THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES
Friday24th August
Aberystwyth Town v Bala Town19:30
LAST SIX SEASONS Bala Town are in their fourth season in the WPL06/11/09 / 1 / 0 / Glyndwr Hughes 65' / - / 512
02/10/10 / 2 / 1 / Lewis Codling 28' Ricky Evans 67'(p) / Chris Mason 8' / 425
18/02/11 / 1 / 2 / Ashley Stott 8' / Mark Jones 1' Chris Mason 7' / 226
03/09/11 / 0 / 4 / - / Lee Hunt 2' 72' Mark Connolly 7' 61' / 254
ALL-TIME RECORDS
Home wins / 2 / Away wins / 2 / Draws / 0 / Goal aggregate / 4 – 7
CURRENT FORM (last 6 matches) / Home Team / WDDDWW / Away Team / WLLWLL
Afan Lido FC v The New Saints19:30
LAST SIX SEASONS Last season was Lido’s first back in the WPL since 2004-0518/11/11 / 3 / 1 / Carl Payne 16' 57' Jonathan Hood 41' / Greg Draper 18secs / 267
ALL-TIME RECORDS
Home wins / 3 / Away wins / 5 / Draws / 3 / Goal aggregate / 15 – 21
CURRENT FORM (last 6 matches) / Home Team / LWDLLL / Away Team / WWWWWW
Saturday 25th August
Live match
Airbus UK Broughton v Carmarthen Town14:30
LAST SIX SEASONS09/09/06 / 2 / 2 / Gareth Sudlow 43' Roy Cardus 53' / Danny Thomas 25' Mattie Davies 72' / 85
22/09/07 / 0 / 1 / - / Sasha Walters 85' / 102
14/03/09 / 0 / 1 / - / Stuart Roberts 63' / 93
10/10/09 / 2 / 2 / Ryan Edwards 63'(p) Marc Lloyd-Williams 70' / Tim Hicks 78' Chris Thomas 84' / 92
30/10/10 / 2 / 4 / Nick Rushton 11' Andy Moran 43' / Kieran Howard 28’ 84' Darren Griffiths 56’ Dale Griffiths 61’ / 114
02/04/11 / 0 / 0 / - / - / 339
10/12/11 / 3 / 1 / Craig Whitfield 63’ Ian Sheridan 66’ 84’ / Tim Hicks 1' / 178
07/04/12 / 0 / 1 / - / Tim Hicks 60' / 143
ALL-TIME RECORDS
Home wins / 1 / Away wins / 6 / Draws / 3 / Goal aggregate / 10 – 16
CURRENT FORM(last 6 matches / Home Team / LWDWLD / Away Team / LDLLWW
GAP Connah’s Quay v Port Talbot Town14:30
LAST SIX SEASONS Gap Connah’s Quayretuned to the WPL this season18/11/06 / 2 / 1 / Chris Seargeant 62' Tommy Mutton 83' / Lee John 20' / 154
22/03/08 / 0 / 1 / - / Martin Rose 24'(p) / 101
17/01/09 / 0 / 2 / - / Drew Fahiya 30' 35' / 102
ALL-TIME RECORDS
Home wins / 2 / Away wins / 6 / Draws / 2 / Goal aggregate / 8 – 16
CURRENT FORM (last 6 matches) / Home Team / -- - - - - / Away Team / LDLDDD
Newtown AFC v Bangor City14:30
LAST SIX SEASONS09/12/06 / 2 / 1 / Glenn Tolley 54'(p) Alan Hooley 80' / Paul Roberts 84' / 275
18/08/07 / 2 / 2 / Marc Lloyd-Williams 24' Peter Hoy 37' (og) / Ashley Stott 45' Les Davies 55' / 450
25/04/09 / 1 / 3 / Craig Moses 34' / Marc Limbert 46' Paul McManus 58' John Owen 79' / 240
12/12/09 / 2 / 5 / Jamie Breeze 68' Ross Stephens 70' / Ashley Stott 49' 50' Chris Sharp 57' 80' Jamie Reed 60' / 225
15/01/11 / 0 / 1 / - / Craig Garside 89' / 262
26/11/11 / 2 / 1 / Zac Evans 7' Gareth Partridge 81' / Les Davies 53' / 276
ALL-TIME RECORDS
Home wins / 11 / Away wins / 6 / Draws / 3 / Goal aggregate / 35 – 30
CURRENT FORM (last 6 matches) / Home Team / LLDWDL / Away Team / WWWWWL
Llanelli AFC v Prestatyn Town14:30
LAST SIX SEASONS12/10/08 / 6 / 1 / Rhys Griffiths 3'73'(p) Craig Jones 5' Mark Pritchard 27' Jordan Follow 80' Wyn Thomas 90' / Ian Griffiths 62'(p) / 401
13/12/09 / 4 / 1 / Rhys Griffiths 27'(p) 61' Antonio Corbisiero 13' Chris Venables 32' / Paul O'Neill 76' / 270
