tonight’s winners will earn – with £100,000 on offer for the competition
winners.
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Trophy triumph can
put a gloss on Swans’ season
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ROBERTO MARTINEZ has set his
sights on making history with the Swans by becoming the first Welsh club to
taste success at the new Wembley.
Leading his accomplished squad
into tonight’s Southern Area Final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, the
Spaniard wants to etch his side’s name into the folklore of England’s
football headquarters.
But the Swans boss knows the
runaway League One leaders will face stiff competition from MK Dons, themselves
flying high at the top of League Two.
Martinez said the prospect of
playing at the 90,000-seater stadium should be more than enough to spur his side
on.
He said, “The new Wembley is
one of the most impressive arenas in world football so to be involved in a game
there would be something special, especially for the fans.
“It’s a competition that we
have played a lot of games in. This will be the last home game of the
competition and we are very excited. We all know there is a huge prize at the
end of it and the area final is the last, and probably the hardest, hurdle.
“You’ve also got the
objective of being the first Welsh club to win something at Wembley; when you
are making history it is really special. It’s a good opportunity for this
group of players to do that.
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Scimeca back for
Bluebirds
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RICCY Scimeca is set to end his
year-long first team injury exile at Ninian Park tonight.
Scimeca has been named in
Cardiff City’s squad for their FAW Premier Cup semi-final against Newport
County (7pm) and looks certain to start.
It has been a tortuous road
back to fitness for the midfield man, who last played a first team match in
March last year.
“Riccy has battled his way
back and when he is fully match fit will be as much of an asset to the first
team as he was before he had to drop out almost a year ago,” said manager Dave
Jones.
Scimeca, 32, has had groin
operations, suffered a setback while playing for the reserves and came through a
post-op infection which put him back in hospital.
He has been back in full
training over the last couple of months and looks set to start alongside Glenn
Loovens, Darren Purse, Trevor Sinclair and Steve Thompson against Newport.
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Big effort by Bettws
to make the Welsh League top flight
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FORMER Welsh League champions
Bettws are making a big effort to regain their First Division status, writes
Terry Phillips.
They ended Barry's eight-match
Second Division winning run at the weekend, Richard Ready scoring both Bettws
goals in a 2-1 home win.
Bettws, based four miles
outside Bridgend, were League champions in 2003, suffered relegation a couple of
seasons ago and only just missed out on promotion last season.
Now they are pressing hard
again, standing third in the table.
They travel to play Ely Rangers
under floodlights at Station Road, Wenvoe, tomorrow and then go to Troedyrhiw on
Saturday.
Barry were left frustrated
after their defeat, having had Geraint Goodridge sent off for a reckless
challenge after only two minutes, but Jamie Bradford pulled one back after good
work by Richard Thomas and Lewis Cosslett.
Barry remain top on goal
difference from UWIC and now take on Caerau Ely at home on Saturday.
They will be without the
suspended Goodridge, Rob Blatchford (ribs) and Gareth Picknell (hamstring), but
Nathan Cadette and Tom Hejduk return.
Cardiff Corries could have a
big say in who wins the Division Two title.
They are in fourth place, level
on points with Bettws, after a 2-0 win against Tredegar Town and still have to
play all three clubs above them – UWIC (twice), Bettws and Barry Town.
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TNS boss McKenna to step
down
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Manager Ken McKenna will leave The
New Saints at the end of the season after almost 10 years with the club.
McKenna has taken the club into
Europe seven times, winning three back-to-back Welsh Premier titles in 2005,
2006 and 2007 and being runners-up three times.
He has also won the FAW Premier
Cup, Welsh Cup and Loosemores League Cup during the past three years.
"Ken has reached the stage
of his career where he needs a new challenge," said TNS managing director
Mike Harris.
The Saints have not looked
convincing this season, despite lying second in the WPL table, and they recently
lost to Carmarthen in the financially lucrative FAW Premier Cup.
"We will always be
grateful for Ken's massive contribution to the club, not only with on-the-field
successes, but in helping to develop our off-field coaching
infrastructure," added Harris in a club statement.
"We now hope that he can
end his TNS career on a high by delivering a record-equalling fourth consecutive
Welsh Premier title to the club.
"We will be taking a
considered approach to a new appointment, but whoever replaces Ken will have
very big shoes to fill."
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Cardiff given away tie in
FA Cup
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Cardiff City have been drawn away
to Sheffield United or Middlesbrough in the FA Cup quarter-final.
The Bluebirds made it into the
last eight for the first time since they won the trophy back in 1927 after
beating Wolves 2-0 at Ninian Park.
Manager Dave Jones had no
complaints with the draw despite missing out on Chelsea and Manchester United.
"You've got this far, it
doesn't really matter who you get," he said. "You need to beat the
teams put in front of you."
Chairman Peter Ridsdale told
BBC Radio Wales missing out on the two Premier League top guns gives them a
chance to progress to the last four.
"When there are eight
games left you're going to get a tie like this," he said.
"We know our fate, it is
away from home and frankly on our day we can beat most teams and I think it
gives us a chance.
"I think we will all be
very excited about going up there with dreams of getting to Wembley in the
semi-final."
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Bluebirds
await cup draw
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CARDIFF CITY are just 90 minutes
from Wembley after reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time
in 81 years.
The Bluebirds last made it to
Wembley in 1927 when they became the only club to take the cup out of England,
beating Arsenal 1-0 in the final.
But, with Wembley hosting this
season’s FA Cup semi-finals, one more win would see Dave Jones’ Bluebirds
play at the famous London stadium on the weekend of April 5-6.
The quarter-final draw will be
made at 1.30pm today – with only three Premiership teams definitely through to
the last eight.
Heavyweight pair Chelsea and
Manchester United were last night joined by Portsmouth, last-gasp winners at
Preston.
Middlesbrough must replay
against Sheffield United after their goalless draw at Bramall Lane yesterday.
But at least four
non-Premiership sides are still standing with Cardiff joined by fellow
Championship rivals Barnsley, West Brom and League One outfit Bristol Rovers.
Cardiff could now hit a £1m-plus
cup jackpot to lift some of the financial gloom which has enveloped Ninian Park
this season.
“In all honesty, I would like
a home tie and I don’t care who it is,” said Jones after City’s
fifth-round win over Wolves.
“If you tell me it is going
to be Manchester United, then I’m sure the chairman would want to be away
because it would be 80,000 people.
“That’s a lot of money in
the coffers, it would be on TV so there’s more money.
“So maybe somewhere along the
line I might be able to nick some off him to help our cause.”
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Swans
youth boss is suspended
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SWANSEA City’s head of youth
David Moss has been suspended by the club it was revealed last night.
The former Swans striker, who
oversees development of youngsters at the Liberty Stadium, is understood to have
been relieved of his duties for t28 days.
Swansea officials were
declining to comment yesterday but Moss confirmed the news when contacted by
Wales on Sunday last night, although he would not go into detail why he has been
asked to step aside.
Moss, who played for the club
between 2002 and 2003, was appointed to the post by former manager Kenny Jackett
in May 2005 but his future with the League One outfit is now up in the air.
The club has recently made
large investments into the youth set-up and have outlined ambitions to form an
academy.
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Another milestone for
Giggs
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WHEN does Ryan Giggs reaching
another landmark stop being worth shouting about?
Simple: when he stops achieving
them.
And right now, as the Welsh
wizard stands on the verge of his 100th Champions League appearance, that
doesn’t appear to be any time soon.
No wonder Sir Alex Ferguson
can’t stop praising his boy wonder.
“He’s played almost 100
Champions League games and quite simply he has been fantastic,” said the
Manchester United supremo.
“What can you say about him?
He’s a model. I even said that to him only the other morning. He’s a model;
of all the players he is phenomenal.”
It’s hard to disagree with a
knight of the realm.
In the past 12 months alone we
have seen Giggs the Great equal the record for championship title wins, go
through the barrier of 500 league games for the Red Devils and hit a century of
goals for the club he joined as a boy. Yet Giggs has more milestones in his
sights as several tangible testaments to his legendary status in the modern game
remain.
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Martyrs storm back
for season-best win
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A GOAL down after 20 minutes,
Merthyr produced a sparkling comeback to earn a comfortable win.
Sixth-placed Brackley had gone
ahead after an error by home goalkeeper Ashley Morris allowed Russell Dunkley to
head into an empty net but Merthyr were level within five minutes when Marcus
Griffiths capitalised upon some hesitation in the Brackley defence and smashed
the loose ball past a helpless Tom Willshire.
Just two minutes later Merthyr
were ahead, a free-kick nodded across goal by Gareth Warton for Steve Williams
to rifle home from the edge of the box.
Merthyr were dominant after the
break and added further goals from Mike Jones Matthew Harris.
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Prestatyn extend their
lead at the top
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THE final scoreline does not tell
the whole story in a match that saw Prestatyn extend their lead at the top to 17
points.
Wrexham area visitors Lex gave
as good as they got during the opening 43 minutes and home keeper Jon Dunt was
forced into a couple of important saves.
But two goals in two minutes
from Steve Bowes and Jon Fisher-Cooke turned the tables and the match.
Bowes doubled his tally after
the break with a great strike and Prestatyn were cruising. Further goals from
player-boss Neil Gibson and sub Gareth Davies piled on the agony for the
visitors, who were lucky not to concede more.
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Jones pays tribute to cup
hero Hasselbaink
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CARDIFF CITY boss Dave Jones has
paid tribute to Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink, insisting if he did not think the
veteran striker still had plenty to offer he would get rid of him.
Hasselbaink set up Peter
Whittingham for the Bluebirds’ first goal and then scored a brilliant strike
himself early on to crush Wolves at Ninian Park.
“If I did not think Jimmy
still had something to offer he would be on his bike to be honest,” said
Jones. “He did not have the best of times with the last club he was at
(Charlton), so maybe he has had something to prove.
“At the end of the season we
will see where we are, but, at this moment in time, we are focused on this
season.
“All I know is he has brought
the professionalism we knew he would. The good pros are a good influence around
the place.
“Jimmy’s played a big part.
People say he is grumpy and he does moan, but he moans in the right way because
he wants things to be right.
“It took us a while to get
him fit. It does take you a while, whether you are 30-plus or 20-plus, it is
still going to take time for you to settle in and we found that with him.
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Port
lose two but fight for win
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THIS was a real roller-coaster for
Port Talbot, as they took a two-goal lead and then put themselves under pressure
by having two men sent off – all in a hectic first half.
James Burgin made the first,
putting an excellent cross onto the forehead of Liam McCreesh, and next Gareth
Phillips clipped a fine through ball for Dylan Blain to chest down and lob the
keeper – all in one movement.
But, Matthew Thompson and
Gareth Phillips departed with straight reds, and in the midst of the mayhem,
Graham Evans scored a penalty for Caersws.
Nick Tucker sent his nine men
out to defend that slender lead in the second half, and they did him proud.
In particular, the tricky
Burgin enhanced his reputation, and he beat three men out wide on the left
before squaring the ball for Blain to side-foot his second with 10 minutes left.
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Welsh
wrangle ends in one-all draw for Reds
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RIVAL goals early and late in the
second half – by Mark Jones for Llanelli and Ashley Stott for Bangor –
brought equality to the Farrar Road showpiece.
The Welsh Premier leaders were
the bosses early on, so City’s hard-pressed defence did well to survive
punishment from the likes of Jones, Chris Holloway, Craig Williams and Andy
Legg.
Home centre-back Lee Webber
cleared off the line and keeper Paul Smith excelled in clean handling to repel
several corner threats.
Bangor perked up towards half
time, when Webber was unlucky to see a downwards header from a right wing corner
strike a post, before rebounding into keeper Ryan Harrison’s hands.
Chances were missed at both
ends early in the second spell, when Webber headed just over for Bangor and
Llanelli’s Jones misfired 10 yards in front of an open target.
The overdue goal arrived on 55
minutes when Jones exploited rare space in City’s penalty box.
But, from then on, City ran the
show while under-siege Llanelli fended off a series of near misses.
A number of players might have
scored but it was Stott who made it on 86 minutes, surging clear.
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Hulse:
we must beat TNS
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RHYL boss John Hulse has told his
players to force the title issue ahead of today’s crunch clash with The New
Saints.
And the Welsh Premier’s
manager of the month believes a Belle Vue victory this afternoon could be the
kick start to League and European glory.
Hulse’s side sit third in the
table, eight points adrift from fellow title challengers TNS, and needing a win
to keep leaders Llanelli within reach.
But he said: “I’ve always
said the gap at the top is too big and it won’t end up like that at the end of
the season. There are still nine games to go and Llanelli and TNS still have to
play each other. So a win would definitely put pressure on the teams above us.
“We have had horrendous
injuries this year with two players out for the season and a whole host of other
guys currently sidelined.
“But I’ve told the players
to stay focused and if Llanelli or TNS do screw up, then we’ve got to
capitalise.”
Rhyl are unbeaten in the Welsh
Premier this year, and recently booked their place in the Loosemores Cup final,
but Hulse is still smarting from the 1-0 defeat at Park Hall against old rival
Ken McKennna earlier in the season.
And, determined to make it back
into Europe for a fourth successive season, the veteran manager added: “The
last game was a huge advert for the game, with some brilliant footballing
skills. But I thought we deserved a draw.
“But on our day we can beat
any team and TNS are no exception. It’s a huge game and we need a win to push
on for our quest into Europe.
“We’ve made it into Europe
the past three years and would love to again this year. It’s definitely a
major incentive for every player, manager and club.”
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Hasselbaink:
We were up for it
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Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink says Cardiff City were up for up for the game against Wolves which saw them book a quarter-final place in the FA Cup.
The Dutchman set up Peter Whittingham for the first goal and scored the second himself after 11 minutes.
"It was just one of those moments when you don't think and you just want to put it into the corner and I couldn't have got it any better," he said.
"We were up for the game and that start gave us more confidence."
He added: "We knew it was going to be a difficult match because Wolves have some good players who can score.
"The second half we had to be professional and sit the game out and not give a goal away."
But with Cardiff now in the last eight for the first time since they won the tournament in 1927, Hasselbaink is playing down the possibility of winning it.
"You have to take one game at a time," he said.
"If we can get a nice draw at home against maybe one of the Championship teams we've got every chance. It's in your own hands."
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FEB-17 |
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Martinez
delight with Swans grit
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Roberto Martinez says Swansea City showed their standards by overcoming a difficult start to beat bottom club Port Vale 2-0 at Vale Park.
A second-half brace from Jason Scotland helped the Swans go 11 points clear at the top of league one.
And Martinez said: "I was very pleased with the statement of the players showing their standards.
"The first 20 minutes were for them, the rest to ourselves and in the second half we restricted them to two shots."
Martinez was pleased to lay to rest the shock 2-2 draw at lowly Crewe last weekend with this win.
He said: "As long as you are organised and a little bit alert to defend the danger that we had then I think you always have an option with the players we have got.
"We are always capable of scoring goals and creating chances and that is in our make-up.
"But make no mistake, this has been a very hard game and we needed a very good performance."
BBC |
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FEB-17 |
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Easter
on form with four goals
|
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ONE standard cliche in the
football lexicon these days is “It’s harder to play against 10 men than
11”.
Perhaps that’s what went
through the mind of Welshpool’s John Keegan.
After all, five minutes into
the second half, Carmarthen were finding it pretty easy – leading 2 - 0
through two goals from Kamal Easter.
Maybe that is why he managed to
get a straight red for foul and abusive language after 50 minutes.
The plan appeared to work too,
as Steve Rogers netted two minutes later and Calvin Davies scored on 79 minutes.
The only flaw was that Easter
took his goal tally to four – a classy hat-trick from open play, and a fourth
from the penalty spot on 69 minutes.
Danny Tomas scored the fifth.
WOS |
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FEB-17 |
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Purse
given two games to impress
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DARREN PURSE has been told he has
two games to prove his point and keep his place in the Cardiff City side.
The Bluebirds skipper has not
started a league game in more than two months after being axed after a spate of
poor performances, having to watch Glenn Loovens and Roger Johnson star at the
back from the sidelines.
But after publicly claiming
manager Dave Jones was wrong to drop him, the Bluebirds boss has now told Purse
it’s down to him as he gets set to face Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
Purse, 31, is likely to reclaim
his place with Dutchman Loovens serving a two-game suspension, and Jones said:
“He’s been out and been disappointed but he’s gone about things the right
way.
“Now he’s got his
opportunity and it’s down to him.
“He’s captain of the club
and when I left him out he didn’t think it was the right decision – which is
acceptable.
“But he also realises the two
lads who took the shirts were doing a job.
“And I can tell you if they
weren’t he’d be the first one banging on my door to tell me.
“But he realised the two lads
who were keeping him out were playing well.
“Now he’s got a chance,
certainly for two games, to stake his claim and keep someone else out.
“He’s got two games and if
he delivers he could be in there for the rest of the season. That’s what
football’s about.”
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FEB-16 |
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Neath's
top form continues
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Neath
Athletic's good run continued at Llandarcy Park, as they again came from behind
to gain all three points, at Haverfordwest County's expense.
