Season ends with play-off heartbreak

The Port Talbot supporters created an electric atmosphere for the final (Gareth Elms).

A late goal from Bala’s John Irving saw Port Talbot Town’s European aspirations put on hold for another year following an afternoon high in tension and drama at the GenQuip stadium.

The Bala Town full-back made the breakthrough just two-minutes before the end of normal time, clinically driving the ball across the crowded goalmouth low into the bottom corner.

In a game which saw both sides have strong appeals for penalties waved away by the referee Mark Petch and a fine display of goalkeeping by Port Talbot’ s Steven Hall, it was Bala who shaded a narrow victory to win the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League play-off final.

And although the result leaves Port Talbot empty-handed, chairman Andrew Edwards was upbeat about the progression made this season.

“We have a very good manager in charge in Scott Young and a very good group of players at the club which is very encouraging for the future,” he said during the club’s end of season presentation.

Ashley Evans contests for the ball (Gareth Elms).

16-goal David Brooks took both the club’s Top-Scorer and Player of the Year awards, whilst David Burnett was named Clubman of the Year.

Brooks also went on to receive the Supporter’s Player of the Year award.

For the Under-19’s Jordan Edwards received the Top-Scorer award, Ryan Morgan collected Players’ Player of the Year and Evan Corocan was handed Clubman of the Year.

Plans for the next season are already underway and we will be making announcements on the first of our pre-season fixtures and season tickets very shortly.

We would also like to express our gratitude to our loyal supporters for their incredible support, once again, over the course of the season.

Quality shines through as Steelmen head into Euro play-off final

Smiles all round as the Steelmen head into the play-off final (Gareth Elms)

Port Talbot Town’s hopes of European football took another step to fruition on Saturday as the Steelmen reached the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League play-off final, by overcoming Carmarthen Town.

The bumper crowd at the GenQuip stadium were not left disappointed as David Brooks’ 71st-minute effort finally unlocked a stubborn Carmarthen team, to put Scott Young’s side within 90-minutes of Europa League qualification.

Carmarthen’s intentions of not allowing Port Talbot to settle were clear from the off, as the Old Gold snapped on the heels of the hosts with neither side finding time to settle in possession. But the Blues’ quality eventually shone through.

“It was always going to a difficult game for us today, with our local rivals coming to our own patch but in the end I think we deserved it,” said a delighted Scott Young following the game. “The lads have been fantastic in their attitude and desire to match Carmarthen, and our quality came out at the end.”

James Bloom and David Brooks combined well down the left only for Carl Payne to shoot narrowly wide and Carmarthen full-back Luke Cummings made enough ground to make a crucial interception, after Martin Rose was played through by Ashley Evans’ splitting ball, in a first-half which was limited in chances for the Steelmen. The best opportunity of the goalless opening 45-minutes fell to Carmarthen when Corey Thomas’ delivery from the right was met by Christian Doidge, whose diving header flashed dangerously past Steven Hall’s goal.

And as the second-half continued in similar vein to the first, it was vital that Port Talbot remained organised and disciplined in their attempts to force an opening. And midway through, Port Talbot’s quality finally proved decisive.

Lewis Harling carried the ball forward and set David Brooks free inside the area with a measured pass to leave the in-form winger to manoeuvre his body to find space and pick his spot before striking the ball low past goalkeeper Steven Cann with Paul Fowler, on the goal-line, helpless to deflect the shot away.

Brooks immediately ran straight to the fans gathered behind the goal, who had been constant in their vocal support throughout the afternoon as the Blues took a major step towards reaching the final.

Mark Aizlewood was immediate in his response from the touchline however, sending on Craig Hughes for make-shift centre-forward Carl Evans to bolster the Carmarthen front-line. But as Aizlewood’s side played with less caution, the game became stretched and Port Talbot were finding more space to probe in the middle of the park.

Payne and Brooks both saw chances to seal the game flash by them and in the final stages, substitutes Sacha Walters and Adam Wright did well to set up Harling who shot straight at Cann, shortly before the referee called time, confirming a famous victory for Scott Young’s men.

