The official website of Port Talbot Town Football Club
February 24, 2012 Leave a Comment
Our latest fixture poster is now available for download for our forthcoming Welsh Premier fixtures against Newtown and Airbus UK Broughton.
Click the below link to download the poster. Please feel free to help promote at your local shops, workplace,clubs, schools, colleges etc.
Posters courtesy of Mark Pitman.
February 22, 2012 Leave a Comment
Port Talbot Town Football Club can confirm that we are currently investigating an alleged incident relating to Tuesday evening’s match against Afan Lido.
The club are currently conducting an investigation into the matter and are closely liaising with our neighbours Afan Lido FC. Appropriate action will be immediately taken upon our findings, as part of our zero tolerance policy to unacceptable behaviour within the club.
We are treating this matter very seriously and we reiterate that Port Talbot Town Football Club will not accept any form of offensive or improper behaviour.
February 21, 2012 Leave a Comment
Port Talbot Town’s League Cup hopes were set-back on Tuesday evening after being handed a 2-0 first-leg defeat by Afan Lido.
Former Steelmen Danny Thomas and Kristian James inflicted the damage with goals either side of half-time in what was a disappointing night for Mark Jones’ side.
The first-half was something of a slow burner with chances few and far between early on. Sacha Walter’s was the first to test the Afan Lido goal, sending a first time shot into Craig Morris. And Walters was again involved against his former side with an ambitious attempt from distance sailing over the bar.
As Port Talbot looked to settle, Paul Keddle’s free-kick from wide was met by Paul Cochlin but the central defender steered his shot wide of goal. And Martin Rose snatched as the ball flashed past goal.
Despite their control, Port Talbot would find themselves trailing at the interval. Shane Williams split the Town defence with a hooked ball into the path of Danny Thomas who confidently fired the visitors ahead.
The goal shocked Cortez Belle into an almost immediate response, forcing Craig Morris to acrobatically tip the ball over the bar and the Port Talbot skipper again threatened with an audacious strike from all over 35 yards, which whistled pass the upright on the stroke of half-time.
Worse was to come in the second period as the Steelmen quickly found themselves trailing by two goals as Kristian James extended Lido’s lead with a 48th minute effort.
Port Talbot were able to offer little in response as Mark Jones reshuffled his pack introducing Craig Jones and Gareth Phillips for Paul Cochlin and Leigh De-Vulgt, as Cortez Belle paired up with James Bloom in the heart of Town’s defence.
PORT TALBOT TOWN 0-2 AFAN LIDO
Danny Thomas 40’, Kristian James 47’
Port Talbot: David Burnett, Aaron Biddescombe, Paul Keddle, Sacha Walters, Leigh De-Vulgt (Craig Jones 54′), Paul Cochlin (Gareth Phillips 54′), Lee John, David Brooks, Martin Rose, Cortez Belle, James Bloom
Afan Lido: Craig Morris, Daniel Sheehan, Samuel Hodge, Craig Hanford, Liam Hancock, Anthony Finselbach, Kristian James, Alex Rickett (Andy Hill 76′), Daniel Thomas (Mark Jones 60′), Liam Thomas, Shane Williams (Leon Jeanne 71′)
Attendance:135 Referee: Kevin Morgan
All images courtesy of Gareth Elms
February 20, 2012 Leave a Comment
Port Talbot Town welcome familiar opposition once again to the Gen-Quip in Tuesday night (7:30) as neighbours Afan Lido visit in the first leg of the League Cup second round.
Both teams picked a point on the road in the league over the weekend, with Mark Jones satisfied with Port Talbot’s result at Aberystwyth Town.
“It was important we didn’t lose this one but we should have wrapped it up by half-time. It was the proverbial game of two halves and a draw was about right in the end,” Jones told the Evening Post.
Rookie forward Richard Greaves strengthened his growing reputation with a superbly taken goal but Aberystwyth turned the game with their second-half equaliser, in what was an encouraging performance from the Blues.
Greaves is again likely to feature on Tuesday but strike partner Martin Rose could miss out. David Brooks however could return after completing his two match ban, for his sending off in the previous clash against Lido.
Form: WLLWD
Last encounter at the Gen-Quip: Friday 10th February 2012 – Afan Lido recorded a 2-1 victory at an eventful night at the Gen-Quip, as Paul Cochlin and David Brooks both saw red after Rose had put the Steelmen ahead. The dismissals proved to be the turning point of the match with Lido equalising soon after before going on to finally add a second late on, with Cortez Belle becoming the third player to be dismissed late on.
One to watch: Leon Jeanne – The in-form wingman struck twice in the recent league encounter between the two sides and rescued a point for Afan Lido against Newtown on the weekend.
Admission: £7 adults, £5 concessions/students, £1 under 16′s
All student and junior/academy entry is strictly subject to proof of identification
February 20, 2012 Leave a Comment
There were positive results involving both of the club’s girls sides as the Under-12’s won and drew whilst the Under-14’s recorded a hard-fought win against Dinas Powys, ahead of their big Tesco Cup semi-final at the Gen-Quip stadium on Wednesday.