01/02/11 / 2 / 2 / Rhys Griffiths 18'(p) Craig Williams 80' / Antonio Corbisiero 85'(og) Gareth Wilson 90'+3 / 149
22/04/11 / 3 / 0 / Rhys Griffiths 48' Craig Moses 50' Jordan Follows 89' / - / 204
11/12/11 / 3 / 2 / Jason Bowen 6' Craig Williams 51' 53' / Paul O'Neill 40' Ross Stephens 90' / 156
14/04/12 / 3 / 2 / Chris Venables 2' Stuart Jones 79' Craig Moses 87' / Ross Stephens 34'(p) Neil Gibson 89' / 105
ALL-TIME RECORDS
Home wins / 5 / Away wins / 1 / Draws / 0 / Goal aggregate / 21 – 8
CURRENT FORM (last 6 matches) / Home Team / LLLLLW / Away Team / LLLLLL
MATCH OFFICIALS
REFEREE / ASSISTANT / ASSISTANT / 4TH OFFICIAL
Aberystwyth Town / Bala Town / R Harrington / D Boyle / T Cook / A R Jones
Afan Lido FC / The New Saints / M S Whitby / R A John / O W Phillips / R Harrington
Airbus UK Broughton / Carmarthen Town / H Jones / G W Jones / J B Roberts / N Pratt
GAP Connah’s Quay / Port Talbot Town / M Petch / P Roszkowski / M Williams / G E Vaughan
Llanelli AFC / Prestatyn Town / K I Morgan / W A Tregonning / P A Walters / B J James
Newtown AFC / Bangor City / D John / I D Bird / M S Dyson / M Farrington
SUSPENSIONS
Michael Walsh / Aberystwyth Town / 3 matches / from 17/08/12
Mark Robinson / Afan Lido FC / 1 match / from 17/08/12
Andrew Preece / Airbus UK Broughton / 1 match / from 17/08/12
Ross Jefferies / Bala Town / 1 match / from 17/08/12
SIGNINGS & DEPARTURES
Gap Connah’s Quay
IN / 2 / Michael THOMPSON / M / 05/01/84 / ENG / 1.82 / 75.0 / Welshpool Town, CPD Porthmadog Cefn Druids, Bala TownIN / 13 / Callum HAWTHORNE / GK / 18/09/89 / WAL / Airbus UK Broughton, Conwy United , Denbigh Town, Swansea City, Fulham
OUT / Ben ALSTON / To Congleton Town
Bangor City
OUT / Peter HOY / To Conwy Borough on loanThe New Saints
OUT / Alex RAMSEY / To Rhyl FC on loanBala Town
IN / 20 / Kenny LUNT / GK / 20/11/79 / ENG / 1.75 / 69.8 / Crewe Alexandra, Sheffield Wednesday, Hereford UnitedLlanelli AFC
IN / 25 / Dave RICHARDS / G / 31/12/93 / WAL / 1.83 / On loan from Cardiff CityIN / 20 / Corey JENKINS / F / 14/02/91 / WAL / 1.87 / 73.1 / Fleur-de-Lys, Caersws FC,Goytre FC
IN / 22 / Adam DAVIES / D / 19/11/93 / WAL / Cardiff City
Prestatyn Town
IN / 22 / Anthony STEPHENS / D / 23/08/90 / ENG / 1.82 / 74.0 / On loan from Wrexham FCIN / Gareth BARKER / GK / 09/08/91 / WAL / 1.83 / 73.8 / Ruthin Town
IN / 10 / Jason PRICE / F / 12/04/77 / WAL / 1.89 / 73.7 / Swansea City, Brentford, Tranmere Rovers, Hull City, Doncaster Rovers, Millwall FC, Carlisle United, Barnet FC, Morecambe FC, Oldham Athletic, Bradford City, Walsall FC, Hereford United
Airbus UK Broughton
IN / 27 / Stephen CONNOR / F / 27/01/89 / ENG / 1.60 / 64.0 / Everton FC, Partick Thistle, Stirling Albion, The New Saints FC, Bangor CityIN / 25 / Steve TOMASSEN / D / 03/10/93 / ENG / 1.79 / 76.0 / On loan from Wrexham FC
Llanelli starlet signs for Bristol City
Llanelli U16 player and Pentrehafod schoolboy, Connor Lemonheigh Evans signs for Bristol City Academy
Connor joined the Academy U14 side 2 seasons ago after being spotted by the then U14 coach, Steve Davies, playing for Landore Colts.
Connor was selected for the 2010 Cymru Cup Squad, he played for the Llanelli U16s all last season and is developing into a very good footballer.