Former
Port Talbot Town striker Luke Bowen was on target for the Bluebirds to open the
scoring on the half-hour, but the character of the Eagles was evident again as
Matthew Rees equalised on 76 minutes, before Dale Evans grabbed the eventual
winner, just two minutes later to take the new-boys up to an impressive 39
points for their debut campaign to date.
Haverfordwest
will rue the sending off of defender Gareth Elliot in the 61st minute while
still leading 1-0 and allowing Neath their chance to get back into the
game. |
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FEB-16 |
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Croesyceiliog
aiming to keep head above water
|
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WHILE
four Gwent rivals are almost guaranteed to be playing Division One football next
season, Croesyceiliog still have some work to do to ensure they remain in the
top flight of the MacWhirter Welsh League.
The
15th placed Woodland Road outfit are just one position and only five points off
safety with the team immediately below them, Maesteg Park Athletic, having a
game in hand.
Today
Croesyceiliog entertain an Afan Lido side which has lost only twice in 16 league
starts and remain hopeful of a top two finish to clinch promotion back to the
Principality Welsh Premier League.
Joint
managers Chris Jones and Neil Gilmore are unable to call on suspended due Jamie
Jenkins and Mike Dewar, the injured Mark Jones or Callum Miles who is on
representative duty with Gwent Youth but they welcome back Chris Watkins to
their squad.
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Addison fears Spanish
clubs might come calling for Martinez
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FORMER Athletico Madrid manager
Colin Addison fears that Spanish eyes are trained on admired Swansea City boss
Roberto Martinez.
Addison, who managed Athletico
in the late 1980s before spending time at Swansea himself more than a decade
later, knows the Spanish scene well and admits that Martinez is raising eyebrows
in his homeland.
And in the week that
Championship outfit Coventry were the latest managerless club linked with the
34-year-old rookie boss, Addison said, “He has the potential to be a great
manager and, as a Spaniard, the clubs there are going to be keeping an eye on
him.
“He has had great success at
Swansea, what he has done down there is simply fantastic.
“That is why clubs, both in
England and Spain, will be looking at him. Whenever a manager is doing well, his
name will get touted around as a candidate for a bigger job.
“That is something Swansea
will have to learn to deal with if they want to be successful.
“But Roberto ticks all the
right boxes as a manager and, if Swansea keep on winning, it won’t be long
before a club makes an approach for him.
“The great thing for Swansea
is that Roberto wants to see the job through down there.”
Linked with his former club
Wigan earlier this season when Chris Hutchings was dismissed, Martinez’s
progress at Swansea has even been noted by some of the biggest names in the
game.
Prior to Kevin Keegan’s
return to Tyneside, former Magpies chairman Sir John Hall mentioned a big-name
boss might not be the right choice for the club.
Arguing the case for a
lesser-known quantity, Hall identified the job Martinez has done at Swansea.
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Legg delivers title
warning to TNS
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VETERAN Andy Legg has issued a
title warning to Llanelli’s championship rivals The New Saints.
Legg was Llanelli’s
goal-scoring hero in the midweek League Cup semi-final victory over Aberystwyth
and is in confident mood ahead of the Reds’ trip to Bangor City.
“I feel we can win the
championship for the first time this season,” said the 41-year-old former
Cardiff and Swansea favourite.
It could be a landmark weekend
in the chase for honours as champions The New Saints visit arch-rivals Rhyl
tomorrow.
Lilywhites’ boss John Hulse
still fosters some hope of a late title challenge, saying, “If we beat TNS, it
gives us a little hope, although I think we’ve left ourselves with a bit too
much to do. TNS and Llanelli still have to play each other twice, which is
interesting.”
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Martinez sees champion
potential
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Swansea boss Roberto Martinez
believes his side are showing the signs of playing like champions as they head
to bottom club Port Vale on Saturday.
The Spaniard described parts of
their performance in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Walsall as "well above"
League One standards.
He said: "To see the
players express themselves tells me there is a huge belief and confidence there.
"In a way, that's
synonymous of playing like champions."
Martinez will be hoping to
avoid a repeat of the rare slip-up against Port Vale's fellow strugglers Crewe
who held the Swans to a 2-2 draw last weekend.
Vale are bottom of League One
11 points adrift of safety, while Swansea are eight points clear at the top.
But Martinez said: "I
don't think the encounter is going to reflect their position in the table.
"We need to be very alert
and ready and have the lesson from Crewe's performance in our head and make sure
it doesn't happen again.
"If Port Vale have the
attitude of a must-win game and show it from the first minute and we are not at
the same level, then we are going to suffer."
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Llangefni
lose chance to catch up with Porthmadog
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Super-Sub Danny Hughes, who hasn't
played a first team game for Airbus for seventeen months, came off the bench for
Gareth Owen's side to score twice within four minutes to sink
bottom-of-the-table, Llangefni at Cae Bob Parry.
After a goal-less first-half,
Hughes entered the field of play to sink the hosts with a double strike, before
front-man Phil Molyneux wrapped up the game with a third in injury-time.
The defeat for the
Anglesey-based side is a real blow to their survival hopes in a match that they
had targeted to win. Airbus meanwhile, will be delighted with their three points
and they climb ten points ahead of the relegation zone, which should ensure
their Welsh Premier status is maintained for next season.
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Jones seeks to invoke
spirit of 1927
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THE ghosts of Cardiff City’s
greatest heroes stand at the shoulders of the club’s current side today as the
Bluebirds look to make FA Cup history.
Dave Jones and his men are
looking to evoke the spirit of 1927 as they aim to reach the quarter-finals of
the world’s oldest cup competition for the first time since their predecessors
went on to lift the trophy all those years ago.
Keenor, Curtis and match-winner
Ferguson are names which have entered Cardiff City folklore, today the likes of
Parry, Johnson and McNaughton look to match their exploits as Wolves stand in
the way of a sixth-round place.
More than 80 years ago the
Bluebirds travelled to Bolton, league champions the previous season, and came
away with a shock 2-0 win before seeing off Chelsea, Reading and then Arsenal in
the final.
Today Cardiff must overcome a
Wolves side level with them on points in the Championship and, under manager
Mick McCarthy, looking for a cup boost to kickstart their stuttering league
campaign.
To add further spice to the
encounter, it once more pitches Jones against the club he guided into the
Premiership in 2003.
However, the City boss finds
himself without influential midfielder Joe Ledley, sidelined for up to a month
with a hamstring problem, and desperately pondering how to shuffle his meagre
troops to cover for the Welsh international’s absence.
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Little call on Dragons
for big effort
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BOSS Brian Little is desperate to
see his resurgent Dragons complete an unlikely double over League leaders MK
Dons today.
Wrexham have been on a
five-game unbeaten run since triumphing over the Dons a month ago and Little
insists that form must continue for the Dragons to survive.
He said, “We don’t want to
be feeling gutted and fed up again at 5pm today.
“We’ve set a little bit of
a standard for how we’re playing at the moment and, if we can maintain that
today, it will be important for us.
“The result is the be all and
end all and I just feel that if we keep doing what we’re doing that we’re
going to go in the right direction.”
But, despite collecting a
creditable nine points from a possible 15, the Dragons still find themselves
bottom of League Two as relegation rivals Mansfield and Dagenham & Redbridge
have also had positive results.
And, as a month ago when
midfielder Neil Roberts secured the Dragons’ 1-0 victory at the Racecourse,
today’s contest pits top against bottom.
However, unlike the earlier
meeting, the Dragons go into the contest in better form than their hosts, who
have managed just one win in eight outings.
Little added, “They’re top
of the league and they’ve beaten a lot of teams this season, but I believe
they’ll be thinking Wrexham have picked up lately and it won’t be an easy
game.
“We’ve definitely made
people sit up a little bit.”
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Hulse
confident Rhyl can still push for title
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ALTHOUGH
John Hulse believes a win over champions The New Saints at Belle Vue this Sunday
will revive Rhyl’s remote title hopes he still realistically sees the
championship battle as a two-horse race.
Bangor
City’s shock defeat at Caersws on Saturday did the power of good to the
Lilywhites’ chances of finishing third and qualifying for Europe, while TNS’
stunning 3-0 home loss to Carmarthen brought Rhyl closer to Ken McKenna’s side
although still eight points adrift.
The
Lilies kept their own house in order by winning a tricky assignment at Airbus on
Friday; with 10 games remaining the Belle Vue boys trail leaders Llanelli by 10
points.
If
we beat TNS it would give us a little bit of hope although I think we’ve left
ourselves a bit too much to do,” said Hulse. “We can’t do any more than
get results between now and the end of the season and, if the top two do have
blips, be there to take advantage.
“Llanelli
and TNS still have to play each other twice so can take points off each other,
but for us to have a chance of the title, it would mean the top two having three
or four blips over the next 10 games, which I can’t see happening, while we
would have to keeping winning.
“Results
went our way at the weekend, but so-called experts seem to think the top four
now will automatically be the top four at the end.
“I
think there will be many swings and roundabouts and twists and turns before the
end of the season. Carmarthen and Port Talbot are just below us and if ourselves
or Bangor have a couple of bad results they and one or two others are more than
capable of stepping up.
“I
don’t think anyone will break the top two, it’s too large a gap, but we’re
not giving up and it’s still all to play for.”
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Welshpool star to face
the English
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CHRIS Venables has vowed to help
fire Wales to glory against England at Exeter's St James' Park next week.
Welshpool Town midfielder
Venables has been included in Tony Pennock's 16-man Wales semi-professional
squad that takes on England in a crunch International Challenge Trophy match
on Wednesday, February 20.
Venables said: "It's a massive game for Wales. Losing in Italy in our
first game means we must get a result against England if we are to have any
chance of progressing to the finals.
"I am delighted to retain my place in the squad and am determined to do
all I can to help us get the result we need.
"I have never played at St James' Park before but I know it will be a
massive occasion for both sets of players."
Venables has been one of the undisputed stars of the Welsh Premier this season
and shone when Welshpool Town entertained Cardiff City in the FAW Premier Cup
quarter-finals last month.
However the 22-year-old also pointed to the other stars of the Welsh team.
"In Stuart Fleetwood we have one of the best strikers playing outside the
Football League and there is a good standard of players right throughout the
Welsh squad.
"For all the players involved it is a great opportunity to get yourself
noticed and hopefully put yourself in the shop window for Football League
clubs."
Meanwhile Venables insist
s his focus remains on getting
Welshpool Town into Europe for the first time.
CT
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City urged to go out and
make history
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DAVE Jones has urged his Cardiff
City players to write their names into the history books tomorrow by becoming
the first Bluebirds team to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for 81 years.
Not since the famous 1927
exploits when the club lifted the trophy by beating Arsenal at Wembley, have
City made it to the last eight of the competition.
And manager Jones believes that
sequence should be ended when Wolves come to a Ninian Park which is expected to
be sold out tomorrow.
“This season people keep
telling me that this record has gone and that record has gone, so if this club
has not been in an FA Cup quarter-final for over 80 years, let’s try and break
another record,” said Jones.
“All I hear is how we
haven’t won here for 38 years and somewhere else for 45 years, so hopefully we
can make tomorrow a memorable day. Both clubs know each other inside out and in
truth there is not a lot between us, so it’s going to be tight and we need to
up our game.
“The home fans can play an
important part in that.”
City will be without hamstring
injury victim Joe Ledley, prompting a reshuffle in midfield.
Stephen McPhail may return
after being dropped for the 0-0 draw at Coventry on Tuesday, Steve Thompson
could come in up front.
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Caernarfon looking to
play their own game
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CAERNARFON are hoping this
week’s mild weather will have worked wonders on their pitch, ahead of
tonight’s visit of Newtown.
"The ground has been awful
for months, and has not helped us to play the kind of football that we like to
create," said Canaries’ boss Steve O’Shaughnessy.
"We have found it better
at away games, when we have been on decent pitches."
The Oval playing surface has
been punished ever since the autumn by the excessive rainfall and additional use
by the club’s other teams, the reserves and the girls.
O’Shaughnessy said the
players had taken encouragement from their efforts in last Saturday’s 5-1
defeat at full-timers Llanelli, where they did well for so long.
"Llanelli caught us cold
with that blast of four goals in five minutes but, otherwise, I could not have
asked for any more from our players."
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Warrington target
Llangefni keeper
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LLANGEFNI Town goalkeeper Farai
Jackson is being targeted by Unibond League club Warrington Town, which puts a
doubt on his involvement against Airbus UK tonight.
Joint manager Derek Roberts
said: "Jacko is the subject of a seven days’ notice of approach by
Warrington and the situation has to be sorted out quickly."
Jackson, who is 25 and
ex-Colwyn Bay, has been capped 10 times by England in Futsal, the semi-pros’
indoor game.
Should Jackson leave If
Llangefni’s first choice stopper decides to stay, he will face the Wingmakers
but, otherwise, recent arrival Dave Vickers will make his debut.
Vickers, who had an outing with
the club’s reserves in the Gwynedd League last Saturday, has switched from
Buckley Town, after spells at Holyhead Hotspur and Llandudno Town.
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Martinez challenges Swans
to stay unbeaten
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SWANSEA CITY boss Roberto Martinez
has challenged his players to stay unbeaten for the rest of the season.
The Spaniard has masterminded
Swansea’s rise to the top of League One, but insists his work will not be
completed until May 3 when the final league game is finished.
With an eight-point gap over
second-placed Doncaster and a game in hand, Swansea would only need to win nine
of their remaining 16 matches to equal the 91 points Scunthorpe had last season
to win the league.
But Martinez, who has won the
last two manager of the month awards in League One, said he is aiming for the
full 48 points, starting at Port Vale tomorrow.
He said, “What you need is
one thing, but want you want is another.
“I want to win the 16 games
left and that’s the attitude we are going to have.
“It would be wrong for us to
sit down and set ourselves targets for specific amounts of points, you have to
be as strong as you can for every single game and try to win every game.
“On May 3 we can sit down and
see how successful we were in achieving that.
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Exiles ace in mower
horror
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NEWPORT County go into their
historic 1,000th game tomorrow without five first team players, but it could be
a lot worse for one of them - goalkeeper Tony Pennock.
The reformed Newport County AFC
travel to Thurrock for Blue Square South action without Pennock, who survived a
horrific accident in midweek.
The veteran goalkeeper will be
out for a month after suffering a domestic incident that could have led to him
losing a foot.
Pennock slipped while cutting
his grass and his lawnmower went over his head and landed on his lower leg,
fracturing one toe and slicing through three more.
Pennock was rushed to hospital
for stitches and doctors told him he'd been extremely lucky not to have lost his
entire foot, though he will be in plaster from toe to knee for the next week. He
explained: "I feel very stupid, firstly for cutting my grass in the middle
of February!
"I tripped over a tree in
the garden and fell backwards, the lawnmower landed on my foot.
"It sliced my shoe in half
and there was blood everywhere.
"No one was in the house
so I had to make my way in and phone an ambulance, I wrapped my foot in a towel
and the paramedics came pretty quickly.
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Nomads welcome back
Kilgannon
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CONNAH’S Quay Nomads welcome
back Wes Kilgannon for his first outing for two months in tonight’s derby
clash with Newi Cefn Druids.
Experienced Kilgannon, named
the League’s Player of the Month for December, was injured in the Boxing Day
game against Rhyl and has not played since.
"Wes has been training
hard and it will be good to have him in the squad again," said Nomads
manager Jim Hackett.
His return helps cushion the
blow of being without suspended Craig Jones. who collected two yellow cards in
last week’s 1-1 draw at Welshpool which means an automatic one-match ban.
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Robbie Fowler braced for
a comeback
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ROBBIE Fowler could yet play some
part for Cardiff City this season - thanks to a device he is wearing on his hip
for up to eight hours a day.
The Bluebirds’ senior
physiotherapist Sean Connelly is working closely with the former England and
Liverpool legend and is quietly confident that the striker could return to
action before the end of the campaign if his current progress is maintained.
But for the time being Connelly
revealed that Fowler has to wear a brace-like contraption around his hip and
left leg as part of his recovery from hip surgery in the States.
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Craig Jones blow for
Pennock's U23 squad
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Llanelli winger Craig Jones has
withdrawn from the Wales Semi Pro Under 23 squad, which meets up on Sunday in
preparation for Wednesday's International against England in Exeter. The
Neath-born former Afan Lido starlet was injured against Aberystwyth in last
night's Loosemores Cup Semi Final, leaving the field after just 23 minutes of
the 1-0 victory.
The loss of the in-form
twenty-year old is a blow to Manager Tony Pennock who will name a replacement in
the next 24 hours. The Reds' winger started the match in Italy, although the
other Craig Jones of Rhyl who is also in the squad, is also a natural
right-winger.
Craig played his junior
football at the Lido but joined Swansea City before rejoining the Welsh Cup
finalists last season. He began his career as a striker, but was converted to an
attack-minded Right Back by the Lido Management and has played the majority of
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Brace hails superb Town
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Deryn
Brace hailed his players for producing one of the best displays of the season as
Carmarthen thumped The New Saints to maintain their Euro ambitions.
