Briton Ferry 6 Croesyceiliog 4

Croesyceiliog crashed out of the League cup with a disappointing defeat to third division Briton Ferry in a ten goal thriller.
Croesyceiliog came into the game on the back of just one win all season but to score four goals away from home and still lose to a team two divisions below is disappointing and they will have to pick themselves up quickly as they are back in cup action on Wednesday evening as they travel to Tredegar for a "home" tie in the Gwent Senior Cup.
Croesyceiliog did not get off to the best of starts and were a goal down after seven minutes,following Chris Gardener's corner John Bailey's punch fell to Daniel Thomas and his effort was deflected in by Aaron Price.
However within the next half an hour Croesy scored three times to put themselves three one up and in truth it seemed like the game was won after thirty seven minutes.Croesy levelled the scoring after twelve minutes,Mark Morris' ball over the top found Ricky Coff in space and he advanced to the area before firing past Steffan Rogers.Ryan Fahey, was pushed forward from his midfield position to play upfront in this game with Jody Jenkins suspended and it was Fahey who put Croesy in front ten minutes later when after latching onto Dan Jenkins pass he lobbed Rogers from just inside the penalty area.Mike Dewar gave Croesy a two goal cushion with eight minutes left of the first half,heading home a Jamie Jenkins free kick from close range.
Briton Ferry got a vital second goal three minutes before half time to give them some hope when despite Nicky Maggs looking clearly offside he was allowed to continue and after a melee in the area,Barry Herdman scored from inside the six yard box to make it three-two.
Croesyceiliog's lead did not last long as Briton Ferry were level within two minutes of the restart,Price released Thomas who produced a cool finish past Bailey.Briton Ferry took the lead with eighteen minutes left,a longball downfield flicked of the head of Dewar and fell kindly to Price who again gave Bailey no chance.Croesy were in shock and Thomas scored his second of the afternoon after being played in by Price despite Price again looking in a offside position but make no mistake Thomas finished well and Croesy had let a three-one lead disappear into being five-three behind within thirty eight minutes of action.Daniel Clouth gave Croesy faint hope with seven minutes remaining when he headed home a Coff cross.Croesy then saw a header hit the post with just seconds left before Briton Ferry went down the other end and poor defending saw Thomas complete his hat trick to send Croesy crashing out.

Croesyceiliog Reserves recorded their third straight league win with a fine 2-1 victory away to Llantwit Fardre,this despite having John Lowndes sent off in the first minute

Croesyceiliog 0 Maesteg Park 3

Nine man Croesyceiliog crashed out of the Welsh cup to second division Maesteg Park at Woodland Road on Saturday.
Croesyceiliog came into the game on the back of a away victory over Newport YMCA while Maesteg are unbeaten in division two following their relegation last season.
Croesyceiliog started the better of the two sides and nearly went ahead in the eighth minute,Jody Jenkins found Lewis Clare whose shot from the edge of the area beat Maesteg keeper Chris Barlow but went over via the top of the crossbar.Croesyceiliog then went close three times in the same attack,Daniel Clouth's inch perfect pass over the top found the feet of Jenkins whose shot was blocked before Chris Watkins also saw his shot blocked and then Ryan Fahey saw his effort blocked for a corner,from which nothing came from.
Maesteg Park took the lead against the run of play in the fourteenth minute when there looked to be very little danger but Geraint Mizen's effort from the eighteen yard line took a big deflection,completely wrong footing Jon Bailey and the visitors were in front.
Maesteg from this moment on where looking to play on the counter attack and in Calvin McLaggon they have the perfect outlet to play this game with his pace causing trouble for the Croesy defence and perhaps he should of done better when free on goal but from a tight angle he failed to even test Bailey.
Croesy had a goal disallowed ten minutes before the break,Luke Fernquest's effort was on target and going in but the assistant referee flagged claiming for Jody Jenkins,there is a doubt as to wether he was offside or not but there is a big doubt as to wether he touched the ball or not.
Croesyceiliog were reduced to ten men just five minutes later,Dan Clare showing his anger at his own team mates ,swore and in the game today that is a straight red card and although everyone knows the rules if the referee sent every player off that swore during the game,we could end up with all games being abandoned.
Croesy were every much in the game in the second half and had a penalty calm for handball turned down just before Jody Jenkins was sent off in the fifty-eighth minute,again for swearing and yet again not at anyone in particular but in today's game swearing is not allowed.
Maesteg went straight down the other end from this red card and went two-nil up,Mizen was on hand at the far post to tap in McLaggon's cross as gaps appeared everywhere with Croesy down to nine men.Maesteg added athird through Mizen eight minutes from time to complete the scoring before Maesteg's Jon Thomas was sent off for violent conduct.
Croesy will look to put this defeat behind them as they travel to Briton ferry in the League cup on Saturday.

Croesy: Bailey,Morris,D.Jenkins(Wilmott 70),Clouth,D.Clare,Fahey,Watkins,J.Jenkins(Coffe 61),L.Clare,Fernquest(Dewar 41)

Caerleon 2 Croesyceiliog 1

Croesyceiliog suffered a disappointing defeat as they produced a poor second half performance on Saturday.

