WELCOME TO THE MARSTON’S STADIUM Home of AFAN LIDO Football Club SEASON 2022-23 AFAN LIDO V Pontypridd United Tuesday September 20th 2022
Life Members
E mail: afanlido67@btconnect.com Website: www.afanlido.com
President Phil Robinson General Manager Mark Robinson Chief Executive Alan Howells Team Manager Paul Evans Reserve Team Manager Carl Hughes Programme Editor Peter Reynolds Web Master Peter Reynolds Photographer Gareth Elms
Steve Cook, David Dale, Alfred Haas, Mark Hanbury, Michael Holmes, Alan Howells, Phil Isaac, Brunhilda Knaur, Harry Leonhardt, Alun Rees, Peter Reynolds, Lynda Robinson, Phil Robinson, Helmut Solowy, Glyn Thomas, Brian Williams, Steve Wood. Vice President Brian Flynn
Ground: Marston’s Stadium, Princess Margaret Way, Aberavon Beach, Port ClubTalbot.Telephone Number: 01639 892960
Founded 1967
Welsh League Division One Runners Up 1984-85, 1997-98,2010-11
Welsh Intermediate Cup Winners 1986-87
SWFA Youth Cup Finalists 1982-83
South Wales Youth League Cup Finalists 2008-09
Welsh League Reserve Division Winners 2001-02, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2010-11
Port Talbot League Reserve Division Winners 2016-17,2017-18
Welsh League Cup Winners 2006-07, 2008-09
Welsh League Reserve Cup Finalists 2010-11
AFAN LIDO FOOTBALL CLUB HONOURS
SWFA Youth Cup Winners 1980-81
South Wales Youth League Winners 2008-09
Qualification for FAW Premier Cup 2002-03, 2003-04
Port Talbot Sunday League Division 1 Runners Up 1997-98
League of Wales Cup Winners 1992-93, 1993-94, 2011-12
UEFA Cup Preliminary Round One 1995-96
Welsh League Premier Division Champions 1987-88, 1988-89
FAW Welsh Cup Runners Up 2006-07
Welsh League Reserve Division Runners Up 1995-96, 1999-2000, 2002-03
Welsh League Reserve Cup Winners 2002-03, 2003-04
League of Wales Runners Up 1994-95
FAW Youth Cup Finalists 1980-81 Welsh League Youth Division Winners Welsh League Youth Division Runners Up 2015-16, 2017-18 2016-17
Welsh League Youth Cup Winners 1991-92, 2004-05, 2015-16 Welsh League Youth Cup Runners Up 1996-97,1997-98,2016-172018-19
Port Talbot League Knockout Cup Winners 1968-69, 2014-15
Port Talbot League Reserve Cup Winners 2017-18
Port Talbot Sunday League Cup Winners 1997-98
On behalf of the club, I’d like to welcome the officials, players and supporters of Pontypridd United Football Club to the Marstons Stadium for this evening’s Nathaniel MG Cup match.
I’d also like to welcome our three officials and hope you enjoy the game.