The Old Gold sealed their second victory over the defending league and FAW
Premier Cup champions with a superb display at Park Hall.
The artificial surface proved no obstacle for Brace's side as they followed up
their 3-1 cup victory over Saints a fortnight ago with a 3-0 win in the
champion's own back yard.
It provided a huge lift for Carmarthen as they continue their
bid to fill the third league spot which would ensure them of a place in the
Intertoto Cup.
The victory also saw Ken McKenna's side relinquish top spot as Llanelli's 5-1
home win over Caernarfon elevated the Reds to first.
Brace outlined the significance of the win, which will go down as a huge result
in Carmarthen's season.
"The result and the three points were vital to keep us up there in
contention," said Brace.
To have done it against The New Saints was especially pleasing and a measure of
the form we are in at the moment.
"We produced a great performance against them a couple of weeks ago and
having had the break last weekend we produced it again with everyone doing
exactly what we asked of them.
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Llanelli book place in
the final
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A SENSATIONAL 13th-minute Andy
Legg strike earned Llanelli a place in their first League Cup final, although it
took the away-goals rule to earn them their passage.
The Reds, who lost the first
leg 2-1, will be up against twice-winners Rhyl on Sunday, April 27, with the
venue almost certain to be Latham Park, Newtown.
Minutes before Legg’s winner,
Rhys Griffiths missed a rare penalty when his tame shot hit the outstretched leg
of Aberystwyth keeper Dave Jones.
But Legg’s volley from fully
25 yards, following a short Andy Mumford corner, was worthy of victory as he
capitalised on his side’s first-half dominance.
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Money backing stylish
Swans for more success
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RUNAWAY league leaders Swansea
have been tipped to light up the Championship next season with their stylish
brand of football under Roberto Martinez.
Former Liverpool defender and
now Walsall manager Richard Money lauded praise on the League One pace-setters
after seeing his side crash to a 1-0 defeat at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday
night.
It’s the third time this
season Swansea’s Spanish boss has got the better of his opposite number, twice
in the league and once in the Carling Cup, and Money believes the Swans keep
getting better.
After the latest defeat the
ex-Fulham player said, “I’ve seen a team tonight who will not only win this
division by a mile, but will go on and compete extremely well in the
Championship next season.
“With a couple of additions
in the summer, they’ll have a real good run at that division, and you’ve got
to admire the way they play.
“They move the ball really
well when they’re in possession, and, when they haven’t got it, they work
extremely hard.
“We’ve played them three
times this season and they have impressed me every time. But this was the most
impressive they have been.”
As ever, Swansea boss Martinez
was quick to play down his side’s promotion prospects, but he admitted the win
over Walsall was a “complete performance” from his side.
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FAW torn over Wales
stadium switch
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WELSH soccer chiefs are torn in
two over the wishes of John Toshack and his players to move key World Cup
matches away from the Millennium Stadium.
FA of Wales bosses are keen to
give the Welsh squad what they want by playing qualifiers in front of full
houses at Swansea City’s Liberty Stadium, instead of a half-empty Millennium
Stadium.
But they say the minimum number
of fans who want to attend World Cup games will be around the 26,000 mark, a
figure only the palatial 74,000-seater Cardiff venue can accommodate in Wales.
The FAW accept they are almost
damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
They either run the risk of
upsetting Toshack and his players by not adhering to their wishes, or they run
the risk of angering thousands of fans who would not be able to see crunch games
at the smaller venue.
Wales stand-in skipper Simon
Davies and midfield talisman Jason Koumas have each echoed Toshack’s call to
take matches away from the Millennium Stadium, where Wales historically have a
poor record.
The pros and cons of the whole
matter will be debated thoroughly at a meeting of the FAW’s international
committee. Toshack is expected to express his own views during those
discussions.
Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground
and Cardiff City’s Ninian Park home have been ruled out as options for Wales,
as a result of strict new Uefa criteria governing stadia which host competitive
matches.
However, Swansea’s ground is
a credible alternative and the FAW will have to weigh up finance and the wishes
of fans with the wishes of Toshack and his players.
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Ajax or PSV I'd help
Ferrie go back
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Roberto
Martinez admits he would help Ferrie Bodde leave Swansea City if the right club
came in for his signature.
But the Swansea manager has brushed off suggestions in a Dutch football magazine
last week that his playmaker is looking for a move.
Bodde insisted quotes hinting at a return to Holland or a switch to the English
Premier League had been misrepresented by Voetbal International's reporter.
And Martinez is not concerned that one of his most influential
players could turn his back on the Liberty Stadium.
"First and foremost, I'd say that if any player gets any kind of attention,
it's because they're playing good football," said the Spaniard.
"It means they are doing well for Swansea and they're enjoying their
football, and that's a good thing which I like.
"In Ferrie's case, if Ajax, Feyenoord or PSV Eindhoven came in, I would be
the first one to help him go.
"I would do that because he would have done something really good with us
to attract them. But there is a huge gap from that to a magazine article saying
Ferrie wants away."
Bodde has admitted his head would be turned by interest from one of Holland's
big three.
Were it to come, Swansea would deem it unfair to stand in the midfielder's way,
but would at least be compensated by a transfer fee well in excess of the £50,000
rising to £80,000 deal they agreed with ADO Den Haag for his services last
summer.
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Gurney glad to finally
sign up
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NEWPORT County's newest
acquisition Andrew Gurney has told the Argus he made a mistake not joining the
club a year ago.
The hugely experienced 34-year
old midfielder/defender sealed a deal from Blue Square South rivals
Weston-Super-Mare last night after a week of talks with manager Peter Beadle.
The former Bristol Rovers,
Torquay United, Swindon Town, Swansea City and Reading man has made over 400
football league appearances since his debut for Rovers in 1992.
Gurney discussed a move to
Spytty Park last season before opting for Weston, though he now admits that was
a decision he later regretted.
He explained: "Beads was
in for me a year ago and I opted to go to Weston, I had just left full-time
football and I didn't really know what the right thing to do was.
"In hindsight I made a
mistake, I've enjoyed my time at Weston and wouldn't say a bad word about anyone
there, but Newport County is a proper football club.
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Gibraltar join 4 Nations with Rhyl to host Welsh Games
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The details of the Four Nations
Tournament have been finalised by the Football Association of Wales, which will
be hosted in North Wales in May. Rhyl's Belle Vue Ground will host all three of
Wales' matches, culminating with a mouth-watering tie against England on
Saturday 24th May, which could prove to be the deciding match of the Tournament.
In a surprise announcement, the
tournament breaks new ground this year as Gibraltar will be the Tournament's
fourth team and they will join the hosts, England and Scotland in the annual
event, as Ireland have withdrawn due to their commitments in the International
Challenge Trophy at Under 23 level.
The other matches will be
shared around two other grounds with Llanelian Road, Colwyn Bay and Park Hall,
Oswestry - The home of TNS being used in what will also be a ground-breaking
match, as it will be the first game to be played on a non-grass surface in the
competition.
This will be the seventh year
of the Four Nations Tournament and last year's was held in the Scottish
Highlands and resulted in a win for England, with Wales as runners-up. Wales
last hosted the event in May 2003 when the games were played at Carmarthen,
Haverfordwest and Merthyr Tydfil. The Wales squad will be managed by Tony
Pennock and assisted by Terry Boyle.
Rhyl will be hoping that they
are represented in the Tournament with some of their players and Lee Kendall is
certainly a strong contender for the Goalkeeper's shirt, with former captain
Tony Roberts now ineligible as his Dagenham and Redbridge side are back in the
Football League. Craig Jones is another possibility as he has been selected for
the Under 23 Semi-Pro side., which takes on England next week.
The full match schedule is as
follows:
Tuesday 20th May 2008.
Wales v Scotland - Rhyl (Kick Off: 7pm)
England v Gibraltar - Colwyn Bay (Kick Off: 7pm)
Thursday 22nd May 2008.
Wales v Gibraltar - Rhyl (Kick Off: 7pm)
Scotland v England - Colwyn Bay (Kick Off: 7pm)
Saturday 24th May 2008.
England v Wales - Rhyl (Kick Off: 7pm)
Gibraltar v Scotland - Oswestry (Kick Off: 7pm) |
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Bodde strike seals Swans
win
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Swansea City maintained their
eight point lead at the League One summit with a 1-0 victory over Walsall.
Ferrie Bodde limped off early
in the second half but fortunately for Swansea returned and he scored the
decider in the 53rd minute at the Liberty Stadium.
The Dutch midfielder's 20-yard
strike from Jason Scotland's cut back was his seventh this term as Swansea
extended their unbeaten league run to 15 games.
Darren Pratley missed from the
spot after Tom Butler was fouled in the box.
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Rhyl book another final
spot
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Bangor City 0-2 Rhyl
RHYL roared to their fifth
League Cup final in six years when they comfortably beat Bangor City at Farrah
Road, winning 3-1 on aggregate.
The crowd only had to wait
three minutes for the opener, Michael White blasting a poor home clearance past
Paul Smith.
They continued to dominate and
it was no surprise when White sealed Bangor’s fate 10 minutes after the
interval.
Another sloppy clearance
attempt found White 25 yards out and the 21-year-old striker let fly an
unstoppable shot that gave Smith no chance.
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Barry Town consolidate
top spot
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CHRISTIAN Mills scored an 87th
minute winner to see a resurgent Barry Town complete a 3-2 victory over Ely
Rangers at Station Road in Wenvoe last night.
It’s a remarkable eight wins
on the bounce and the former kings of Welsh domestic football now head the
MacWhirter Welsh League Second Division by six points.
The home side took an early 1-0
lead as Lee Denner, their recent transfer window signing from near neighbours
Caerau, caught Barry’s player-manager Gavin Chesterfield in possession and
coolly slotted home from 15 yards.
The seasiders got back to 1-1
with Geraint Goodridge, the former Cwmbran midfielder, meeting Rob
Blatchford’s right wing corner with a powerful header from eight yards.
A minute after equalising,
Goodridge had the chance to double his tally as Barry’s Jamie Bradford was
pushed over in the box and referee Nigel Jones awarded a penalty, only for
Goodridge to put his spot-kick wide.
Ashley Hart gave Barry a 2-1
interval lead but that was wiped out by
Denner’s second after 80
minutes.
With three minutes remaining,
the lively Mills grabbed the controversial winner when he lobbed Rangers keeper
Hart. Chesterfield appeared to impede Denner but play was waved on.
ICW |
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Eastwood considers move
to boost Wales hope
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FREDDY EASTWOOD admits he may have
to quit Wolves for the sake of his Wales career.
Eastwood, who set up the first
goal in Wales’ 3-0 win over Norway last week, has endured a miserable debut
season at Molineux following his much-trumpeted £1.5m summer move.
The Welsh hotshot has found
himself frozen out of the first XI picture and appears to be fifth in Mick
McCarthy’s pecking order after the Wolves boss signed two new strikers in the
January transfer window.
Eastwood has not started a game
for Wolves since the Boxing Day game with Hull and he has not scored for his
club since a two-goal salvo against Blackpool way back in August.
Eastwood emphasised he does not
want to leave Wolves, but acknowledged it may be the only route open to him if
he cannot get a regular run of first-team football.
“It’s one of the reasons I
was so pleased to be with Wales last week. It was great to be in the starting XI
because I’ve not had much football for Wolves in recent times,” said
Eastwood.
“I want to play my part in
the coming World Cup campaign. Clearly I will have a better chance of being
picked by Wales if I’m getting regular club football and scoring regularly at
that level.
“When I first came to Wolves,
I was in the team and scoring and it’s disappointing that’s not the case any
more.
ICW |
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City draw a blank at the
Ricoh
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Managerless Coventry City held
Championship play-off chasing Cardiff to a goalless draw at The Ricoh Arena.
Peter Enckelman saved a Michael
Mifsud shot early on but Paul Parry should have broken the deadlock for Cardiff.
Gavin Rae's shot was parried by
Andy Marshall but Issac Osbourne's denied Parry with a goal-saving challenge.
Cardiff did suffer a blow as
Wales star Joe Ledley limped off injured but a point was a good result for
Coventry who sacked boss Iain Dowie on Monday.
"It was a scrappy
first-half as Coventry came out like men possessed but after our second-half
display, we are disappointed that we've only picked up a point.
"We have thrown away a good
opportunity for a win with the possession and chances we had, we should have
scored one.
"Yet after successive defeats, this
point might just be the catalyst we need to kick-start us again.
"The bad news is we think Joe
Ledley has pulled a hamstring but we'll know more after he goes for a scan on
Wednesday."
BBC |
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FEB-13 |
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Duffy extends Wrexham
loan deal
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Oxford United striker Rob Duffy
will stay on loan at Wrexham for the remainder of the season.
The 25-year-old Welshman was
Oxford's top scorer last season, but was initially allowed to join the
Racecourse Ground club for a month.
With Joel Ledgister also out on
loan, Oxford seem certain to add to their squad again, with a midfielder thought
to be top of United's wanted list.
Oxford play Blue Square
Premier's bottom club Droylsden on Saturday.
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Wales rise up world
rankings
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WALES have moved up four places in
the latest FIFA world rankings.
After a comprehensive friendly international victory over Norway at The
Racecourse last week, John Toshack's boys have moved up from 57th to 54th place.
Meanwhile, England have moved
up a place but remain outside the top 10 after their failure to qualify for Euro
2008.
Fabio Capello’s team are 11th
in the latest list published today, with non-movers Scotland three places
further back.
Northern Ireland are down two
spots to 34th and the Republic of Ireland sit in 36th position.
Argentina remain top of the pile, followed by Brazil and Italy, while Ghana have
surged to 14th, up 29 places, as a result of their performance in the African
Nations Nations Cup.
They are now the continent’s
best-placed nation ahead of Cameroon (17th) and Ivory Coast (24th).
Central American minnows Belize
have climbed off the bottom of the rankings following their first win in six
years and have been replaced by Montserrat.
ICW |
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Newport YMCA's five year
plan
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WELSH
Cup giant-killers Newport YMCA are poised to introduce a five-year improvement
plan which the club hope will eventually lead to a place at the top table of
domestic football.
The
Mendalgief Road outfit is currently the highest-placed Gwent club in the
MacWhirter Welsh League and is basking in the glory of reaching the quarter
finals of the Welsh Cup for the first time in its 35-year-old history.
Included
in the plan is an academy under former striker Simon Pratt, a UEFA-qualified
coach, which will have a link up with Coca-Cola League One side Swansea City.
“We’re
in the process of putting together a five-year plan and the idea behind it is
that eventually want to play Welsh Premier League football,” said YMCA
chairman Viv Edwards.
“That’s
not to say we’ve targeted the WPL in five years. When we have evaluated the
cost of the five-year plan, we’ll see really how long it’s going to take.
“So
initially we’ll put in a five-year plan to say, ‘right how far will we be
away from WPL football.’
“The
start of this process is to actually form an academy under the directorship of
Simon Pratt and other coaches of this club.
“The
academy will be an integral part of the Swansea City Development Centre process,
focussing on players aged five to 16 and it’s pleasing that we’ve the
opportunity of working with one of Wales’ leading professional clubs.
“Looking
around Mendalgief Road, it’s obvious that we have a long way to go in terms of
upgrading our ground and we realise the cost of that to WPL level will be
massive.
“And
of course, by the time we achieve that standard, it’ll be longer than our
five-year plan.”
“I
suppose for a 250-seat stand (minimum WPL requirement), floodlights and
terracing I could put a ball-park figure of around £250,000.”
OWL |
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Cwmbran Town reveal
another nine recruits
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CWMBRAN
Town have revealed they beat the transfer window deadline to land the signatures
of another nine players – taking the club’s number of new signings to an
amazing 19 in just 15 days.
The
latest recruits are:
*
Frenchman Donny Clarck, a 20-year-old whose previous club was Parie FC.
*
Congo-born Sikomo Kambiri, 25, who last played for London-based outfit Ramy Vale
Park.
*
Job Frumba, a 20-year-old born in Cameroon with previous experience with English
team Bridgetown FC.
*
Kane Law, a 24-year-old English-man who has previously played with Yeading.
*
Fideils Chime, 25, a Nigerian and who has played for several junior clubs in the
London area.
*
Jason Zoil, an 18-year-old who has linked up from Horsham.
*
Steven Roleio-Doe, a 26-year-old English-born player who joins from Norton FC.
*
William Bassey, a Nigerian, 21, who has played for MacWhirter Welsh League
Division One rivals Pontypridd.
*
Craig Lane, the only Welsh-born player among the new faces, 20 and who arrives
from AFC Rumney.
On
January 16, the Crows announced they’d signed Ohmar Pike, a 17-year-old from
Jamaica previously with London outfit Cuitural, Uwa Ogbodu, a 29-year-old
from Nigeria from Conference South side Basingstoke Town, England-born Oliver
Collins, aged 25, from Ryman League Division One outfit Molesey, Frenchman
Tidiany Kone, a 25-year-old from French League club Lilas FC and Michael Makasi,
a 21-year-old English-born player who’d appeared in the MWL with student side
UWIC.
