o55s Workwear Supermarket.com League

30th November
In the o55s Workwear Supermarket.com League, leaders, The Continental stay four points ahead of the chasing teams, with a 2-4 victory away to Newport. Cornelius, Isaaac, Thompson and Collins got the goals for the visitors.
Barry Town edged a 0-1 win over Pontyclun in a well fought battle today on Talbot Park’s grass pitch...writes Tim Martin... Not a lot between these sides in the first half with the scores tied. The visitors went ahead on the 60th minute with a Cooksey cross / goal! A lot of good defending by the hosts kept them in it and finished strongly towards the end. Barry had a lot of possession overall and came away with the 3 points in a hard-battling encounter.

A midday KO saw Nelson Cavaliers lose 3-5 against Cardiff Accies at Heolddu 3G...writes Tony Wilding...The Accies went ahead through Hall. They soon got a second on the break through Welsh. Phil Jones replied for Cavs following a strike from Boulton. Owen then scored a third for Accies to make it 3-1. Pole’s cross from the right cut the deficit to 1, before Welsh scored again to make 4-2 to Accies at ht. Nelson hit the woodwork before Richards’ header from Pope’s corner made it 3-4. The Cavs hit the bar again before another Hall finish for the Accies made the final score 3-5. Thanks to the ref Rudakov. done to Accies on their first win.

Llanelli welcomed Penybont to Pen Rhos for a match that proved to be a game of two halves...writes a pitch-side reporter...Llanelli dominated for most of the first half, creating several half chances before taking a deserved lead. Simon Rocke intercepted a pass and fed Vaughan Jones. Jones held it up before returning it to Rocke, who finished neatly from the edge of the box into the bottom corner. Llanelli should have doubled their lead, but Gary Beckett missed a sitter, leaving spectators amazed that he hadn’t scored. Penybont nearly pinched an equaliser towards the end of the first half after a defensive mix-up, but Llanelli goalkeeper Edwards saved well with his legs and deflected it wide. The visitors made changes in the second half and dominated for large periods, forcing Edwards into a fingertip save to prevent a deserved equaliser. Penybont eventually got their goal when a deep cross from Wile sailed over everyone and into the Llanelli net. With both sides pushing for a winner good build up work from Waters and Smith saw Rocke play in Stamp, who finished neatly into the bottom corner. Penybont kept looking for an equaliser, but Llanelli held firm to take all 3 points.

Second placed Merthyr Tydfil beat Swansea 4-1 at Afon Taf School with a Walker hat-trick and a goal from Francis. Leighton Jones replied for the Swans.

16th November
In the o55s Workwear Supermarket.com League, leaders, The Continental move four points clear with a hard-fought victory away to their nearest rivals, Llanelli Town....writes Neil Bryant... A game that saw both sides having their fair share of possession. The Reds could have taken the lead from the penalty spot but a lacklustre effort was saved by Toop in the visitor’s goal. The game was end to end throughout but it was The Continental that took the lead, when a cross to the back post found Thompson who headed home from close range, after good work by Sanderson.
In the second half and the Reds were unfortunate not to draw level when Stamp’s effort rattled the crossbar. The visitors sealed the 3 points on the hour mark when Lewis got to the ball first and duly found the back of the net.
Title holders, Merthyr Tydfil moved into joint second with an emphatic 2-8 win away to Cardiff Accies, with Walker grabbing a hat-trick and further goals by Cameron, Paul Jones, York, Chris Jones and Evans. Hall scored a brace for the hosts.
Fourth placed Newport scored a handsome 6-3 victory over Pontyclun at Llanwern School. Wills (2), Gough, Powell, Jones and Morris on target for the hosts, Flood, Mele and Murray replied for the visitors.
Barry Town beat Nelson Cavaliers 2-1 in a fine advert for veterans football at Bro Morgannwg...writes a pitch-side reporter... The hosts dominated play with Richards, Matthews and Cooksey prominent, but they could not breach a stubborn Nelson rear-guard, well-marshalled by Kirby and Wilding and with goalkeeper, Price, in inspired form. He made two superb saves to deny Matthews and Averies, before inevitably, Nelson advanced into the opponent’s half for the first time, and Wilding sent a screamer into the top corner from 30 yards to give his side the lead. Further pressure from the hosts ensured they went into the break level, when Richards drove home from the edge of the box. The second half saw both sides pressing for the win, and although the hosts edged possession, Price again denied them with two further saves including an outstanding stop from Fredriksen. The Barry striker was not to be denied however, and he headed home a great cross from Murray just past the hour. With minutes remaining Barry gloveman, Vorster made a smart save to ensure the hosts secured the 3 points.
The game between Penybont and Swansea ended all-square. Morgan scored a brace for Swansea with John and Wile replying for the hosts.

