Afan Lido v Swansea University

WELCOME TO THE MARSTON’S STADIUM Home of AFAN LIDO Football Club SEASON 2021-22

AFAN LIDO V Swansea University TUESDAY JULY 27th 2021

Founded 1967 Ground: Marston’s Stadium, Princess Margaret Way, Aberavon Beach, Port Talbot.

Club Telephone Number: 01639 892960 E-mail: afanlido67@btconnect.com Website: www.afanlido.com President Operations Manager Director Of Football Coach

Secretary Chief Executive Web Master Photographer Programme Editor

Phil Robinson Mark Robinson Paul Evans Matt Driscoll Gary Isaac Alan Howells Alan Howells Peter Reynolds Gareth Elms Peter Reynolds Life Members

Steve Cook, David Dale, Alfred Haas, Mark Hanbury, Michael Holmes, Alan Howells, Phil Isaac, Brunhilda Knaur, Harry Leonhardt, Keith Parry, Alun Rees, Peter Reynolds, Lynda Robinson, Phil Robinson, Helmut Solowy, Glyn Thomas, Brian Williams, Steve Wood.

Vice President Brian Flynn

AFAN LIDO FOOTBALL CLUB HONOURS UEFA Cup Preliminary Round One FAW Welsh Cup Runners Up Qualification for FAW Premier Cup League of Wales Runners Up League of Wales Cup Winners Welsh League Premier Division Champions Welsh League Cup Winners Welsh League Division One Runners Up Welsh Intermediate Cup Winners Welsh League Reserve Division Winners Welsh League Reserve Division Runners Up Welsh League Reserve Cup Winners Welsh League Reserve Cup Finalists FAW Youth Cup Finalists Welsh League Youth Division Winners Welsh League Youth Division Runners Up Welsh League Youth Cup Winners Welsh League Youth Cup Runners Up SWFA Youth Cup Winners SWFA Youth Cup Finalists South Wales Youth League Winners South Wales Youth League Cup Finalists Port Talbot League Knockout Cup Winners Port Talbot League Reserve Division Winners Port Talbot League Reserve Cup Winners Port Talbot Sunday League Division 1 Runners Up Port Talbot Sunday League Cup Winners Neath & District League Cup Winners

1995-96 2006-07 2002-03, 2003-04 1994-95 1992-93, 1993-94, 2011-12 1987-88, 1988-89 2006-07, 2008-09 1984-85, 1997-98,2010-11 1986-87 2001-02, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2010-11 1995-96, 1999-2000, 2002-03 2002-03, 2003-04 2010-11 1980-81 2015-16, 2017-18 2016-17 1991-92, 2004-05, 2015-16 1996-97,1997-98,2016-17 2018-19 1980-81 1982-83 2008-09 2008-09 1968-69, 2014-15 2016-17,2017-18 2017-18 1997-98 1997-98 1971-72, 1972-73

Welcome On behalf of the club, I’d like to welcome the officials and players of Swansea University Football Club to the Marstons Stadium for our opening home fixture in the JD Cymru League South. It is the first time that the two clubs have met, we were due to meet back on Friday March 13th 2020 but the FAW cancelled all fixtures on that day following the COVID-19 outbreak. With no further fixtures played Swansea University were declared champions but were denied promotion as they failed to obtain a Tier 1 licence with second placed Haverfordwest taking their place.

I’d also like to welcome our three officials and hope you enjoy the game.

A COVID hit season The FAW announced back in December 2020 that last season would be restricted to 15 matches with clubs playing either 8 or 7 matches at home as decided by a draw. We were drawn out as one of the clubs playing 8 home matches.

However, the only match we played was the league cup tie away to Risca United which we lost 5-2. Our goals were scored by Craig Reddy and Ioan Clatworthy. Once again, the FAW stopped the season which never restarted.

Weekend Results Last weekend results were as follows, there were four matches played on Friday night and four on Saturday afternoon.

Briton Ferry Llansawel

3-0

Swansea University

Llanelli Town

0-3

Ammanford Town

Llantwit Major

2-0

Cwmbran Celtic

Pontypridd

1-1

Carmarthen

Port Talbot

0-4

Trefelin

Risca Utd

2-3

Afan Lido

Taffs Well

0-1

Goytre United

Undy Athletic

2-3

Cambrian & Clydach

.

Swansea University

Swansea University has a Welsh League heritage dating back to the 1960s, when under its previous guise as the University College Swansea, the Club played at the highest level of Welsh football for nearly two decades.