Head to Head
Last season we won 3 2 here on Friday November 19th with Jordan Edwards netting 3 penalties. We lost the return 8-1 on Friday December 3rd with Jordan again scoring from the penalty spot. Games (Tier
Previous
2) Thanks to Elite Groundcare who have kindly sponsored Sean Hanbury’s kit this season. P W D L F A Pts At the Marston’s Stadium 5 3 1 1 13 9 10 Away 5 2 1 2 7 13 7
Welcome
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The history of the modern Pontypridd Football Club began in 1991 when the failing Welsh League side of Ynysybwl amalgamated with local league side Pontypridd Sports & Social Club to form Pontypridd & Ynysybwl FC. After one season of playing their home games at the Recreation Ground in Ynysybwl the club moved to their new home in Ynysangharad Park, on the site of the former Pontypridd RFC Ground, and changed their name to their current one, that of Pontypridd Town. With the help of the local council new changing rooms were opened, floodlights installed and the stand at Ynysangharad Park were upgraded, making it one of the better grounds in the league. The changes also brought some good fortune as a sixth place finish in Division Two was, due to reorganisation of the Welsh League following the formation of the League of Wales, enough to earn promotion to the top division for the first time in the club’s history. The 1992/93 season saw the club enjoy its highest ever league position when they finished in third place with just 3 defeats in 26 games. Fifth position was achieved in 1993/94 and eleventh position in 1994/95 but the 1995/96 season brought mixed emotions. This season saw the club go on a memorable Welsh Cup run. Llanwern, Newport YMCA, Taffs Well and Cemaes Bay were defeated along the way and the club were awarded a quarter final tie against eventual winners Llansantffraid of the League of Wales. Despite leading 1 0 at half time through a Romano Bacchetta goal, two goals from League of Wales legend and Hall of Famer, Tomi Morgan saw the visitors through. However, the season ended in disaster as, despite finishing in eleventh place, Pontypridd were deducted seven points by the league for fielding an ineligible player, which resulted in relegation to the second division. The club hung on to second division status for three seasons before relegation back to the basement division. The club has enjoyed a rollercoaster ride since then as they climbed back into the JD Cymru South, finishing 11th in season 2018/19 after a heroic relegation battle. Last season because Llantwit Major failed to obtain a Tier 1 licence the club were promoted to the Cymru Premier for the first time after finishing as runners up.
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Club History
Forthcoming Fixtures
Another home game on Friday September 23rd when Ammanford are the visitors, kick off is at 7.30 pm We finally have an away game on Saturday October1st when we visit Carmarthen Town for a 2.30 pm kick off. We then have a break before we are at home to Goytre United on Saturday October 22, kick off is at 2.30 pm. The Reserves next game is on Wednesday September 28th followed by a game at Goytre United on Saturday October 1st with a 2.30 pm kick off.
Disappointingly yet again there are no pen pictures of the players to include in the programme.
Pen Pictures
Tue Sep 20 Pontypridd * H
Tue Dec 27 Trefelin H
Fri Apr 7 Cambrian A
Sat Jan 21 Ammanford A
Sat Sep 3 Pontardawe # H 4 0 McCreesh (P), Keen, Evans , Hanbury
Sat Sep 17 Hakin Utd @ H 0-1
Mon Aug 29 Briton Ferry/Llansawel A 1 1 Jones C (P)
Fri Sep 23 Ammanford H
Sat Mar 11 Taffs Well A
Fri Aug 12 Taffs Well H 1 1 Jones C
Fri Aug 19 Llantwit Major H 2 2 Jones C (P), Indjai
Fri Aug 5 Cwmbran Celtic * H 5 2 Jones C (2), Webber (2), Indjai
Fri Jan 27 Goytre Utd A
Sat Nov 5 Pontardawe Town A
Fri Feb 10 Pontardawe Town H
Mon Apr 10 Ynyshir Albions A
First Team Results & Scorers
Sat Jan 7 Abergavenny Town H
Sat Oct 22 Goytre United H
Fri Aug 26 Swansea University H 7 1 Webber (3), Keen (2), Griffiths, Jones C
Mon Jul 25 Briton Ferry/Llansawel * A 2-3 Edwards, McCreesh (P)
Fri Oct 28 Abergavenny Town A