Just
eight days later, Spanish manager Guillermo Ganet had snapped up: Benjamin
Bristow, a 23-year-old born in Ghana whose last club was Remnet FC, Ese Oduko,
who hails from Nigeria and is a 25-year-old who joined from Croyden Athletic,
Ivory Coast-product Sosthene Guei, 24 who linked up from Enfield, Raney Duncan,
a 27-year-old Jamaican previously with Crawley Town and London-born Leon Clarke,
24, who’d played for Battersea Ironsides in the English capital.
Of
the nine newcomers, only Zoil, as a substitute in lthe 3-2 home defeat by
leaders Goytre United, has made his club debut while of the other 10, only
Makasi and Guei have yet to appear for the Crows.
OWL |
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Defeat leaves TNS stunned
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THIS defeat was a massive blow to
TNS’s hopes of a fourth successive title and Carmarthen are now becoming the
scourge of their season having eliminated them from the Premier Cup two weeks
ago.
Saints manager Ken McKenna was
shell shocked. “Not only was this a disappointing result but the performance
was also poor. Carmarthen looked fitter, stronger and were much the better
side,” he said.
For his opposite number Deryn
Brace it was a memorable afternoon. “In my short managerial career at
Haverfordwest and Carmarthen, it has not been much better than this.
“I don’t think any side has
achieved back to back wins over TNS in recent years and to become the first team
to win at Park Hall is a great achievement.
“The lads were fantastic. We
took our chances and limited theirs, but we must not get carried away as if we
don’t obtain a good result against Welshpool next week this win will be
wasted.”
ICW |
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Swans relief over
Lawrence injury
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Swansea City are relieved to learn
the knee injury defender Dennis Lawrence suffered in the 2-2 draw at Crewe is
nowhere near as bad as first feared.
Physiotherapist Richard Evans
said: "Dennis has a mild strain of the knee ligament, but it's nothing
serious.
"We'll keep assessing him,
but at the moment it looks as if he'll only be out for two to three weeks."
The news comes as a boost ahead
of Tuesday night's visit to Liberty Stadium of promotion-chasing Walsall.
Manager Roberto Martinez
initially feared Lawrence would be a long-term absentee, but Evans added:
"Fortunately a surgeon friend of mine, a Crewe fan, was in the crowd and he
checked Dennis out at half-time and allayed our initial fears.
"He twisted his knee in a
challenge and the opposing player landed on top of it."
"Now once the swelling
goes down we can start working on getting Dennis back as soon as possible."
BBC |
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Hulse & Griffiths win
January monthly WPL awards
|
|
John wins the Principality
Welsh Premier Manager of the Month Award for January 2008
following an unbeaten month, in fact the Lilywhites remain the only
unbeaten side in 2008. January began with a win over Connah's
Quay Nomads on New Years Day and they then followed that success up with
victory over Llangefni at Belle Vue. Their next match saw them gain a 1-1 draw
at Neath's
Llandarcy
Park
, before they got back to winning ways against
Caernarfon
Town
, 3-1. Their next League game was a potentially tricky test against
Haverfordwest, who were also unbeaten in 2008 going into that game, but a
comfortable 2-0 win was achieved courtesy of goals from Marc Lloyd Williams and
Craig Jones. Rhyl also played the First Leg of their Loosemores Cup
Semi-Final tie at home to
Bangor
and drew 1-1, which sets up the tie for a great outcome this midweek.
Hulse
has also made two key-signings in the January Transfer Window with Lloyd
Williams and talented midfielder Greg Stones joining the club, and the arrival
of former Wales U21 International Dylan Hughes and his brother Kevin, could also
prove a masterstroke by the long-serving boss as he pushes for qualification to
another UEFA campaign.
Rhys
gains his first Principality Welsh Premier Player of the Month
Award of the Season after an excellent start to 2008. He was a
transfer target of Swiss Premier club Aarau before Christmas, but turned down a
move to
Europe
and signed a new two-year deal at Stebonheath and he has continued his red hot
form for Llanelli.
Griffiths
last won the coveted
monthly Award in October 2006 and he is again one of the main reasons why his
side are challenging for their inaugural Principality Welsh Premier
League title. He was the Winner of last season's Golden
Boot Award to add to his 2005/06 Player of the Year and Golden Boot
Awards. The Fireman also won his first Wales Semi Professional Caps last
summer and scored on his debut against
Scotland
.
WPT |
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Prestatyn strengthen
position at top
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PRESTATYN strengthened their
position at the top of the Cymru Alliance as they stormed to yet another victory
as both Flint and Llandudno faltered, writes Chris Smart.
The seasiders travelled to
Llandyrnog United and ran out 2-0 winners, courtesy of second-half goals from
Jon Fisher-Cooke and Dave Hayes.
Llandudno took the lead after
eight minutes at home to Holyhead Hotspur through Chris Hogg, but the Anglesey
men battled back with Mike Edwards equalising from the penalty spot before
Darren Garmey and Marc Evans secured the victory.
Flint went down 2-1 at home to
Glantraeth for whom Jon Perris Jones bagged both goals.
Sean Beck scored for Flint.
Goals by Tryffan Prosser and
Mike Garrod gave Ruthin Town a 2-0 home triumph over Llanfair, while struggling
Lex XI battled to a 1-1 draw with Buckley Town.
DP |
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No team going up from the
Welsh league?
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|
Last week two clubs withdrew their
request to be promoted to the welsh premier league, Bridgend Town and Dinas
Powys. To be honest Bridgend will barely make it into the top ten let alone the
top two places. That leaves Afan Lido, Cwmbran Town and ENTO Aberaman as the
only clubs from the welsh league seeking promotion, Cwmbran Town are currently
9th and look like dropping at least another two places, they lie just a point
above Caerleon and Bridgend and both clubs have four and three games in hand of
the Crows respectively.
ENTO and Afan Lido are
currently seven and ten points adrift of second placed Ton Pentre and at best
winning all their games in hand of the Bulldogs will still be four points shy,
in fact in any teams are likely to catch the second spot it looks like being
Dinas Powys or Bryntirion Athletic.
So it is looking increasingly
unlikely a team will be promoted from the welsh league this season, this must
music to the ears for the teams at the bottom of the welsh premier, as it's fair
to say only one club will be relegated at most if a team from the Cymru Alliance
is promoted.
But the baffling question is
why clubs are being allowed to gain promotion when any club that doesn't have a
minimum of 500 seats will not be allowed to take part in the 2009/10 season.
currently their are nine clubs already in the welsh premier that do not match
that required criteria, it will be interesting to see what happens to those
clubs when the 2009/10 season begins, they have already had a few seasons notice
and still have two more, so they can't use the excuse they need more time.
Caernarfon Town = 252
Caersws = 300
Connahs Quay = 420
Haverfordwest County = 400
Llangefni Town = 250
Newi Cefn Druids = 300
Neath Athletic = 250
TNS = 250 (Though expecting to increase that this year)
Welshpool Town = 250
By the way Afan Lido has 525
seats so were all right Jack.
Tony |
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Bridgend Town mystery
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Once
again Bridgend hit the headlines last week through a move by Bridgend council to
allow them to withdraw £150,000 from their escrow account donated by
supermarket giant Asda.
The
money is going to be ploughed in to the new pavilion at their intended temporary
base at Lock’s Lane in Porthcawl.
That
seems to suggest that Bridgend intend to make Porthcawl their permanent home.
Not
surprisingly, in the circumstances they have been requested to attend the
league’s monthly management committee meeting on Tuesday.
But
what still amazes many in the town of Bridgend is why with £210,000 in the bank
to purchase a replacement site, along with £1.7million for pitch, clubhouse and
changing facilities, are they bothering to pump £150,000 into Lock’s Lane.
Incredibly,
30 alternative sites in the Bridgend area have been located, and the club has
rejected them all.
It’s
now a year since they vacated Coychurch Road and unless a replacement facility
is achieved by February 2011, the balance in the escrow account will revert to
the council.
Unlike
Haverfordwest County, who in similar circumstances used supermarket cash back in
the 1990s to erect fine facilities at Bridge Meadow, Bridgend are dragging their
heels.
Why
Bridgend continue to sit on £2million, and operate in mundane fashion at
Porthcawl, remains the burning issue.
EP |
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FEB-11 |
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A French lesson for Neath
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WHEN Neath entered the Welsh
Premier League at the start of this season there was speculation among their own
officials and supporters as to whether they would hold their own.
They have not only done that
but shown their rivals they mean business. Yesterday they won for the 10th time
in 24 starts to move to seventh position in the table.
They were far too good for
Newtown and could have won by a bigger margin. Richard French gave the
Llandarcy-based side the advantage five minutes before half-time and from then
on they always seemed to be in pole position.
Sharp-shooting Andy Hill, who
always served Neath well in the Welsh League, was on target 13 minutes from time
to complete the success as Newtown were outplayed and could have no grumbles
about the outcome.
ICW |
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FEB-11 |
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Swans stay away from
promotion talk
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FOR goodness sake at the Liberty
Stadium don’t mention promotion. I mentioned it once, but I think I got away
with it.
Come on, it is hard not to
really. Top of League One, 10 points clear, some of the so-called tougher tests
out of the way and games slowly running out.
Then there is the fantastic
football forged under the pragmatic stewardship of Roberto Martinez to take into
account.
But there is one group of
people trying their best to resist that temptation, the players!
After near misses and broken
hearts in recent years, the Swans squad are banning all mention of the “P”
word, well sort of.
Influential midfielder Darren
Pratley, back from a groin injury and suspension for today’s trip to Crewe,
does admit it is hard at times to keep a lid on things.
“To be honest, it is
difficult not to talk about promotion,” revealed 22-year-old Pratley.
“But Swansea have been in the
position before when they were top at Christmas and I am sure they were looking
at the table thinking they were going to get promoted and then they ended up
just about making the play-offs.
“I think most of us are
experienced enough not to get carried away. Don’t get me wrong, being top and
10 points clear with 18 games to go is a nice position.
“In fact you could sit down
and work out how many games we need to win to get promotion now.”
The big question being, of
course, have you?
ICW |
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FEB-11 |
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Earnshaw on his battle
for survival
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INJURIES, a lack of goals, the
loss of his international place, the departure of the manager who signed him and
criticism from the new boss – yet Robert Earnshaw has no regrets about his
move to Derby County.
Having waited more than a year
to get back to the top-flight promised land, the Wales striker has had to suffer
constant talk of an instant return to the Championship.
His Derby side have been rooted
to the foot of the table since Earnshaw’s club record £3.5m move from
Norwich.
To add to his woes, he has been
given little more than a few hours football to try and address the situation,
he’s already on his third chairman, second manager, probably lost count of the
number of votes of confidence he’s received and now sees supporters and
officials at Pride Park already talking of next season’s Championship
campaign.
And to top it all, Earnshaw
could only look on from the bench as an unused substitute in Wednesday’s win
over Norway.
Still – and you would expect
it from the ever-smiling Earnshaw – there are no regrets, just a realisation
that only he can do something about stopping his dream souring any more than it
already has.
“The last six months
couldn’t have gone any worse, especially in terms of playing – or not
playing as it were,” said the 26-year-old. “All I want to do is be on the
pitch and that hasn’t happened. I’ve had a couple of injuries, but not
really played or had a run, so I’ve been waiting all this time to get out
there.
“I played the first couple of
games of the season, but the club was only just settling in and then it stopped
for me – it’s like I’ve made my debut again recently because that’s how
little I had played in the last few months.
“And on top of all that,
it’s hard to hear people talking about relegation and next season already,
because I haven’t given up – it seems I’ve only just got back here.
“It’s easy for others to
say about going down and trying to come back up, but it’s not the same for
players. I don’t even want to start thinking about going down – I never do
and I never will.
ICW |
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Brandy head over heels in
love with Swans
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FEBIAN BRANDY is certainly proving
adept at providing some late-night tonic.
And he is determined to
maintain his winning habit of popping up with last-ditch goals.
Brandy has scored twice since
arriving at Swansea City on loan from Manchester United – strikes against
Doncaster and Oldham with almost his first touch after coming off the bench.
And the teenage striker admits
his nine-year football education at United, a club renowned for late goals from
the likes of super-sub Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer, has helped him make such an instant
impact.
“At United you are always
told to be ready and prepared to come on when you’re on the bench,” he said.
“They tell you that you could
be on at any minute and that you have to be ready to take your chance. It means
you stay focused and you believe you can change any given game at any minute.
Brandy’s last-gasp winner to
see off a stubborn Oldham also saw the pint-sized striker show off his
acrobatics.
And he’s hoping it won’t be
the last time the runaway League One leaders see his spectacular somersaults.
“I’ve been doing back-flips
since I was a kid,” he said. “I thought the goal against Oldham, which was
so crucial, merited one. It was certainly the biggest crowd I’ve ever done
them in front of.
“I have done them to
celebrate a goal on special occasions. When I scored for United in the opening
game of the World Under-20 Championships against Porto last year I did one.
“But that was definitely one
of the most important goals I’ve ever scored. Swansea have given me a chance
and I’m looking to repay them by scoring goals.”
Forcing his way into Fergie’s
thinking, though, remains Brandy’s long-term aim.
ICW |
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Mike's super strike set
Bluebirds on their way
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HAVERFORDWEST have suffered a
topsy-turvy season but yesterday was one of the high points as they took
advantage of a poor and out-gunned Llangefni to record one of their most
convincing successes of the campaign.
It was win number 10 for the
West Walians at the New Bridge Stadium and cemented their mid-table position in
the Welsh Premier League.
The Llangefni outfit never
looked capable of creating many chances and their defence was sloppy. Mike
Hartley set the ball rolling for Haverfordwest with a splendid strike after six
minutes and although Kevin Lloyd brought the visitors level it always appeared
that the hosts would pull away.
Nick Woodrow restored their
lead and then a brace by Neil Thomas put the result beyond doubt before Luke
Bowen gleefully completed the rout with only four minutes remaining.
ICW |
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FEB-10 |
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Welsh league round up
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WELSH
League leaders Goytre United encountered few problems yesterday at lowly Maesteg
Park and maintained their three-point advantage at the top as they swept to a
5-0 success.
The
game was all over after 20 minutes when United had built up a three-goal lead
and, despite going down to 10 men in the second half, they still added another
two goals.
Ryan
Needs grabbed a hat-trick and there was a goal apiece for Daniel Thomas and
Darren Lyons.
Ton
Pentre now enjoy a better goal difference than the leaders after crushing
hapless Garw 13-0. Eight players got on the score-sheet with top honours going
to Jonathan Kift, who scored three.
Dinas
Powys kept their title hopes alive by winning 3-0 at ENTO Aberaman but Cambrian
and Clydach’s aspirations were dented as they were held to a goalless draw by
visiting Cwmbran Town.
Welsh
Cup quarter-finalists Newport YMCA enjoyed a 3-0 home victory over Caldicot, and
with Leighton Burrows scoring against his former club and Aaron Stewart and
Danny Heath also finding the back of the net it was a comprehensive success.
Elsewhere
Bridgend Town overcame Pontypridd 5-2 while Pontardawe held Caerleon to a 2-2
stalemate at Cold Bath Road.
There
were goals galore in division two with 48 goals coming from nine games.
Cardiff
Corries led the way with an amazing 8-3 win at Ammanford and Rhys Yates was the
game’s top scorer with a hat-trick. Leaders Barry Town established a
three-point lead at the top after thrashing lowly Troedyrhiw 7-0
WOS |
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TNS' crown under threat
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The New Saints 0-3 Carmarthen
A GOAL in each half from Tim
Hicks sent The New Saints crashing to their first home league loss as hopes of a
fourth successive crown suffered a big setback.
With title rivals Llanelli
winning, victory saw Ken McKenna’s side lose pole position while leaving the
race for honours finely poised this season.
The Saints had been hoping to
gain revenge for their recent FAW Premier Cup exit, but again found the West
Wales side in uncompromising mood.
And it was Hicks who, having
netted a hat-trick in the cup clash between the sides, returned to haunt the
full-timers as the Old Gold boosted their challenge for European soccer this
summer with an excellent victory.
While slipping to defeat, TNS
could reflect on a controversial decision to rule out a 10th minute goal for
offside when striker Kevin Townson was denied by the flag after netting from
John Toner’s pass.
And it was the visitors who,
having lost their previous six clashes at TNS on grass, made the breakthrough in
their first outing on the artificial surface at Park Hall.
Jamal Easter made good ground
along the right flank in the 24th minute and his cross found Hicks unmarked in
front of goal to convert with a close range header. Ten minutes later, Paul
Fowler doubled the margin when beating Paul Harrison with a swerving 20-yarder
that the keeper could only help in.
After the break, the Saints
upped the ante. But Carmarthen weathered the storm and sealed the points nine
minutes from time when Gregg Coombes and Danny Thomas combined to create the
opening for Hicks to grab his second goal of the game.
