********** Hot off the Cwmbrân Stadium newsdesk **********
And so we reach the final game of the Welsh League division one campaign, where the Crows face Bryntirion Athletic at their Bryntirion Park base. Although initially the season promised perhaps a title fight and a swift return to the WPL, it was not to be. The club will now look forward to the close season and begin preparing for when battle recommences in August. Bryntirion have had a pretty good season and should finish in the top six. In fact, only in recent weeks was a top two spot ruled out for the men from Bridgend. Their last two results are quite intriguing: they thrashed Newport YMCA 5-0 at home on the 03/05, yet three days later lost 2-1 to the same opposition in the return fixture… Guillermo Ganet will take back the management reins after his enforced absence and will have concerns over just one player: Craig Lane is still rated doubtful due to his ankle injury. Kick-off is at 14.30. Travelling fans can acquire personalised directions by clicking here and selecting Bryntirion Athletic from the list of clubs on the left. Remaining Division One fixtures: 10/05/2008 Bridgend Town v Afan Lido (@ Maesteg Park) Caldicot Town v Ton Pentre Dinas Powys v Pontardawe Town Newport YMCA v Maesteg Park Taffs Well v Goytre United 12/05/2008 Taffs Well v Maesteg Park 13/05/2008 Goytre United v Caerleon 14/05/2008 Pontardawe Town v Caldicot Town (@ Morriston Town) 17/05/2008 Newport YMCA v Afan Lido . . Don't forget to vote for your player of the season here!Friday 09/05/08 
2 2 Despite the Crows completely dominating the second half and taking a 2-1 lead, Bridgend stole a point with a converted penalty kick in the dying moments. After going behind early on, Tybbo Koffi levelled things before the break and Tidiany Kone put the Crows 2-1 up in the second half. Unable to kill the game off, the Crows suffered a cruel late sucker punch. Full report available here.. Don't forget to vote for your player of the season here!Thursday 08/05/08 
Bridgend Town are the final visitors of the season to Cwmbrân Stadium and the Crows will no doubt we looking to avenge the 3-0 defeat at Lock’s Lane back in November of last year. Better things were perhaps expected of both sides this season, but instead, both will end the campaign in a disappointing lower mid-table. The fact that neither team has anything but pride to play for could result in a tepid match. Then again, perhaps a more relaxed atmosphere in the warm sunshine could be more conducive to a free-flowing and entertaining game… Bridgend have had some odd results of late. After beating Cambrian & Clydach 4-2, they promptly lost the return 5-0. Last Wednesday Dinas Powys thumped them 8-1, but then two days later they were only beaten 1-0 by another title-chasing team in the form of Goytre United. I wonder which Bridgend will turn up tonight…? As first team manager Guillermo Ganet is still away, Gary Proctor will continue to deputise. There’s a slight worry over Craig Lane who picked up an ankle injury during the Dinas Powys match, but otherwise Proctor will have a full squad to choose from. With no European football on the telly and a warm evening on the cards, let’s hope the locals can turn out to give the lads a good end-of-season send-off. Kick-off is at 19.15. Elsewhere, Ton Pentre can severely damage Goytre’s title hopes while keeping their own faint hopes alive with a win at Glenhafod Park. Then tomorrow, Croesyceiliog complete their campaign with a home game versus Newport YMCA. Other Division One fixtures: 07/05/2008 Goytre United v Ton Pentre Maesteg Park v Pontardawe Town 08/05/2008 Croesyceiliog v Newport YMCA . Don't forget to vote for your player of the season here!Wednesday 07/05/08
3 0 An early goal for the hosts set the trend for the match as they gained revenge for the 3-0 defeat eight months ago. A lethargic perfomance by the Crows saw them go in at half time 2-0 down, and ultimately lose 3-0. A bizarre disallowed penalty in the second half prevented the scoreline from reading worse. Full report available here...Saturday 03/05/08 