Port Talbot are now just one game away from a place in next season’s UEFA Europa League and will face Bala Town at the GenQuip stadium in next Saturday’s play-off final (3pm).

PORT TALBOT TOWN 1-0 CARMARTHEN TOWN
Brooks 71′

Port Talbot: 29. Steven Hall, 9. Martin Rose (18. Adam Wright 87′), 24. Ryan Green, 4. Ashley Evans, 5. Lee Surman, 6. James Bloom, 7. Lee John, 8. Lewis Harling, 10. Cortez Belle, 14. Carl Payne, 39. David Brooks (21. Sacha Walters 85′). Subs not used: 12. Leigh De Vulgt, 25. David Burnett (gk)

Carmarthen: 1. Steven Cann, 3. Ian Hillier (36. Casey Thomas 80′), 26. Luke Cummings, 5. Matthew Rees, 24. Craig Hanford, 8.Paul Fowler, 16. Nicky Palmer, 2. Corey Thomas, 25. Liam McCreesh (21. Iestyn Evans 80′), 6. Carl Evans (9.Craig Hughes 73′), 30. Christian Doidge. Subs not used: 15. Neil Smothers, 35. Kerry Nicholas (gk)

Referee: Nick Pratt Attendance: 410

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Images courtesy of Gareth Elms.

Steelmen set sights on Play-Off’s after Airbus UK win

David Brooks bagged his 15th goal of the season as Port Talbot signed off their league campaign with a 1-0 victory over Euro-bound Airbus UK Broughton.

Brooks fired Town ahead inside the final ten minutes of a mild-mannered encounter at the GenQuip stadium, as Scott Young’s side prepare to mount a charge of their own for European qualification via the Play-Off’s.

Port Talbot were already assured of fourth-place as they completed their top-six fixtures but enter the Play-Off’s, which commence in two weeks’ time, on the back of a four-game unbeaten run.

“The top-six is in the past now, we finished the season on a high and it was important that we got a good result and performance out of today,” said Scott Young following the game. “It’s a fresh start now, we have four or five training sessions before the play-off game which will allow us to prepare well and to see where it takes us.”

The game was largely a forgettable affair, portraying a typical end of season encounter with both teams having little to play for. Changes were made throughout both sides, with Martin Rose and Lee John notable omissions from a Port Talbot line-up which saw six changes from last weekend’s tie at Carmarthen, with Lee Surman returning from suspension.

With Airbus having already sewn up second place in the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League and a place in next season’s UEFA Europa League, neither team looked over-committed to assume control of the game and it was not until Steven Hall came out to block Steve Abbot’s shot did either side threaten to score and the mundane first-half fizzled out with neither side looking to force a change of tempo.

Lewis Harling failed to reappear for the start of the second-half after sustaining a blow to the head and was replaced by Sacha Walters whilst Ashley Evans was also withdrawn shortly after, for Leigh De-Vulgt to assume his holding midfield role.

Sam Hart drove a shot wide as the Wingmakers got bodies forward for the first-time since the restart and minutes later Cortez Belle’s low effort forced keeper Jamie Stephens to acrobatically tip the ball around the post as the two sides slowly began to show more aggression in the final third.

A number of misplaced passes in the Airbus midfield saw Port Talbot in the ascendency but the Steelmen were unable to find the break through.

Chad Bond momentarily thought he had been awarded a penalty after being sent tumbling inside the area when he was flagged for being offside and Lloyd Grist’s corner was fisted away by Stephens in the Airbus goal as Port Talbot sought the killer ball.

With twenty minutes remaining, the introduction of James Bloom saw Belle take up an more advanced position but Port Talbot suffered a scare when impressive youngster Zyiac Edwards nicely set up Hart, who saw his shot deflected wide.

And with the game seemingly heading towards a draw, Port Talbot grabbed the decisive goal as David Brooks found himself space to break into the box from the right, sending a low shot past the despairing Stephens.

The goal geed up both sides into abandoning the unforceful tempo that had immersed much of the game and the sudden shift almost benefited Airbus who came desperately close to replying through Steve Abbott. The striker forced a superb reaction save from Hall, who somehow pushed Abbot’s header from ten-yards behind for a corner.

