We were without the suspended midfield players Sacha Walters, Cai Owens and the ill Jack Hurley. The first two goals for Haverfordwest were from set pieces and the second two when their speedy forwards caught us out. Not a lot to shout about in this game and next week we are at top of the table Penybont looking for a response.

A disappointing performance saw us draw 1-1 at Ynys Park. We went behind on 5 minutes when a long ball down the middle caught us out and they went through to score. We had numerous chances to level in the first half but we were unable to take them. Luke Evans with a long range shot equalised 15 minutes into the second half and at the end there was only one side looking for a winner. The best opportunity fell to Noah Daley whose shot a yard either side of the keeper would have won the game. We look to get back on winning ways in the return on Monday week.

A first win at Goytre by an emphatic 4-1 scoreline. Young Kieran Burridge made his first team debut in goal and was impressive  making a number of vital saves. The only down side to the result was we had yet another sending off, this time Cai Owens on 50 minutes with the score at 1-1.

Kieran Burridge made an early diving save to boost his confidence then in the fifth minute there was a terrible tackle on Sacha Walters which somehow only resulted in a yellow car. Kieran Burridge then held a header following a Goytre corner and quickly found Sacha Walters who made a fine run before cutting in and shooting but unfortunately it was straight at the keeper. On 14 minutes Craig Jones put an inviting cross into the area and it was headed behind for a corner. Mark Jones slightly off balance at the far post could only shoot over the bar from inside the 6 yard box with the goal gaping. Goytre could have taken the lead on 19 minutes but from a good position the player could only shoot wide. However two minutes later they took the lead when a left wing attack saw the player cut in and from 10 yards gave Kieran Burridge no chance. 3 minutes later it could have been 2-0 as they worked the ball left and Kieran was out quickly to deny the Goytre player blocking his shot. Another good Craig Jones cross saw Cai Owens head wide but two minutes later (31) we were level. We attacked down the right with Craig Jones and Sacha Walters combining well then from another Craig Jones cross Mark Jones was in position to head in the equaliser. Chris Hartland was unlucky on 33 minutes when he received the ball from a James Parry free kick, he turned and shot from the edge of the area but it was straight at the keeper.  Sacha Walters then sped down the right, cut in and his shot was just wide of the target. As the half was coming to an end we continued to push forward and won a series of free kicks but we were unable to find a goal that our play deserved.

Goytre started the second half on the front foot and Kieran Burridge was quickly out to punch a dangerous ball away. Then he held a header from a corner before the game changed on 50 minutes, Cai Owens went in to challenge a Goytre player near the half way line and was deemed to have stamped on him and he received a straight red. Compared to the early Goytre challenge it didn’t seem as bad but perhaps the Goytre player got away with it as it was so early in the game. From the resultant free kick which was played deep into our penalty area Kieran Burridge made a great save diving to his let to turn a close range shot around the post. In their next attack, for once Lewis Holmes missed the ball and Kieran was again out to force the Goytre player wide, Jack Hurley, another who was having a good game was back to clear. Then on the hour we appealed for a penalty for hand ball which wasn’t given but we won the ball back and our next shot was again handled and this time the penalty was awarded and Mark Jones put us in front. Almost immediately he could have made it three but he dragged his shot just wide of the post. Despite being a man down we were in control of the game but it nearly changed on 73 minutes when Goytre were awarded a penalty for hand ball. However the spot kick was sent wide of the post with Kieran guessing correctly. 3 minutes later Chris Hartland made it 3-1, he took the ball off a Goytre midfield player 40 yards from goal. He sped towards the Goytre goal with the defence back tracking, once he got to the edge of the area he shot and scored. This completely deflated the home side who ran out of ideas and the icing on the cake came in the 89th minute with Ben Thomas scoring. He doesn’t score many, but this is his second at Goytre. From a Lido free kick in the centre circle the ball was played to Mark Jones he and Chris Hartland then played a 1-2 before Mark played it wide for Ben Thomas who took aim and drilled in a low shot to seal a fine win.

Kieran Burridge  2 Craig Jones  3 James Parry  4 Alex Gammond  5 Lewis Holmes  6 Cai Owens  7 Chris Hartland 8 Jack Hurley  9 Mark Jones 10 Jack Todd  11 Sacha Walters

Subs  12 Noah Daley – 14 Jack Fleming for James Parry 87 – 15 Ben Thomas for Jack Todd 55  – 16 Luke Evans – 17 Gareth Couch

An excellent first half which we edged by a terrific goal from Jack Hurley had everyone hoping for more of the same in the second half. Unfortunately, a poor performance by the referee which resulted in Liam McCreesh being sent off for two yellow cards in the space of 3 minutes followed by a spate of yellow cards for both sides. Worst of all was the failure to penalise Joe Evans for pulling Mark Jones back just outside the Cambrian area which should have been a red card as he was the last man.    To add insult to injury it was Joe Evans who got the equaliser on 67 minutes when everyone he shouldn’t have been on the field.

After the game everyone was talking about the decisions made and how it had spoilt the spectator’s enjoyment of what had been a good top of the table clash which fizzled out into a damp squib as the game wore on. We all have a responsibility to try and make the games attractive and that includes the officials.

The first half was nip and tuck, young Luke Evans showed up well in midfield and forced a good save from Dan Bradley in the Cambrian goal with a free kick from just outside the area. Several times we found Sacha Walters in space down the left but most of his crosses were poor, rarely beating a defender or the keeper. Our goal on 39 minutes was reward for a period of pressure when we had a couple of shots blocked by good defending but the was nothing Cambrian could do when Mark Jones chested the ball into the path of Jack Hurley who shot hard and low past Bradley.