Croesy came into the game on the back of a opening day defeat to Barry Town and while there were positives taken from that game its hard to think of many from Saturday's performance.
Croesyceiliog were much the better side in the first half and were deservedly in front at the break through a Ricky Coff strike nine minutes before half time.
Croesy tested home keeper Jon Chorley after just six minutes,playing good football which started at the back Lewis Clare's cross found Jody Jenkins whose shot was saved.Dan Clouth nearly put Croesy in front ten minutes later,Chris Watkins cross to the near post was met by Clouth whose first time effort went just over the crossbar.Croesy went in front on thirty-six minutes after Jody Jenkins had seen his effort cleared to the edge of the box Zac Osbourne found Coff who finished into the far corner giving Chorley no chance.
During the half time interval and looking back on the first half it seemed that the game was there for the taking for Croesy and it was viewed that on the first half showing it would be a struggle for Caerleon to score.
However that view quickly changed because within forty seconds of the restart Caerleon were on level terms,Croesy failed to deal with the danger and from Ryan Cueto's cross half time sub Mark Millinship made a immediate impact on the game as he headed past Jon Bailey.
Caerleon grew in confidence from this good start and ten minutes later were in front through a Dale Clarke penalty after Chris Watkins had fouled Luke Cueto needlessly in the area.
Croesy had a lot of possession from then until the end of the game but failed to make many worthwhile chances and at times seemed to lack ideas on how to break Caerleon down.
However the season has only just started so let's not get to downhearted as there are a few experienced players to return to the squad and that will make a difference and one win will quickly kick start the season.
Croesy travel to Caldicot Town on Wednesday night 6.30pm kick off as they look to get points on the board.

Croesyceiliog reserves made the trip to Garw on Saturday and came back 3-2 winners.
Croesy goal scorers were Lee Mason,Joel Dean and Richard Lewis.

Pontypridd Town 0 Croesyceiliog 3

Croesyceiliog gained the win that was needed to guarantee first division safety this season against already relegated Pontypridd Town.
Croesy scored two goals in the last nine minutes to give the scoreline a flattering look while the hosts also had two players sent off in the same time period but Croesy just about edge the game and deserved the victory.
Croesy started well enough and Daniel Clouth should of tested Chris Golton in the home goal but he completely mistimed his effort after four minutes following a Jamie Jenkins corner.Jodi Jenkins,returning to the side after a long time out,then tested Golton after being found with a clever free kick by Chris Watkins but the Pontypridd keeper was alert enough to turn the ball behind for a corner.
Pontypridd had a good chance to take the lead after nineteen minutes,Jacob Daly's free kick from out wide wasn't dealt with and from inside the six yard box Mark Coles scuffed his effort and John Bailey held onto the ball.Croesy immediately went back on the attack and Carl Evans had a effort go just wide of the far post from twenty yards out.Croesy continued to be on the back foot without really testing Golton however they took the lead four minutes before the break due to a fine finish from Jodi Jenkins,Pontypridd's Craig Green failed to deal with the ball on the left and Jodi picked up the ball and advanced into the area before firing an unstoppable shot past Golton into the top corner.
Croesy failed to really start the second half but credit must go to Pontypridd who despite being down put up a spirited second half performance,but although they had alot of the possession they failed to get many shots in on the Croesy goal with their best effort coming after sixty-five minutes,David Delaney,who was by far away the best player in a home shirt,fired in a shot from just outside the penalty area on a angle but Bailey tipped the ball over the crossbar.
Croesy wrapped up the points nine minutes before the end,Bailey's long goal kick found Nicky McGrath who as he bore down on goal was fouled by Leigh Watkins and the referee correctly pointed to the spot,Watkins would probably have escaped without even a caution but foul language towards the match officials resulted in him being shown a straight red card,and from the resulting spot kick Jamie Jenkins made no mistake to put Croesy two-nil up.
Josh Higgins wrapped up the scoring four minutes from time,after croesy kept the ball well.Higgins in space fired past Golton from eighteen yards out,however that wasn't the end of the action as Delaney picked up a straight red card for a off the ball incident on the advice on the assistant referee,and although Delaney did not contest this decision while the referee was waited for the game to restart the Pontypridd manager made a comment and he was sent from the dugout.
Croesy comfortably saw out the remaining couple of minutes injury time and the victory was achieved,so congratulations to the players and management of Croesy for staying up and now being able to enjoy their final game at home to Newport YMCA this Thursday evening.

Croesy:Bailey,Holman,Jamie Jenkins,Morris,Clare,Clouth (Miles 74),Evans,Coffe,Jodi Jenkins(Osbourne 66),McGrath,Watkins(Higgins 68).

Croesyceiliog 0 Ton Pentre 0

Croesyceiliog picked up a unexpected point against high flying Ton Pentre and with this point they moved to within five points of ensuring first division football at Woodland Road next season.
Ton Pentre came into the game as league leaders and Croesy had suffered a heavy defeat at Ton Pentre in early March but Croesy's commitment and work ethic was brilliant all afternoon and they fully deserved the point they got.
Croesyceiliog knew they had to start much better than they did against Goytre United midweek,and from the first whistle it was clear that they were up for the game although Ton Pentre had half a chance to take the lead after nine minutes,Mike Dewar's clearance hit Dane Williams and the ball fell kindly for the visiting striker but he saw his lobbed effort over John Bailey go wide of the post.Croesy responded well and young striker Zac Osbourne fired a effort high and wide just three minutes later after being found by Ricky Coffe,Coffe had continued his run into the penalty area and if Osbourne had noticed Coffe in space perhaps he would of played the ball across goal to him.Neither keeper was forced in to making a save in the first half even though both sides were attempting to create chances,none fell for anyone to have a clear strike on goal.
Ton Pentre had the first real chance of the game just a minute into the second half but again Bailey in the home goal was not tested,Andrew Hughes passed to Dale Price who from eight yards out put the ball over the crossbar.
Both sides were reduced to ten men on fifty-seven minutes following a off the ball incident,Ton Pentre were awarded a free kick in their own half,but as the players were moving forward towards the Croesy penalty area,Ton Pentre striker Dane Williams hit Mike Dewar for no apparent reason throwing at least three punches and Dewar doing what anyone else would of done choose to defend himself and on the advice of his assistant the referee sent both players off.
Neither side had many chances as they seemed to cancel each other out with many shots being fired from distance but none testing the keepers.Ton Pentre though must have thought they had sneaked a late win just a minute from normal time as Phil Clarke's cross was met at the far post by Richard Stevens but Bailey pulled off a excellent save as the header seemed destined for the top corner and the save was worthy of Croesy securing a point.Seven minutes of injury time was added on at the end but neither side could find a winner in a game that really boosted Croesyceiliog's survival hopes but at the same time put a dent in Ton Pentre's hopes of winning the league.
All of the Croesy players performed well on the day from Bailey doing what he had to do well in goal,Carl Evans anchoring the midfield to Osbourne leading the front line really well as the lone striker,but everyone should be proud of the effort they put in.
Croesy pulled eleven points clear of the drop zone,as Maesteg Park were beaten again and although Croesyceiliog will probably finish in fifteenth place this season considering the position they were in a few weeks back it has taken a huge effort by the players and management team to get them as far clear of the drop zone as they are.