WOS |
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Llanelli are five star
leaders
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Llanelli 5-1 Caernarfon
LLANELLI swept back to the top
of the table after overcoming struggling Caernarfon at Stebonheath Park.
But they were given a
first-half fright by the visitors, who took the lead with a set-piece goal in
the 27th minute. Eifion Jones took advantage of sloppy defending and scored from
close range.
A half-time talk from manager
Peter Nicholas did the trick as the Reds came out after the break with all guns
blazing and Lee Phillips equalised just nine minutes later.
Then, in a five-minute spell,
the leaders added four goals.
Wyn Thomas put Llanelli in
front in the 65th minute and, virtually from the resumption of play, Rhys
Griffiths found the net for his 34th goal of the season.
A minute later Tony Corbisiero
made it four with the best goal of the day when he let fly from the edge of the
box, and in the 70th minute Mark Jones slotted home to wrap the game up.
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Lawrence facing lengthy
absence for Swans
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Swansea City defender Dennis
Lawrence could miss the rest of the season after an injury in the 2-2 draw at
Crewe.
"We think it's the medial
ligament in the knee," said Swansea manager Roberto Martinez. "It will
need a proper scan to be sure, but it looks a bad one."
Swansea goalkeeper Dorus De
Vries expressed sympathy for his team-mate.
"Dennis has been superb
for us this year so fingers crossed that he'll be ok," said De Vries.
"But I have no doubt that we have adequate cover."
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Ferguson angry at brawl
at Posh
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Peterborough manager Darren
Ferguson railed at referee Graham Horwood after Saturday's fiery 0-0 draw with
former club Wrexham at London Road.
"Their centre-back has
head-butted our goalkeeper, elbowed our centre forward, that is total
nonsense," he said after a game that included a 20-man brawl.
"My lads stuck together,
what saddens me is the fact the referee has given us no protection all
afternoon."
Wrexham manager Brian Little
defended centre-back Steve Evans after the game.
The defender's clash with Joe
Lewis ended with the Peterborough keeper being stretchered off, prompting the
20-man dust-up and leading Ferguson to confront Evans at the end of the match.
"Steve was a little bit
late with challenge, but I thought that he genuinely went for the ball,"
Little told BBC Sport Wales.
"He scored a header from
an identical situation last week. I'm 100% sure that it was an accident, Steve's
eyes didn't leave the ball.
"The referee had a few
difficult decisions to make and I thought he did all right, he made honest calls
all day."
Ferguson insisted that he had
"no interest in Wrexham or their tactics", and Little was pleased to
have taken a point from the League Two high-fliers.
"We are fighting like
crazy to stay up," said Little, whose side remain bottom but just one point
behind Dagenham & Redbridge and Mansfield.
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Evans will wait for Wales
chance
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In-form striker Ched Evans says he
is prepared to bide his time with Wales Under-21 before getting a senior call.
"I hope (Wales manager)
John Toshack gets the chance to see my two goals," he said, after a late,
stunning strike helped Norwich to a 2-1 win at Cardiff.
"It might put some doubts
in his mind, but I'm in no rush as I'm really happy with the U21s, we're in a
great place in the Uefa championship qualifiers."
Evans also scored twice in the
U21s fine 4-0 win over Malta in midweek.
The 19-year-old Manchester City
front man has impressed at Norwich, and is now in his second loan spell of the
season at the Canaries.
"It's been a big step up
from the reserves, I'm not playing against 16-year-olds any more," said the
St Asaph man. "You have to give your all in every game.
"It's been a great week
for me with four goals, I'm really pleased with my performances at the moment
and I'm just gaining in confidence with every game I play.
"I'm just glad that the
second goal went in at Ninian Park. Darren Huckerby was screaming at me for the
ball and the manager was telling me to put it in the corner!"
BBC
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Ian Rush approached by
Malaysians
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IAN RUSH has been approached by
the Football Association of Malaysia about a possible role with the national
team.
Rush, who is currently the
elite performance director of the Welsh Football Trust, has been earmarked as
part of the restructuring of the national team in the wake of a string of poor
performances.
“I have been asked to have a
look at their strikers, but it has got no further than that at the moment,”
said 46-year-old Rush.
“If it did happen it would
have to fit in with my current job with the Welsh FA Trust, helping to bring
their kids through.”
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Jones calls for Welsh Prem to act as feeder for
Big
Three
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CARDIFF CITY manager Dave Jones
has called for some Welsh Premier sides to become “feeder clubs” for
Wales’ big three teams.
Under Jones’ proposals, sides
like Llanelli, Port Talbot and Neath could be used to develop and train
promising youngsters for Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham.
Jones’ call comes as the FAW
discusses the idea of the big three fielding reserve sides in the Welsh
Premiership with a view to gaining them an avenue into European football.
That idea could well fall foul
of Uefa regulations, but Jones is adamant the situation in Wales should be
exploited in some way to benefit everyone.
“I think you have to look at
options and maybe some of the smaller clubs could become feeder clubs for the
bigger ones,” said Jones.
“I think clubs in the
Championship and Premiership should look to the smaller clubs and, for us, we
have the Welsh Premiership.
“Why could we not have our
reserves or our best young players playing in that division?
“Perhaps someone like TNS are
too big, but there are other clubs in the league who would be right for it.
“It is something which should
be looked at. I know other clubs are. Manchester United have used clubs like
Antwerp in Belgium in the past to farm their players out.
“For some of our younger
players it would be fantastic to develop them quicker by them going out to play
in the Welsh Premiership.”
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Ched
Evans brace sinks Cardiff |
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Ched Evans's 88th-minute strike
denied Cardiff the chance to move into the play-off places as Norwich
leapfrogged them in the table with a fine victory.
The 19-year-old, on loan from
Manchester City, strode unopposed from the halfway line before unleashing a
venomous shot into the top corner.
It was a deserved winner for
the visitors, who took the lead when Evans finished well to cap a fine break.
Gavin Rae levelled right-footed
from 12 yards but Cardiff could not hold on.
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Caldicot
aim to bring cup heroes back to earth |
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WELSH
Cup heroes Newport YMCA return to action tomorrow when they'll seek to extend
their unbeaten MacWhirter Welsh League run to an eighth game against visiting
Gwent rivals Caldicot Town.
Boss
Mark Coldrick's men have taken 17 points from the last 21 on offer and climbed
to seventh position in becoming the county's highest-placed Division One club -
as well as Welsh Cup quarter finalists.
Caldicot,
though, have also improved recently and have moved up to 12th after winning
three of their last four league outings. Coldrick reports attacking midfielder
Faris Yafai is rated as only 50-50 following a bout of flu while Caldicot boss
Jason Pritchard will only be minus injured defender and skipper Gareth Hayward.
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Rhyl consolidate 3rd spot
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Craig Jones had the ball in the
net twice within the first 2 minutes against his former club at The Airfield.
Only the second effort counted, but it put Rhyl on the way to consolidating
third place in the Principality Welsh Premier with a 2-0 victory against Airbus
UK Broughton on Friday night.
Lee Hunt celebrated a second goal in the first half, only for Ryan Edwards to
clear off the line, but Marc Lloyd Williams (pictured) duly added another on 72
minutes to make the game safe.
Welshpool Town's fading European hopes via league position were dealt a fatal
blow as they needed an injury-time equaliser from Aden Shannon to rescue a point
at home to struggling Connah`s Quay Nomads, who lost Craig Jones to a red card 8
minutes from time.
Home midfielder Richard Harris was credited with steering the ball into his own
net for the Nomads' first half goal at Maesydre.
But Port Talbot Town strengthened their late run into the top six with a
convincing 4-2 success at Aberystwyth Town`s Park Avenue, where Martin Rose
opened the scoring.
Geoff Kellaway and Luke Sherbon turned the game in the Seasiders' favour either
side of half time, but the Steelmen then made up for their lack of another
recognised striker by adding further goals through Craig Hanford, Lee John and
Dylan Blain.
Porthmadog inched a little closer to safety but are still in the relegation zone
after a 1-1 draw at NEWI Cefn Druids.
Former Everton youth Kevin Holsgrove opened the Ancients` account, but Marcus
Orlik levelled a minute later for the visitors to frustrate the hosts, who have
now failed to win in their last five league games.
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Welsh striker Evans aiming for happy Ninian return
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NORWICH CITY striker Ched Evans is
not fearing any ‘intimidation’ factor at Ninian Park today, in fact he’s
positively looking forward to it!
The 19-year-old, enjoying a
promising loan spell at Carrow Road from Manchester City, has nothing but happy
memories of playing at Cardiff City’s home.
Back in November, St Asaph-born
Evans scored a Ninian hat-trick in a 4-2 win for Wales over France.
“I am looking forward to
coming to Cardiff,” Evans said.
“Playing for Wales Under-21s
there the crowd was small, but it will be totally different in front of 15,000
Cardiff fans.
“I have been told it is quite
an intimidating feeling for a player, but you have to put that to the back of
your mind and get on with the job in hand.
“Obviously I hope I can do
the same for Norwich against a Cardiff side who are in fine form.
“Before Christmas, they were
struggling to get results, but they have turned it around and are closing in on
the play-off positions.”
And it is not just Cardiff who
have also enjoyed a recent revival.
Aided by Evans’ four goals in
13 appearances, the Canaries have also seen a turnaround in fortunes.
Evans admits he felt ready for
first-team action and revealed he had been unaware of reported interest by
Cardiff in acquiring his services.
“I am enjoying my football. I
was ready to make that step up from the reserves and my move to Norwich has seen
me improve as a player and scoring goals is great for me,” he said.
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TNS out for revenge today
against Old Gold
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WELSH PREMIER leaders The New
Saints are seeking revenge for their FAW Premier Cup defeat to Caernarfon today.
Ken McKenna’s side returned
to top spot last week following a home victory over Porthmadog and the Saints
boss feels his two debutants, Kevin Towson and Paul Henry, made a big
difference.
Towson opened his account with
the first goal in that 4-1 win and 20-year-old Henry was named man of the match.
“Paul will give us a bit more
bite in midfield,” said McKenna, glad to return to winning ways following rare
successive defeats.
Carmarthen will be without
suspended Neil Smothers and Sacha Walters, but Danny Thomas, Greg Coombes and
Paul Cattlin return.
“TNS always seem to be able
to bounce back quickly from a blip, but we think we can take something from our
first visit to Park Hall,” said Old Gold boss Deryn Brace.
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Sheppard grateful for
fans support to help pay players
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STRUGGLING Merthyr Tydfil, just
three points off the relegation zone, travel to fifth-placed Clevedon Town
pushing for promotion, writes Mark Bloom.
And while one manager
concentrates on home advantage and how to beat a side that faces a real fight to
stay in the division, Martyrs manager Garry Sheppard thanks the supporters for
keeping them going financially.
Sheppard, in his first term as
manager at Penydarren Park, said: “The supporters trust kept us going last
month in terms of paying the players wages, which was a welcome boost. Because
whatever people say, it was a distraction for the players, and I thank the
supporters for their help.
“I am sure we are not the
only non-league club in this situation, but they are the facts of the matter.
But in times like these it shows great character. Players have had offers to go
elsewhere, but they have been loyal and don’t want to let their colleagues
down. It’s that type of attitude that has kept us all together,” said
Sheppard.
And it doesn’t get any better
on the pitch. Having lost to Halesowen recently 3-0 with nine first-team players
out, goalkeeper Ashley Morris was sent off after 30 minutes and Sheppard was
forced to play with seven recognised centre-halves.
“Injuries and suspensions all
seem to have come at one time and because of the small playing budget we have, I
had no choice but to field seven defenders,” explained Sheppard,
“But we’re in a bit better
shape for Clevedon tomorrow and the one thing I know, I will get 100 per cent
effort from the players.”
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Llangefni playing for a shock
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STRUGGLERS Llangefni Town are
boldly tipping an unlikely win at Haverfordwest County today.
The league’s bottom side are
desperate for points as they battle to avoid relegation.
Joint manager Derek Roberts
said: “Haverfordwest is a nice place to go because they have a good pitch
where we can play the sort of football which brought us results previously.”
Between late September and
early November the league newcomers notched nine wins in 11 league and cup
games, and Roberts said: “We want to rediscover that form, when the young
players showed great enthusiasm, worked and ran for each other and got the right
rewards.
“We are placing our faith in
the local lads again and, having beaten Haverfordwest 2-1 at our place, are
quietly confident that we can turn them over again.”
Forward Ywain Gwynedd – who
scored both goals that day – will play, as will striker Chris Jones.
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Coleman
urges Koumas to make away days |
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CHRIS COLEMAN has told Jason
Koumas he must play away from home if he wants to be labelled a great player for
Wales.
Koumas sparkled with a two-goal
show in Wednesday night’s 3-0 friendly defeat of Norway at Wrexham, taking his
international goals tally to nine from 26 appearances – eight of them coming
in his last eight games.
But the Wigan playmaker has
missed Wales’ last six away matches, and has not played for his country
outside the United Kingdom since a 1-0 defeat in Poland in September 2005.
“Who knows why he hasn’t
played in the last six away games?” said Coleman, the former Wales defender
and ex-Fulham and Real Sociedad manager.
“But, if you play for your
country, you play home and you play away.
“When you’re capable of the
level of performance he showed against Norway we need to see Jason away from
home as well.
“He’s such an important
player for Wales these days – the one player who can win you a game.”
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Gibson
sure his boys can survive in top flight |
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PRESTATYN Town are ready to take
on the likes of Rhyl and Bangor City in the Welsh Premier next season, says boss
Neil Gibson.
The Cymru Alliance's runaway
leaders look certainties for promotion to Wales’ top flight at the end of this
campaign, despite losing 1-0 at home to Bala Town last Saturday.
Prestatyn are 12 points ahead
of their nearest challengers, and as long as their ground meets Welsh Premier
criteria by the summer, they should be playing their football at the likes of
Belle Vue, Park Hall and Stebonheath Park next season.
Gibson says the club have built
a side over the last two or three years which is now ready to challenge in the
Welsh Premier – and his players will be out to prove a point, with most of
them having failed to make the grade in the past.
“These lads are all youngish
lads who’ve been at Welsh Premier clubs – mainly Rhyl – and haven’t
really had a chance,” said Gibson.
“Our lads have got plenty of
experience of playing teams at that level so we fancy our chances of at least
stabilising in the Welsh Premier next season.”
One of the most fearsome
weapons in Prestatyn’s armoury is goal machine Bowes, and Gibson says his star
striker will continue to score next season should his side achieve promotion.
But Gibson isn’t counting his
chickens just yet, as Llandudno have two games in hand over the pacesetters
which could cut Prestatyn’s lead to six points.
He added: “We’re in the box
seat for promotion, but the 12-point gap is a little bit misleading because
obviously Llandudno have got a couple of games in hand over us so they could cut
that gap.”
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Morgan
demands improved home form |
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WELSHPOOL Town are banking on an
improvement in home form as they seek to revitalise their Welsh Premier
campaign.
Pool host lowly Connah’s Quay
Nomads tonight and manager Tomi Morgan is banking on three points as he looks
for his side to make ground on the leading pack.
“We have to start winning our
home games and get a run going, which has been a problem for us this season,”
said Morgan, whose side have lost four of their last six league outings.
“While our away form has
generally been excellent, we’ve struggled to match that at home. With a lot of
six-pointers coming up this weekend, we need a win to put the pressure on the
sides above us.”
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Hitman
Roberts poised for return |
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PORTHMADOG hope to have 13-goal
top scorer Paul Roberts back in action for tonight’s clash with fellow
strugglers Newi Cefn Druids at Plaskynaston Lane.
The former Bangor City striker
needs to check out a neck problem after missing last weekend’s 4-1 defeat at
The New Saints.
Fellow front man Carl Owen will
figure in an otherwise unchanged squad, along with winger Marcus Orlik, who has
scored in each of the team’s three previous games.
Porthmadog, next to bottom in
the table, have a score to settle with Druids, having lost their September
meeting at The Traeth 2-1.
Manager Viv Williams said:
“We have got to get something from this game because we need to drag Druids
down into the bottom pack and not let them move nine points ahead of us.
“The team performances in the
last month have been good, although without the results we needed, and now we
have a battle on our hands, so the lads have no hiding place and must
respond.”
The return of three players
will strengthen Newi Cefn Druids’ hand as they bid for much-needed points,
writes Mike McEvoy.
Defender Dan Barnett and winger
Mike Thompson are available after being cup tied for last weekend’s Welsh Cup
win over Ento Aberaman, while Timmy Edwards also returns.
“We need to win at home in
the league,” said joint boss Waynne Phillips. “If we can pick up three
points we will pull away, but if we don’t then we will put ourselves under
more pressure.
“What we've done well this
season is to beat sides around us in the league and we need to do that again
tonight. I’m expecting a tough game but we’re due a good performance and a
good result at home.”
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Nomads
striker leaves after only 2 games |
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Connah’s Quay Nomads have lost
striker Tom Rowlands after just two games in a surprise move back to Heswall,
writes Mike McEvoy.