Cambrian started the second half on the front foot and it took us some time to get into the game. Liam McCreesh was booked for a sliding challenge on 54 minutes and the 3 minutes later tangled with a Cambrian player. I thought we were getting the free kick but maybe Liam’s reputation swung the decision and he was off.  This changed the complexion of the game but 7 minutes later Mark Jones was clearly fouled and that should have evened things up with us still leading 1-0. However the incident was ignored and Cambrian came back even stronger with Joe Evans equalising when he should have been in the changing rooms. Cambrian went ahead on 75 minutes and we then were awarded a free kick which was played into the box, Lewis Holmes was sent sprawling but again the foul was ignored and a penalty chance for us wasn’t given. With changes being made to try and get back into the game we conceded a third 9 minutes from time but to be honest by then even I had lost interest as it seemed obvious we weren’t going to get from the officials.

Rory McCreesh  2 Craig Jones  3 James Parry  4 Alex Gammond  5 Lewis Holmes  6 Luke Evans  7 Liam McCreesh – 8 Jack Hurley  9 Mark Jones 10 Chris Hartland  11 Sacha Walters

Subs  12 Jack Todd for Sacha Walters 77 – 14 Noah Daley for Chris Hartland 69  – 15 Jack Underwood for Luke Evans 84  – 16 Jack Fleming – 17 Lewis Clement

The youth beat Port Talbot 5-1 in last night’s game. We went behind on 14 minutes before Morgan Freeman equalised on 26 minutes. Noah Daley gave us the lead on 44 minutes slotting the ball past the keeper after a 30 yard run. Luke Evans made it 3-1 from a free kick on 62 minutes then Noah Daley headed in a Jack Fleming corner 66 minutes for his second of the game. Luke Evans made it 5 with his second on 83 minutes to complete an outstanding display.

Two goals from Mark Jones together with a first of the season from Cai Owens and a fourth for Noah Daley saw us to the top of the table albeit with other sides not playing. Ferry had an early chance when a ball over the top saw Rory McCreesh come outside his box to clear just ahead of the Ferry forward. We had the same scenario only in reverse a few minutes later when Lewis Holmes played the ball over the top for Mark Jones but Luke Probert was out to clear his lines. In the early stages neither side settled on the ball there was a lot of first time clearances with the ball going from end to end. On 21 minutes Jack Hurley played the ball wide to Craig Jones and his long cross to the far post was met by Mark Jones but his header went just over the bar. On 26 minutes Luke Probert lost the ball and Cai Owens saw his goalbound shot hit a defender it rebounded to Mark Jones and his shot was blocked and cleared. Ferry won a corner which Rory McCreesh tipped over for another corner from which we were awarded a free kick. From a Lido free kick on the half hour Cai Owens headed wide but we seemed to be gaining the advantage. A minute later Chris Hartland had a shot cleared off the line and Mark Jones hit the top of the crossbar with a header. The goal finally came on 34 minutes and it was Mark Jones again on target. The ball was played wide to Sacha Walters and his cross was cleared to the right Chris Hartland played it in low and Mark did the rest. The Ferry responded well and won a corner which Rory McCreesh punched out to a Ferry player who shot over the bar. The Ferry equalised on 44 minutes when we seemed to give away a corner which Luke Harris headed unopposed into the net from a couple of yards. We immediately attacked from the kick off and won a corner which was met about 15 yards out by Cai Owens and he powered a header into the back of the net to regain the lead. Straight from the restart the Ferry won a corner which we cleared to the sound of the half time whistle.

The Ferry had the better of the early stages of the second half and Cai Owens did well to block a shot which we then cleared forward to Chris Hartland who conceded a free kick. On 53 minutes we lost the ball in the middle of the park and from a good position the Ferry player sot wide. Their next attack saw the ball hit the crossbar and some resolute defending on our part saw us clear to Mark Jones who managed to get a shot away but it was straight at the keeper. We made it 3-1 on 61 minutes and Noah Daley showed great composure in scoring. We again had a couple of openings that were cleared and the ball was played wide for Noah to run into space and as Luke Probert came out he slotted the ball past him into the net. The Ferry again had a lot of possession without threatening the goal then from Lido throw the ball was received by Chris Hartland who went down in the area the referee awarding us a penalty which Mark Jones duly netted. That effectively was game over with the Ferry looking for a consolation and Lido looking to increase the lead. Sacha  Walters and Liam McCreesh had shots but there was no addition to the score.

Rory McCreesh  2 Craig Jones  3 James Parry  4 Alex Gammond  5 Lewis Holmes  6 Cai Owens  7 Liam McCreesh 8 Jack Hurley  9 Mark Jones 10 Chris Hartland  11 Sacha Walters

Subs  12 Jack Fleming – 14 Jack Underwood – 15 Luke Evans for Liam McCreesh 81 – 16 Noah Daley for Craig Jones 45 + 2 -17 Josh Webber for Chris Hartland 86

The youth beat Aberbargoed Buds 3-1 but despite an abundance of possession we were unable to beat the Buds keeper until Luke Evans scored with a free kick on 42 minutes. The Buds keeper had made a series of outstanding saves and until the goal had looked unbeatable. The second half was a repeat of the first, Noah Daley doubled the lead on 62 minutes but we still lacked a killer instinct in front of goal. Eventually Azeem Arshad made it three on 76 minutes but with 4 minutes to go we conceded a goal when we lost possession deep in our half. Three more points, plenty of possession but it needs an end product.