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.

Under-19’s held in eight-goal thriller

Two goals apiece from Jordan Edwards and Ryan Morgan saw Port Talbot Town’s Under-19 squad draw 4-4 against a strong Haverfordwest County side on Sunday.

A miserable opening half hour saw Port Talbot trail 3-1 in a game that already looked dead and buried. But Mark Pike’s side were rewarded for their spirited display as they fought back to a 4-3 lead with just 10-minutes remaining.

Port Talbot were forced into making two early changes as Darius Waters and Sam Bell both limped off whilst Alex Vaughan and Joe Holland were amongst the walking wounded on the full-time whistle.

A needless free-kick from wide led to County forcing a late equaliser. And in further drama, Port Talbot saw a late penalty appeal waved away to leave both sides taking a share of the points.

“This has been a brilliant season as we’ve been able to draft in a number of 16-year-olds into the squad,” said Mark Pike. “They are developing very well and will be ready with this year’s development for next season.”

The end of the season does however mean old members of the Under-19 squad will move on.

“I’m saddened to be losing players who have been with me since the age of seven years of age. Hopefully these players will continue their development at the club and I hope to see these players gracing our turf in years to come.

“I wish all those players Jordan Edwards, Ryan Morgan, Josh Pike, Jake Parry, Luke Edwards, Darius Waters , Alex Vaughan, Luke Martin, Alex Williams, Oliver Bowen and Jordan Harris all the very best.”

Under-19′s call for support in final home game

Under-19 manager Mark Pike has called on the clubs’ supporters to back his side in their last home game of the season this Sunday  as the Steelmen entertain Haverfordwest County (2.30). 

Sunday’s clash with Haverfordwest will be their last of the current campaign and with two games of the season remaining, the youngsters are once again challenging at the top end of the MacWhirter Youth Division West table.

“The lads have really benefited from the support they’ve had previously and to see a good turn out in their final home game of the season would be fitting considering the effort and commitment that they have all shown this season,” said Pike.

“We all know that the first-team get tremendous backing from the supporters and it would be great if they can get behind us on Sunday,” he added.

With leaders Pontardawe Town having a five point lead and a game in-hand at the top of the table, the challenge for Pike’s side is to ensure they hold onto second-place and a win over Haverfordwest would go some way to achieving that and seeing off the possible threat from Bryntirion and West End who lie in wait in third and fourth place in the table.

Academy goes from strength to strength

The club’s academy continues to go from strength to strength as a hugely successful season draws to a close.

At Under-16 level, our newly formed side did themselves proud under the guidance of Alan Cripps, narrowly missing out on a quarter-final, by goal difference.

Ian Wozencroft’s Under-14’s progressed to the Welsh Cup semi-final and narrowly lost 2-0 to Cambrian & Clydach, whilst the Under-12’s, coached by David Davies, also lost out to Cambrian & Clydach in their quarter-final.

The Under-19’s play their final game this Sunday at home to Haverfordwest County in what has been a mixed season.

The loss of key players midway through the campaign took its toll as Jake Parry went to play in Australia, Josh Pike to play in Sweden and Alex Williams who went into the Army, whilst a number of senior youth players went to play senior football in the Welsh League to further their development.

Head of Development and Under-19’s manager Mark Pike took the positives from the season. “It has allowed us to promote and develop some of our 16-year-old players and chuck them straight into the mix,” explained Pike. “To be honest, they been brilliant and very patient. We’re probably looking to finish third in the league but we could still get runners-up spot, not forgetting losing in the last eight of the Welsh Cup to Swansea City and then narrowly losing at the same stage of the League Cup to West End.”

“In all a great season again and the development of our young crop continues and gets stronger each year. To cap it all off, on a personal level, I was also asked to manage the Welsh Under-18 Semi-Pro squad and have since been given a two-year contract.”

Holland earns Town point as U-19s hectic run continues

The Under-19s hectic end to the season continued with a 1-1 draw against Merthyr on Tuesday night, in what was their fifth game in just 14 days.