Bristol City Academy has signed him after seeing him on trial playing against Exeter City, Cheltenham Town and Fulham whereby he impressed in all 3 games.
Llanelli’s Academy Director, Bob Jeffrey, said: “This is why we are here and our aim is to develop the players to be the best they can be and hope that they can progress to football league clubs.
“Connor has been a shining example for Llanelli AFC, working tirelessly to earn this opportunity with Bristol City. I would like to wish Connor and his family all the best for the future and whatever he decides to do we at Llanelli AFC will be right behind him”
“I would like to thank the coaches, Steve Davies, Lee Morgan and James Goshawk for all their hard work and commitment and I know they will be pleased for Connor and his family.
Continued from front page
"The quality of football in the Welsh Premier League has improved greatly over recent years. I think the teams are more competitive, the players' passion more evident and the gap between the teams closing every year.
"The league title was decided on the last day of the season for the second consecutive year. It all helps to create excitement among the fans and players up to the final whistle.
"The gap between the Welsh Premier League and other leagues in Europe is closing too.
"You could see that when the Welsh teams competed in European competitions recently. The New Saints were especially unlucky not to beat Helsingborgs in their home leg in their Champions League qualifier and they won the treble in Sweden last season.”
John believes that champions The New Saints are favourites this season, having won the double last season.
"I think The New Saints are the team to beat again. Their best player last season was striker Greg Draper of New Zealand. He scored 28 goals and his contribution was key to their success. They will be hoping that he can hit the net as many times this season.
“But you can never rule out Bangor. They are a very close unit, with a long-running manager in Neville Powell and a striker in Les Davies who suits their effective style of play. If they can turn their new ground Nantporth into a fortress, they will be title contenders.”
To celebrate the league’s 20th anniversary and Sgorio’s 25th anniversary, Sgorio, in conjunction with the league and FAW, has established a Hall of Fame.
They are asking fans to nominate who they think have been the best players in the Welsh Premier League over the past twenty years. The first twenty names to be included in the hall of fame will be revealed on Sgorio at various points during the season.
Sgorio : Monday 20 August 10.00pm, S4C (English subtitles)
Stwnsh: Sgorio Tuesday 21 August 5.50pm, S4C
John Hartson Celtic Cycle Ride
by Matthew Burgess -
Port Talbot Town would like to raise awareness of the John Hartson Celtic Cycle Ride which take place over four days from the 5th September.
Eight cyclists – which include first-team assistant coach Vince Lewis, physio Mike Worlock - will be riding 368 miles from Swansea, Wales to Glasgow via Dublin, Ireland in just 4 days in support of and to raise money for The John Hartson Foundation and Maggie’s Cancer Care Centres.