Croesyceiliog: Bailey,Holman,Bristow,J.Jenkins,Dewar,Clare,McGrath,Evans,Osbourne(Jones 84),Clouth,Coffe. Unused subs:D.Jenkins,Pearce.

Croesyceiliog 0 Goytre United 3

Croesyceiliog never recovered from a nightmare start that saw them conceded two goals within the first ten minutes against title chasing Goytre United.
Croesy were never expected to gain anything out of this game but despite the opening twenty minutes they more than matched their visitors and with a little bit of luck the score would have been a lot closer than what it turned out to be.
Goytre got off to a perfect start for them as Richard Ryan netted twice early on,firstly after five minutes he latched onto a cross from the left hand side and Ryan was left in loads of space to divert the ball past John Bailey.Goytre were passing the ball round with confidence and are one of the best sides that Croesy have played this season and deserve to be at the top going for the title,though due to the higher costs in the Welsh Premier league they don't wish to take the step up.
Richard Ryan added a quick fire second on ten minutes when after patient build up,Goytre sprung forward quickly and Ryan fired passed Bailey from the edge of the area.Richard Ryan then saw a deflected effort hit the post before the danger passing,however Croesy came into the game from midway through the first half and came close to pulling a goal back after thirty-two minutes,Jamie Jenkins found Ricky Coffe whose shot beat Chris Curtis in the Goytre goal but the ball hit the post before bouncing back into the arms of the visiting keeper.Croesy were denied a clear penalty four minutes before the break ,Mark Jones shot hit a defenders hand and every Croesy player appealed for a penalty and the assistant referee flagged for a penalty but the referee ignored the flag and waved play on.Ricky Coffe then had a shot saved from twenty yards out by Curtis after latching onto a pass by Carl Evans.
Onto the second half and it was action packed with both sides testing the keepers and near misses as shots went wide but Goytre added a third sixteen minutes from time when a cross from the left was diverted home at the near post to complete a three-nil away victory.
Croesy then had a nervous hour's wait before the news came through that relegation rivals Maesteg Park had suffered defeat on the night as well,so the gap remains ten points between Croesy and Maesteg Park and though Maesteg have three games in hand they only have six games left in total to firstly bridge the gap then overtake Croesyceiliog.
Croesyceiliog entertain leaders Ton Pentre on Saturday with a 2.30 kick off.

Newport YMCA 2 Croesyceiliog 1

Croesyceiliog's three match unbeaten run came to a end away to Newport YMCA on Saturday.
Croesy came into the game on the back of picking up seven points out of the previous nine on offer but they didn't improve that tally as Newport YMCA deservedly picked up the points.However a little bit later in the afternoon came the good news that relegation rivals Maesteg Park had lost again meaning Croesy maintain their ten point lead over Maesteg,and although Maesteg have three games in hand out of their last seven games they need to pick up eleven points to overtake Croesy,providing Croesy fail to pick up any points in their remaining four games so its not all doom and gloom,and to a extent Pontardawe Town need to pick up points in their games in hand to avoid getting dragged into the relegation scrap.
On to the game itself,Croesy never really recovered from a sluggish start and without poor finishing from the home side, the home side could off been well out of sight before Mike Dewar gave Croesy a slight hope with only three minutes remaining of the game.YMCA should of been in front after only six minutes from a counter attack, Jamie Jenkins free kick twenty-five yards from the YMCA goal hit the defensive wall and from the break,Faris Yafai cross was met by Aaron Stewart who somehow managed to head over John Bailey's crossbar from inside the six yard box. Croesy's reprieve didn't last long however as the hosts were in front on ten minutes,Gareth Wesson's long free kick down field was headed back across the penalty area by Daniel Heath and the ball struck Mike Dewar's arm and the referee pointed straight to the spot,and from the resulting penalty kick Gareth Lynch gave Bailey no chance.John Bailey then denied Yafai with a good save and shortly after Yafai shot wide from twenty yards out.Croesy though they had level the scores on twenty-one minutes when following a free kick Ricky Coffe slotted past Wesson but the assistant referee raised his flag to give offside against Coffe,although it did seem a tight decision.
Croesy at times were their own worst enemies as they gave the ball away time and time again and on the half hour mark Stewart fired just wide for YMCA after the ball was needlessly given away in midfield.Croesy nearly scored just four minutes later Callum Miles found Jenkins on the right and his cross to the far post was met by Nicky McGrath and his volley beat Wesson but rebounded back of the post and hit Mark Jones before going wide for a goal kick.Ricky Coffe then had to be alert to deny Stewart clearing his effort of the line from Robert Wigmore's corner.Newport YMCA scored the crucial second goal three minutes before the break,again the ball was given away cheaply and as YM attacked in numbers,John Pardue's initial shot was well saved by Bailey but Daniel Cueto was on hand to put the home side two nil up.
Newport YMCA started the second half brightly and thankfully for Croesy,McGrath was on hand to clear Pardue's effort of the line after Pardue done well to firstly corner the ball from a Criag Ford cross and then fire goal wards.John Bailey pulled of a fine save eleven minutes before time,as he denied Yafai with a close range diving header after he met Cueto's cross.Croesy scored a consolation goal near the end as Coffe put the ball over the top of the defence for sub Adie Pearce and his cross found Dewar who scored from twelve yards out.Croesy thought they had rescued a point two minutes into injury time when Wesson done well at his near post to deny McGrath.
So up next on Wednesday evening is a home game against Goytre United who currently sit second,just three points of the top but have two games in hand over leaders Ton Pentre,but with Maesteg also in action(away to Bryntirion),Croesy will look to either extend the difference between them and Maesteg or if not at least maintain the difference.