The Crows face a tough trip to Dinas Powys this weekend for their penultimate away game of the season. The hosts have won four matches on the bounce scoring an amazing 20 goals in the process. Dinas are currently top of the league with 70 points, which is one more than Ton Pentre, and two more that title favourites Goytre United, who have two games in hand and play tonight. The reverse of tomorrow’s fixture was played under very different circumstances back in September. Nicky Tucker was still in charge prior to his move to Port Talbot Town, and the Crows were scoring goals for fun and riding high in the league. Ex-Carmarthen Town manager Mark Jones is now in charge, and has steered his side to within touching distance of the Welsh League division one title. The Crows of course have suffered through extensive changes to the playing staff. Nevertheless, the current set of players have shown some improved form of late, and were unfortunate not to make it three games unbeaten last Wednesday. Manager Guillermo Ganet has a prior commitment that was arranged before the season was extended, so the reins have been temporarily handed to Director of Football Gary Proctor. With the return from suspension of the Lane brothers, Proctor will have a full squad to choose from. For directions, travelling fans should click here, select Dinas Powys from the list on the left, and then click the relevant option in the pop-up balloon. Kick-off is at 14.30. Other Division One fixtures: 02/05/2008 Bryntirion Athletic v Newport YMCA Caldicot Town v Pontardawe Town Pontypridd Town v Croesyceiliog . . Don't forget to vote for your player of the season here!Friday 02/05/08
Goytre United v Bridgend Town
03/05/2008
Caerleon v Maesteg Park
Garw v Taffs Well
Thursday 01/05/08 |
On-line Player of the Season poll! Just for fun, vote for your player of the season here. Just click on First Team Chat and select the Player of the Season thread. |
| Thursday 01/05/08 |
1 2 Caerleon pounced on a mistake in each half to claim the points on what was a very soggy pitch. A late goal by Tidiany Kone raised hopes of rescuing a point, but alas the Crows couldn't convert pressure into any more goals. Full report available here. |
Weather permitting, the Crows will welcome local rivals Caerleon to Cwmbrân Stadium this evening for what will be Cwmbrân Town’s last Gwent derby of the season. The team from Cold Bath Road are on a bit of a hot streak at the moment: they’re undefeated in their last eight away trips and have won their last four! In addition to beating Croesyceiliog and Garw, they also beat title hopefuls Aberaman and Dinas Powys. With that in mind, the Crows will need to continue their recent good form if they are to stretch their unbeaten record to three. Although former Crows Josh Collins and Chris Pearce are rumoured to be missing through injury, another former Crow Kris Hanbury should be in the squad. Manager Ganet will still be without Richard and Craig Lane as they serve out their suspensions, but Uwa Ogbodo is available again after his three-match ban. Kick-off is at 19.15. Other Division One fixtures:Wednesday 30/04/08 
Afan Lido v Bryntirion Athletic
Dinas Powys v Bridgend Town
Taffs Well v Aberaman Athletic
Maesteg Park v Ton Pentre
4 2 The Crows made it two wins in a row with a tough but entertaining win over Taffs Well. The first half was all about Leon Clarke as he scored two and set one up to make it 3-1 at half time. The visitors hit back to make the last five minutes a bit nervy, but Tidiany Kone made things safe not long after. Full report available here. Thursday 24/04/08 
The Crows have no more home Saturday fixtures left this term, so Taffs Well’s visit tonight is the first of three home Wednesday games that will see out this season’s home programme. Taffs Well beat the Crows 1-0 way back on the opening day of the season, so a chance to avenge that defeat has been a long time coming. The visitors are in a similar position to the Crows as we head into the final few weeks of the season, that is, they’re in lower mid-table, and are probably safe from the drop. Only a superior goal-difference for the Crows separates the sides occupying 12th and 13th. Adam Moore’s men have fairly good recent away form, having collected seven points from a possible twelve, although their last game was a heavy 5-0 defeat to Ton Pentre. After a resounding 6-0 win over Garw last Wednesday, the Cwmbrân squad should take some confidence into this match, and go for the win from the off. Kick-off is at 19.30. Other Division One fixtures: 23/04/2008Wednesday 23/04/08