The youngsters battled well to take a well earned draw after going behind inside 10-minutes before Joe Holland pegged Port Talbot back level.

The second-half saw the game open up with both sides vying to go in front but unable to take the advantage as the game fizzle out with both teams forced to settle for a point.

Connah McFenton, Kieran Savage (Ryan John), Ross Findlay, Kyle Evans, Alex Vaughan, Sam Bell, Ryan Morgan, Tom Barber (Evan Corcoran), Joe Holland, Lloyd Jones (Alex Williams), Luke Edwards

Measles epidemic hits Under-19s’ double header

The Under-19s were left to reflect on a win and a defeat from a busy four days which saw them in action twice in quick succession, despite having several members of the squad laid low suffering from the measles outbreak.

A depleted squad visited FAW Welsh Youth Cup finalists West End on Thursday but came away with a narrow defeat.

Callum Holden bizarrely saw his early goal ruled out for offside whilst Joe Holland and Lloyd Jones look to take the advantage. It was West End who would break the deadlock however as they twice undid the Town defence to take a two-goal lead. Jones should’ve have reduced the deficit for Port Talbot on the stroke of half-time but steered his shot wide, with only the goalkeeper to beat.

And a slow start to the second-half saw the Swansea side further extended their lead, capitalising on some poor defending. Holden again saw an effort chalked off for off-side and headed Keiron Savage’s cross against the bar as Port Talbot threatened to force their way back into the game. Holland and substitute Evan Corocan saw late chances go begging before Lloyd Jones grabbed a late consolation goal.

Mark Pike’s side had little time to recover for their trip to Bryntirion but came away with a credible 2-0 win at second-placed Bryntirion two days later .

Jordan Edwards netted twice in a deserved win as the squad slowly returned to full health.

“It could have and should have been more but the win is what I asked for. It was vital we took the points to keep us within reach of [league leaders] Pontardawe and in particular Bryntirion who themselves can go on and win the league. Ponty look although they will win it but it is important that we aim for as high as we can and this win today keeps us in touch,” explained Pike following the game.

Versus West End: Connah Mcfenton, Ryan John, Luke Edwards, Kyle Evans, Ryan Morgan, Ross Findlay (Alex Vaughan), Tom Barber, Lloyd Jones, Joe Holland, Callum Holden, Kieran Savage (Evan Corcoran).

Versus Bryntirion: Connah McFenton, Ryan John, Luke Edwards, Darius Waters, Alex Vaughan, Ryan Morgan, Sam Bell (Evan Corcoran), Ross Findlay, Joe Holland, Jordan Edwards, Lloyd Jones (Tom Barber).

Mark Pike accepts Wales Semi-Pro call

Academy Director Mark Pike has accepted a two-year invitation to manage the Welsh Under-18 Semi-Pro squad.

Pike initially took over the reins in February’s friendly with Ireland, where he made a winning start before being offered the post for the next two years.

“This is great privilege; to manage your country at any level is a fantastic feeling. I am very passionate about academy football and am looking forward to working with FAW in the hope that we can improve what is already a fantastic system and breeding ground for young talent,” said Pike.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me personally and one of the greatest achievements I have made in football. When the FAW contacted me last week, there was no thinking about it, it just sent shivers down my spine again! I am hopeful that both Jay Catton of Connah’s Quay and Chris Doran of TNS will also accept the same opportunity, we were a great team at Bangor and I cannot wait to work them again next season.”

The club would like to congratulate Mark on deservedly being offered the post and wish him every success with the Welsh Under-18s Semi-Pro squad.

Below par Under-19s fall to Aberdare defeat

A bad day in the office for the high-flying Under-19s saw Mark Pike’s fall to just their third league defeat of the season to Aberdare Town.

Cory Thomas was on the receiving end from a fine cross to put Aberdare ahead five minutes before the interval. Sam Holland doubled the hosts lead, late on, with a long range effort.

Port Talbot remain second in the MacWhirter Youth Division West league table but now trail runaway leaders by ten points.

“We were very poor in the first-half but credit to them for the second-half performance, which was a little bit better,” said Mark Pike following the game.