“Tom decided he wasn’t
enjoying playing in the Welsh Premier for Nomads so he has returned to Heswall,”
said Nomads manager Jim Hackett.
To fill the gap Nomads have
signed experienced goalscorer Jed Courtney from Warrington Town, but left-back
Alan Glover has been snapped up by Bamber Bridge.
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Owain
set for 1st team recall |
Injury-plagued midfielder Owain
Tudor Jones could be set for a return to first-team action inside 10 days,
according to manager Roberto Martinez after playing just over an hour of Swansea
reserves' 1-0 win against Bournemouth yesterday.
Jones has not featured for Swansea since picking up an ankle injury in the
club's previous reserve game against Yeovil in October.
That setback came as he was nearing the end of a long road back to fitness since
damaging knee ligaments during a goalless draw at Swindon on New Year's Eve
2005.
The ex-Wales Under-21
international has had a number of failed comeback bids and last played for the
first team in a 4-2 win over Bournemouth on November 3, 2006.
But after coming through the Pontin's Holiday Football Combination fixture at
Port Talbot's Remax Stadium unscathed, the former Bangor City captain was in
upbeat mood.
"I feel good. It's nice to be back on a football pitch and it's onwards and
upwards from here," said the 23-year-old.
"I hope this is the end of the road, but I said that last time. When you
get a fractured ankle there's not much you can do about it.
"Hopefully I can draw a line under it now, get back to enjoying my football
and have a successful end of season with Swansea.
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We have
to stay strong - Little |
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Brian Little says Wrexham must
stay mentally strong as they face tough trips to three promotion-hunting teams
starting at Peterborough on Saturday.
The Dragons lost 4-1 at London
Road in the FA Cup earlier this season under old manager Brian Carey and new
boss Little is hoping to avoid a repeat.
"I know they've beaten us
this season quite emphatically and we have a little bit of ground to make
up," he said.
"We'll try and prove a few
people wrong because some will think 'home win'."
Wrexham have gone four games
without defeat including two impressive home wins against runaway leaders MK
Dons and second-place Darlington as they look to stay in the Football League.
But after their trip to
Peterborough, who are in the play-off spot, Wrexham also have to go to fellow
play-off contenders Hereford and make a return trip to MK Dons.
And Little knows his new-look
side's hopes of survival face a real test in the next three games.
"The most important thing
is to try and put in a decent performance away from home and hopefully on top of
that get a decent result as well," said Little.
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Britton
set for Swans milestone |
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Leon Britton admits he has been on
a rollercoaster ride with Swansea City as he looks to make his 200th league
appearance for the club on Saturday.
The pint-sized midfielder, 25,
has experienced a relegation battle, promotion, trophy success, and play-off
heartache in his five years there.
"Playing my 200th game is
a nice achievement," said Britton.
"We were one game away
from being out of the Football League when I joined and look where the club is
now."
The Swans are 10 points clear
at the top of League One and are on course for promotion to the second tier of
English football for the first time in 24 years.
And they will be looking to
extend that lead at Crewe on Saturday.
"When I first came down,
we had a massive relegation battle that year and managed to beat Hull on the
last game of the season.
"From that day on, I was
so attached to the club. You just have to look how far it has come.
"There's been a lot of ups
and downs - there's always an eventful season here, but promotion will be a good
achievement for the club."
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Hartson
brings career to an end |
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Former Celtic and Arsenal striker
John Hartson has announced his retirement after leaving West Brom last month.
The 32-year-old, who won 51
caps for Wales, revealed he had lost his desire and was struggling to keep fit.
He told the Scottish Sun:
"I'm going to miss that competitive edge. That was my weekend, letting off
steam and terrorising centre-halves.
"But I'm not going to miss
training though. To be honest I'd lost my desire to get back into the West Brom
side."
The striker who began his
career at Luton and played at Arsenal, West Ham, Wimbledon, Coventry, Celtic and
Norwich, said he was not prepared to end his playing career at a low level.
"They say you should go
down the leagues and just play for enjoyment because it will be easier. It is
not," Hartson added.
"I have been fighting my
weight for 12 years. I can't have a burger without putting on half a
stone."
West Brom released Hartson in
January - six months before his contract was due to run out.
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Carmarthen seek double over TNS |
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Carmarthen Town head to The New Saints on
Saturday looking to book unprecedented back-to-back victories over the Welsh
Premier League champions.
The Old Gold travel to The Saints with huge confidence after dumping Ken
McKenna's side out of the FAW Premier Cup in convincing fashion thanks to a Tim
Hicks hat-trick.
Carmarthen sent the holders crashing out of the £100,000 competition 3-1 thanks
to an inspiring extra-time performance from Deryn Brace's side.
And Brace is now hoping that his side can take the momentum
from that game into Saturday's clash with the champions.
Brace said after their cup victory: "I have to be honest it was a very good win.
"It was a team performance where everyone played to their potential.
Fifth-placed Carmarthen are six points behind third-placed Rhyl, who occupy the
last European qualification spot, and any sort of positive result would be a
huge bonus to Brace. |
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Bangor Boss pleased with cup draw |
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CITY manager Nev Powell is pleased to have
avoided the four other remaining Welsh Premier sides in the draw for the
quarter-finals of the Welsh Cup.
Although Bangor face a tricky trip to Cymru
Alliance minnows Guilsfield – who have already eliminated three WPL teams in
this season’s competition – on March 1, Powell was satisfied with the outcome of
Saturday night’s pairings.
"At this stage of the competition you take
what you get – it’s just good to be in the hat," said the Citizens chief.
"There’s no easy games in quarter-finals and Guilsfield will be determined to
add us to their scalps, but it’s up to us to prepare right for it and leave
nothing to chance."
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Toshack delighted with youngsters |
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John Toshack hailed his young Wales side after they beat Norway 3-0 in a
friendly at the Racecourse.
Carl Fletcher's first Welsh goal and a second-half brace from Jason Koumas
secured the win on a poor pitch.
"It was very satisfying particularly with the players we were missing once
again," said the Wales boss.
"In the second half we made changes, it didn't interrupt our game and to see
so many young lads out there performing in difficult conditions is pleasing."
Toshack also singled out Carl Fletcher for his contribution to the Wales
side.
"He really is proving to be an important member of our side and I'm pleased
for him," he said.
"I don't know what he was doing up there in the box (for his goal), it wasn't
our orders that's for sure, but he did and got on the end of it and it came at a
good time for us because the Norwegians started the game strongly.
"It's a terrific start to the year for us.
"Now we've three away friendlies in Luxembourg, a trip to Iceland and a
difficult one in Holland, and then a home game with Georgia before the serious
stuff starts in September."
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Former Llangefni boss signs in at
Ruthin |
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FORMER Llangefni Town manager Adie Jones has
taken over the reins at Cymru Alliance strugglers Ruthin Town.
Cefni parted company with Jones just before
Christmas after a disappointing start to the season, but the Oswestry-based
chief now faces a fresh challenge at the Memorial Playing Fields.
Jones has already recruited a player from
Cefni for his new club – striker Mark Jones.
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Future is looking good -
Koumas |
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Jason Koumas says Wales' future is
looking good after their 3-0 win over Norway at the Racecourse.
Carl Fletcher opened the
scoring after 15 minutes with Koumas striking just after the hour and with a
minute to go.
"I think it's as good a
squad as we've had for years," he said. "I don't think people
understand how good the players coming through are.
"The Under-21s are doing
great at the moment, so the future's looking quite good."
New Tottenham signing Chris
Gunter supplied the pass for Koumas's first goal and said the midfielder is a
vital asset for Wales.
"He is so important for
us," said Gunter.
"He gives us something
different, especially when we've got a few players out and if he can be involved
in the games then it's fantastic for us and he played really well tonight.
"We knew it would be a
tough game and it was.
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Wolves hit out at
Cardiff FA Cup tie tickets decision
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WOLVES have hit out after being
told their fans can only attend the FA Cup tie at Cardiff City if they travel to
Ninian Park on official coaches.
South Wales Police have made
the ruling for the game on February 16 and the decision looks as if it will
heighten the on-going bad feeling which exists between the two clubs.
Last season, Cardiff fans were
banned from the Championship game between the two clubs at Molineux after an
incident the previous season.
In response to the Midlands
club’s decision, angry City chairman Peter Ridsdale protested at the decision
by declining to go into the director’s box, preferring instead to watch the
game from the dug-out.
Now it is Wolves who feel
aggrieved as their fans will not be able to buy tickets if they plan to travel
independently.
They will be handed their match
tickets once they arrive at a designated rendezvous outside Cardiff.
Wolves chief executive Jez
Moxey said, “We have done everything we can to try and persuade the police to
change their minds.
“In our opinion, the
restriction on fans travelling independently is completely and utterly
unjustified.
“We have stressed the very
good behaviour record of our fans.
“It is now down to individual
supporters to decide if they want to travel under these restrictions.”
ICW
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ENTO
to pull the plug on Aberaman
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One of the most lucrative and
long running sponsorship deals in Welsh sport is being jeopardised by a
Local Authority's intransigence over a community facility in Aberdare.
ENTO main sponsors of ENTO
Aberaman Athletic Football Club are considering their current agreement with
the club over Rhondda Cynon Taff's refusal to even open any sort of dialogue
that would enable the club to play their home fixtures in the Welsh Premier
League at the Michael Sobell Sports Centre Stadium in Aberdare.
The current sponsorship
deal worth in excess of £150k over 3 years has enabled the club to
challenge for promotion to the Welsh Premier League but will see their
ambitions thwarted by strict ground criteria that rules out their current
home at Aberaman Park.
'ENTO has supported the
club for over 4 years and provided the opportunity for the club to challenge
for promotion into the Welsh Premier League and to be the sole
representative for South East Wales' commented Chairman Richard Rowlands
Rowlands added 'The loss of
our main sponsor would mean a complete rethink on the future plans for the
club and seriously impact on our ambitions to bring top flight football to
the Cynon Valley. This does not only affect the current group of players but
all those with ambitions from Under 7's upwards playing with our feeder club
ENTO Aberdare Grasshoppers plus our Youth and Under 16 teams!!'
Tony Green, Managing
Director of ENTO stated 'We have been delighted to support the club for the
last four years and have seen significant progress both on and off the field
and now for a democratically elected Local Authority to simply dismiss our
request for dialogue is unacceptable and leaves the Board of ENTO to
seriously question our continued investment in Welsh sport'
Mr Green continued 'South
East Wales has no representative in the top flight of Welsh football, the
Cynon Valley would welcome the opportunity to support a club challenging for
European football but the Local Authority with a Stadium that was paid for
by the community are not even prepared to open a dialogue, leaving my Board
with little option to consider our position'
The likely impact of such a
dramatic course of action from ENTO would be that the ambitions of some 150
young people of the Cynon Valley and the football supporters of the area
would be deprived the chance of top flight football on their doorstep.
'Any such move by ENTO
would be catastrophic for this club but I fully understand the frustrations
of the Board of ENTO, it is not as if we are asking RCT to contribute any
financial aid, in fact quite the contrary, we have offered to bring the
stadium up to Welsh Premier League standard at no cost to the Authority and
to make those additional facilities available to all users at no cost to
them' added Mr Rowlands.
www.entoaberamanafc.co.uk
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Lee
Hunt will give 100% until end of the season
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RHYL striker Lee Hunt will remain at the
club for the rest of the season – but manager John Hulse believes it is
virtually inevitable he will move on at the end of the campaign.
Hulse has revealed four clubs in the
English pyramid system tried to sign his 26-year-old striker before the
transfer window closed.
Hunt was put on the transfer list at his
own request last month, complaining he has had enough of the standard of
refereeing in the Welsh Premier League.
Unibond League Division One South club
Colwyn Bay had an offer turned down for the Lilies’ leading marksman, as
did Conference North Leigh RMI, who suggested a player exchange deal.
Conference North high-flyers Southport
also proposed a player exchange, but Rhyl responded by asking for a player
and money to part with Hunt. The Sandgrounders rejected the Lilywhites’
request.
Droylsden
from the Conference Premier, a club which has provided many players for Rhyl
over the years, were offered the same deal as Southport for Hunt, but it was
nothing doing.
Delighted
that Hunt will see out the season, Hulse paid tribute to Rhyl FC president
Peter Parry for his handling of the situation.
“With
Lee becoming a free agent at the end of the season, Peter could have decided
to take anything he could get for him, but he didn’t and deserves a big
pat on the back for rejecting what he considered were unsuitable offers,”
said the Rhyl boss.
“I
will be trying to persuade Lee to stay on next season, but it doesn’t look
like he will, he feels he has done his stint in the Welsh Premier.
“Lee
stressed to me he would continue to give 100% while he remained at the club
and has been good to his word, scoring in his last two games.”
RPV
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Flynn praises Swans
McDonald as star player
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Wales
Under-21 manager Brian Flynn hailed Shaun MacDonald after the Swansea City
midfielder helped steer his side to the top of their Uefa Under-21
qualifying group.
Two second-half goals from Ched Evans and one each from Simon Church and
Jack Collison settled things for Wales with a 4-0 win in Malta after they
dominated the majority of the game.
But Flynn reserved special praise for MacDonald.
"Shaun MacDonald was my stand-out player from start to
finish," he said. "He was excellent, everything he did was of
international standard and he was by far my man of the match.
"To be at the top of the table at this moment in time, everyone in
Wales has to be pleased and we've now got the added pressure of being
favourites. But I know we can handle it."
MacDonald added: "The team played really well.
"We've been confident since the start of the campaign and it showed
today. Banging four goals in away from home was a confidence boost again.
"I feel I did well. I haven't played for a while but I felt quite fit
to be honest. But it's not about me, it's about the team at the end of the
day.
"We've won, got three points and topped the group and the lads are
happy about that and that's the main thing."
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Tosh: ‘The World
Cup starts here’
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THE road to the 2010 World Cup
starts here.
It may be two and a half
years away, but John Toshack insists tonight’s friendly against Norway in
Wrexham is where Wales must start plotting their course to South Africa in
2010.
“I feel confident if the
likes of Danny Gabbidon, Craig Bellamy and Gareth Bale are fit and we can
get a run with this group of players together, we’ve got a chance of
qualifying,” said Toshack.
“We’ve got good young
players coming through, and I can see the way they’re already maturing
compared to 12 or 18 months ago.”
Wales are missing injured
James Collins, Danny Gabbidon, Craig Bellamy and Gareth Bale tonight.
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Wales Under-21s ease to
victory
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Wales are top of group 10
after an impressive 4-0 win over Malta in their Uefa Under-21 championship
qualifier.
Manchester City's Ched
Evans headed home a free-kick on 62 minutes to break the deadlock.
Substitute Simon Church
then doubled the lead with 10 minutes to go before Rhys Williams made it 3-0
two minutes from time.
Evans completed the rout
from the penalty spot with his second goal of the game in injury time.
Manager Brian Flynn said:
"I am very pleased but a little bit frustrated after the first 45
minutes, but the second half was excellent.
"We made a couple of
changes and tactically we adapted to them.
"It was a comfortable
win but after the first half, we'd have taken a 1-0 win but all credit to
the lads, they came in and played really well.
"To be at the top of
the table at this moment in time, everyone in Wales has to be pleased with
that and we've now got the added pressure of being favourites but I know we
can handle it."
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Caernarfon ease relegation
worries with 3 points
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CAERNARFON TOWN cast aside
their disappointing Welsh Cup defeat to Cymru Alliance Guilsfield with a
comfortable victory over fellow strugglers Caersws at the Oval last night.
The win takes the Canaries
up to 13th in the Welsh Premier, eight points clear of the relegation area,
but Caersws remain in deep trouble following their fourth successive league
loss.
Peter Doran put the hosts
in front in the sixth minute when he cracked a firm shot past visitors’
keeper Andy Mulliner from 25 yards and Bobby Jones added a second, with 14
minutes remaining, a superb drive across the visitors’ stopper.
Caersws rarely threatened
but had a goal disallowed at the end when John Slater’s handball was
spotted by the assistant referee.
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Bryntirion hit back
in transfer wrangle
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BRYNTIRION Athletic have hit
back at an accusation that they blocked a proposed move for top scorer
Robbie Walters to Port Talbot Town.
“We did everything,
absolutely everything, by the book,” said Bryntirion chairman Emlyn
Phillips. “We do not stand in the way of any player moving to a club in a
higher level of football.
“That’s not how we do
things.
“Sean Cronin moved to
Neath Athletic and we wish him well. If Robbie wants to play at Welsh
Premier League level and has the chance we certainly wouldn’t stop him.
“It’s probably
inevitable that Robbie will go to play for a club at the top level of Welsh
football, but it will be to a better run club than Port Talbot.
“They left it too late
and we could not let Robbie complete the transfer until he had paid off
money owed to Bryntirion for three bookings and a red card.
“In the end a transfer
could not be completed in time, but we have talked to Robbie and he is happy
to be staying with Bryntirion Athletic.”