Croesyceiliog 1 Cambrian & Clydach 1

Jamie Jenkins stunning forty yard effort gave Croesy the share of the points on Wednesday evening.
Croesyceiliog came into the game having to make seven changes from the team that won on Saturday with note able absentees including Chis Watkins,Zac Osbourne and Daniel Clouth,however despite this many changes they started well enough with Jenkins shooting just wide twice within the first fourteen minutes,firstly on four minutes Mark Jones disposed Daniel Lever before rolling the ball to Jenkins on the edge of the are but although his shot beat Jarred Howells in the Cambrian goal the ball flew just wide,then ten minutes later again latching onto a Jones pass in roughly the same area,again his effort flew just wide.Josh Higgins had a goal bound shot blocked by Dave Facey on thirty-three minutes and following this blocked shot Ricky Coffe saw his effort deflected wide for a corner. Cambrian had a good chance to take the lead ten minutes before the break when despite the home side appealing for offside,Darren Jones was allowed to continue and his shot from sixteen yards out was well saved by John Bailey,the danger was cleared for a throw in from which Bailey had to be alert to turn Jones' twenty yard effort around the post.Jamie Jenkins then took centre stage picking the ball up a fully forty yards out he turned and lobbed the ball over visiting keeper Howells to give Croesy a half time lead.
Croesy started the second half slowly and despite being given a couple of warnings by Cambrian they did not take the initiative and the visitors levelled on fifty-seven minutes,central defender Lever turned up on the right hand side of the penalty area and he crossed for Chris Phillips,who was unmarked six yards out,to tap and make it one all.Crosey dominated the last twenty minutes without managing to get the winning goal,the best chance falling to Josh Higgins who after being found by Coffe in the area,saw his attempted chip over Howells gathered by the visiting keeper.Croesy had one final chance six minutes before time,Higgins goal bound shot was blocked for a corner from which Mike Dewar's header at the far post was blocked by Darren Jones just short of the goal line.
Croesy travel to Newport YMCA on Saturday looking to extend their current unbeaten run to four games.

Croesyceiliog 3 Maesteg Park 1

Croesyceiliog took a step towards ensuring first division football remained at Woodland Road on Saturday thanks to a three goal haul in the opening forty minutes.
Croesy came into the game after beating Cwmbran Town midweek while Maesteg would have came into the game looking to reduce the six point deficit between them and their hosts prior to kick off.Like in their last game Croesy came flying out of the traps and could off been a goal up inside the first couple of minutes,Jamie Jenkins free kick from the right hand side of the penalty area was delivered perfectly into the area but from six yards out Zac Osbourne who was unmarked put his effort wide of the Maesteg goal from close range. Croesy did not have to wait long before taking the lead though as they were in front after just six minutes,initially Nicky McGrath had seen his effort from Callum Miles cross tipped wide by Maesteg keeper Gary Wager,but from the resulting Jenkins corner an attempted clearance hit McGrath on the back before flying into the back of the net. Croesy had by far the better of the chances in the first half as home keeper John Bailey was not even tested and it came as no surprise when Croesy added a second goal on thirty six minutes,Chris Watkins picked the ball up on the right before rolling the ball across the goal giving Ricky Coffe the simple task of steering the ball home.Ricky Coffe then effectively finished the game as a contest six minutes before the break when his header looped over Wager in the visiting goal from a excellent cross by Miles,to give him his second goal of the afternoon and Croesy a three goal cushion.Croesy were then denied a definite penalty just before the break when Watkins was pulled down but the referee gave no penalty and waved play on.
Croesy despite be three goals in front would not have been happy with the way they started the second half as Maesteg looked to find a way back into the game,and within two minutes of the restart they had a golden opportunity to pull a goal back,Mark Morris fouled Calvin McLaggon in the area and the referee had no option but to point to the spot however John Bailey pulled off a fine double save firstly diving to his left to save Mark Dunford's penalty then as Matthew Ramadan followed up he saved Ramadan shot with his legs.Maesteg scored their only goal on fifty eight minutes through McLaggon who skipped past Daniel Clare before firing past Bailey into the far corner to make the score three-one.Croesy then had a difficult five minute spell when Maesteg looked to pull a second goal back and provide a tense finish and although they had a lot of the ball in this spell Maesteg did not have a shot of any worthwhile note.Croesy quickly weathered the storm and nearly extended their lead twice midway through the half,Mike Dewar's free kick ended with Daniel Clouth's header being palmed away by Wager for a corner,from which Dewar saw his header beat Wager but cleared off the line by Darren Thomas.
Croesy saw out the remainder of the game fairly comfortably and gain three well earned and deserved points,which saw them increase their lead over third from bottom Maesteg to nine points plus a handy twelve goal advantage and although the visitors have two games in hand the pressure is very much on them to catch Croesy in their remaining eight games while Croesy have six games left knowing survival is very much in their own hands.
Croesy will look to extend the gap as they entertain Cambrian & Clydach on Wednesday evening (6.15pm kick off),while Maesteg have a whole week to dwell on this result as they have no midweek fixture.

Croesy:Bailey,Morris,J.Jenkins,Dewar (D.Jenkins 65),Clare,Clouth,Miles,Coffe,Osbourne (Evans 65),Watkins(Pearce 85),McGrath.