Port Talbot failed to muster a single attempt on goal in a miserable opening which was compounded by Thomas’ 40th-minute strike.

The second-half saw with it, a brighter start from the Steelmen, with Callum Holden seeing his effort cleared off the line. Kyle Evans went close with a header soon after, with the Aberdare goalkeeper saving well from close range, with Evan Corcoran working the keeper again moments later.

With Pike’s side reverting to three at the back in an attempt to assert more pressure, the result was put out of touching distance as Holland’s twenty-yard strike doubled Aberdare’s advantage.

“Unfortunately the lads never turned up this afternoon and thought that by turning up and playing 90-minutes would be enough but the home side taught our lads a lesson in aggression, physicality and more than most the will to win which we never had this afternoon,” explained Pike.

“It is always hard this time of year with so many games in as many days but losing key quality players to either injury suspension or illness is always a blow and a season that started with so much promise is at risk of fizzling out.”

Luke Martin, Ryan John, Luke Edwards, Kyle Evans, Darius Waters, Ryan Morgan, Sam Bell, Joe Holland, Callum Holden, Evan Corcoran (Lloyd Jones), Ross Findlay (Tom Barber)

Jones again on target as Under-19s grab late win

Lloyd Jones made it two goals in two games as he secured Port Talbot Town’s Under-19s a second successive 1-0 win, this time at the expense of Carmarthen Town.

With seven players out through a combination of illness and suspension, a young Town side stepped up to the occasion, much to the pleasure of Head of Development Mark Pike.

“I put my trust in them and they didn’t let me down. The game was very evenly contested in the first-half as both sides tried to play on a difficult surface and we just did enough to clinch it at the end,” he said.

Chances were few and far between in the first period but Port Talbot twice threatened to take the lead as Josh Pike and Sam Bell combined well.

The introduction at half-time of 16-year-old Jones saw Port Talbot more lively in front of goal in the second-half as the young forward’s pace looked to stretch the Carmarthen defence.

Darius Waters forced the Carmarthen goalkeeper into a fine save with a close range header and the Old Gold grew in confidence as they started to dictate the game. It took three fantastic saves from Luke Martin – recalled to the side – to keep the youngsters in the game and the introduction of 16-year-old’s Tom Barber and Kyle Evans gave Port Talbot some fresh legs as the game opened up.

In dying stages of the game, a long throw from Ryan Morgan somehow fell into the path with to Jones, who made no mistake from close range to seal a late victory.

Luke Martin, Ryan John, Luke Edwards, Darius Waters, Alex Vaughan, Josh Pike, Ross Findlay (Tom Barber), Sam Bell, Ryan Morgan, Evan Corcoran (Kyle Evans), Kieran Savage (Lloyd Jones).

Youngsters edge past Merthyr

Lloyd Jones’ second-half strike proved enough to secure Port Talbot Town’s Under 19’s all three points against Merthyr on Wednesday night.

In a game scarce of opportunities, Connah McFenton was a mere spectator for much of the game in the Port Talbot goal.

Port Talbot broke the deadlock early into a the second-half after good work from Evan Corcoran saw Lloyd Jones apply the finish.

Merthyr responded forcing the young Steelmen to hold firm but the youngsters threatened to add a second on the break, with Joe Holland, Jones and Ryan Morgan all going close to doubling the advantage.

Josh Pike rattled the cross-bar with a free-kick before the youngsters were forced to see out some late Merthyr pressure.

“I’m happy with the clean sheet and it was a solid performance from our young team of many youngsters, many of whom were just 16-years-old. We had many senior youth players missing through injury and suspension but the boys can be proud as we now push on with seven games to go, as we continue to develop our conveyor belt of academy youngsters in readiness for the new season”, said Mark Pike.

Connah McFenton, Ross Findlay (Ryan John), Luke Edwards, Alex Vaughn, Darius Waters, Josh Pike, Ryan Morgan, Sam bell, Lloyd Jones (Tom Barber), Joe Holland, Evan Corcoran (Kieran Savage)