The University first entered the Welsh League in the 1966-67 season and incredibly won Division 2 in that season, sealing promotion to Division 1 at the first time of asking. At that time there were also 3 divisions, the Premier Division, Division 1 and Division 2.

The students of Swansea continued to impress in the 1967-68 season by finishing runners up in Division 1 to seal promotion to the Premier Division in just 2 seasons – a meteoric rise in similar fashion to the modern-day Swansea University team.

Unfortunately, the club’s stay in the Welsh League Premier Division was short lived and they were relegated at the end of the 1968-69 season but bounced back the following season as Champions of Division 1. Following another relegation in 1971-72, Swansea University stabilised in Division 1 until 1978, when they suffered a drop into Division 2.

The club competed in the third tier of the Welsh League until 1985, when sadly it fell out of the league leading to a 32-year exodus which ended in 2017 with the return of the University to the higher levels of the Welsh football pyramid.

The Swansea University team of yesteryear prospered and offered a platform for Swansea students to enjoy a high level of football whilst studying in south west Wales.

These guiding principles underpinned the resurrection of league football at Swansea University in 2011. Team Swansea was started by a group of forward looking students, but not even the founding members could have predicted the second meteoric rise of the University team which has seen it return to the Welsh League.

Only in its sixth season, the Club is still in its infancy but has had its fair share of silverware in that time. 4 promotions, 2 Gwalia Cups, 1 Senior Cup and an unforgettable 10-0 win in the final of the West Wales Cup in 2015. The pinnacle of the club’s achievement was sealing the Swansea League Championship and West Wales Cup double in May 2017.

Which secured a historic return to the Welsh League.

The first season back in the Welsh League in the 2017-18 campaign was a stunning success. Promotion to Division 2 was sealed with 3 games to spare as the University clinched the Welsh League Division 3 title with an emphatic 4-0 win away at Caerau FC in Maesteg. To cap off a fine season of football, the club not only won the title by playing some remarkable football, they also claimed the Division 3 FAW Fair Play Award, proving that it is possible to win with style, grace and outstanding discipline.

The remarkable journey continued the following season when once again, under the guidance of Dafydd Evans and Wyn Thomas, promotion to the new tier 2 JD Cymru South was achieved through finishing runners-up in Welsh League Division 2. An outstanding disciplinary record once again saw the University top the Division 2 FAW Fair Play table.

Despite being tipped to struggle in the new JD Cymru Championship South, the squad once again showed great quality and resilience and played some fantastic football. The title was secured after 25 matches when Covid 19 brought the 2019-20 season to an end with the Club once again topping the Fair Play league table. Promotion to the JD Cymru Premier League was denied as a Tier 1 Licence was not awarded but this was subsequently achieved during the aborted 2020-21 campaign.

Defeat in the League Cup We went out of the league cup at the first time of asking after missing a number of chances but fell ultimately short with some wasteful defending.

Afan Lido created some early half chances as we started brightly. Cwmbran striker Tom Meechan picked up the loose ball but was brought down in the box, He lined up the spot kick but debutant keeper Louie Cirotto guessed right and parried it clear. Lido responded well with some concerted pressure on the home defence. Taylor Evans went close with a long range effort but it deflected and rolled comfortably for Cwmbran keeper Larcombe to collect. Cwmbran took the lead on 15 minutes, a low cross was drilled powerfully across goal and was turned home from close range by Lewis Iles at the near post.

On 23 minutes Lido broke well through Samm Harrison following some excellent passing play through the midfield Jay Thomas picked up the ball and drove for goal from outside the box and it took a good save from Larcombe to keep it out. A minute later a great chance for Lido, Jay Thomas spotted the early run of Taylor Evans who bore down on goal but Larcombe spotted the danger and came out to smother well.

Cwmbran Celtic broke quickly from a Lido attack and scored their second. Meechan raced clear of the defence and lofted it over Cirotto to double the home side’s lead. On the half hour there was another chance for Lido as Harris was released free out wide. He tried a shot from distance which was held by Larcombe. On 38 minutes Lido went close again, Jay Thomas released Ross Daniels with a sumptuous through ball on the edge of the box. His low cross was met by Samm Harrison who, with Larcombe bearing down couldn’t guide it home and he narrowly missed the target. Three minutes later Cwmbran netted their third.