Croesyceiliog 2 Cwmbran Town 1

Daniel Clouth's close range effort on the half hour mark gave Croesy all three points on a cold evening at Woodland Road on Wednesday.
Although this game was a local derby personally it didn't feel that way due to the number of non local players in the Cwmbran squad.However Croesy could not really care who they were playing as they picked up three points following Saturday's disappointing defeat to Taffs Well and they started the game much the better of the two sides.Chris Watkins had a very good first half without being on the score sheet and he fired in the first shot on six minutes,however after latching onto Jamie Jenkins cross field ball he fired high over the Cwmbran crossbar.
Croesyceiliog took the lead after seventeen minutes and it came as no surprise when it came following a Jenkins corner,as Croesy looked dangerous every time Jenkins swung in a corner.Jenkins swung in a corner to the far post and Mike Dewar rose highest to head home giving Richard Jeffries no chance in the Cwmbran goal.Croesy's lead lasted just a minute though as Cwmbran equalised straight from the restart,Sikami Kambiri's long ball over the top saw Raney Duncan react first to the ball and slot past John Bailey giving the Croesy keeper no chance.Croesy didn't let this affect them though as they went close to regaining the lead soon afterwards,firstly Jenkins tested Jeffries with a thirty yard effort that the Cwmbran keeper tipped over when a yard either side of him would surely have resulted in a goal.Zac Osbourne then had a shot tipped over by Jeffries on twenty five minutes following Watkins knock on to Osbourne just inside the penalty area.Croesy scored the winner after thirty minutes,a good run by Ricky Coffe resulted in Watkins feeding the ball across the goal for Clouth to tap home from inside the six yard box.
Croesy started the second half well and Watkins nearly added a third just two minutes after the break,good work by Coffe and Callum Miles ended with Watkins shot beating Jeffries but the ball going over via the crossbar.Cwmbran were rightly reduced to ten men ten minutes into the second half when Uma Ogbodo kicked out at Dewar off the ball right in full view of the assistant referee.Fidelis Chime should of been sent off for the visitors eleven minutes later when he threw a punch at Jenkins in full view of the referee who seemed fit to only produce a yellow card.
Cwmbran had a lot and of the play towards the end of the game without really testing Bailey,their best chance came with seven minutes remaining but Bailey denied Duncan with a fine save after Duncan had outpaced Paul Brown.
Croesy saw out the remaining minutes to hang on for three vital points and the news that Maesteg Park had drew was good news as well before Saturday's crucial game against Maesteg,as Croesy are now six points and eight goals better off than Maesteg though they have played two games more.

Croesyceiliog 7 Pontypridd Town 0

Croesyceiliog ran riot as they put seven goals past their relegation rivals at a wet Woodland Road.
Both sides came into the game knowing three points were vital in their quest to stay up and it was the home side who deservedly came out the victors.Croesy welcomed back Mike Dewar,Ross Bristow and Mark Jones to the fold and these players are going to have a important part to play in the battle to beat the drop.
Croesy nearly opened the scoring after just six minutes,Chris Watkins found Jamie Jenkins whose shot from the edge of the area was tipped over by Pontypridd keeper Chris Golton as the ball looked to be headed for the top corner.Croesy did not have to wait long to take the lead though as just two minutes later they were ahead,Daniel Clouth found Mark Morris on the left and he applied a fine finish as he steered the ball past Golton and into the back of the net.Croesy had a goal rightly disallowed for offside on fourteen minutes despite Mike Dewar firing home from Watkins pass,Dewar was clearly in a offside position.Chris Watkins was involved with the second goal after seventeen minutes,Daniel Clare found Watkins on the right and he cut the ball back to the edge of the area and Clouth advanced onto the ball to give Golton no chance with a excellent finish.As much as Croesy were in control and looked dangerous every time they went forward Pontypridd did have their rare moments of threatening to get themselves back in the game,Pontypridd best two chances came within a four minute spell in the first half,firstly after half an hour Cyron Williams headed wide from David Avery's corner when he probably should of tested John Bailey in the Croesy goal,then four minutes later Bailey denied Wayne Antoniazzi with his feet following a good turn and shot from eighteen yards out and from the rebound Rasul Abdul saw his overhead kick go harmlessly wide.Croesy finished the game as a contest five minutes before the break when they went three-nil up,Morris latched onto the ball in the area on the left and seemed to be going nowhere but I think everyone in the ground could see that Williams coming across was going to upend Morris and give away a penalty and sure enough he did and the referee had no option but point to the spot from which despite Golton getting a hand to the ball Watkins converted.After the break nothing really happened for the first part,the rain was falling and the pitch did start to get a number of puddles on but for the Pontypridd manager to try and get the game called off showed nothing but desperation on his part, then Croesy ran riot as they scored four goals in a eighteen minute spell and in truth they could of hit double figures in the end.Mark Morris got his second and Croesy's fourth on sixty-eight minutes,sub Jones found fellow sub Dan Jenkins whose shot squirmed under Golton's body but got stuck in the mud less than a yard out and Morris reacted quickest to slid in and put the ball over the line.Jamie Jenkins scored two in as many minutes as he added Croesy fifth and sixth goals,his first came after seventy-eight minutes when he headed home Watkins corner from the right,then two minutes later Dan Jenkins found Jones who cut inside the area before passing to Jamie Jenkins who scored at the second attempt after his initial shot got stuck in the mud near the goal.Dan Clouth became the third Croesy player of the afternoon to grab a brace when he completed the scoring four minutes from time after the initial danger seemed to have passed,Matthew Phillips did not clear the danger probably and Clouth made no mistake in firing past Golton.
Croesy moved seven points clear of the relegation zone with this victory and while Maesteg Park do have three games in hand the pressure in now on them to win them games,while Croesy know that there is still hard work ahead but with Taffs Well and Maesteg Park the next two teams to visit Woodland Road they will see these games as crucial in their efforts to stay up,and while Pontypridd are not relegated yet it's going to be a amazing effort for them to stay up as they are now nine points behind Croesy and they only have eight games remaining.

Croesy: Bailey,Watkins,Brown,Bristow,Clare,Clouth,McGrath (Wilmott 28),J.Jenkins,Osbourne(D.Jenkins 64),Dewar(Jones 56),Morris.