The narrowest of margins saw Port Talbot take the victory but both teams were involved in scenes of celebrate at the full-time whistle. The champaign flowed as Airbus UK Broughton celebrated the completion of a season in which they achieved European qualification for the first time in their history, whilst Scott Young’s squad look towards the Play-Offs in high spirits after completing a four-game unbeaten stretch.

PORT TALBOT TOWN 1-0 AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON
Brooks 80′

Port Talbot: 29. Steven Hall, 11. Lloyd Grist, 4. Ashley Evans (12. Leigh De Vulgt 51′), 5. Lee Surman, 8. Lewis Harling (21. Sacha Walters 46′), 31. Chad Bond (6. James Bloom 70′), 18. Adam Wright, 39. David Brooks, 10. Cortez Belle, 14. Carl Payne, 24. Ryan Green Sub not used: 25. David Burnet

Airbus UK: 1. Jamie Stephens, 26. Lee Owens, 15. Sam Hart, 12. Phil Bolland, 25. Steve Tomassen, 4. Michael Roddy, 8. Kyle Armstrong, 11. Luke McCarthy (2. Zyiac Edwards 53′), 18. Jordan Johnson, 29. Steve Abbott, 10. Ryan Wade (32. Max Jenks-Gilbert 63′) Subs not used: 9. Chris Budrys, 7. Glenn Rule, 3. Lewis Short, 14. Wayne Riley, 6. Tom Field

Attendance: 150 Referee: Mark Petch

Steelmen in Old Gold stalemate

Manager Scott Young made a number of changes for this South Wales derby as Port Talbot and Carmarthen played out a goalless draw on Saturday writes Mark Pitman.

With a fourth-place finish assured, Chad Bond, Lewis Harling, Ashley Evans, David Brooks and goalkeeper Steven Hall were all named on the bench while defender Lee Surman completed his three-match suspension.

On a dry and bumpy Richmond Park surface, both sides struggled to control the ball in the opening exchanges, but it was Carmarthen that looked the more dangerous in possession, and the visitors defensive pairing of Cortez Belle and Ryan Green were called into action to prevent the home side from creating any clear-cut chances on goal.

Young had spoken before the game about avoiding injury ahead of the play-offs, but on 25 minutes Lloyd Grist limped out of the game and was replaced by Harling. The introduction of the midfielder offered Port Talbot Town more of a presence in the middle of the park and the scrappy game evened-up as a result. 

Referee Kevin Parry and his assistants soon became the centre of attention as niggling fouls added to both sides frustration, while Port Talbot created their first real opportunity on 30 minutes when Adam Wright skewed his effort wide of the post.

A series of corners before the break offered Carmarthen Town the opportunity to take the lead, but the dominant presence of Cortez Belle at the back prevented the home side from capitalising on their possessional advantage, although David Burnett in the Port Talbot Town goal was the busier of the two keepers as both sides went into half-time with no return for their respective efforts.

Former Port Talbot Town captain Matthew Rees was introduced by the home side just minutes into the second half and he offered Carmarthen the height that they had previously been missing at the back.

It continued to be a frustrating afternoon for both sides, with players from both sides choosing to question the decisions of the officials rather than their own performances. Big appeals for a Carmarthen penalty were waved away by referee Parry in one of the games more controversial incidents soon after the re-start.

The game finally swung in favour of Port Talbot Town on 69 minutes following the introduction of Chad Bond, and while the striker couldn’t celebrate his birthday with a goal, he did offer a different dimension to the visitors front-line and created a number of chances as he comfortably beat Rees for pace.

Denied by goalkeeper Steven Cann within minutes of his arrival, Bond continued to cause problems for the Carmarthen defence after replacing Martin Rose.

More controversy followed on 88 minutes when Ryan Green and former Port Talbot Town striker Craig Hughes clashed on the edge of the area, with both players being shown a yellow card for their part in the altercation.

Minutes later referee Parry brought the largely forgettable contest, and typical end of season affair, to a close.”