Fri Jul 29 Llanelli A 1-3 Hanbury
Sat Feb 25 Barry Town Utd A
Sat Oct 1 Carmarthen Town A
Fri Mar 3 Llanelli H
Sat Mar 25 Llantwit Major A
Sat Sep 10 Cambrian H P-P
Sat Nov 19 Cwmbran Celtic A
Tue Aug 2 Barry Town Utd H 1-4 McCreesh (P)
Welsh Cup @ Premier League Cup * Cymru League Cup #
Sat Dec 11 Carmarthen Town H
Fri Dec 16 Swansea University A
Sat Nov 26 Briton Ferry/Llansawel H
Fri Feb 17 Cwmbran Celtic H
Tue Dec 6 Ynyshir Albions H
Mon Jan 2 Trefelin A
Pens
Ben Keen 2 1 3 0
Goytre Utd 6 1 1 2 6 8 0 0 2 1 5 4
Chris Jones 4 2 6 2
Trefelin 6 0 0 2 2 8 2 0 2 9 9 6
LeagueScorersDivisionCupTotal
Liam McCreesh 1 2 3 3 Sean Hanbury 1 1 2 0
Carmarthen 6 2 0 1 11 3 1 0 1 4 5 12
Barry Town Utd 6 1 0 1 5 3 3 0 1 9 5 12
Liam Griffiths 1 0 1 0
Carlos Indjai 1 1 2 0
Abergavenny 6 1 0 1 5 4 1 0 3 6 11 6
Briton Ferry 6 3 2 0 14 2 1 0 0 1 0 14
Cymru South
Ammanford 6 2 1 1 7 10 0 1 1 2 4 8 Afan Lido 6 1 2 1 11 8 0 1 1 2 4 6
Cambrian 6 3 0 0 8 3 1 2 0 9 6 14
Ynyshir Albions 6 0 0 2 0 3 1 1 2 5 5 4
Josh Webber 3 2 5 0
P W D L F A W D L F A PTS
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Llantwit Major 6 0 0 2 1 4 0 1 3 4 11 1
Cwmbran Celtic 6 0 1 1 6 7 3 0 1 9 5 10
Taffs Well 6 2 1 0 8 3 2 1 0 10 4 14
Swansea University 6 0 0 1 2 4 1 1 3 5 16 4
Pontardawe 6 1 0 2 9 9 1 0 2 3 12 6
TOTAL 13 11 24 5
Llanelli 6 4 1 0 8 2 0 1 0 1 1 14
Jordan Edwards 0 1 1 0
Ioan Evans 0 1 1 0
Afan Lido 0 Hakin United 1
Hakin United can now be added to the list of clubs from the lower reaches that we have lost to in the Welsh Cup. They join Cwmbran Town and STM Sports who both beat us in Round 1 ties and last season Dinas Powys in Round 2. Yet again players are not available for cup matches and we fail to capitalise on what should be our strength. We dominated parts of the game but failed miserably in front of goal and paid the ultimate price. We started brightly and kept possession but failed to test the visiting keeper in the first twenty minutes. Nearest we got to a goal was a Sean Hanbury free kick which was just too high. After 25 minutes Hakin created their first chance and it took a fine save from Aaron Jones to deny them a shock lead. Lido responded almost immediately when Chris Jones fed Jay Thomas who beat his defender and from close range shot narrowly wide. On the half hour Hakin again attacked and fired in a shot that went over the bar. Having weathered the early Lido pressure Hakin were now looking to get a foothold in the game. They would have been the happier of the sides at half time going in all square. The second half saw Hakin start the better and they hit the crossbar on 50 minutes. They spotted Aaron Jones off his line but the lob from the edge of the area was just too high. Jay Thomas had another chance on the hour but couldn’t keep his shot from the edge of the area down. Hakin created another chance on 62 minutes but again Aaron Jones made a fine save. Lido had another opportunity on 64 minutes when Josh Webber met a cross but from a good position sliced his shot wide. On 67 minutes an altercation saw two players sent off, considering there hadn’t been a card of either colour this was something of a surprise but Ioan Evans for the Lido and Leon Luby were both red carded. With 10 minutes to go Hakin missed a golden chance to take the lead when Mark Jones headed wide from a corner when it was almost easier to score. The Lido attacked and won a corner, Josh Webber fed Carlos Indjai who netted but the Lino flagged for an infringement much to the dismay of both players and the Lido support. Disappointingly Lido then went down to 9 men, Aaron Jones did well to punch clear a through ball but was caught by the studs of a Hakin player. No free kick was given and Aaron was down on the floor, the referee blew up when Hakin next attacked and came to check on Aaron who was understandably annoyed at the injury. From this Aaron ended up being sent off giving Hakin a huge advantage. We then needlessly gave away a free kick in a dangerous position and the ball was floated in and headed in giving our replacement keeper no chance. Hakin saw out time and once again we are left to rue the day.