Bryntirion Athletic v Maesteg Park
Caerleon v Aberaman Athletic
Croesyceiliog v Goytre United
Garw v Afan Lido
0 6 The Crows recorded their first away victory in eleven attempts with a comfortable 6-0 win over hapless Garw. The fifth goal for the Crows was the 200th conceded by the hosts, in what has been a nightmare of a season. The Crows now have the weekend off and will hope to go into next Wednesday's home game with Taffs Well with greater confidence. Full report available here.Wednesday 16/04/08 
The Crows travel to face basement boys Garw this evening, in what is a must win game. Although the Crows are probably safe from the drop, a win at Blandy Park should banish any lingering doubt. Both sides are completed out of form; so one team should get lucky tonight. Garw are without a win in 18 matches, and have lost an incredible 14 on the bounce. The Crows’ record reads slightly better: no win in five, with four defeats on the bounce. One statistic most people have been talking about recently is that Garw have conceded almost 200 goals. The 195 conceded equates to 6.72 goals per match. With five games left, it certainly looks like Garw will reach that ominous 200. Will the Crows have enough firepower to become the team who scores that 200th? The formbook suggests not…especially when you consider the reverse fixture ended scoreless! Guillermo Ganet’s squad will be a bit on the thin side over the next few weeks as Uwa Ogbodo, Richard Lane, and Craig Lane are all suspended (for two, three, and three matches respectively). Plus Leon Clarke must be rated doubtful after the injury he picked up against Pontardawe. Kick-off is at 18.30, and for those wishing to travel, click here for directions to Blandy Park. This week's other fixtures 16/04/2008 Wednesday 16/04/08
Bryntirion Athletic v Taffs Well
Croesyceiliog v Cambrian & Clydach
Dinas Powys v Ton Pentre
17/04/2008
Pontardawe Town v Aberaman Athletic
In addition to Cwmbrân's trip to already-relegated Garw tomorrow, there are a number of key midweek fixtures to be played out which will have a bearing on both the title and relegation battles... 15/04/2008 At the bottom, if Croesy and Pontardawe can pick up victories, they'll make things very difficult for 16th-placed Maesteg Park, despite them having games in hand. At the top end, things are a little tighter. The top two clash tomorrow as Ton Pentre visit Dinas Powys, but Goytre United could split the pair with a win tonight at Caerleon. Afan Lido are still in with a shout after their 1-0 win over Pontardawe last night, and you probably can't rule out late challenges from Bryntirion (5th) and Aberaman (6th) if both pick up a few wins. There's also some key games in the race for promotion to division one, with title favourites Bettws playing away to Llangeinor (tonight) and third place Cardiff Corries (Thursday). Also tonight, runner-up favourites Barry Town will be expecting a good crowd when they host local rivals Grange Quins at Jenner Park. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Tuesday 15/04/08 - 14.50
Aberaman Athletic v Bridgend Town
Caerleon v Goytre United
16/04/2008
Bryntirion Athletic v Taffs Well
Croesyceiliog v Cambrian & Clydach
Dinas Powys v Ton Pentre
17/04/2008
Pontardawe Town v Aberaman Athletic
Note: Next week's home league game with Taffs Well has been brought forward from Friday the 25th to Wednesday the 23rd.
0 2 The visitors made a huge stride in their battle for safety with a deserved victory in a fairly drab affair. Two second half goals - one from the penalty spot - was enough to claim all three points. The game sparked into life deep into injury time, when a brawl broke out and three players, two for the Crows, were sent off. Full report available here.Saturday 12/04/08 - 19.30 
Breaking news.... Cwmbrân Town AFC can confirm that Mr Gary Proctor has been appointed as Director of Football within the club, with immediate effect. This appointment has the full backing of the Cwmbrân Town committee and we are sure that he will perform the role to the best of his ability, and develop the club in the coming seasons. We would also like to confirm that our manager Mr Guillermo Ganet remains in control of first team affairs. We wish Gary the best of luck in his new role.Friday 11/04/08 - 15.50
This appointment will help build unity within the club and develop our long term goals.