CARMARTHEN TOWN 0-0 PORT TALBOT TOWN

Super Steelmen turn on second-half style

Lloyd Grist finds his way past (Gareth Elms)

Port Talbot Town closed in on fourth place in the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League after powering their way to a 4-1 triumph against Prestatyn Town at the GenQuip stadium.

Mark Smyth drew first blood pouncing from close range to give Prestatyn the lead, much against the run of the play, but David Brooks’ coolly converted penalty ensured the Steelmen went in level at the break.

Martin Rose reacted quickest inside the six-yard box a minute after the restart to set the tempo for what would be a dominant second-half performance from Scott Young’s men.

Shortly after, Rose was again on hand to steer in Lloyd Grist’s low cross as Port Talbot went ahead and a delightful curling effort from Carl Payne sealed a deserved Town victory.

With Port Talbot seemingly finding their stride ahead of the Europa League play-offs, first-team coach Marc Cahill remains keen to keep the focus on the remaining league fixtures.

“We take every game as it comes, of course it’s good to get a win today and we’ll enjoy it this evening but we’ll be back to training in the week and looking to crack on again next weekend,” he said.

Despite being on the back foot from the off, it was Prestatyn who were first on the score sheet when right wing-back Dan Evans’ rebounded strike was smashed in past Steven Hall. The strike was somewhat against the grain of the initial stages of the contest but Port Talbot had no time to feel sorry for themselves, as Hall darted out from his goal to desperately save from feet of Carl Murray just moments later.

Ashley Evans thrived in the midfield battle as Port Talbot dominated.

Port Talbot did manage to regain their grip on the flow of the game however and when Chris Davies brought down Lloyd Grist inside the area, David Brooks dispatched the resulting penalty to claim his 14th goal of the season.

But soon after Prestatyn player/manager Neil Gibson was left furious after his side were only awarded a free-kick after he was felled by Lewis Harling right on the edge of area and Andy Parkinson could only fire the resulting set-piece straight into the Port Talbot wall.

If Scott Young and his coaching staff were left irked at Town’s ability to turn possession into chances in the first-half then they would have little to worry about in the second period as the Blues grabbed hold of the game from the off.

Within a minute of the restart, Martin Rose had given Port Talbot a 2-1 lead, side-footing Chad Bond’s delivery from the right flank.

Six minutes later, Rose claimed another poacher’s effort. Lloyd Grist’s the provider, as his surging run and low cross into box allowed the centre-forward to apply a close range finish.

The two-goal cushion only increased Port Talbot’s confidence and the Steelmen really began to find their stride as the half wore on and looked to force a fourth goal, controlling the game and working the ball across the field with Prestatyn pinned back deep into their half.

Prestatyn made all three substitutions in quick succession inside the final 15-minutes in a last-ditch attempt to wrestle control but it would be to no avail when one of substitute Carl Payne wrapped up a classy second-half showing and sealed the win with a delightful left-footed curling effort, which found its way in via the far post.

“We’ve got to be pleased with the boys, we asked them to change things at half-time and they did and came out and executed it very well,” explained Cahill. “I just thought we just needed to improve our quality in possession and stop them playing out from the back as easy as they did in the first and then show a bit more quality and composure when on the ball, which I thought was evident in the second-half.”

PORT TALBOT TOWN 4-1 PRESTATYN TOWN
Smyth 18′, Brooks 33′ pen, Rose 46′, 52′ Payne 84′

Port Talbot: 29. Steven Hall, 7. Lee John (24. Ryan Green 56′), 11. Lloyd Grist, 4. Ashley Evans, 12. Leigh De Vulgt, 6. James Bloom, 21. Sacha Walters (14. Carl Payne 74′), 8. Lewis Harling, 9. Martin Rose, 31. Chad Bond (18. Adam Wright 65′), 39. David Brooks. Sub not used: 25. David Burnett (gk)