The ride will start from Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre in Swansea and will finish at Maggie’s in Glasgow. To add interest to the ride and in keeping with John Hartson’s Celtic connection this will be a Celtic Cycle through Celtic countries – Wales, Ireland and Scotland.
There will be a opportunity for supporters to ride in sections of this event. If anyone is interested in helping the boys along their way, please email your interest to
Similarly, companies are also getting behind the Celtic Cycle Ride, for example, Runtect Ltd are generously providing the back-up vehicle and Darlow Lloyd & Sons have kindly sponsored the bikes and provided a set of cycling gear for each rider.
If your company can help out at all with this event, please contact the above email address!
The riders taking part are: Rob Laing, Johnathan Merrill, Marc Tanner, Vince Lewis, Steve Powell, Gareth Power, Mike Worlock, and Neil Prosser. You can support this cause by simply going to
Website: s4c.co.uk On demand: s4c.co.uk/clic A Rondo production for S4C
2012-13 Preview by Matt Burgess
Welsh football reporter and Port Talbot Town Press Officer Matthew Burgess provides us with a bumper Welsh Premier League Preview as the season kicks-off this evening.
ABERYSYTWYTH TOWN
Last season: 8th Manager: Tomi Morgan Key man: Sean Thornton
In: Adam Worton, Matty Collins, Stuart Jones, Jordan Follows, Cledan Davies, Mike Lewis, Glyndwr Hughes, Stuart Jones, Gavin Cadwallader
Out: Steve Cann, Michael Howard, Geoff Kellaway, Andy Parkinson, Craig Williams, Kris Nalborski
Background: An abysmal start to last season saw Alan Morgan dismissed as manager after taking just four wins in 24 league games. Under new boss Tomi Morgan, the Seasiders eventually rediscovered their form, albeit late on the season and avoided a bottom two finish on the final day of the league, to snatch an unlikely wildcard place in the Europa League play-off where they lost to Llanelli in the semi-final.
The surprise capture of Llanelli captain Stuart Jones headed a list of nine new arrivals over the summer months, which also, notably, included club legend Glyndwr Hughes, following a two-year absence. The decision to loan outfit-again midfielder Bari Morgan to Cymru Alliance outfit Penrhyncoch appears a strange one, whilst the club have swapped goalkeepers with Carmarthen Town, with Mike Lewis donning the gloves this year.
Verdict: Stuart Jones will be key as Aber seek to rediscover their resilience and reassert themselves amongst the upper bracket of sides this season. A lack of fire power however could undermine Aber’s attempts to build on last season’s seventh-place finish, with just Jordon Follows and Darren Griffiths the only recognised strikers at time of writing.
AFAN LIDO
Last season: 10th Manager: Paul Reid Key man: Gareth Phillips
In: Michael Howard, Paul Evans, Gareth Phillips, Matthew Thompson, Chris Hartland, Lee Hartshorn, Gavin Jefferies, Jordan Marks
Out: Carl Evans, Liam Thomas, Anthony Finselbach, Liam Hancock, Craig Hanford, Leon Jeanne, Daniel Thomas, Carl Payne, Daniel Sheehan
Background: Expected by many to be looking over their shoulder for much of the season, Lido were very much the surprise package of last season. Results progressively improved after a tough start and culminated in the club winning the League Cup against Newtown on penalties. Rumours of discontent within the camp detracted from what the Andy Dyer’s spirited squad had achieved on the field and his resulting departure in May, led to the nucleus of the squad following suit, leaving former Port Talbot assistant Paul Reid with the unenviable task of rebuilding the squad, in his first managerial role.
Verdict: The challenge that awaits Afan Lido this season is far tougher than that of twelve months ago and the club will have to punch way above their weight if they are to compete. Paul Reid must follow his predecessor’s philosophy of assembling a side high in work-rate, resilience and self-belief if they are to remain competitive. New signing Gareth Phillip’s experience in the middle of the park will underpin this but a bottom-two finish surely awaits.
AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON
Last season: 7th Manager: Andy Preece Key man: Jack Lewis
In: Jack Lewis, Toby Jones, Ben Chapman, Ian Kearney, Kyle Armstrong, Chris Budrys, Tom Field, Jordan Johnson, Ian Kearney, Michael Roddy, Ryan Wade
Out: Adam Worton, Gavin Cadwallader, Danny Grannon, Josh Griffiths, Eddie Hope, Danny Desormeaux, Craig Whitfield
Background: The appointment of Andy Preece in January led to a period of transition for the Wingmakers, whose position at the top of the Play-Off conference was never under any real threat for the duration of the second-half of the season. With their form fizzling out towards the end of the campaign, Airbus twice failed to live up to expectations, suffering defeats to lower-league Cefn Druids in the Welsh Cup semi-final and then in the play-offs against Aberystwyth. After months of plotting, Andy Preece quickly raided former club Northwich Victoria post-season to bring in a number of players including ex-Vics captain Ian Kearney.
Airbus’ aspirations clearly lie in the higher echelons of the Welsh Premier but the side are very much an unknown quantity. A strong start good see Airbus become a real force in the top half of the table, a poor start could just as easily tip the balance, resulting in the exact opposite.
Verdict: The hardest of all sides to predict this season, possible dropped points early in the season could prove costly leaving them to contest in the Play-Off conference once again. Equally, a strong start could even see the Wingmakers forge their way into the top three.
BALA TOWN
Last season: 5th Manager: Colin Caton Key man: Mark Jones
In: Ashley Morris, Tony Davies, Lewis Codling, Kenny Lunt Out: Chris Mason, Terry McCormick
Background: Bala’s season may have ended on a sour note by losing in the Europa League play-off final to Llanelli but the Gwynedd side will at least take heart in that it was the year in which the Lakesiders became a major force in the league. A deserved draw at The New Saints on the opening day of the season – which was followed by a five-game winning run – set the tempo of a terrific campaign, as Colin Caton’s side made their impact on the league. Lee Hunt once again proved himself to be one of the finest strikers in the league, netting 16 in his debut season at Maes Tegid. And in the January window Bala moved to bolster their forward line, bringing in Ian Sheridan from Airbus. Mark Jones- an attacking midfielder who could step into any team in the Welsh Premier – thrives in Caton’s diamond-shape midfield, whilst Mark Connolly provides a constant threat from outside of the box.
Colin Caton has made minimal changes to his squad over the summer but the acquisitions of Llanelli stopper Ashley Morris and former Everton and Aberystwyth forward Lewis Codling should prove effective to replace the outgoing Terry McCormick and Chris Mason, who join Conway Borough and Guisley respectively, and the arrival of 32-year-old Football League veteran Kenny Lunt will only add to the quality Bala possess in midfield.
Verdict: With two proven goalscorers and a midfield which can carve open up any team in the division and an already strong defence will be improved by Morris’ presence between the posts. Bala will again remain a threat, just how much depends on their consistency – don’t rule out further squad strengthening in January after a relatively quiet summer.
BANGOR CITY
Last season: 2nd Manager: Nev Powell Key man: Les Davies
In: Jamie Crowther, Chris Simms, Liam BrownhillOut: Eddie Jebb, Neil Thomas, Kyle Wilson, Peter Hoy
Background: It took until the final day of the league season to put the Welsh Premier title beyond the reach of defending champions Bangor City, as The New Saints reclaimed the title with a 5-0 win and a five-point margin. Three points taken from a possible 12 against the newly crowned champions ultimately proved decisive in a season in which only Bangor and TNS were the only genuine title contenders. Despite finishing the season empty-handed for the first time in five years, 2011/12 will however be firmly fixed in the memories of Bangor supporters for years to come, as the club said goodbye to their dated but characteristic Farrar Road stadium and hello to their purpose built facility at nearby Nantporth. The club and jovial striker Les Davies were the centre of some unexpected attention during the summer when the 27-year-old was ludicrously shortlisted on UEFA’s best player in Europe award, before, on the field, Bangor lost out to Moldvan side FC Zimbru Chisinau in the Europa Cup first qualifying round, despite a gutsy first-leg display.