3-1 loss at Port Talbot

20th April 2008

The dream comes to an end with this loss at Port Talbot, which leaves us rock bottom and relegated back to the Cymru Alliance.

A very restricted squad with two reserves Tom & Gareth stepping up as subs and not looking out of place in their contribution.

We started well enough with an early tap in miss, a free header in the 6 yard box and Kehoe special to put us 1 up on 30 minutes. In the strong wind they forced several saves from Jacko, but a slackly defended free kick let their big centre half head back acroos goal for the centre forward to beat Jacko in the air, 1-1 half time.

We still looked OK with the wind behind us, but with Darren marked out of the game, we tired and they got it down and played some good stuff, a free kick again was not cleared and their centre half again got on the end to blast home. We of course threw everything forward and went light at the back, with Kehoe blasting just over. They came back in the last minute with a header glanced over Jacko who struggled through injury throughout the 2nd half. Final score 3-1 and despondency throughout, as it happens a win would have been little help with Porthmadog winning for the 1st time at home unexpectedly against Rhyl. Good luck to them in avoiding the drop, it could have been any of us.

Yesterday's game was not the reason for our relegation, but we rue the loss of 2 points in injury time at Bangor, 2 points in the last minute at Carmarthen and 4 points to Caersws where we should have had more, plus other odd ones here and there, Welshpool unwarranted free kick in the dying minutes, dominating at Newtown and losing etc , etc. The mid season managerial shake up did not help the cause and maybe if Gus had come in at Christmas we cwuld have stayed up, because there is no doubt we were dead and buried at the time and surprisingly still in contention at the final game, with a lot of credit to him, Derek and Mike.

Final team lineup: Jackson, P. Roberts, Hogg, Mitchell, Austin, Kehoe, Gwynedd, Owen, C. Roberts, Thomas, A. Jones, subs Allman, T Roberts, Ewing (injured Boardman, C Jones, Lloyd).

All in all even with its ups and downs I have enjoyed the season we will regroup and be back stronger for it, as when you have a taste for the top level, you want more.

I just want to say thanks to all the players, those who stayed to see it through and the ones who left pre and mid season (they all had good reasons) , everyone gave their all for the cause when asked and should be applauded for sticking to the task and at least giving it a good go throughout the season. Also a big thankyou to our supporters who have been there through thick and thin to cheer the team on.

I will keep developments updated throughout the summer and be back next season to renew the battles.