Prestatyn: 25. Jonathan Hill-Dunt, 2. Chris Davies, 18. Martyn Beattie, 6. Gareth Wilson, 11. Ross Stephens (20. Rhys Owen 76′), 8. Neil Gibson, 12. Dan Evans (16. Daniel Davies 74′), 15. Mark Smyth, 9. Andy Parkinson, 10. Jason Price, 17. Carl Murray (21. Rhys Lewis 74′). Subs not used: 7. Michael Parker, 22. Anthony Stephens

Attendance: 163 Referee: Kevin Morgan

Last gasp City equaliser dashes Brooks’ brace

Port Talbot Town were denied all three points against Bangor City on Saturday after Les Davies’ late equaliser forced a point for the hosts, in an enthralling 3-3 draw at the Book People stadium.

A valiant performance from Port Talbot saw them take the lead three times against third-placed Bangor, with David Brooks taking his goal tally to thirteen with a second-half brace.

The Steelmen will be reluctant to take a point back to South Wales but the draw leaves Port Talbot fourth in the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League table, three points ahead of fifth-placed Prestatyn Town – the Blues’ next opponents (April 13).

Chad Bond marked his return to the side by firing the Blues in front on twenty-minutes, pouncing on the ball from close range.

But a goalmouth scramble at the other end saw Bangor go back on level terms on the stroke of half-time, as Chris Jones prodded the ball home for the Citizens.

David Brooks fired in his first of two of the afternoon from the penalty spot but Port Talbot again saw their lead cancelled out as Ryan Edwards latched onto Chris Simm’s pass to make it 2-2 in the 71st-minute.

A swift breakaway, six minutes later, saw Brooks apply the finish as Scott Young’s side again went in front but four minutes into added times, Port Talbot were setback when Les Davies turned and fired in a third for Bangor.

BANGOR CITY 3-3 PORT TALBOT TOWN
Bond 20’, Jones 43’, Brooks 56’, 77’, Edwards 71’, Davies 90’+4

Bangor: 1. Lee Idzi, 19. Damian Allen, 15. Kris Thomas (18. Liam Brownhill 66′), 9. Les Davies, 7. Chris Jones (11. Sion Edwards 66′), 20. Ryan Edwards, 6. Michael Johnston, 4. Dave Morley, 8. Robbie Booth (21. Jamie McDaid 86′), 3. Chris Roberts, 10. Chris Simm Subs not used: 24. Levi Mackin, 16. Gary O’Toole

Port Talbot: 29. Steven Hall, 11. Lloyd Grist, 12. Leigh De Vulgt, 6. James Bloom, 14. Carl Payne (21. Sacha Walters 10′), 7. Lee John, 4. Ashley Evans, 31. Chad Bond, 8. Lewis Harling, 39. David Brooks (18. Adam Wright 84′), 9. Martin Rose
Sub not used: 25. David Burnett

Attendance: 484 Referee: Brian James

Steelmen unable to stop Saints

(Gareth Elms)

Port Talbot Town were unable to make home advantage count as The New Saints strode to a 3-0 win at the GenQuip stadium on Sunday.

Mike Wilde and Aeron Edwards fired the visitors into a two-goal within half-hour of play at the GenQuip stadium.

And the afternoon was tinged in disappointment for the Steelmen when Jamie Mullan applied a late third before Lee Surman received a red card.

It was a high-tempo start from the Blues as Scott Young’s side snapped at the opposition from the off and Martin Rose and Surman both tested Saints stopper Craig Harrison early on.

Hesitancy from Surman and Steven Hall in dealing with Alex Darlington’s penetrative pass however, allowed Wilde to head the ball in the twelfth-minute, as the Saints quickly settled at the GenQuip following a troublesome journey from Oswestry.

As Port Talbot sought a way back into the game, David Brooks’ low effort was spilt out for a corner by Harrison, who then watched on nervously moments later when the resulting set-piece led to Carl Payne flashing an effort against the upright.

Perhaps fortunate to be ahead, Aeron Edwards’ composed finish on 28-minutes left the Steelmen with an uphill struggle
as the ball whistled helplessly past Hall and leaving Port Talbot with a two-goal deficit at half-time.