Brown intercepted a misplaced pass from out wide. His low cross is guided into the path of Iles who flicked on to Meechan at the far post for him to steer home. Just before half time there was another chance for the Lido after keeper Larcombe scuffed a clearance straight to Jay Thomas who with the keeper off his line, tried a speculative shot from distance which narrowly missed the crossbar The half time discussion was about a tale of clinical finishing from Cwmbran Celtic and poor defending from Lido. Lido had had their fair share of opportunities but Tom Meechan had put the Lido defence to the sword..

The second half started badly with Taylor Evans going straight into the book for a foul on the halfway line but the side were probing around the home penalty area and forcing a few last ditch clearances. Ioan Evans laid the ball of to Samm Harrison outside the box but his fizzing shot narrowly missed the far post. We then had a bad 5 minutes with Conor Harris booked for a late challenge and a minute later Jay Thomas for a foul. Worse was to come as Sam Harrison was given a straight red card for a challenge on the edge of the Cwmbran Celtic box. Lido were down to ten men for the remaining 25 minutes. A tall order in the searing temperatures.

Cwmbran Celtic rampaged through the Lido defence, the ball landing up at the feet of Iles who tried to lift the ball over Cirotto in goal but ended up missing the target from close range.

Another booking for Lido Ioan Evans went into the book for a challenge.

Celtic should have made it four on 72 minutes but they hit the crossbar. A deep cross was met by the head of Iles who rattled the bar before the assistant adjudged him to have been offside Celtic created another good chance with 10 minutes to go, Brown twisted and turned through the Lido defence before unleashing a low shot towards goal which only just missed the far post Just before full time Jay Thomas again went close for Lido, unleashing a shot from distance which beat the keeper but also narrowly evaded the net

3 Points at Risca We took the lead on 4 minutes following a free kick. It was awarded 35 yards out in a central position and was played wide of the goal to Cai Owens. He headed the ball across the face of the goa. All the Risca players stood allowing the ball to reach John Hall at the far post and he poked it home from a couple of yards on his Lido league debut.

It got even better on 9 minutes, Jay Thomas intercepted possession to play Pat Finneral through on goal. His goalbound shot was parried well by Dibble in the Risca goal but only into the path of Ioan Evans who drilled his shot home.

Risca created their first chance on 13 minutes as Jordan Thomas teed up a shot from outside the box but he couldn’t find the target and it flew wide Risca were now getting their game together and getting a foothold in the game with some bright spells of possession in the middle of the park but they couldn’t penetrate the Lido defensive line.

Lido relieved the pressure to win a corner which Cai Owens flicked on but the Risca defence cleared the danger. Back came Risca as Jordan Thomas picked up a long ball out wide, brought it down with his first touch and drilled the ball goalwards but it just missed the far post.

Risca reduced the deficit with a goal on 32 minutes, a long ball over the top of the Lido defence was met by Ryan Wheeler who lobbed the advancing Steffan Rogers. A minute later and it could have been all square. Leon Thomas was presented with an open goal from distance after a misplaced pass but Rogers scrambled to keep it out. Risca continued to push forward in pursuit of the equaliser and they had another opportunity when Gameson tried a shot from distance with Rogers out of position but he narrowly missed the target. More pressure from Risca saw Jordan Thomas pick the ball up on the edge of the box and take a speculative shot at goal which forced Rogers into a great save low to his left to keep it out. The Cuckoos were well on top and it was no surprise when they equalised. They took a short corner and changed the angle of the delivery. Lido blocked the cross but in the ensuing scramble Ryan Wheeler poked home from close range. The chances were coming thick and fast for Risca, Taylor Marsh lined up a shot but he couldn’t keep his effort down. Just before the interval Risca hit the post, Wheeler twisted and turned through the Lido defence before unleashing a shot from a tight angle that rattled the woodwork. Lido have done well in the latter stages of the half to go in all square.

Risca came out firing and were camped out in the Lido half. Ben Keen was injured and replaced by Steve Morris on 53 minutes and two minutes later we regained the lead. Ioan Evans pounced on a misplaced back pass, carried the ball forward and from just outside the box fired home past the keeper.