The Crows face a crucial few days with games against two teams below them in the league coming up. Before travelling to Garw on 16/04/08, they welcome Pontardawe Town to Cwmbrân Stadium for a classic six-pointer this Saturday. Pontardawe are currently seven points behind the Crows in 14th place, but they do have three games in hand. A first win in four games would almost certainly dispel any lingering relegation fears for the Crows. It won’t be an easy task though, as Pontardawe have collected seven points from the last fifteen on offer, and are just as determined to avoid the trap door to division two as any other club. The reverse fixture back in December saw the Crows fall to a late goal in damp and foggy conditions, so the players will no doubt be looking to put the record straight with a good performance, and hopefully a win. Kick-off is at 14.30. Weekend Division One fixtures: 11/04 Bryntirion Athletic v Afan Lido 12/04 Aberaman Athletic v Caerleon Cambrian & Clydach v Ton Pentre Croesyceiliog v Maesteg Park Dinas Powys v Pontypridd Town Goytre United v Garw Newport YMCA v Bridgend Town . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ . Stop Press: D & B Sheds and Fencing have joined Cwmbrân Town's growing list of official partners. See the Membership Scheme area for details of their discount offer. .Friday 11/04/08 - 14.30
1 2 The local bragging rights go to Croesyceiliog for the 07/08 season as the relegation-threatened Cockerels eased their worries with a 2-1 victory at Woodland Road. The hosts went ahead from a corner only for the Crows to equalise immediately from the restart. However, Croesy scored what was to be the winner 10 minutes before half-time. A harsh second half red card left the Crows with an up-hill task, and despite carving out a couple of good scoring opportunities, the score remained 2-1 to Croesyceiliog. Full report available here. Crows v Ton Pentre team line-ups here.Wednesday 09/04/08 - 21.45 
After two defeats and one postponement (details to come), Cwmbrân Town now have the vitally important derby clash with Croesyceiliog to look forward to this Wednesday evening at the Champions League-friendly time of 18.15. With Croesy looking to stave-off relegation, and the Crows looking to banish any lingering fears of relegation themselves, this match is just as important for the league standings as it is for local pride. The Crows are without a win in three and have dropped down to 13th place in the division. The Cockerels however have had a mixed bag, thrashing Garw and Pontypridd, but losing to Taffs Well and Pontardawe. They currently lay one place and four points above the relegation zone, with Maesteg Park in 16th having two games in hand… If tomorrow’s game is half as exciting as the 4-4 draw back in August, and the Torfaen locals can risk missing the pre-match waffle on the televised Champions League games, then the game and atmosphere will be worth the entrance fee! For those who don’t know how to get to Woodland Road, click here. As mentioned, kick-off is at 18.15. Tuesday 08/04/08 - 15.15
Thursday 27/03/08 - 16.30 |
Due to my imminent absence, I’ve rolled three match previews into one for your reading pleasure.
First up is the mammoth match on Saturday the 29th at home to table-toppers Ton Pentre As much as it pains me to admit it, the Rhondda Bulldogs showed the Crows how to play when the sides met in January at Ynys Park, meting out a 4-0 lesson in finishing. And despite Ton’s two consecutive home defeats in the last few days, the Crows must not take this task lightly if they want to get something from the game.
On the evening of April Fool’s Day, the Crows travel to meet the much-improved Caldicot Town in the Gwent Senior Cup semi final. Not only is local pride at stake, but also financial reward, with the finalists picking up three-figure cash prizes each. At the time of writing, Caldicot are currently on a four-match winning run, and have won their last six home games! Therefore, the Crows will have to be on top form, and break their ten match winless away streak if they’re to reach the final for the third consecutive season. Away support may wish to take a look at these directions to Jubilee Way.
