Park V Cwmbran Town
This was indeed an eventful game; there were goals and some controversial decisions from the officials. But in fairness to both sides the game was played in the right spirit and I think if you’re a neutral with a spare couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon its worth taking a look at these 2 sides if you want entertainment.
Park for probably the first time this season started the game well and on the front foot but after 20 minutes found themselves 2-0 down much to the amazement of park manager Lee Bridgeman. One of which being a great strike from the Cwmbran player, it could have been worse if not for the referee not seeing what you could say a little push in the box on the town player as he was about to shoot. Park kept plugging away and reduced the deficit when willow was put through and after their keeper initially saving willow scored at the second attempt. Moment’s later park should have been level, with a great move down the right and a telling cross Lewis Bowen was found in acres of space only to see his shot saved from 8 yards out. Then a controversial moment after a period of pressure park forced a series of corners, town half cleared the danger only to see centre half moorland smash an unstoppable shot in to the top corner!! All the park players were celebrating only to realise the referee had blown for half time as he was striking the ball. To say the least everyone to do with Maesteg were none too happy.
HT 2- 1
Bridgeman told the park players to keep playing the way they had for the last 15 minutes of the first half and they would win the game. They started well and deservedly equalised when the referee awarded what Town Manager Barry Hughes thought was a dodgy penalty, in which Leon Jeanne calmly placed the ball into the corner of the net to bring the scores level. Remarkably then rather than take the game by the scruff park went into a shell and started to look nervous. In only what can be said as a very poor 20 minutes of football. Cwmbran then had a goal controversially disallowed for offside as it had already been given? But they then took the lead when some poor defending lead to their striker heading home UN marked on the far post.
Park were now going for broke playing a 3-4-3 system and with the attacking talent on the pitch it was only a matter of time before they equalised the impressive debutant Rafeeq Kaid hit a shot that the keeper could only parry for willow to follow up and tuck the ball away. Then another controversial decision saw young Michael fellows cross the ball for willow to score his hatrick goal and the winner only for it to be disallowed for offside and leave again everyone at park furious with the officials. There was still time for Kaid to hit an amazing volley for only to see the Cwmbran Keeper pull off an amazing save.
After the game Park Manager said “I think I’m going to have a nervous breakdown if this continues, we have drawn six games we could and should have won five of them. We should be in the top 3 but thats football. We should have won today but in fairness credit to the boys they never gave up and kept going. And in fairness to Barry and Cwmbran that was why we all turn up on a Saturday great game in a great spirit even if the officials try to stir it up a bit.
Maesteg Park versus Treharris Western Athletic
The sun was shining, but there was a little nip in the air, overall it was a fine day to play football. Maesteg Park were visiting a side that were unbeaten in 4 outings and desperately needed to maintain the form they had shown last week against Croesy.
The pitch was small and narrow and would suit any team as long as they were willing to work hard with a lot of running off the ball. Maesteg showed early signs of this and managed to capitalise early with some great individual skill from striker Leon Jeanne. He brought the ball down from some neat intricate passing by maesteg, and turned the defender one way then the other, he then unleashed a shot that was bent around the defenders legs which defiantly was made more difficult for the Treharris keeper to make any sort of save. The ball rolled in to the bottom corner and Maesteg were buoyant.
Treharris were trying to amount some pressure on Maesteg by using their striker to great effect. The 6 ft plus striker was creating flick ons for off the ball runners and Maesteg were warned about this at the beginning of the game, and needed to make sure that they were winning the 2nd ball encounters. This allowed Maesteg to counter attack and within Minutes of the 1st goal Maetseg created another chance for Adam, only for him to slip the ball wide of the goal keeper’s post, when he had been put clean through one on one with the goal keeper.
Within 5 minutes of the chance that Adam had, he had been put through again and with some great ball work he slipped a shot passed the Treharris keeper and Maesteg were 2 nil to the good and were still working tirelessly to win all the 2nd balls.
Maesteg needed to keep the ball and were made to pay instantly after scoring the 2nd goal, for the Treharris pressure was applied straight away after they had conceded there 2nd goal. Treharris bombarded the Maesteg parks area and after a couple of great crosses and work from the Treharris's midfield men, had managed to break the stern back line of Maestegs defence. The ball was played into the box with some venom and Karl (keeper) could not hold the cross and was only able to palm the ball into the oncoming winger, who in turn slammed the ball home from 15 yards, to keep Treharris in the game.