(Contributions from Michael Noakes & John Kearle) Read more of this post
February 20, 2012 Leave a Comment
Neil Ruddock (centre) joins club chairman Andrew Edwards (left) and first-team manager Mark Jones (right)
The club enjoyed another successful Sports Dinner last Thursday at Blanco’s, with special guest Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock.
The audience enjoyed many of the stories told by the former Liverpool, Tottenham, West Ham and England defender, as well as the superb hospitality provided by Blanco’s.
The club were well represented at the evening by both the first-team and academy set-up and Port Talbot Town would once again like to thank everyone for such a fantastic night.
Images taken by Gareth Elms
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February 20, 2012 Leave a Comment
Port Talbot’s Under-19’s continued to ascend the MacWhirter Welsh Youth Division West on Sunday with a deserved 2-0 win at Merthyr Town.
Curtis Hutson broke the deadlock minutes before the interval whilst Sam France capped off a memorable week by netting the winner.
Mark Pike’s side quickly settled as they controlled possession and looked to stretch the hosts in the opening stages. But it took until the 40th minute for Port Talbot to break the deadlock, as Curtis Hutson stole in with a fine header. The boys continued to press for a second after the break and having made his first senior appearance, as a substitute in the first-team’s victory over Carmarthen last Tuesday, Sam France scored what proved to be the decisive goal with a great strike on 65 minutes. Several chances again went begging as Port Talbot searched for a third and Callum Holden, Roberto Freitas and Hutson all went close but failed to find the back of the net.
“It is important that we continue to create chances, the way we’re playing is magnificent at the moment and we just hope that we can continue to sustain this level of quality until the end of season,” explained Mark Pike.
“The strength and character shown by the youngsters was superb,” he added.
Pikes squad has been bolstered with another signing, as Dale Morris who made his debut from the substitute’s bench.
U-19’s: Martin, Morgan, L. Edwards (Michaels), Parry, Biddescombe, Iles, France, Silva, Hutson, Holden (J. Edwards), R. Freitas (Morris)
February 18, 2012 Leave a Comment
Images courtesy of Aneurin Venables
Richard Greaves was again on target on Friday night but Port Talbot were forced to share the points as hosts Aberystwyth snatched a 1-1 draw.
The Blues went from strength to strength after Greaves’ cool finish put Mark Jones’ side ahead on 16 minutes. Port Talbot enjoyed control of the game for large periods throughout but failed to put Aberystwyth to the sword before Josh Shaw cancelled out the lead.
Mark Jones welcomed back Paul Cochlin, Cortez Belle and Martin Rose for the visit to Park Avenue, whilst recent additions Richard Greaves and James Bloom retained their place in the starting line-up which saw Dylan Blain and Lewis Harlin both ruled out through injury.
And it was two of club’s January transfer window arrivals which would combine early on to threaten the Aberystwyth goal as Greaves headed Bloom’s cross into the arms of Steve Cann. Following his impressive showing midweek against Carmarthen, Greaves was not to disappoint in his first full Welsh Premier League start and tucking the ball away with aplom, after latching on to Leigh De-Vulgt’s direct ball.
With Nicky Holland containing Aber’s lively playmaker, Geoff Kellaway, the Blues went from strength-to-strength enjoying sustained periods of pressure with Lee John and Rose both going close to extending the advantage at the break.
A strong start to the second-half followed and Greaves again found himself in a great position to add to the lead but opted to look for the pass to the incoming Martin Rose. But the Blues’ dominance was undermined midway through when the lively Josh MacAuley got the better of the Blues defence and substitute Josh Shaw pounced to fire in an Aber equaliser against the run of play. Having drawn level, Aber were stirred into action with MacAuley and Sean Thornton on growing in influence. Both sides saw claims for a penalties waved away Mark Petch and Port Talbot were forced to settle for a point.
PORT TALBOT TOWN 1-1 ABERYSTWYTH
Richard Greaves 16’ Josh Shaw 66’
Port Talbot: Kristian Rogers, Nicky Holland, Paul Keddle, Gareth Phillips (Craig Jones 70′), Leigh de Vulgt, Paul Cochlin (Sasha Walters 70′), Lee John, Richard Greaves, Martin Rose, Cortez Belle, James Bloom
Aberystwyth: Steve Cann, Krzystzof Nalborski, Michael Howard, Aneurin Thomas (Liam James 65′), Sion James, Wyn Thomas, Geoff Kellaway, Sean Thornton, Chris Llewellyn (Josh Shaw 59′), Josh MacAuley, Andy Parkinson
Attendance:296 Referee: Mark Petch
February 14, 2012 Leave a Comment
(Gareth Elms)
Port Talbot ran out 3-1 winners on Tuesday night to set up another cup date with neighbours Afan Lido, after advancing past Carmarthen Town 3-2 on aggregate in the League Cup first round.
Trailing 1-0 from the first-leg, Richard Greaves eased any Port Talbot nerves scoring his first goal for the club, heading in on seven minutes. Chris Hartland extended the lead as the Blues enjoyed a strong spell late in the second-half, before Sacha Walters fired low to put the result beyond doubt soon after. Steffan Williams grabbed an injury time consolation for the visitors.