Sean Hanbury 1 0
Mon Sep 19 Cwmamman United H
Mon Sep 5 Carmarthen Town H 5 1 Webber (P), Morris, OG, McCalmon (2)
Sat Sep 10 Carmarthen Town A
Sat Nov 26 Ynysygerwn A
Mon Oct 10 Port Talbot Town H
Sat Oct 15 Pontardawe A
Sat Jan 14 Seven Sisters/Onllwyn A
Mon Mar 27 Baglan Dragons H
Pens
Sat Nov 5 Trefelin A
Fri Feb 24 Cwmamman United A
Sat Mar 17 Briton Ferry/Llansawel A
Michael McCalmon 2 0
Sat Apr 1 Ammanford A
Mon Feb 13 Goytre United H
Mon Aug 15 Ammanford H 2 7 Keen, Hanbury
Mon Dec 19 Trefelin H
Cymru South West Reserve League 2022-23
Josh Webber 1 1 OG 1 0
ScorersLeague
Sat Oct 1 Goytre United A
Sat Apr 22 Baglan Dragons A
Mon Oct 31 Seven Sisters/Onllwyn H
Mon Oct 26 Briton Ferry/Llansawel H
Sat Feb 4 Port Talbot Town A
TOTAL 7 0
Ben Keen 1 0
Steve Morris 1 0
Mon Nov 14 Ynysygerwn H
Mon Jan 23 Pontardawe Town H
Sean Hanbury
Represented the Boys Clubs of Wales at all age groups. Played youth football here for a season, also played at Penybont, Cefn Cribwr, Porthcawl Town Athletic and Cornelly United. Re signed for us in January 2022 from Cefn Cribwr.
Pen Pictures
Carlos Indjai
Aaron Jones
Carlos signed for the club ahead of the 2015-16 season from Llantwit Major, also played for Dinas Powys. Is a Wales LD International. Although a winger, he filled in with great success as a full back towards the end of 2017-18 and is now operating as a centre back. Signed for then Welsh Premier Llanelli in July 2018 before re signing for us in December 2018. Left and joined Newport City before re signing for the club in January 2022.
Sean progressed through the junior sides within the club before joining Swansea City Academy. Was released at the end of the 2016-17 season and signed for the club in August 2017. Made his debut off the bench at Caerau Ely, made 24 starts scoring 5 goals Signed for WPL Carmarthen Town in June 2018 before re signing in June 2019. Left in August 2020 for Trefelin but re-signed again in January 2022.
Daniel Dima Signd in July 2022 , previous clubs include Newport City and Llanrumny United.
Steve Morris
Steve Cann
Signed from Briton Ferry Llansawel in October 2017. Signed for them from then Welsh Premier team Port Talbot Town for season 2016/17. South African born he grew up in Briton Ferry and boasts Derby County, Rotherham Utd, Aberystwyth, Carmarthen and Port Talbot as his ex-clubs. Missed season 2018 19 but re signed ahead of 2019 20. Left in July 2020 but re signed in June 2022
Daniel Nagel Signd in September 2022 from Ynysygerwn, has also played for Goytre United.
Sacha first signed for the club in 2001 02 while we were in the Welsh Premier and made 56 starts scoring 27 goals in a 4 year spell. After the club was relegated he left and played for several Welsh Premier clubs before re signing in August 2016. Brings a wealth of experience to the side. Joined Briton Ferry/Llansawel in 2021 before moving on to Trefelin. Re-signed for the Lido in August 2022.