Maesteg responded with some repetitive pressure and after a number of balls that were put into the Treharris defending box, Anthony Burnett hit home a shot that was un saveable, into the bottom corner, which restored the 2 goal lead of Maesteg Parks dominance. Anthony responded with a celebratory run up the pitch, shouting “I am now the top goal scorer."
The celebration of Burnett was short lived as Jeanne had managed to recreate a similar opportunity for him and he took the chance with some great astute finishing. This time instead of placing the ball into the bottom corner he curled a right foot shot that took a slight deflection, and bent the ball into the top left hand corner of the keeper’s goal.
4 - 1 HT
Maesteg parks manager went in at half time to basically say keep it going and don’t rest on your Loral’s.
Treharris must have some hair dryer treatment at half time, as they come out guns blazing which was understandable, because they made sure that the strikers flick ons were always picked up by any secondary or third runners. This resulted in Treharris scoring a quick goal from the penalty spot. Gareth "Gaggsy" Davies was UN cited by one of the on rushing attacking players from Treharris, and when he tried to clear a ball from the box he only managed to upend the attacker and the referee gave the spot kick straight away, with no appeals from Maetseg parks defence of the foul.
Even though Treharris were piling on the pressure Maesteg managed to score another goal, again from Jeanne, neatly set up by some quick thinking from Moreland and Gaggsy. A quick free kick was taken just inside the Treharris defending half and Gaggsy played a lofty ball into the box. Treharris goal keeper had shouted "keeper’s ball" only for Jeanne to nip in front of the oncoming keeper and flick the ball on with his head into the empty net, leaving the keeper with his jaw gaping and wondering what had just happened.
Treharris, however, did not let their heads drop and managed to get back into the game with yet another dubious penalty decision given against Parks defence. There was some scrappy play in and around parks defending area and the ball should have been cleared by Moreland, only he gave the ball away and Treharris managed to calve their way through the packed defence. Moreland tried to atone for his mistake but resulted in giving what looked like a great tackle, to be defined by the referee as a penalty.
The same player who took the 1st penalty stepped up to calmly place the ball into the keepers left hand corner a carbon copy of the 1st penalty.
Treharris were not to be denied what looked like from the, 1st half’s performance certain defeat, and were rewarded with another goal after some 3 or 4 corners straight after each other. The striker that had caused all the trouble with his height had managed to squeeze in an unstoppable header at the back post, and this in turn was set up to be a tense last 5 minutes for all the management and coaching staff from both sides. And then with only 2 minutes remaining the unbelievable happened Maesteg lost the ball in the opposition half and with one long ball Treharris were through on goal with their striker calmly slotting home the equaliser much to the dismay of the park management!! This must surely be looked at as 2 points dropped.
Park v Croesyceiliog
This was a game park were desperate to win too kick start there season. After an even start to the game it was park who took lead when Christian Roberts played a superb long ball up the field to Leon Jeanne who in turn controlled well and laid a neat inside ball to Lewis Bowen to smash home from 15 yards. Croesy then began to push for an equaliser without ever really testing the returning keeper Karl Thomas, in fairness the Maesteg back four of Davies, Winston,
HT 2-1
The 2nd half started with Croesy buoyed by their late 1st half strike and a probable rollicking from manager Morgan. But for all there efforts never really looked like creating a goal scoring opportunity. 10 minutes into the second half a pivotal thing happened former Park player brooks was sent off for a second yellow card which was in all fairness well deserved after a few rash challenges throughout the afternoon purely probably out of frustration as his best mate Jeanne was becoming unplayable. The Croesy bench were left furious for what they said was a forearm smash by Maesteg replacement Burnett on Brooks but the referee saw nothing but with the linesmen flagging only to inform him that he saw a push but did not see the number of the player. After this Park were in complete control against the 10 men of Croesyceiliog and it was only a matter of time before they got there 3rd of the afternoon. Again after some great work by Jeanne on the right he crossed for Burnett to head home at the far post. The game then became a tad one sided with Park hitting the bar twice and the Croesy keeper making a few great saves to keep the score down. Notably a great double save from right back Gareth Davies. In the end Park ran out comfortable winners 3-1. Hopefully now this will kick start their season because on this performance they could be tuff opposition for anyone in the division.