(Gareth Elms)

Despite the task that awaited Port Talbot, the Blues returned for the second period with renewed vigour enjoying a strong spell of possession that only lacked a goal.

Payne’s shot appeared to strike the arm of a TNS defender leading to strong claims for a penalty which were waved away by Kevin Morgan.

But the Saints wrapped things up when Mullan gratefully picked up Ashley Evans’ under-hit back-pass before dragging the ball past Hall and sealing the win, with two-minutes remaining, with an angled finish.

Circumstances would quickly worsen as Lee Surman received a straight red-card for his strong challenge late on, leaving Port Talbot to play out the final few minutes with ten-men.

PORT TALBOT TOWN 0-3 THE NEW SAINTS
Mike Wilde 12′ Aeron Edwards 29′ Jamie Mullan 88′ Lee Surman sent off ‘89

Port Talbot: 29. Steven Hall, 39. David Brooks, 6. James Bloom, 7. Lee John (31. Chad Bond 76′), 5. Lee Surman, 14. Carl Payne (21. Sacha Walters 84′), 24. Ryan Green, 8. Lewis Harling, 9. Martin Rose, 11. Lloyd Grist, 4. Ashley Evans
Subs not used: 12. Leigh De Vulgt, 18. Adam Wright, 25. David Burnett

TNS: 1. Paul Harrison, 2. Simon Spender, 3. Chris Marriott, 4. Phil Baker, 6. Kai Edwards, 7. Scott Ruscoe, 18. Mike Wilde, 11. Ryan Fraughan (14. Jamie Mullan 70′), 23. Aeron Edwards (10. Matthew Williams 46′), 20. Alex Darlington, 19. Chris Jones. Subs: 16. Connell Rawlinson, 9. Greg Draper, 22. Scott Quigley, 26. Aaron Simms, 27. Luke Douglas

Attendance: 215 Referee: Kevin Morgan

Town have wings clipped at Airbus

Town fall to Airbus defeat (Welsh-Premier.com)

Scott Young was left to rue a disappointing first-half display as Port Talbot fell to 2-0 defeat at Airbus UK.

Jason Jarrett gave Airbus a 13th-minute lead before the Wingmakers doubled their advantage through Steve Abbott two minutes before half-time.

Despite the result, Port Talbot remain well-poised in the table in fourth position with 39 points but Young cast a frustrated figure in the Away dug-out for much of the afternoon after seeing his side come away with a defeat, having previously storming their way to successive wins.

“It’s been a disappointing day, we’ve struggled in the first-half but to fair, credit to the lads for having a go in the second-half. When you come to places like this in the top-six you need to start well and we didn’t,” said the Town manager.

After an encouraging opening, Port Talbot faded quickly as Airbus asserted themselves on the game with the front three of Jarrett, Abbott and Wayne Riley looking to stretch a Town defence, who sorely missed the absent Ryan Green (unwell).

And it was Jarrett who finally made the hosts’ pressure pay-off as he outmuscled his marker to score from close range after a floated free-kick caused havoc in the Port Talbot penalty area.

The tide of pressure continued as Port Talbot struggled to settle and Airbus should’ve added a second soon after but Steven Hall denied Abbot’s point-blank attempt.

Frustrations continued and in a rare foray forward, Lloyd Grist’s inswinging corner bounced freely, unchallenged inside the six-yard area.

With the Steelmen pinned back in their own-half and reduced to desperately thrashing the ball away from their goalmouth, Abbott doubled Airbus’ lead shortly before half-time, as the striker claimed his tenth league goal of the season, firing past Hall from inside the box with the Town defence and sixes and sevens.

The second-half saw with it the introduction of Cortez Belle and David Brooks for Leigh De-Vulgt and James Bloom but it seemed that Port Talbot’s defensive frailties would continue in the second-half, when Abbott fired wide after bustling his way past both Belle and Lee Surman.

And efforts from Riley and Steve Tomassen were well-saved by Hall, with the latter forcing the Town keeper to spring up and make a finger tip save to guide the ball over the bar, with the keeper continuing his good spell of form.