And finally, on Saturday the 5th, the Crows travel to Garw’s Blandy Park. Nothing much has changed for the hosts since that dreadful 0-0 draw at Cwmbrân Stadium back in December: they’re still cast adrift at the bottom of the division, and they’re still conceding goals by the shed load. Even though they’re on a 12-match winless run (at the time of writing) and have conceded 169 goals in 26 matches, the hosts will be aware that one of their four points came whilst playing Cwmbrân Town… Away support may wish to take a look at these directions to Blandy Park. |
Wednesday 26/03/08 - 14.10 |
Club secretary Ian Greaney has been on the case this week, and has confirmed the dates for the remaining outstanding fixtures. Ian's job has been made a little easier due to the league allowing an extension of the season into May, but nonetheless, the football is going to come thick and fast in April. April starts with three away fixtures and ends with three at home. First up is the Gwent Senior Cup semi final against Gwent neighbours Caldicot Town. The Crows will be looking to make it three finals in three seasons, but with Caldicot's current run of fine form, it will be a very tough task indeed. The winner will meet either Cwmbrân Celtic or Aberbargoed Buds in the final in May. Four days later, and bottom club Garw will welcome the Crows to Blandy Park. Hopefully the game will be an improvement on the 0-0 draw witnessed back in December! Then the big one: Crows v Cockerels in the Torfaen derby on the evening of the 9th. If this match is half as exciting as the 4-4 draw back in August, then we'll be in for a cracker! A large crowd will be expected at Woodland Road for this one. The Crows will seek revenge in the three home matches. Three 1-0 defeats to Pondardawe, Taffs Well, and Caerleon will need to be avenged if a top half finish is to be achieved this season... Article sponsored by www.crows-online.co.uk. |
Saturday 22/03/08 - 18.55 |
1 0 Former Crow Chris Pearce pounced in the third minute to ultimately give Caerleon a 1-0 derby win. With the weather switching from sunshine and wind to rain, hail and snow, the Crows were unable to convert their possesion into clear-cut goal scoring opportunities, and now drop down to 11th place in the division. Full report available here. |
Friday 21/03/08 - 19.40 |
The Crows travel to face Gwent rivals Caerleon this weekend after a week off last Saturday due to the weather. Crows fans will recognise a sizeable chunk of the Caerleon squad as no less than seven of them have previously donned the blue of Cwmbrân Town. Josh Collins, Kristian Hanbury, Matthew Hearne, Wayne Jepson, Chris Pearce, Martyn Phillips and Troy Quarterly featured at some point during last season at the very least. Oddly enough, Caerleon’s recent away form outshines their home. Having beaten promotion chasers Dinas Powys and our neighbours Croesyceilog away in the last fortnight, they also contrived to lose to both Caldicot Town and Taffs Well at home. After recent encouraging performances from the Crows which has seen four points gained from the last six on offer, fans will be hopeful of securing a first away win since the first month on the season. Kick-off is at 14.30, and if you’re looking to travel to the match, take a look at these directions. Weekend Division One fixtures: 21/03/2008 |
Monday 17/03/08 - 10.55 |
Both the first and reserve teams had their games called off on the weekend due to waterlogged pitches, but both sides maintained their positions in their respective leagues. The whole of the Premier Y programme was called off, so it’s as you were there, and only a handful of games went ahead in Welsh League division one. However, next week’s opponents Caerleon opened up a six point gap over the Crows with a great 2-1 away win over promotion-chasing Dinas Powys. On another subject, an unofficial Cwmbrân Town fans forum has been launched. www.crows-online.co.uk is in it’s infancy, but provides both a place for Crows fans to chat about their club, and a place where opposition fans can have a bit of a banter. The forum on the old official CTAFC website was always popular, so perhaps this new forum can carry on where that left off… |
Friday 14/03/08 - 14.20 |