Park V Caerau Ely
In a continued theme Park again started slowly, which is something that needs to be rectified soon as this game could have been over in the first 20 minutes. Caerau created the lion’s share of chances without ever really testing park keeper Martin. During the 1st period Park had a Couple of half chances through Cronin and Roberts and as the half continued Maesteg grew more and more into the game.
HT 0-0
Park started the better of the sides in the opening exchanges of the second half, but were hit by a sucker punch when Caerau broke quickly to score. In fairness park reacted well and went straight down the other end to score an immediate equaliser. Park then pushed for a winner playing three at the back and should have won the game when young Fellows had a glorious chance to score, but failed to do so. This game pretty much summed up Park this season so near but yet so far!!!
FT 1-1
Park V Llanwern
This was a game that Park would have fancied to take all 3 points, as Llanwern were hit by suspensions and injuries. This led them to play manager Laurence Owen in goal.
on a warm day at Tudor park it was Llanwern who started the better with some free flowing football, Park were trying to flood the midfield hoping to stop Llanwern playing, to no real great effect. Llanwern deservedly took the lead through some fine play down the flank and a great cross and finish. As the half wore on Park were gradually getting themselves into the game and in the 44th minute equalised through a Richard Cronin well taken Header, which really they probably did not deserve.
HT 1-1
Park made a couple of changes at half time and started the better of the sides in the opening 20 Minutes with Willow firing over the bar from 4 yards after a knock down from Sam Graves, De- Bono then came on for Pengelly and produced some neat touches one of which put Cronin clean through only for the Defender to pull him back just outside the area, at which we all thought a red card would be issued but amazingly only a yellow was shown!. The game was now becoming an end to end affair with both sides going for the 3 points Llanwern did create some good chances but Martin did well on a couple of occasions to deny them. Then another key moment took place when the Llanwern defender blatantly blocked a goal bound shot with his arm for only the ref to wave play on. De –Bono was then sent off for foul and abusive language which left Park hanging on in the final minutes, in this time they failed to clear their lines and gave away a corner from which Llanwern scored the winner from in the 89th Minute, which left Park manager Bridgey lost for words probably a 1ST.
FT 1-2
Park V Newport Y.M.C.A
It was Newport who settled into this encounter the quicker of the two sides with not a lot of goal mouth action or any real saves to be made by either keeper. In fact the park defence looked comfortable in open play. It was only a set pieces that the YM looked really threatening and in all fairness the delivery from these set pieces were of a high standard, but for some last ditch blocks and clearances YM would have probably deserved to go in front and probably should have when again from a set play their player rose highest at the far post only to see the ball cleared off the line by Lloyd Nessbert. As the half progressed so did Maesteg, and probably created the best 2 chances of the half 1st when Leon Jeanne crossed for David Williams only to head over from 4 yards unmarked. Then we saw Jeanne played through with a superb pass from Joe Carmody only to hit the post 1 on 1 with the keeper.
HT 0-0
The second half started pretty much as the first half had ended with Park pretty much on top. Jeanne and Willow had a couple of decent chances but failed to break the deadlock, this seemed to spur the YM on and they then created a couple of chances for themselves but it must be said that they were probably the cause of some wayward passes by Parks own players, leaving keeper martin to bail them out with a great low save to his left. Then the key moment of the game occurred with Pengo bursting into the box turning inside the defender leaving himself 1 on 1 with the keeper, as he went to shoot the YM defender through himself into the tackle poll axing pengo from behind to everyone’s astonishment the referee waved play on and the ball spilled to Jeanne who himself was left 8 yards out only with the keeper to beat, but his placed shot was well saved by the keeper when really he should have been picking the ball out of the net. And that was that the game then petered out without any further chances of note.