The one-way flow of pressure eased in the second period as Brooks gave Port Talbot a much-needed outlet, as he looked to torment his opposite Lee Owens down the left flank. But the dogged Airbus defence cut out any looming threat as they quickly closed down around the edge of their area as the game descended into a scrappy midfield contest.

Young is certain to demand a quick response from his side with champions elect TNS visiting the GenQuip next Sunday, a game in which the Blues will be hoping to regain their previous spell of form in front of what is hoped to be a good home crowd.

AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON 2-0 PORT TALBOT TOWN
Jason Jarrett 14′ Steve Abbott 43′

Airbus UK: 1. Jamie Stephens, 26. Lee Owens, 3. Lewis Short, 5. Ian Kearney,
25. Steve Tomassen, 24. Jason Jarrett (4. Michael Roddy 87′), 7. Glenn Rule, 14. Wayne Riley, 29. Steve Abbott, 10. Ryan Wade (19. Mike Hayes 69′), 18. Jordan Johnson (15. Sam Hart 69′)
Subs not used: 12. Phil Bolland, 17. Richie Partridge, 32. Max Jenks-Gilbert, 2. Zyiac Edwards

Port Talbot: 29. Steven Hall, 31. Chad Bond, 11. Lloyd Grist, 5. Lee Surman, 6. James Bloom (10. Cortez Belle 46′), 12. Leigh De Vulgt (39. David Brooks 46′), 7. Lee John (18. Adam Wright 66′), 14. Carl Payne, 9. Martin Rose , 4. Ashley Evans, 8. Lewis Harling
Subs not used: 21. Sacha Walters, 25. David Burnett

Attendance: 187  Referee: Kevin Parry

Super Blues march into fourth on back of Carmarthen win

Martin Rose’ goal secured Port Talbot the points (Gareth Elms).

Port Talbot Town picked up a second consecutive 1-0 victory to climb into fourth spot in the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League table, after a spirited performance overcame Carmarthen Town on Friday night.

Martin Rose claimed his first goal since returning to the club in the January transfer window as the Blues’ discipline and work-rate shone through.

Substitute Chad Bond could have added to the Blues’ lead late on but Rose’s strike proved to be enough to secure the points, in what had been billed as crucial game for both sides’ aspirations of European qualification.

“We created enough chances to win the game by three or four,” said manager Scott Young post-match. “We knew that Carmarthen were going to launch the ball in the box and fight and scrap for things, but if our quality of possession had been a little bit better in the final third, then we would’ve scored a few more goals.”

“Carmarthen are a very tough team to play, it was a local derby and they came here to try and upset us and spoil the party but we’ve done the job,” he added.

The Blues force a nine-point lead over Carmarthen, whilst overtaking Prestatyn to go within three points of next week’s opponents, third-placed Airbus UK.

“The most pleasing thing is that we’ve kept two clean-sheets, which to do in the top-six is a challenge. The lads are now standing up to that challenge and hopefully they can continue that next week,” surmised Young.

Steven Hall recorded a successive clean-sheet with another eye-catching performance, with the former AFC Porth goalkeeper influential at both ends for Port Talbot.

It was Hall’s huge kick up-field which troubled his opposite, Steven Cann, who miscontrolled the ball, allowing Rose to nip in and apply the finish, ten minutes before half-time.

The goal was as good as Port Talbot had deserved. More precise and inventive when in possession, the hosts troubled Carmarthen from the off.

David Brooks almost jinked his way through into the box, lifting the ball over the head of Craig Hanford before the full-back – one of five former Town players in the Carmarthen line-up – was able to recover and see out the early threat.

Mid-week loan signing Lloyd Grist quickly found himself involved and his flighted cross from the left was almost met at the near post by Rose, who was sporting just one boot. And it was Grist’s threaded ball from wide, which was poked over the cross bar from James Bloom as Scott Young’s side showed greater urgency and application throughout the first-half.

The Steelmen continued to harass Carmarthen after the break and Lewis Harling was both inventive and workmanlike as he started to show dominance in the midfield battle, in which he thrives.