Croesyceiliog 1 Pontardawe Town 3

Jamie Jenkins second half strike proved to be mere consolation as the visitors took all three points back home with them.
Croesy came into the game on the back of beating bottom side Garw last week,but like so many weeks lately late withdrawals meant they were without the experienced players they could do with at this crucial part of the season.While Pontardawe with this victory virtually banished any thoughts they may of had of relegation,Pontardawe were a completely different side compared to the side that Croesy played in the other league fixture between the two sides this season as they have strengthened their side with players from a higher level.While I am not one to normally blame the officials for any defeat,the officials in this game were in my personal view very poor,if any of the players from either side had such a bad performance i am pretty sure they wouldn't be taking to the field this coming weekend.
cross from the left was headed into his own net by a visiting defender however the assistant referee flagged for offside with no one near the player who scored a own goal,so how can the goal have been disallowed well no one knows as the referee gave two different versions firstly Pontardawe took the lead through a Andrew Fairbairn free kick from thirty yards out which beat John Bailey in the Croesy goal and went in via the underside of the crossbar,Andrew is one of those who have apparently came from a higher level as he was playing at Neath earlier in the season and although you could see he was the main player that most things went through for Pontardawe,he could also count himself lucky to have remained on the pitch during the second half for a number of infringements. After Pontardawe had taken the lead the main talking point of the whole game arose,Croesy thought they were level within a matter of minutes Nicky McGrath'sMcGrath was offside (which he never was offside) then as the ball was crossed there was a Croesy player close enough to be offside when the ball was headed in (who? and doesn't the new rule/law mean that you have to touch the ball to be in a offside position?) so basically they made a mistake in a decision in which Croesy would have been level and could of gone on from this is a important game.Croesy feel two behind shortly before the break when Andrew Stokes was allowed time in the area to put the ball past Bailey.Croesy pulled a goal back from Jenkins thirty yard free kick as the ball went in at the near post with the keeper seemingly unsighted behind his wall,this seemed to have gave Croesy some momentum and chances came and went before they were caught out by a sucker punch goal on the counter attack near the end by sub Johnny Owen.
So this Saturday's home game against second bottom Pontypridd Town becomes massive as Croesy look to gain all three points and hopefully to help the youngsters a bit, the more experienced players may be available.

Croesyceiliog 5 Garw 1

Zac Osbourne's first half hat-trick and his first in senior football gave Croesy three vital points against bottom of the table Garw.
Croesy came into the game knowing that three points had to be won in their quest for survival against a team that had collected only four points all season but give credit where it is due as Garw manage to put out a side each week,and there is not many teams in their position that could do so especially with the heavy defeats they have suffered and as a team they don't stop working for each other.Croesy were never much on the front foot throughout and had chances to take the lead prior to going in front on nineteen minutes,Jamie Jenkins swung in a corner from the left which was met by Osbourne unmarked inside the six yard box and he powered his header home.Jenkins nearly added a second three minutes late when after Chris Watkins free kick was blocked by the wall he ball feel to Jenkins who chipped the ball just over the bar with the visiting keeper just watching on.Croesy took a two goal lead on twenty five minutes Jenkins involved yet again as his long ball found Ricky Coffe who in space turned inside the area and his shot was tapped in from close range by Osbourne.Croesy were by now in total control on a pitch that was getting heavier and heavier and nearly extended their advantage as Gareth Wilmott's shot from sixteen yards out was turned away via the post by the Garw keeper.Croesy were three goals in front six minutes before the break initially Paul Brown's effort was saved by the keepers legs before being cleared for a corner and from the resulting Jenkins corner Osbourne was on hand to complete his hat trick.Garw pulled a goal back within a minute poor defending allowed Arfon Morris to advance into the area before sliding the ball past John Bailey in the home goal.Any chance of a comeback for Garw was quickly put to one side at the start of the second half when on fifty one minutes when Jenkins free kick found Nicky McGrath at the far post and he cleverly chipped the ball back for Watkins to put Croesy four-one up.Croesy completed the scoring through Watkins on fifty eight minutes,a attempted clearance hit Osbourne and the ball fell straight to Watkins who calmly slotted past the Garw keeper.Croesy did have further chances to score but they will be happy to settle for a victory that puts them level on points with Pontardawe Town(the next team to visit Woodland Road on Sat 22/3) and pull four points clear of Maesteg Park though Croesy have played two games more than both of these teams.

Croesyceiliog:Bailey,Morris,J.Jenkins (Holman 67), Brown,Clare,Wilmott (D.Jenkins 77),Coffe,Clouth,Osbourne (Mason 61),Watkins,McGrath.

Ton Pentre 6 Croesyceiliog 1

Croesyceiliog produced their worst forty-five minute display of the season as they were thrashed away to the league leaders Ton Pentre.
Although there is a big gap in the league between the two sides it seemed Croesy may have came into the game with a bit of confidence gained with the way they performed against Bryntirion in midweek,however all hope of getting anything was quickly dashed as they were five nil down after just thirty-eight minutes.Although matters weren't helped with a number of players unavailable and the weather conditions were awful,the way Croesy defended in the first period was nothing short of dreadful and at one stage it seemed that the hosts could score at anytime they liked.
Ton Pentre have a very good chance of winning the league but have not applied to step up to the premier division while Croesy are very much involved in a relegation fight and the hosts wasted no time in taking a quick lead as they were two up within thirteen minutes following goals from Alun Jones and Ryan Sugar,and even though it took them another twenty five minutes to extend their lead,in truth apart from good goalkeeper by John Bailey and some poor finishing they could of added to their goal tally sooner.Ton Pentre then scored two goals within eight minutes,firstly on twenty eight minutes then on thirty six minutes both through Andy Pearson.Croesy conceded a fifth seven minutes before the break when John Kift gave Bailey no chance.Croesy had a rare shot on the stroke of half time but Ricky Coffe dragged his shot wide after good play by Chris Watkins and Lee Mason.As usually happens when a team is so far adrift they seem to have the better of the second half and this was the case in this game as chances came and went for Croesy,but they got their reward for not giving up and a much better second half showing,on sixty one minutes when Watkins was upended in the penalty area and Dan Jenkins stepped up to slot home.Both teams had a number of chances to score but it was Ton Pentre who completed the scoring three minutes before the end when Jones netted his second.
However if there was ever a time to have such a bad display perhaps in reflection it is away to the league leaders rather than the games ahead against the fellow strugglers,as the next few games are probably going to shape the remainder of the season for Croesy.