Walters, who has netted 34
goals this season, is suspended after being sent off during Bryntirion’s
MacWhirter Welsh League win against Pontypridd Town and still has two games
to serve.
Port Talbot Town manager
Nicky Tucker, who accused Bryntirion of dragging their heels in processing
the move, confirmed he is still keen to sign Walters and will try to sign
him again at the end of this season.
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Battling Owain's patience
pays off
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Swansea
City have been given a triple midfield boost by the return of Darren
Pratley, Darren Way and Owain Tudur Jones.
Pratley has missed the last three games via a mix of a hamstring problem and
suspension while Way and Jones have lifted their injury nightmares by
announcing their availability for duty.
Jones has not featured for Swansea since picking up an injury in the club's
previous reserve game against Yeovil in October.
But the 23-year-old is back on the road to recovery and
tomorrow's Pontin's Holiday Combinations clash with Bournemouth at Port
Talbot's Remax Stadium (3pm) is a major step back to full fitness.
Knee and then ankle injuries have kept the Wales Under-21 international
sidelined from first-team action since the 4-2 win over Bournemouth on
November 3, 2006.
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Wrecking Carew on Evan's
agenda
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Steve Evans is standing by to
win his seventh Wales cap tomorrow and another collision with one of
Europe's top strikers.
The defender, 28, is
battling away every week trying to keep Wrexham in the Football League as
the Racecourse side struggle at the bottom of Coca-Cola League Two.
But Evans will take time
off from that desperate fight to play for against Norway on his home ground,
looking forward to a clash with John Carew.
The Aston Villa striker has
been near the top of the European game for years, but Evans refused to be
intimidated.
He said: “Things are
getting better week by week at Wrexham, but to still be getting the call to
play for Wales is a great boost for me.
“It adds to my
confidence, and I find myself the oldest guy in the squad now. For me,
it’s just great to be here.”
He added: “It’s always
nice to get away for a few days and think about something else, but I also
believe we are getting it right now at Wrexham with a new bunch of players
and we will get ourselves out of this trouble we are in at the bottom.
“Now I find myself
probably facing John Carew next. It will be difficult, but I have got used
to playing against the best around since I got my first call-up two years
ago.
“I have learned to take
it all in my stride, and just look forward to every big game.
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Ledley scoops player of
the month
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DAVE Jones and John Toshack
have hailed Joe Ledley after the Cardiff City midfielder was named
Championship Powerade player of the month for January.
Ledley was chosen ahead of
Burnley striker Robbie Blake and Charlton midfielder Zheng Zhi to complete a
Ninian Park double with Jones scooping the manager’s award last week.
In a month where he
celebrated his 21st birthday, Ledley scored four goals to help lift the
Bluebirds to ninth in the table and only two points off the play-offs.
The Fairwater-born young
star was the subject of much speculation during last month’s transfer
window but will stay at Ninian Park and help the Bluebirds’ promotion
assault.
“He deserves it,” said
Jones.
“He is a super player who
has a big bright future ahead of him.
“People fail to realise
he only turned 21 the other week.”
Ledley, who won his 19th
cap in the 0-0 draw with Germany last November, is currently training with
Wales ahead of tomorrow night’s friendly against Norway in Wrexham.
“We’re delighted with
him,” said Toshack.
“He has started scoring
goals now at City, has played wide-left and just a little bit further inside
and has played a lot of games as well.
“He has progressed very
well and was outstanding in Germany.”
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County try to end rift
with Lewes
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NEWPORT County are keen to end
their rift with Blue Square South rivals Lewes as yet another spat has
surfaced between the two clubs, this time on the internet.
The Argus has received
several complaints from disgruntled Exiles supporters following derogatory
comments posted on Lewes' unofficial fans forum.
The chairman of the Lewes
supporters club, Cliff Hart, has subsequently resigned from his post after
enraging County fans with his views on Newport.
While commenting on
transport arrangements for the clash, currently scheduled for February 23,
Hart posted: "Newport wont be a picnic so be warned but safety wont be
a problem and it is a great chance to see ancient civilisations and to see
how are sic taxes are spent."
This is just the latest in
a series of bust-ups in the past year between the two clubs with no
geographical or historical animosities.
Lewes complained to the
Conference South and the FA last year following a fiery clash at Spytty Park
on January 27.
Lewes alleged home
supporters barracked their players as they left the field and County striker
Craig Hughes was also accused of making a racist comment.
The Exiles reacted badly to
the fact that the complaints were made public to a local newspaper before
they were informed and even threatened to sue Lewes for defamation.
None of the complaints were
upheld.
SWA
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Six pointer tonight at the
Oval
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Canaries’ boss Steve
O’Shaughnessy’s transfer window recruits – seven in all – include
two forwards in the as-yet untried Buckley from Chester City and Walker from
Leigh RMI.
But regular striker Paul
Addo is out of the reckoning, as he starts a ban, after being sent off for
the third time this season at Guilsfield on Saturday.
Both sides are struggling
in the league and are, separated by just one point.
O’Shaughnessy said:
“This is a massive six-pointer for both clubs but, if we can perform as in
the last month, when we have not had any luck and results have gone cruelly
against us, then we should be okay.”
Caersws will be looking to
halt a three-match losing run writes John Bridgwater, and boss Mike Barton
admits it would be the perfect boost following a poor start to the year.
“It’s a massive game
for us, it’s one we cannot afford to lose,” he said.
DP
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Flynn’s fledglings
can make history
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Brian Flynn’s side face
Malta in Valetta tonight in a vital Uefa championship qualifier.
Their chances of qualifying
for the finals in Sweden next year have been boosted by their remarkable
victory over group favourites France in Cardiff in November.
Only one Wales team has
ever qualified for a major finals and that was the seniors in the 1958 World
Cup – also in Sweden.
Wales boss John Toshack
said of his country’s youngsters, “We want to qualify from this group,
it is a great opportunity. If we finish second it takes us into a play-off
in October to reach the finals in Sweden in 2009.
“When the door opens for
us, we have to take it. The door is open now for the U21s because we can
qualify, the win over France has convinced us of that.
“We want to do everything
possible to help the U21s. We have lads coming through, Jack Collison, Arron
Ramsey and Ched Evans, who are close to the first team squad but they will
be needed for the U21s.”
With so many of Toshack’s
seniors still qualified for the U21s, there is every chance the best Welsh
youngsters could be utilised if qualification is a real prospect.
Toshack said, “We really
must win in Malta. Then there is a tough one against Bosnia in March before
we have Romania home and away. I would not rule out some of the lads in the
senior squad dropping back into the U21s for maybe one or two group matches.
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Jones calls for action
over fans
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Cardiff City manager Dave
Jones says police should take action against the Stoke fans he clashed with
during his side's 2-1 weekend defeat.
The incident flared up
after reserve team manager Paul Wilkinson became embroiled in a row with a
ball-boy.
Jones told BBC Wales:
"The police were taking pictures of the fans involved and should deal
with them in that way.
"But it's not even on
my radar to worry about. I've had that sort of abuse off the same people at
Stoke for 10 years."
He added: "People say
it's banter, but it's not banter when someone's hurling a load of abuse at
you.
"They think it's quite
funny and as soon as you say anything back it's a different matter, but the
police were brilliant.
"I think Wilko was a
bit annoyed that we had a multi-balling system and all of a sudden it seemed
to disappear somewhere along the line."
BBC
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Pennock names eight
WPL in squad to face England
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Wales Semi-Pro Team Manager,
Tony Pennock has named eight Principality Welsh Premier League players in
his sixteen-man squad to face England at Exeter City's St. James' Park on
Wednesday 20th February in the International Challenge Trophy.
There are no new caps
included from the Welsh Premier sides, but Haverfordwest 'keeper Lee Idzi,
Port Talbot Town defender Lee Surman, midfielders Sion Edwards (Bangor
City), Paul Fowler (Carmarthen Town), Craig Jones (Llanelli), Craig Jones
(Rhyl FC) and Chris Venables (Welshpool Town) as well as Bangor's striker
Les Davies are all retained from the inaugural match of the Competition.
Also named in the squad is former Port Talbot Town forward Chad Bond, who
has recently left the Re/Max Stadium to play for CF Balaguer in Spain.
Neath's Lee Bevan, who was
a late call-up in that game for Llanelli's Stuart Jones misses out, as does
Worcester City's Jamie Price. The two newcomers are former Wales Under 21
and Southampton youngster, Kyle Critchell, who now plays at Right-Back for
Weymouth and Adam Gross, a left-back with Grays Athletic.
The Welsh youngsters lost
their opening fixture of the campaign in November against Italy in Varese
4-2, with Edwards and Price scoring the second-half goals, whilst the
English side were victorious in Finland 2-0. The squad will assemble in
Swansea on Sunday 17th February in preparation for the game, which they must
win to have any realistic hopes of progressing to the Final, this time next
year.
International Challenge
Trophy 2007 - 2009
England 'C' v. Wales Semi Pro U.23, St. James' Park, Exeter. Wednesday 20th
February 2008. Kick-off: 7.45pm
Lee IDZI (Haverfordwest
County), Ashley MORRIS (Merthyr Tydfil), Kyle CRITCHELL (Weymouth), Danny
PARSLOW (York City), Adam GROSS (Grays Athletic), Jamie REWBURY (Merthyr
Tydfil), Lee SURMAN (Port Talbot Town), Alex LAWLESS (Forest Green Rovers),
Sion EDWARDS (Bangor City), Paul FOWLER (Carmarthen Town), Craig JONES
(Llanelli AFC), Craig JONES (Rhyl FC), Chris VENABLES (Welshpool Town), Chad
BOND (CF Balaguer), Les DAVIES (Bangor City), Stuart FLEETWOOD (Forest Green
Rovers)
Team Manager - Tony PENNOCK
Coach - Terry BOYLE
OWP
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Swans warned against complacency
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Swansea boss Roberto Martinez
has warned his League One leaders against believing promotion is already
secured.
Swansea's 2-1 win over
Oldham extends their unbeaten league run to 13 games and maintains their
ten-point cushion at League One's summit.
But Martinez insists:
"It would a huge mistake to say that in February with 18 games
remaining we're already promoted.
"If we start to think
we're already up, we'll get punished. But my players are hungry and
focused."
Swansea suffered League One
play-off final heartbreak in 2006 when Barnsley defeated them on penalties
at The Millennium Stadium.
The Swans had topped the
division that season so their players have bitter first-hand experience of
losing focus in their chase for Championship football.
Martinez said: "My
players are experienced enough to know that should they lose their focus,
football will can kick you in the teeth.
"Everyone at Swansea
City is responsible and mature enough to take nothing for granted and we
laugh when people say that we are already promoted.
"We are in a good
position and 60 points is a good tally for this stage of the season but we
still have to see the job through."
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Double hammer blow for
Wales
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WALES will be without the
services of West Ham stars Craig Bellamy and Danny Gabbidon for
Wednesday’s friendly against Norway.
The pair recently returned
to reserve-team action for the Hammers after long-term injuries and were
last week named in John Toshack’s squad.
Bellamy came on as a
68th-minute substitute in West Ham’s Premier League defeat to Wigan on
Saturday, but he and Gabbidon have been withdrawn from the squad for the
match at the Racecourse due to a lack of match fitness.
Real Sociedad midfielder
David Vaughan will also miss the game after withdrawing from the squad
because of a thigh injury that has kept him out of action for the last three
months.
Toshack has not yet named
replacements.
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Port Talbot League honour
Lido President Len Howells
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The
Port Talbot & District Football League has paid tribute to its past
president, who has served football in the town for 60 years.
Len
Howells stood down as the league president last year due to ill health.
He
has now been recognised for decades of loyal service to local football. Len
is a former secretary of the Port Talbot & District League and was also
a Welsh League and Football League referee and a founder member of the Port
Talbot Referees Society, of which he is still the president.
Len
was presented with a token of appreciation from the league, which also made
a donation to the cardiac unit of Morriston Hospital.
His
successor as league president, John Morgan, chairman of the South Wales
Football Association, said: "Len Howells is the grandfather of football
in Port Talbot. He has served football in the town for 60 years and has
helped and encouraged so many people involved in football."
Paul
Fisher
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Martinez want's missing
fans to turn out
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Frustrated
Roberto Martinez has called on Swansea City's stay-away fans to turn up and
play their part in the final push for promotion to the Championship.
In-form Swansea maintained their 10-point advantage at the top of League One
with a 2-1 win over Oldham on Saturday - but just 12,458 were there to see
it.
With
an average league gate of 12,827, Swansea are the third-best supported club
in English football's third tier behind Leeds and Nottingham Forest.
But Martinez, who saw 17,000 Swans supporters turn up for
the Leeds game in December and more than 30,000 travel to Cardiff for the
2006 play-off final, believes the 20,500-capacity Liberty Stadium should be
selling out every time his team play at home.
''A crowd of 12,500 is a bit disappointing,'' the Swansea manager said.
''We have a fantastic following, and away from home the fans have been
terrific this season.
''But at home I believe we should be getting a full house every week.
''It's not just that we're top of the league, it's also the football we've
been playing this season. I think the players deserve more.
''If we want to achieve our dream this season, we have nine cup finals to
play at home from now on. It's hard to believe we don't get the whole club
coming together and showing our best face in that situation.
"We want to show our best side as a club.
"We should show that we want to be successful and a full house for
every game would do that.
"I understand that we are coming off the back of Christmas and that
football is quite expensive these days. Maybe some of our fans are saving
their money for the later stages of the campaign.
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County move up to 4th
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ONCE again the poor quality of
the officiating provided the main talking point as County extended their
unbeaten run to seven league games and moved up to fourth in Blue Square
South, one place below visitors Hampton.
Antony Coggins, an
18-year-old from Bicester, was entrusted with this tasty clash between two
of the league’s strongest teams and the teenager was hopelessly out of his
depth. He awarded a 19th-minute penalty following a perfect tackle from
County’s former Welsh international right-back Steve Jenkins which had the
Hampton players appealing for a corner.
Elliott Godfrey scored from
the spot to cancel Charlie Griffin’s fifth-minute opener, but,
significantly, the visitors declined to celebrate the goal, and County were
back in front six minutes later when Lee Fowler and Jason Bowen created the
chance for Craig Hughes to head home for his 50th goal for the club.
Hampton were strong and
solid at the back, but they could create little against a hard-working and
fluent County, though a period of second-half pressure from the visitors was
rewarded when Orlando Jeffrey scored after a corner was not cleared.
County came back strongly
and should have had the victory their performance merited only for top
scorer Griffin to miss a glorious chance with a injury-time header.
Newport manager Peter
Beadle is usually reluctant to focus on match officials, but he had sympathy
for his players on this occasion.
“I don’t think we were
given a fair rub of the green and it is easy to let that get on top of you,
but I think we deserved to win the game.”
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Cymru Alliance leaders
suffer shock defeat
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LEADERS Prestatyn Town
suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to Bala Town, but remain hot favourites to
lift the title.
Gethin Lloyd scored the
winner early in the first half and Llandudno Town’s 4-1 victory at
Llandyrnog United kept alive their outside hopes of pipping the leaders in
the big race.
Although Chris Williams put
the home side in front from the penalty spot, Danny Hughes, Grant
Montgomery, Lee Thomas and Jody Hamilton were all on target to trim
Prestatyn’s lead to a still substantial 12 points, but Llandudno have two
games in hand.
Llanfair PG were other
handsome winners as they saw off Buckley Town 3-1. Robbie Williams gave
Buckley the lead but it was soon blown away as Richard Owen, Darren Hughes
and Billy Evans hit the net.
Holyhead Hotspur lost
ground on the leading pair after they were held 2-2 at Penrhyncoch. A Marc
Evans brace gave Hotspur hope of maximum points, but Chris Williams and Josh
Shaw ensured the hosts a share of the spoils.
Lex XI were two goals ahead
against Glantraeth, Tom Smith and Dale Hill on target, before a Jon Perry
Jones penalty and late Alan Williams equaliser meant it ended 2-2.
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Tucker see's red with
Town
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CARDIFF-BASED Nicky Tucker has
described Port Talbot Town’s disciplinary record as ‘shocking’.
Manager Tucker is far from
happy with the number of times his players have been cautioned – Lee
Surman, pictured, and Liam McCreesh have 21 bookings between them!
“Our discipline this
season has been shocking and it’s simply not acceptable,” said Tucker.
“Some bookings you can
understand, but it’s the really needless ones that are annoying.
“You can understand when
players get booked for hard tackles but players kicking balls away or
mouthing off to the referee is not on.
“It’s hard enough to
win games with 11 men let alone 10.”
During their 1-0 win at
Newi Cefn Druids game, the Steelmen were without captain Matthew Rees and
McCreesh. Stand-in skipper Surman received a two-match suspension having
collected 10 yellow cards this season.
Port Talbot have signed
forward Matthew Wright on loan from Swansea City.
The 17-year-old has been a
regular goalscorer for the Swans’ youth team, and was a target for
Southampton and Bristol Rovers.