2nd November
In the o55s Workwear Supermarket.com League, League leaders, The Continental recorded an emphatic 0-5 away to Swansea with Grunweld (2), Broadrib, Thompson and Collins on target.
Llanelli Town followed up some excellent recent performances with a fine 2-0 win over Newport to consolidate 2nd position in the league in a very competitive game at Penrhos...writes Simon Rogers...Llanelli hit the woodwork twice in the first half but it was still 0-0 at the break with Rhead of Newport excelling in defence. In the second half, a good interchange of passing by the impressive Neil Waters put in Huw Davies who made no mistake. The same player doubled the lead with another clinical finish securing the 3 points for the Reds. Davies & Buck yet again solid in the Reds defence. Manager, Jeff Howells was clearly pleased after the game and paid tribute to the commitment shown by his squad.

The game between League champions, Merthyr and Barry Town finished scoreless but the score-line could have looked very different...writes a pitch-side reporter...! In an end-to-end match of the highest quality, Merthyr hit the woodwork twice and Walker had a penalty saved by Barry keeper, Vorster. At the other end a golden chance for Matthews was well-saved by Bailey in the Merthyr goal, but he was helpless when the same player drove home Cooksey’s cross....only to be ruled offside by the official! The goalmouth activity continued as Merthyr upped their tempo in the second period, York went close with a header then Francis skyed over from 10 yards and Jones did likewise for the visitors....and in the end both teams were happy with a draw.

Penybont drew 3-3 with the Accies at Pencoed College. Davies, Fenton and Vaskin were on target for the visitors with Ryan, Lodge and O’Connor replying, late on, for the hosts.
Nelson, sporting their new kit, in honour of their late ‘chief’, Rod Powell, beat hosts, Pontyclun 1-2 at Talbot Park. Ryan put the hosts ahead but Wilding and Boulton sealed the points for the visitors.

19th October
In Round 4 of matches in the o55s Workwear Supermarket.com League, Llanelli Town narrowly defeated Pontyclun 2-1...writes Neil Bryant... “A good game of vets football played in true vets spirit. The Reds started well, creating a number of chances but failed to capitalise.
A back-pass to the keeper, fell short, and Mele read it and lifted the ball over keeper, Edwards to put Pontyclun ahead and go into the interval 1-0 up.

The second half was much the same, with Reds having a lot of possession and deservedly drawing level with the dangerous Huw Davies beating his man and picking out Vaughan Jones, who made no mistake from close range. The same player put the hosts ahead after good work from Steve ‘Evo’ Evans. Pontyclun remained determined despite picking up a couple of injuries and were never out of the game, but Llanelli ability to bring fresh legs on helped them to see the game out and take all 3 points.”

Barry Town were held 1-1 by a debilitated Pontyclun, despite dominating much of the game. The hosts had large amounts of possession and created several clear-cut opportunities, but a lack of ambition and a stubborn Penybont rear-guard, meant it took until the 60th minute for them to take the lead, when Cooksey slid the ball past keeper, Clemett. Barry continued to dominate but with 10 minutes remaining, the visitors equalised with virtually their only attack, as Griffiths capitalised on a defensive error to ensure a share of the spoils.

The game between Nelson and title holders, Merthyr finished all-square...writes Tony Wilding...”The match was switched to the 3G at Pengam and the hosts were fast out of the blocks and Boulton put them ahead after just 2 mins. Merthyr gradually came into the game and made it 1-1 going into half-time with a well struck Francis shot, assisted by Thomas.
The second half ebbed and flowed until Walker put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot. Nelson heads never dropped and their endeavours were rewarded with a penalty of their own, converted by Wilding. Both sides tried to find the winner but 2-2 was a fair result.”

The Continental welcomed a Cardiff Accies side to Eastern High community campus and edged a 3-2 win to go top of the o55s Workwear Supermarket.com League....writes John Jones..."The hosts started the game well and dominated possession with some very good football...up to the 18 yard box. Although chances were missed and Accies keeper, Burton made some good saves, on 35 mins Darren Thompson evaded the Accies back four before rounding the keeper and putting his side ahead before half-time. The Continental came out for the second half and dominated for 20 mins before taking a 2-0 lead through an Andy Lewis with a strike from the edge of the box. They went 3-0 when James Collins converted a great cross by Ian Burman, but in the last 15 mins, Accies scored two goals through Huw Davies and Andy Lazarou to get back in the game...but the hosts held on for the 3 points."