Croesyceiliog 0 Bryntirion Athletic 2

Croesy fell at the semi-final stage of the league cup at Taff's Well on wednesday evening.Despite a bright start and a lot of hard work a goal conceded in each half proved to be there undoing but the team can be proud of the effort they put in.

Full Report to follow along with the match report from Saturday's trip to Ton Pentre

HELP WANTED

CAN ANYONE ATTENDING THE CROESYCEILIOG GAMES ON SAT 16TH FEB & SAT 23RD FEB SUPPLY ME WITH A MATCH REPORT,ANYONE THAT WISHES TO SUPPLY A MATCH REPORT PLEASE LEAVE ME A MESSAGE ON THE WEBSITE http://croesyfc.wetpaint.com
Many Thanks.

Bryntirion Athletic 2 Croesyceiliog 1

Dan Jenkins late strike proved to be no more than a consolation as Croesyceiliog suffered another setback on their travels.
Croesyceiliog came into the game fourth bottom and are looking to pick up points at every opportunity to help them maintain first division football while although it seems unlikely Bryntirion will finish top of the league they are looking good for a top four finish.Both sides were missing players the home side were missing the profilic Robbie Walters while the visitors had Mike Dewar starting his four match ban and on the morning of the match talented youngster Josh Higgins was forced to pull out due to illness.Croesy brough in Lee Mason for Higgins and it was Mason who had the first effort on target after just two minutes but his shot was comforably saved by the home keeper.Neither side were really looking that threatening but it was the home side that took the lead just before the half an hour mark,a cross came in from the Bryntirion left and the home sides forward had time to control the ball before slotting past John Bailey though Croesy will feel that could have defended the situation better.Croesy responded well to this set back and were close to being level three minutes later,firstly Jamie Jenkins twenty-five yard strike was turned over the bar by the home keeper then from the resulting corner the home side failed to clear the danger properly and Jenkins saw his effort from the edge of the box turned around the post by the keeper.
The beginning of the second half was quiet then on the hour mark Croesy came within inches of drawing level,Mason produced a good pass into the area and Daniel Clouth advanced onto the ball he slid the ball past the advancing home keeper but the ball trickled just wide.Croseyceiliog then fell two behind with twenty minutes left,Croesy looked like they were clearing the danger but during a crowded midfield area the ball fell kindly to the home side striker that scored the first he then advanced onto Bailey's goal and calmly gave Bailey no chance as he scored.Bryntirion had a couple of chances on the break to increase their lead as Croesy pushed forward to try and get themselves back in the game though they never converted these chances.Croesy scored their goal a minute before the end,Zac Osbourne had beaten a home defender and as he lobbed the ball goalwards the home keeper handled outside his area and the referee had no option but to produce a straight red card and from the resulting free kick just outside the box Dan Jenkins fired the ball into the left had corner of the net.Croesy didnt have enough time to get the ball forward to test the stand in keeper as the referee blew for full time and now as they embark on eight out of the next ten league game at home they must look to make Woodland road a fortress,as they try to pick up the points to finish either fourth from bottom or higher.
While Croesy are disappointed to have lost they can take heart that the teams in the bottom three failed to pick up points as they all suffered heavy defeats and all that matters is that it's still in their own hands and they dont have to rely on others to drop points.

Croesyceiliog Reserves moved up to second place in the table with a 3-2 home victory over Caldicot Town as they continue their good season so far as they have lost just once in their eleven games winning seven of them.

Report by Croesyfan
Http://croesyfc.wetpaint.com

Taffs Well 3 Croesyceiliog 3

Croesyceiliog and Taffs Well shared six goals and a sending off a piece as both side picked up a point on a terrible pitch.
In truth although the game had a high number of goals in,the state of the pitch didn't allow for much football to be played as this probably suited the home team more than the visitors however it was Croesy who got off to a perfect start when they went in front after just thirty-eight seconds,John Bailey kicked the ball upfield and Zac Osbourne,who lead the line very well for someone so young,laid the ball off first time to Josh Higgins who in turn crossed for Ricky Coffe who scored past home keeper Jon Howe at the second attempt.Taffs Well were level on seventeen minutes Brian Burke played the ball into the area and although Bailey saved Stephen Edwards' intial shot the home player slotted the ball home just before the ball went out of play.Taffs Well will probably feel they should of been in front just six minutes later,Sean Allen was allowed to continue despite looking clearly offside and his shot was parried by Bailey but as the ball fell to Michael Nesbett the home striker somehow blasted high and over the bar from eight yards out.Taffs Well then should of been reduced to ten men,Croesy's Coffe attempted to pass to Higgins on the left who would have had a free run on goal but Padraig Burke delibrating handle the ball but the referee for some reason thought a yellow card would be sufficent.

Croesy got off to a nightmare start at the beginning of the second half,following a breakaway from home keeper Howe,Jamal Roberts fed Simon Olyer whose shot hit the post but the ball fell straight to Kevin Crock who put the home side in front.Croesy then tourned the game on its head with two goals in four minutes,firstly Jamie Jenkins free kick seemed to be curling in at the far post and defender Steven Arthur handled on the line and the referee had no option but to send him off,Mike Dewar stepped up to send the ball into the back of the net but as he shouted "yes get in there" the ref took offence to this and sent the Croesy player off.Zac Osbourne then put Croesy in front outpacing a home defender after a quick free kick had released the youngster who netted his first senior goal.Croesy's hope off all three points was ended five minutes from time,a clear shove on Jenkins wasn't given and Crock saw his shot somehow go over Bailey and as the ball trickled goalwards Coffe couldn't get back in time and Roberts scored to bring the sides level.