FT O-O
Maesteg Park V Cwmbran Celtic
For the 2nd week on the trot park started the game slowly against a good well organised Cwmbran Celtic side. Inside the first 20 minutes Cwmbran could have been a couple of goals up but for some poor finishing or last gasp tackles. They were unlucky not to take the lead when there was a terrible mix up between keeper Martin and centre half Moreland, only for Martin to race back and clear the ball off the line. As the half went on park did create a couple of half chances but failed to extend the Celtic keeper. In the 43rd minute Cwmbran deservedly broke the deadlock with a flowing move and great cross from the left which found the unmarked striker who scored with a neat finish.
HT 0 – 1
The second half started with Maesteg with the wind at their backs and it was a much more evenly contested game. Then Celtic broke quickly and with another decent centre came a great finish to make it 2-0. At this point there seemed no way back for Maesteg but after a neat interchange on the edge of the area Pukas scored from the angle to half the deficit. At this point the Park management thought they could sneak an unlikely draw. But the game was put to bed after some poor defending which saw the ball bounce twice in the maesteg box from a long throw straight to a player unmarked on the far post for a simple tap in. And that was that.
FT 1 – 3
After the game park manager Bridgeman was full of praise for the opposition, but was disappointed by his own team’s performance. “It was a bad day at the office you can get away with one or two not playing well but out there today there were about 8 or 9 poor performances. But luckily we and the players have got the chance to put that right Wednesday night. So I will be expecting a positive reaction.”
Park V Tredegar
The 1st half started slowly for park, allowing Tredegar time and space on the ball. Tredegar were playing the ball out well from the back, and should have scored when they created a good chance down their right flank only for keeper Martin to make an easy save. After the 20 minute park started to press the ball higher up the field, which led to the Tredegar defence to make a mistake allowing a glorious chance for park to score with only their keeper to beat but Robbie Williams dragged his shot wide. Leon Jeanne then scored a great free kick only for it to be ruled out has the referee had signalled the kick in direct. It was all park from then on in with Cronin missing a good chance when put free on the left hand side.
HT 0 – 0
The 2nd half with park on the front foot and they deservedly took the league when the impressive burnett drilled the ball in from just inside the box. Maesteg then created chance after chance with some good football but they failed to extend their advantage. 17 year old Stuart came off the bench and was sent clean through only to be felled from a tackle from behind in which the referee deemed a fair challenge when everyone at Tudor park thought he would point to the spot. Minutes later the same player making a good impression was sent through again one on one with the keeper only to see his shot parried on to the post by their keeper. Then in the 87th minute Tredegar had a glorious chance to equalise only for their forward to shoot wide from 8 yards. At this point the park management of bridgeman, fish and rankmore thought lightning was not going to strike for the third game on a trot, but unbelievably it did in the 91st minute for the third game in a row Tredegar equalised when their fullback scored with a free header at the back post. Fair play for Tredegar as they kept going till the end, but park can only blame themselves for what were 2 points dropped after playing so well!!
PARK V Llantwit Fadre (Welsh Cup)
In our 1st game of the season in which there were 15 competitive debuts for the club. we started brightly and after a flowing move down the right flank robbo slid in the impressive Williams (Robbie) to score with a cool finish. As the half went on park created numerous chances but failed to capitalise. Fadre were resorting to long balls with Thomas not really troubled at any stage in the park goal.
HT 1-0
The second half began with Llantwit having the lion’s share of the possession without ever creating a clear cut chance at goal, it was a similar pattern for the rest of the half but with the best chances falling to Maesteg, again they failed to take them with bomb head hitting the woodwork from a corner, Bridgey had warned the players at half time that missed chances could come back to haunt the side. And in the 91st min from a corner Fadre bundled the ball in at the far post.
FT 1-1
Extra time started well for park and they were rewarded with a quality goal from Bowen, it looked like there was only going to be 1 winner then, but to their credit Llantwit kept plugging away and from another corner and some poor defending they again scored an equaliser.
ET-HT 2-2
Again park started well and as Bowen stepped inside the Fadre defender he was quite clearly tripped but the referee failed to award the spot kick! After this park became visibly drained and after bomb head scored and own goal there was no way back fadre went on to score a 4th while park were throwing men forward and it was game over. We wish Llantwit Fadre all the best in the next round.
Our boys did well considering the side has never played together in a competitive match. With hard work and continued commitment they should do well this season.