Risca continued probing the Lido defence but so far they held strong. On 68minutes Leon Thomas got on the right side of the Lido defence and, with the goal gaping, tried to lob the advancing Steffan Rogers and it took a great save to stop the equaliser We then created a couple of half chances, substitute Jordan Edwards took a shot on goal but he was crowded out by the defence and his shot was collected easily by Dibble, Then another chance for Lido as Jay Thomas picked up a loose clearance from a corner at the back post but he couldn’t keep his shot down and it sailed over the bar. With 10 minutes to go Risca had a goal disallowed, Palmer nodded down into the path of Wheeler after some frenetic defending from Lido. Wheeler drove the ball home but the assistant referee flagged for offside. With 3 minutes to go a deep cross from the left found Arthur Furness at the far post but, unmarked, he couldn’t direct his header and the chance goes wide.

Pen Pictures Luke Martin Goalkeeper. Signed from Goytre United in the 2018/19 season. A sports science alum graduating in 2016, who also helps out coaching our younger keepers. A very experienced and talented keeper who came through the Swansea City academy and now has over 100 appearances for Swansea Uni.

Daniel Sheehan Experienced right back. Swansea-born sports science graduate graduating in July 2021. Dan is also a coach in the club and works on strength and conditioning across the programme. Dan is a former Swansea City and Carmarthen Town player who signed in 2018/19 season. Dan was nominated as best Welsh young player of the Welsh Premier League in the 2011/12 season.

Elliot Jones Left back signing in 2016/17. Elliot played for the Uni when they were back in the Swansea League and has been a part of all the recent promotion successes in the Welsh league. Elliot is another graduate that studied criminology at a BSc and MSc level. Grew up on the books with Cardiff City & Bristol Rovers and has over 100 appearances for the club.

Oliver Roberts Caerphilly born centre midfielder Olly is a very talented creative player from deeper areas of the field who signed in the 2017/18 season. Ex-Academy player at Cardiff City and Newport County who has been involved in Wales youth squads. Olly has completed a BSc in sport science & and is currently completing an MSc in management.

Dan Barnard A powerful and dominating centre back and graduated with a MSc from Swansea University.

Wyn Thomas An experienced UEFA ‘A’ license coach/manager, who is still also an asset on the field and leads by example. A wealth of knowledge and record appearance holder in the Cymru Premier, some would say he has a MSc in football. Wyn has also played in Europe a number of times for various sides. Wyn has also represented Wales at semi-professional level 100 Apps.

Adam Orme Swansea-born Adam signed in the 16/17 season from Goytre United. Adam is another alum who graduated with a BSc in accounting. Adam came through the Swansea City academy and is also a current Wales Futsal International. Adam is the club's head of futsal and gained a place in the UEFA Champions League in the 2019/20 season. Adam has captained Uni through all of the Welsh League success, has over 100 apps for the club and made the 19/20 Cymru South team of the season.

Tim Hicks An experienced player who holds a Uefa B licence and is part of the University coaching team.

Tom Johnston Tom is an English player who signed for the university in the 18/19 season. He’s 6’5 box to box midfielder with a good range of passing. Tom has completed a BSc in Sport & exercise science and is now completing an MSc in management.

Will Toms Caerphilly-born midfielder who signed for the university at the end of the 17/18 season. Will is another alum who studied mechanical engineering at a BSc level. Grew up playing in the Islwyn youth leagues before switching to Aberbargoed buds to finish off his youth days.

Cam Langan Made first team debut for the club in his freshman year. Cam came through the academy at Southampton FC. A great crosser of the ball and superb attitude.

Pen Pictures (cont) Jandir Zola Talented offensive midfielder who came through the ranks at Swansea City and played the last few years in the Welsh League. He was with Port Talbot last year and is a former Afan Lido player. Jandir is studying sports science .

Jordan Hughes Signed last season from Pontardawe Town. Athletic, flexible and developing well Nathan Townsend Signed for the club in the 19/20 season after a stint playing semi-professionally in New Zealand. A talented player who came through the ranks at Exeter City and won both the National Colleges Premier League and National Cup with Hartpury College. Currently in his 3rd year studying BSc Sport Science.

Harry Huddart Centre back or centre midfielder aged 18.Signed this year from Preston North End, going to study sport and exercise science. .

Harry Hodgson 22 year old fullback/midfielder. Currently studying Sports and Exercise Science. Previously played for Bournemouth University and signed in the 2020/21 season.

Jack Jones Perpetual student now training to be a doctor. Don’t let the hairband fool you, all he can do is run. .

William Gill A 6’0 attacking Full Back, with good technical ability, William signed in the 2017/18 season, having previously played for both Swansea City and Newport County at academy level. William has completed a BSc in sport & exercise science, and is currently completing an MSc in sport science.l Tiago Cordoso Born in Portugal and aged 18, Tiago came through SC Farense academy. Attacking midfielder, right/Left winger or even full back. Signed in January for the club. Studies aerospace engineering.