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TNS win 4-1 to top Welsh
Premier
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TNS eased back to the top of
the Welsh Premier while pushing their visitors deeper into the relegation
mire.
Kevin Townson, on his home
debut, wasted little time in finding the net with a well-taken sixth minute
opener.
After John Toner had missed
from close range, Townson set up Scott Ruscoe to double the lead before Port
pulled one back through Gareth Parry from an Aled Rowlands corner. But the
Saints quickly restored their two-goal advantage with a superb strike from
Chris King.
Although home ’keeper
Paul Harrison made a superb save from Carl Owen’s header, the points were
wrapped up early in the second half when Toner headed a fourth.
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Newport YMCA topple
Llangefni
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NEWPORT YMCA enjoyed the
finest hour in their short history with another giant-killing act as they
sent Welsh Premier strugglers Llangefni crashing out of the Welsh Cup in a
dramatic round four tie.
The South Wales club was
only formed in 1973 and gained election to the Welsh League 30 years ago,
but they have secured a place in the record books after beating holders
Carmarthen Town in the previous round and now the Islanders to reach the
quarter-finals for the first time.
The tie went to the wire,
with YMCA holding their nerve to win a tense penalty shoot-out after it had
finished all square following an intense 120 minutes of cat-and-mouse.
YMCA boss Mike Coldrick and
his men had never reached the fourth round of one of the oldest competitions
in the world – the Welsh Cup was first played for in 1877/78 – and on
paper they went in again as underdogs.
But the Mendalgief Road
giant-killers sought further cup glory against the vulnerable Welsh Premier
strugglers, who could have been forgiven for having the considerable
distraction of staving off relegation on their minds.
The Welsh League Division
One underdogs, under Coldrick’s shrewd leadership, were far from overawed
after a good league win provided the perfect preparation and elevated them
to seventh in the table.
The midfield contest was
competitive, with YMCA creating the best opportunity of the half when Faris
Yafai shot from inside the box and produced a fine save from Llangefni
’keeper Farai Jackson. But the rebound fell to leading marksman Lewis
Sommers, only for his shot again to be deflected by the alert Jackson.
That was as good as it got
in terms of first-half chances but in a sensational finale, YMCA’s John
Pardue broke the deadlock and gave his side one foot in the quarter-finals
with a goal four minutes from the end of normal time.
The Champagne was ready to
be uncorked as the YMCA camp sensed early celebrations but had to be put
back on ice when, in injury time, the visitors grabbed a lifeline with a
last-gasp equaliser.
It came from a good run
down the right hand side by Kevin Lloyd who sent in a telling cross for
Jason Sadler to silence the home fans with a face-saving strike.
In the dreaded penalty
shoot-out, Sommers, Gareth Lynch, and Pardue all scored from the spot for
YMCA.
The Llangefni spot men,
John Boardman, Lloyd and Caerwyn Roberts were all on target, but Steven
Kehoe had his kick saved by Wesson and Darren Thomas blasted wide. The
defining moment was left to Craig Ford and the former Newport County academy
starlet made no mistake to spark the victory celebrations.
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Breezey does it again for
Queen's Park
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A RECORD crowd for a Welsh Cup
game at the Queensway International Stadium witnessed GAP Queens Park
rewrite the history books by reaching the last eight of the competition for
the first time by defeating Caerleon 2-0.
Rocked by injuries and
ineligibility, GAP shuffled their pack and manager Levi Roberts was forced
into making five changes from the team that defeated Ruthin last week.
Midfielder Kevin Breeze was
once again deployed as makeshift striker and his opening goal after 15
minutes was his 10th goal in his last six starts.
Caerleon clearly had not
come just to make up the numbers and they finished the opening half slightly
on top, with GAP ’keeper Adam McGee saving fine efforts from Chris Pearce
and Luke Cueto.
GAP did up the tempo after
the break, with former Welsh Premier midfielder Ricky Evans pulling the
strings alongside skipper Colin Quirk, and what little did get past them was
adequately dealt with by Gareth Rhys Roberts and Mark Hobson, making his
Welsh Cup debut.
GAP were so much on top
that McGee became a mere passenger, and it was no surprise GAP doubled their
lead through Paul Brunt in the 63rd minute, beating Caerleon ’keeper John
Chorley with a fine curling shot from distance.
Caerleon heads dropped and
GAP were merely content to soak up the pressure to see the game out.
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Keeper Mullock foils
Aberaman
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WITH little to show from their
league campaign NEWI Cefn Druids were looking to salvage something from the
season by scalping ENTO Aberaman.
They went into the tie as
favourites but the visitors couldn’t have read the script and it was
difficult to work out which was the Premier Division side.
Granted, NEWI won the
better of the early exchanges with Karl Connolly creating two great chances
for Mike Heverin.
The best opportunity of the
first half fell to ace predator Chris Summers with a free header which was
thwarted by NEWI keeper Chris Mullock.
Both sides had decent
chances to win the tie. The game and extra time ended goal-less and the
match hero proved to be keeper Mullock, who saved the fourth ENTO spot kick
from Grant Thomas at a time when Cefn had netted all five of their
penalties.
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Brandy boost for Swans
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Substitute Febian Brandy's
second goal in as many games ensured leaders Swansea kept up their promotion
push.
The striker, on loan from
Manchester United, raced onto Guillem Bauza's pass to drill home five
minutes from time.
Swansea had taken the lead
after 67 minutes when Gary McDonald put Jason Scotland's cut-back into his
own net.
Craig Davies levelled nine
minutes later from the spot after he was brought down in the box by Ferrie
Bodde before Brandy secured the points.
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Cardiff suffer defeat at
Stoke
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Cardiff succumbed to their
first defeat of 2008 at play-off rivals Stoke.
The Potters were gifted the
lead by a bizarre Roger Johnson own goal before Ricardo Fuller added Stoke's
second from the penalty spot.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
scored on the hour to give Cardiff hope and he should have scored minutes
later after being put through one-on-one.
But keeper Steve Simonsen
saved as Stoke continued their good run of just one defeat in 14
Championship games.
Jones said
"Their second goal is a poor goal to concede because it has come from
our corner and Kevin tried to out-muscle a tank.
"Kevin needed to be
cleverer as if someone is a lot stronger than you, then don't show your
weakness.
"Kevin has good pace
and if he allows Fuller to head it on, Kevin would have just swept it up and
they'd be no danger of conceding a penalty.
"But overall our tempo
wasn't high enough and while we didn't deserve to lose the game, we didn't
deserve to win it."
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Dragons off bottom with
Quakers win
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Wrexham climbed off the bottom
of the table as goals from Steve Evans and Michael Proctor to extended their
unbeaten run to four matches.
Evans put the home side
ahead after 21 minutes with a powerful header from a retaken corner by Danny
Sonner.
Sonner also made chances
for Stuart Nicholson and Drewe Broughton as the Dragons dominated
proceedings.
Promotion-hunting
Darlington tried to get back into it but substitute Proctor sealed the win
in the 86th minute.
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Gwent pair up for the cup
challenge
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CAERLEON
and Newport YMCA both face North Wales opposition on Saturday when victory
will earn them a place in the last eight of the Welsh Cup - and a guaranteed
pay-day of at least £5,000.
Caerleon
travel to tackle Wrexham-based Huws Gray Cymru Alliance outfit GAP Queen's
Park while YMCA will have home advantage against Principality Welsh Premier
League strugglers Llangefni Town.
The form
book shows the Gwent duo have a good chance to progress to the
quarter-finals, especially YMCA, who are the county's highest placed
MacWhirter Welsh League side in seventh position in Division One.
The
Mendgalfief Road side will rely on strike duo Lewis Sommers and Aaron
Stewart, who have netted 22 and 15 times, respectively, this season, for
their goals - although it's been team displays which has seen their
last-seven-match record read: won four, drawn two and lost only one (4-2 on
penalties after extra time against Swansea-based West End in a Nathaniel Cup
game).
Relegation-threatened
Llangefni, on the other hand, have managed to produce just one victory, a
couple of draws and seven defeats in their last 10 outings.
That form
led to this week's sacking of player-manager Alex Kevin, who was only
appointed a month ago.
"It's
of little interest to us that they haven't got a manager because we're only
concentrating on winning, " said YMCA manager Mark Coldrick, who has
only young striker Michael Palmer missing because of suspension. "Wer've
prepared well and will give it our best shot."
After being
exempt from the Welsh Cup first round, Llangefni have reached this stage by
beating Hawarden Rangers 5-0 and Mynydd Isa 3-0.
YMCA have
taken advantage of being drawn at home three times already by defeating
Gotyre 2-0, Cambrian & Clydach 4-1 and WPL side and then-holders
Carmarthen Town 2-1.
Ninth-placed
Caerleon are unbeaten in four league and cup matches, but face a tougher
task against GAP Queen's Park, who've not lost since December 22 - seven
games ago.
However
they will welcome back attacking midfielder Luke Cueto from suspension to
form a full-strength squad.
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Ford revved up for the
big one
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BRYNTIRION
Athletic play Welshpool Town tomorrow in one of the biggest matches in the
Britdgend-based clubs history.
Manager
Fran Ford and his Bryntirion team are chasing a trophy treble in the
MacWhirter Welsh League, Welsh Cup and Nathaniel Car Sales League Cup.
They are
well placed in the league, through to the last 16 in the Welsh Cup and in
the semi-finals of the Nathaniel Car Sales Cup where they take on
Croesyceiliog.
Welshpool,
from the Principality Welsh Premier League, are at Bryntirion tomorrow and
manager Ford said: "This is a big test and a big match for us.
"It
will be a memorable day for Bryntirion and hopefully we can produce our best
form."
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Goyts new boy ready for
Cwmbran
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Leaders
Goytre United have signed Dale Gardiner from Dinas Powys ahead of tomorrow's
trip to Cwmbran.The former Maesteg Park and Neath Athletic midfield player
goes straight into the squad along with Ryan Penny and Ryan Durham.
Ian Turner, who had been linked with both Afan Lido and Port Talbot during
the January transfer window, has decided to remain at Glenhafod Park.
However, top-scorer Richard Ryan, who got the winner in a 1-0 win at Port
Talbot in a midweek friendly, misses out because of suspension.
An
interesting debutant for Port Talbot was Bryntirion top scorer Robbie
Walters, who misses the Bridgend side's Welsh Cup clash with Welshpool
tomorrow through a ban.
The Blues were yesterday mounting an 11th-hour bid to prise Walters away
from Bryntirion.
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Barry looking for six on
the trot
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BARRY Town
aim for a sixth successive MacWhirter Welsh League win when they take on
West End at Jenner Park tomorrow.
Barry are
in first place on goal difference with Uwic and Ely Rangers, with Bettws a
point adrift in fourth place.
Both Uwic
and Ely are also at home. The students play Garden Village, while Ely
entertain Treharris Athletic at their Wenvoe home.
Barry,
guided by manager Gavin Chesterfield, are pressing hard for promotion out of
Division Two.
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Cardiff fired up for
Stoke return
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Dave Jones says the Bluebirds
begin a new phase as marked men when they travel to fourth-placed Stoke City
in the Championship on Saturday.
January's manager of the
month said his award sent a clear signal to rivals as Cardiff planned to
avenge The Potters' 1-0 August win at Ninian Park.
Jones hopes the club can
continue to revel in the positive vibes generated by rising to seventh in
the table.
"People are now
starting to notice us, the award tells you that," said Jones.
"But we've been slowly
building and slowly getting stronger as a group of people.
"I think people forget
as well that we've brought a lot of new players as well and it does take
time to settle it all down.
"We had to do that if
we were going to get better. Hopefully at the end of the season we'll bring
in new faces again and we'll get stronger and stronger each year - that's
growing as a football club."
The Bluebirds manager said:
"There's so much going on it's great. Players will come in on a day off
and do a little bit extra.
"It's fantastic at the
moment and it's a pleasure to be manager of the club because when things are
going well it's always a nice place to be.
"We'd all love bags of
money and to get there that little bit quicker with everything, but I think
the fans are now starting to believe.
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TNS strengthen with
capture of Rover Henry
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THE New Saints have
strengthened their bid to retain the title by signing Tranmere Rovers
midfielder Paul Henry on loan until the end of the season, reports the
Club's Official Website.
The arrival of Henry, just
before the January transfer window closed on Thursday will be excellent news
to boss Ken McKenna who now has just the Principality Welsh Premier to
concentrate on following elimination from their last Cup Competition, the
Premier Cup in midweek.
The 20-year-old, captained
the Prenton Park outfit's reserves last season and signed his second
professional contract with the club in July after another season of
impressive performances. A nephew of former Rovers' midfielder Nick Henry,
he can play in the centre of midfield or defence and made his League One
debut against Luton Town this season after appearing as a sub against
Doncaster Rovers.
Henry is the second signing
this month for the Saints' manager Ken McKenna, who also signed former
Rochdale striker Kevin Townson last week, who debuted against Carmarthen
Town on Tuesday night
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Swansea look for Oldham
revenge
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Swansea boss Roberto Martinez
says his table-topping side will want to avenge an opening day 2-1 loss at
Oldham in Saturday's Liberty Stadium rematch.
"It really hurt that
day, we put in a good performance but didn't get what we deserved,"
Martinez told BBC Sport.
"We know how tough
Oldham will be this time, but we have to be ready and keep up our
consistency levels at home."
The Swans lead the table by
10 points and have not been defeated in League One since 16 November.
Martinez claimed the
division's manager of the month prize for January, his second successive
award and his third of the season.
But the Swansea boss was
disappointed to learn that wing Paul Anderson will be out for a month with
the calf strain he suffered at Nottingham Forest, and that Andrea Orlandi is
expected to miss eight weeks after his knee operation.
"It's a big blow to
lose any member of your squad, but it's a long season and you have to expect
it," said Martinez.
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Fifa to look at keeper
Forde's case
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CARDIFF City goalkeeper David
Forde’s future is to be decided by Fifa.
They will rule on a loan
move to Dundee United after the Scottish FA blocked the transfer.
The Scots insist that as
Forde has already played in two countries – England and Wales – he
cannot now move to a third.
Forde played in the 1-0 FAW
Premier Cup win against Welshpool Town last week – and that, say the
Scottish FA, means he has played in two countries already.
The Football Association of
Wales have written to Fifa arguing Cardiff City’s case.
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Manager Jones wins
monthly award
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Cardiff City's play-off push
has earned manager Dave Jones the Championship's manager of the month award.
The Bluebirds boss won the
January accolade after guiding his team to three wins and a draw last month.
Jones' position was under
threat in November after a poor start but he has transformed Cardiff to the
form team of the Championship.
The other contenders were
Gary Johnson of Bristol City, Owen Coyle of Burnley and Norwich City's Glenn
Roeder.
Cardiff chairman Peter
Ridsdale threatened Jones with the sack in November following a dismal run
of just one league win in 10 which left the Bluebirds out of the relegation
zone only on goal difference
But Ridsdale and the
Cardiff City board gave the manager a vote of confidence and since Cardiff
have lost just twice in 14 Championship games and are now only a point
outside the play-offs.
Jones, who has also guided
Cardiff to the FA Cup fifth round for the first time in 14 years, said:
"Football management
is a precarious job and this award shows how things can change very quickly.
"We are in a business
that is emotionally run and sometimes people's emotions run higher than they
should.
"Thankfully we've
turned it around and everyone loves us again but it has been a team effort,
the camaraderie here is great.
"Awards are always
satisfying and it is something to show the boys for all of their hard work.
"The award is a big
pat on the back for the team but it is early days, we want to win trophies
at the end of the season."
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Martinez scoops monthly
accolade
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Swansea City manager Roberto
Martinez has been named as League One's manager of the month for January.
Martinez beat off the
challenge of Cheltenham's Keith Downing, Sean O'Driscoll of Doncaster and
Northampton's Stuart Gray.
The Swans' last loss in the
league they lead by 10 points was 16 November, with four wins and two draws
in January.
Martinez also claimed the
prize in December and October in an impressive first full season in charge.
Martinez said that the
prize was a tribute to everyone at Swansea City.
"It's always nice to
get an award, but I'll take it for all the staff and players at the club,
it's an extra boost for us," he told BBC Sport Wales.
"Consistency is the
hardest thing to achieve in sport, and to have won the prize in consecutive
months is a great reward for us."
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Young Bluebirds too
strong for Bryntirion
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GOALS from Leigh Smith, Rhys
Kelleher and substitute Nathan Jarvis steered Cardiff City through to the
Welsh Youth Cup quarter-finals with a 3-0 victory at Bryntirion Athletic
last night.
More than 300 spectators, a
record for any match at Bryntirion's ground, watched a young Bluebirds team
overcome the home side, who play in the MacWhirter Welsh Youth League.
City’s reward is an away
tie against Cardiff Celts at University Playing Fields, Llanrumney on or
before February 24.
Last night’s match, which
was watched by City manager Dave Jones and chairman Peter Ridsdale, produced
some good football from both teams in wet and difficult conditions, but
Cardiff had the edge and took their chances well.
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