Although Croesy will see this as two points dropped the teams below them all suffered defeat so a extra point gives them a five point cushion from the third placed bottom team.

report by Croesyfan
http://croesyfc.wetpaint.com

Cwmbran Celtic Reserves 1 Croesyceiliog Reserves 3

Croesyceiliog Reserves travelled the short distance to local rivals Cwmbran Celtic and came back to woodland road with a deserved victory.
Croesyceiliog reserves sit in fourth place after this win and with games in hand can go second plus if results go their way could even top the table,so in the remaining games of the season they have everything to play for.Chris Mills scored a brace while Mark Thomas added the other goal.

We will be submitting a full match report for the reserves as of Sat 2nd Feb.

Croesyfan
http://croesyfc.wetpaint.com

ENTO Aberaman Athletic 2 Croesyceiliog 1

Croesyceiliog gave promotion chasing ENTO Aberaman a big fright as they were unlucky to come away without a point after a good display away from home.
The rumour mill has it that ENTO Aberaman are big spenders and on this display anyone watching both teams for the first time would have found it hard to believe that it was the home side paying out the big bucks while the Croesyceiliog players pay for nothing and play for the club because its a club they like playing for and just because they want to test themselves at a high level.While Croesyceiliog only sit one place and four points above the relegation zone they can take heart in their recent performances,plus the fact that although this year has seen a numbers of the experienced players being unavailable on a regular basis they have the making of a very good side as the youngsters that have came in have improved with each game with the help of the older players like Jamie Jenkins and Mike Dewar and the games they are getting now will stand them and the club in good stead for years to come.
Croesyceiliog started the game brightly and had a ambitious effort from Jamie Jenkins goes wide,Zak Osbourne chased down a long ball and although the home keeper Neil Collins got to the ball first his clearance ended up at Jenkins via Ricky Coffe and Jenkins first time effort from forty yards out went wide having beat the keeper who was trying to get back into his goal.ENTO Aberaman looked to have taken the lead on sixteen minutes following a free kick into the Croesyceiliog penalty area that was only cleared to the edge of the area,Richard Jago gave John Bailey no chance as his effort was well place into the bottom corner but to the surprise of everyone in the ground assistant referee Glyn Jones raised his flag and the goal was disallowed for offside.Croesyceiliog created the next chance as good work by Callum Miles on the right resulted in him crossing for Daniel Clouth whose header beat home keeper Collins but bounced off the crossbar and the danger had passed.Croesy took a deserved lead after twenty-eight minutes with a excellent goal that even had the home fans in the stand clapping,from a ENTO Aberaman corner Croesy broke away,Osbourne and Coffe played two one-twos between them and as the latter advanced into the area he slid the ball across for Miles who slid the ball past Collins.Kurt Nogan then had a couple of good chances for the home side as both Chris Summers and Carl Jenkins released him in advanced positions on the Croesy goal,some may feel to advanced and that the assistant referee should of flagged for offside,however both times he was denied by Bailey.ENTO Aberaman were then given a gift by referee Mal Evans three minutes before the break,Mark Morris made a good crunching tackle on Carl Jenkins but as he fell to the floor his hand hit the ball a complete accident and Croesy gained no advantage from this and even not one player on the home side appealed yet the referee gave a penalty and Summers was going to make no mistake as the prolific goalscorer added another one to his collection.
Croesy again started the better of the two teams after the break as firstly Gareth Wilmott fired just wide from a tight angle after being found by Miles.Neil Collins then pulled of a fine save in the home goal as he denied Josh Higgins, the chance fell to Higgins after Jenkins long throw was only palmed away by Collins but he made up for this by diverting the follow up shot by Higgins around the post,from the resulting corner Collins dropped the ball and through a crowded area Higgins was again denied this time with the keeper beaten by a home defender on the line and as Miles put the ball back goal wards Clouth's header was comfortably saved by Collins.Croesy then suffered the typical sucker punch,ENTO Aberaman weren't really creating a lot of chances but with eleven minutes remaining Summers beat three defenders to easily and floated the ball to the back post and there was Rikki Evans to head home and clinch the points for the home side.Croesy had a good chance to grab the deserved point with just a few minutes remaining but Collins pulled off a stunning save to deny the visiting team and keep his team on course for three vital points.
ENTO Aberaman wont experience a much harder game than they did this week as they look to secure promotion while on this performance Croesyceiliog will feel that its only a matter of time before they pick up the points to put more distance between themselves and the bottom three.

Croesyceiliog 4 Llanwern 3

Mike Dewar's winner seven minutes into injury time saw Croesy advance to the semi-finals of the league cup.
Croesy started brightly and were two-nil up inside twenty-three minutes and this despite missing a earlier penalty.Jamie Jenkins had a good chance to give the hosts the lead but he saw his penalty saved by the visiting keeper Chris Hart before he saw his effort from the rebound hit the top of the crossbar and go over.Croesy didnt take long though before they took the lead good play by Ricky Coffe on the edge of the area resulted in Dan Clouth being found in the area who skipped past one defender before firing home.Croesy quickly added a second this time from the penalty spot and after his earlier miss Jenkins passed the penalty taking duties to Mike Dewar who gave Hart no chance as he scored the first goal of his two for the afternoon.Croesy two goal lead lasted less than a minute though as Llanwern quickly replied through Stephen Perszewski who tapped into a empty net after good work by Power on the Llanwern left.Llanwern seemed to grow in confidence from this goal and were level before the break when Dewar was adjudged to have fouled Vaux in the area and Perszewski stepped up to put the ball pass Bailey.Croesy had the better of the beginning of the second half but it was the visitors who took a three-two lead when Quarterley headed home a free kick from Vaux.However the visitors were only in front for nine minutes before Josh Higgins levelled the scores following up his own effort which had initially hit the post.Then came Dewar's late winner as the game seemed to be going into extra time,Jenkins corner from the Croesy left was put towards the far post and there was Dewar to head past Hart sending Croesy through much to the delight of the team,management and supporters.