With the suspended trio of Cortez Belle, Paul Cochlin and David Brooks all absent, Mark Jones handed a debut to recently acquired defender James Bloom and Richard Greaves made his first start for the club, with Martin Rose failing to shake off a knock he picked up against Afan Lido. Academy prospects Chris Silva and Sam France were named on the bench whilst Carmarthen opted to rest a string of first-team players.
Defending the Burns Road End in the first-half, Port Talbot were handed an early warning as Steffan William’s clipped the right angle of Kristian Rogers’ goal. Port Talbot soon found themselves on level terms over both legs however as Richard Greaves opened his goalscoring account for the club on 7 minutes. The former Ely Rangers man headed into the top corner at the near post after meeting Sacha Walter’s precision cross from the right flank.
The Blues’ looked to have doubled their lead briefly when Hartland turned the ball in from a corner but play was stopped for an infringement, much to the disappointment of Hartland who was booked for his protests.
Port Talbot continued to press for a second with and Greaves could’ve have doubled his talley following Hartland’s threaded through ball, but pulled his shot wide past the far post.
Greaves continued to be involved, heading the ball down to Dylan Blain who fired over the bar. Minutes later Blain’s night came to an early end after a sustaining a head injury in an collision for the ball, with Nicky Holland taking to the field.
With the game fizzling out towards the latter stages of the first period, Nick Harrhy perhaps should’ve done better for the visitors after dispossessing Paul Keddle, but blazed his shot wide.
The start of the second-half saw the welcome introduction of Craig Jones, who made his long awaited return back from injury, replacing Gareth Phillips. And Port Talbot found themselves on the back-foot early on, with Kristian Rogers needing to be alert to turn Steffan William’s rasping shot past the post.
With both teams failing to settle after the break, it took until the 66th minute for Port Talbot to threaten the Carmarthen goal, when Aaron Biddescombe fizzed a low cross across the goalmouth, with the ball just beyond the reach of Chris Hartland; whilst Richard Greaves was once again lively in the goalmouth with ‘keeper Mark Hannington needing two attempts to retrieve the ball from his attempt.
And with the Blues dominant, the second goal of the night duly arrived in the 76th minute. Chris Hartland netted his third of the season, heading the ball beyond the reach of Hannington to give Port Talbot a 2-1 aggregate scoreline.
In the closing stages, Port Talbot continued to muster a decisive third. The impressive Greaves again found himself troubling the Old Gold as he swiftly turned and shot towards the top hand corner but found Hannington equal to his strike, palming the ball away. And with four minutes remaining Sacha Walters fired in a third to put the tie beyond doubt.
An injury time breakaway saw Steffan Williams breach the Blues defence, poking the ball past Rogers but the strike proved to be nothing more than a consolation for the West Walians with Port Talbot deserved winners.
PORT TALBOT TOWN 3-1 CARMARTHEN TOWN (3-2 AGG)
Richard Greaves 7’, Chris Hartland 76′, Sacha Walters 86′ Steffan Williams 90’+1
Port Talbot: Kristian Rogers, Aaron Biddescombe, Paul Keddle, Gareth Phillips (Craig Jones 46′), Leigh De-Vulgt, James Bloom, Lee John (Sam France 88′), Dylan Blain (Nicky Holland 33′), Richard Greaves, Chris Hartland, Sacha Walters
Carmarthen: Mark Hannington, Lewis Jones, Ashley Williams, Steve Berry, Iestyn Evans, Kieran Howard, Sam Wilson, Corey Thomas (Callum Deadman 38′), Dan MacDonald (Andrew Mathias 61′), Nick Harrhy, Steffan Williams
Attendance: 122 Referee: Mark Whitby
All images courtesy of Gareth Elms
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February 14, 2012 Leave a Comment
Port Talbot can set up another cup clash with Afan Lido if they can overcome a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Carmarthen Town tonight at the Gen-Quip stadium (7:30).
The Blues trail following last month’s first leg defeat at Richmond Park and Mark Jones will be looking to resume to winning ways against his former club in the League Cup, after seeing his side come away empty-handed in last Friday’s controversial derby.
“We were coasting at 1-0 and playing well but with nine men we were really up against it,” Jones told the Evening Post.
“The lads who stayed on the pitch were magnificent and they are devastated that we did not hang on for a point.”
(Gareth Elms)
Paul Cochlin, David Brookes and Cortez Belle all sit out through suspension whilst Lewis Harlin is also a doubt as Mark Jones is forced to reshuffle his side in what is a must-win game for the Steelmen.
Mark Aizlewood’s Carmarthen could make changes following their 2-2 draw with Aberystwyth on the weekend with player/coach Neil Smothers expected to miss out.
Form: WWWWD
Last encounter at the Gen-Quip: Friday 28th October 2011 – In the absence of the injured Cortez Belle, Martin Rose marked his return to the side with a goal in either half as Port Talbot recorded a 2-0 win.
One to watch: Jonathon Hood –amongst the goals at Afan Lido, Hood was snapped up by the Old Gold in the January transfer window.
Admission: £7 adults, £5 concessions/students, £1 under 16′s
All student and junior/academy entry is strictly subject to proof of identification