Bridgend Town are the visitors to Cwmbrân Stadium this weekend, and they’ll be looking to do the double over the Crows thus leapfrogging them in the league. Without a win in three, Saturday’s visitors currently lay one place and one point behind Cwmbrân in the league table. And with the Crows having played three more games than Bridgend, a victory is vitally important if a top half finish is to be achieved. In the reverse fixture back in November, Bridgend coped better with the conditions and ran out 3-0 winners. The game was a lot closer than the score line suggests as the hosts were gifted a wind-assisted own goal and a dubious penalty decision. Nevertheless, the points were well deserved on a day when former Crows Michael Parkins and Dale Raven were instrumental in the victory. After recent encouraging performances from the Crows which has seen four points gained from the last six on offer, fans will be hopeful of another good performance and another home win. Kick-off is at 14.30 – hope to see you there, and again back at the clubhouse for the rugby! Weekend Division One fixtures: 14/03/2008 |
Tuesday 11/03/08 - 17.35 |
Cwmbrân Town Memorabilia Appeal + News Round-up The club is trying to put together a collection of old Cwmbrân Town photos from the past, mainly old squad photographs, but also action pictures, etc. The aim will be to take a copy of the photograph with the owner’s consent, and frame the copy with a view to boasting the club’s memorabilia collection. As it stands, the club only has relatively recent photographs. If anyone out there has any old Cwmbrân Town photographs that they would be willing to loan to the club on a temporary basis, please contact us via info@cwmbrantownafc.co.uk or phone Ian on 07930 142391. Thanks for your support! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Under 16s win again! Following a tough workout against a Cwmbrân Town Select XI in midweek, the young Crows proceeded to systematically tear apart local rivals Croesyceiliog on the weekend. With a double hat-trick from Craig Bennett and a single from Shane Davie, Cwmbrân Town under 16s ran out comfortable 7-3 victors, while laying down a challenge for the senior side to meet in the coming weeks. Rumours that joint manager Gareth Griffiths was speechless after the match have yet to be confirmed... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Unfortunately, Cwmbrân Town reserves lost 4-1 at home to now-league leaders Albion Rovers last Saturday. The reserves are now down to fifth in the Premier Y with three games remaining. |
Sunday 09/03/08 - 10.30 |
1 1 Another good performance from the Crows saw them hold promotion-chasing Afan Lido to a 1-1 draw. The hosts scored after a spell of pressure near the end of the first half, and the Crows deservedly equalised after dominating the second half. Full report available here! |
Friday 07/03/08 - 13.10 |
This Saturday the Crows will travel west along the M4 to take on former WPL compatriots Afan Lido. Lido are slowly moving up the league thanks to them clearing their fixture backlog in style. They’re on an impressive 8-match unbeaten run, and have won three games on the bounce, including an impressive away win over Dinas Powys. With the two clubs above them in the league not applying for promotion, and Dinas Powys having to arrange a ground share, Lido have a real chance of getting themselves in the frame for a return to the Welsh Premier League after a three year absence. We wish them well of course, but not until after our impending dual! After last week’s much needed victory, the Crows will no doubt be in buoyant mood and be on the hunt for more points when they visit Lido’s Martson Stadium. Nevertheless, Cwmbrân’s recent away record is pretty poor, so they’ll have to be on top form if they’re take anything away from one of the best grounds in the league. Unfortunately, manager Guillermo Ganet will not be present at this match due to personal circumstances, but he leaves the squad in the very capable hands of assistant Gary Proctor, who will no doubt relish the challenge. For those wishing to rekindle memories of past WPL clashes between the two clubs, take a look at these directions to the ground. Kick-off is at 14.30. Weekend Division One fixtures: Bridgend Town v Dinas Powys |
Thursday 06/03/08 - 10.55 |
Cwmbrân Town AFC team-up with on-line shopping website! Cwmbrân Town AFC have teamed-up with www.easyfundraising.org.uk so whenever you buy items on-line, you can have a percentage of your payment donated to Cwmbrân Town at no extra cost to yourself! |
Saturday 01/03/08 - 19.40 |
1 0 Cwmbrân Town ended their winless streak with a great performance against high flying Bryntirion Athletic, notching up a 1-0 win. In truth, the margin could have been greater as the Crows created chance after chance in an entertaining second half. In the end substitute Richard Lane scored the decisive goal 20 minutes from time to secure the three points. Full report available here. |
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