Played for Swansea City, Grimsby Town, Neath, TNS, Gloucester City, Port Talbot, and also played for Wales at Under 17,19,21 and semi pro level. Signed during the 2016 17 season playing a handful of games before joining Carmarthen Town. Re signed for the club in January 2020. Left July 2020 before re-signing in January 2022
Steve signed for the club ahead of the 2019 20 season. Australian by birth he spent 18 months playing in Spain before being a squad member for Penybont in their undefeated season.
Sacha Walters
Chris Jones
Jay is a youth team player who has represented the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wales. Caught the eye in a number of pre season matches and held down a first team slot before signing for Goytre United in August 2021. Re signed for the club in June 2022.
Ben joined us in September 2020 signing from Penybont. Also played for Porthcawl. Signed for Llantwit Major in August 2021 before re signing in January 2022.
Bradley Flay
Pen Pictures (Cont)
Owen Williams
Signed in September 2022. Previous clubs include Porthcawl Town and Bettws.
Played a handful of games in the Welsh Premier League before leaving. Played for a number of local sides before re signing in July 2021 from Port Talbot.
Signed in July 2022. Previous clubs include Cwmamman United, Llanelli and Pontardawe Town.
Josh Webber
Ben Keen
Luke McDonald
Travis James
Signed in 2014, previous clubs include Pontardawe and Neath. In 2014-15 Josh represented the Wales under 18’s semi-professional side against the Republic of Ireland. He has also represented the Boys Clubs of Wales, was the outfield player in a tournament in Germany.
Joined us in August 2021 from Goytre United. Scored on his debut against Briton Ferry. Previous clubs include Pontardawe Town and Carmarthen Town. Won Players player and Supporters player of the year for 2021 22.
Signed in September 2020 from Cardiff Met; has also played for AFC Llwydcoed. Managers player of the year for season 2021 22.
Jay Thomas
Ieuan Owen
Signed in August 2019. Had spells with the Cardiff City, Newport County and Nike Academies. As a senior player has played for Wrexham, Penybont, Monmouth and Cardiff Met. Has a Welsh Schools cap, represented Welsh Universities and been on the bench in a Europa League tie. Also trialled at Ross County. Is a Masters student in sports coaching and holds a UEFA B licence. Signed for Goytre Utd in July 2020 before re signing for the club in August 2022.
Liam Griffiths
Ioan Evans
Youth player who was involved with the first team before football was suspended. Has represented the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wales.
Connor Harris
Owen signed for the club in 2013 from Tata Steel. Made his full debut at Bala in the Welsh Premier League. Transferred away early in 2017-18 but re-signed in February 2018. Joined Port Talbot in November 2018. Re signed for the club in August 20021.
LEWIS TWAMLEY
JOE EVANS
DAVID VINCENT
IOAN EVANS
BRAD FLAY
AARON HILLIER
LUKE CUMMINGS
JOSH WEBBER ELIOT RICHARDS
PAUL EVANS ANDREW STOKES LLEWELLYN
JORDAN KNOTT
CARLOS INDJAI
SACHA WALTERS
ASH MORRIS
MANAGER MANAGER
DANNY DINA
ASSISTANT MANAGER COACH PAUL REID RHYS
PLAYER COACH COACH CHRIS JONES A WHITTINGTON LEIGHTONPHYSIOJONES Referee – Ryan Kenny Assistants – Matthew Johnson and Michelle Portelli Next games — Ammanford Home Friday September 23rd at 7.30pm Carmarthen Away Saturday October 1st at 2.30pm
JAMES SADDLER
JACKSON HALL
IEUAN OWEN COREY JENKINS
STEVE CANN
LIAM GRIFFITHS BEN AHMUN
TRAVIS JAMES JOE HUNT
DANNY WILLIAMS
AFAN LIDO v Pontypridd United
AARON JONES
KIERAN LEWIS
BEN KEEN MORGAN DAVIES
CHRIS JONES CLAYTON GREEN
LIAM MCCREESH OLI DALTON
DANIEL NAGLE
SEAN HANBURY