In the game at Llanwern, Swansea secured a 1-2 win with goals from Robb and Grey. Miles was on the scoresheet for the hosts.

5th October
In Round 3 of matches in the o55s Workwear Supermarket.com League, a great contest between Penybont and Nelson ended all-square....writes Tony Wilding...Nelson took the lead with a lovely move finished by Simon Elston. Penybont scored the equaliser courtesy of Timothy O’Connor after a Cavs mix up at the back. Both teams went for the winner during the second half but neither could find the final ball to get the winner.

Merthyr maintained their unbeaten start with a 1-3 away win at Pontyclun...writes Tim Martin.... Merthyr took the lead after 15mins through Simon Guinane. Pontyclun levelled with a Simon Griffiths header from a corner. Then on the 30th min Merthyr made it 2-1 from a free kick in the penalty area from Andrew York. The second half was back and forth with nothing really between both teams and with 5 mins left after Pontyclun pushed up for a late equaliser, Merthyr broke forward and scored the third with a great strike from Paul jones outside the area

[b]Llanelli Town recorded a fine 1-2 victory away to Swansea....writes Neil Bryant....A great local derby played out by good friends both on and off the pitch. Llanelli started the stronger and went ahead through the lively Vaughan Jones on 20 mins. The same player doubled his tally on the stroke of halftime after good work from Huw Davies. The Reds could have been further ahead, but indecisiveness in front of goal prevented any further cushion to their lead. In the second half, Swansea deservedly got a goal back, with a well struck shot from outside of the box by Steve Toms. This spurred the hosts on, but Llanelli, well-marshalled by MoM Lyndon Davies, were resolute in defence and held on the win.

The Continental beat Barry Town 4 – 1 in a great advert for veterans football...writes John Jones... The hosts controlled the first twenty minutes but couldn't break down a resolute Barry defence. The visitors started to get a hold in the game and Wayne Mathews put them ahead with a fine headed goal and they took a deserved lead into half time. In the second half Continental played intelligent football putting the ball behind a high defence line and they drew level with a Darren Thompson penalty. Continental were well on top now to a tiring Barry team Continental scored second when Dave Corney converted a cross from Thompson. Barry had a great chance to draw level when a knock down by Paul Averies found Mike Fredriksen, who forced a great save from Darren Toop. Continental got back on top when a great ball over the top by Paul Isaacs found MoM, Thompson and his lovely cross was smashed home by Troy Reilly. With 5 minutes remaining Andy Lewis made it 4.1 with a great header into the far corner.

21st September
In the second round of games in the o55s Workwear Supermarket.com League, last season’s champions, Merthyr Tydfil won 2-0 at home to Penybont, with goals from York and Cameron, whilst last season’s R/up, Continental, secured a handsome 6-0 victory over Nelson with goals from Thompson (2), Lewis (2), Broadrib and Collins.
Pontyclun (White and Flood) picked up 3 valuable points with a 1-2 away to Swansea who replied through Morgan. Powell was Newport's match-winner in their 1-0 win over Barry Town, and Llanelli Town’s, Stamp, was their match-winner in a close 1-0 win against Cardiff Accies.

31st August
The o55s Workwear Supermarket.com League got underway with some interesting results...

Barry Town 2, Llanelli Town 1
A fine win for hosts against Llanelli who went ahead through Stamp after a Murray mistake. Murray made amends crossing for Fredriksen who headed home from close range and then setting-up Fredriksen again who completed his brace in his first game back at Barry.

Cardiff Academicals 1, Swansea 2
The hosts took the lead through Mears but Grey and a late winner by Jones ensured the 3 points for the Swans.

Nelson Cavaliers and Newport
Match postponed due to the sudden death of club secretary, Rod Powell.

Pontyclun 3, Penybont 1
A good home win for the hosts with Moloney, Griffiths and Reeves on target. John got a consolation for the visitors.

The Continental 3, Merthyr Tydfil 3
The big match of the day between League runners-up, The Continental and League winners, Merthyr Tydfil didn’t disappoint with a 6-goal thriller which changed hands several times during the 80 minutes. Walker (2) and an OG by Morgan put the visitors in the box-seat, but Sanderson, Broadrib and a last gasp equaliser by Knight ensured a share of the spoils.