Harling has grown in considerable measure, coinciding with the side’s progress since January and another imposing performance from the number 8 shirt will only add to his burgeoning reputation at the GenQuip stadium.

Likewise, David Brooks demonstrated all the craft that Mark Aizlewood’s Carmarthen so often lacked. A fierce strike from the winger saw the ball rattle around dangerously in the Carmarthen goalmouth before Cann, got across his line to produce an outstanding reactive save to beat out a goalbound attempt from the hustle of bodies around the six-yard area.

The outcome of the game would ultimately be decided by the form of the two goalkeepers. And Hall produced a save, equal in quality moments later as Carmarthen created their best opportunity to level.

Geoff Kellaway’s cross found its way to substitute Christian Doidge, who was denied Hall flashed across his line to make a one-handed save, palming the ball to safety.

As Carmarthen played with increasing freedom in the Port Talbot half during the latter stages of the game, the threat of the Blues snatching a second goal on the break became more apparent, particularly with the introduction of second-half substitutes Chad Bond and Adam Wright.

Bond, perhaps unfortunate to find himself out of the starting line-up considering his match-winning strike against Prestatyn last-time out, came close to putting the game beyond reach of Carmarthen and adding to his two-goal tally this season.

Bond broke through as Port Talbot countered and drilled a right-footed shot across Cann’s goal, only for the ball to rebound back out, off the inside of the far post, in what looked destined to be the winner.

And Bond would see another chance go begging soon after. Ashley Evans, the creator, showed great technique to deliver a looping, angled cross into the path of the Port Talbot striker, but his low drive fizzed past the wrong side of the post, as Rose’s first-half goal proved decisive.

PORT TALBOT TOWN 1-0 CARMARTHEN TOWN
Martin Rose 35’

Port Talbot: 29. Steven Hall, 7. Lee John, 23. Matty Crowell (31. Chad Bond 82′), 9. Martin Rose (18. Adam Wright 82′), 11. Lloyd Grist, 39. David Brooks, 5. Lee Surman, 6. James Bloom (12. Leigh De Vulgt 90′+2), 4. Ashley Evans, 24. Ryan Green, 8. Lewis Harlin

Carmarthen: 1. Steven Cann, 3. Ian Hillier, 6. Carl Evans (5. Matthew Rees 81′), 26. Luke Cummings (36. Casey Thomas 85′), 16. Nicky Palmer, 25. Liam McCreesh, 2. Corey Thomas, 24. Craig Hanford, 11. Geoff Kellaway, 9. Craig Hughes (30. Christian Doidge 60′), 18. Liam Thomas

Attendance: 310 Referee: Richard Harrington

All images courtesy of Gareth Elms

Bond winner piles pressure on Prestatyn

Chad Bond netted just nine minutes in at Bastion Gardens to seal Port Talbot their first win of the Championship Conference stage.

Bond’s grabbed his second goal since returning to the club in what proved to be the only goal of the game, in a disciplined performance for the fifth-placed Steelmen.

The victory sees Port Talbot slash Prestatyn’s hold on fourth spot to a single point, with keeper Steven Hall recording his first shut-out.

The Blues now entertain sixth-place Carmarthen Town on Friday 8th March, with Young’s side looking to push on up the Welsh Premier table.

PRESTATYN TOWN 0-1 PORT TALBOT TOWN
Chad Bond 9’

Prestatyn: 25. Jonathan Hill-Dunt, 2. Chris Davies (12. Dan Evans 74′), 22. Anthony Stephens, 23. Greg Stones, 24. Tommy Holmes, 15.Mark Smyth, 7. Michael Parker, 8. Neil Gibson, 9. Andy Parkinson, 10. Jason Price, 20. Rhys Owen

Port Talbot: 29. Steven Hall, 31. Chad Bond (21. Sacha Walters 64′), 12. Leigh De Vulgt, 5. Lee Surman, 23. Matty Crowell, 39. David Brooks, 4. Ashley Evans, 24. Ryan Green (18. Adam Wright 88′), 7. Lee John, 9. Martin Rose, 8. Lewis Harling

Attendance: 138 Referee: Kim Fisher