Cameron Williams 20 year old winger. Currently studying BSc Mathematics for Finance. Signed from Briton Ferry in 2018/19 season .

Nick Hyden Signed this season from Goytre United in 2017 but graduated and played at Swansea University. Also a former Wales Universities international. A powerful midfield leader with an eye for goal.

Antonio Ferrera Gutierrez 18 year old Spanish goalkeeper who joined the club in the 2020/2021 season. Previously played in Spanish and Norwegian football clubs and currently studies Aerospace Engineering in Swansea University.

Joseph Cashman 19 Year old Centre Back/Defender played at Newport academy and was involved in Welsh tournaments with Newport schools before joining senior football at 16. Studying Business management at Swansea university .

Ryan Jones Centre Back. 19 years old. Joined in 2020/21, currently studying Sport & Exercise Science .

Who remembers the 2019-20 season?

Due to COVID our season ended with a 2-0 defeat at Ammanford on February 29th 2020. The official end to the season was on Friday March 13th when on we were due to play tonight’s visitors, Swansea University.

As you can see from the above table we ended the season in tenth position. All the clubs barring STM Sports obtained their licence and they disbanded as a result. The University failed to obtain a Tier 1 licence and were denied promotion, Haverfordwest taking their place. Taffs Well in third bottom place were saved from relegation due to STM Sports withdrawal.

We went out of the league cup at the first hurdle losing here to Cwmbran Celtic by the only goal of the game.

In the FAW Cup we beat Monmouth Town 3-1 here with Sacha Walters, Noah Daley and Brad Flay scoring.

We then had a second home tie against Aberbargoed Buds and we won 2-1 with Kaid Mohammed scoring both goals. Our luck in the draw continued and we had a home tie with Llandudno and gained an impressive 5-1 win with Lewis Holmes (2), Sean Hanbury, Kaid Mohammed and an own goal completing the scoring. Our luck finally ran out and we were drawn away to Welsh Premier Connah’s Quay who turned on the style defeating un 8-0.

Kaid Mohammed was the leading scorer with 16 goals followed by Lewis Holes and Noah Daley with 5 each. There were 17 different scorers making up our total of 57 goals.

Swansea Uni Haverfordwest Briton Ferry Cambrian Llanelli STM Sports Ammanford Goytre Utd Pontypridd Afan Lido Llantwit Major Undy Athletic Cwmbran Celtic Taffs Well Cwmamman Utd Caerau Ely

P 25 25 24 23 26 22 25 25 25 25 24 21 22 25 22 21

W 8 8 8 6 7 7 7 7 4 6 2 5 3 5 4 0

D 2 2 1 5 4 2 0 1 6 3 2 0 1 0 0 4

L 2 3 4 2 3 3 6 5 3 4 6 4 5 7 7 6

F 27 37 35 22 22 28 25 26 29 26 12 15 15 22 13 10

A 18 19 23 13 17 18 26 21 18 18 18 14 18 26 25 21

W 9 9 7 5 5 5 5 3 5 4 5 2 3 1 1 1

D 3 2 1 2 0 1 1 5 2 1 4 2 3 3 2 1

L 1 1 3 3 7 4 6 4 5 7 5 8 7 9 8 9

F 29 21 30 19 25 23 19 14 23 21 22 14 14 18 9 12

A 13 7 13 18 34 16 21 20 23 29 21 24 26 38 30 31

PTS 56 55 47 40 40 39 37 36 35 34 27 23 22 21 17 8

The final league table was calculated on a points per game basis with the University topping the league with 2.24 points per game and Haverfordwest 2.20 points per game. We still finished in tenth place with 1.36 points per game

First Team Results & Scorers Sat Sat Tue Fri Tue Sat Fri Tue Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat Sat Fri Fri Fri Fri Mon Sat Fri Fri Sat Fri Fri Fri Sat Fri Fri Sat

Jul Jul Jul Jul Aug Aug Aug Aug Aug Sep Sep Oct Oct Oct Nov Nov Dec Dec Dec Dec Jan Jan Jan Feb Feb Mar Mar Mar Apr Apr Apr

17 24 27 30 10 14 20 24 27 10 17 1 22 30 6 19 3 10 17 27 1 21 28 12 25 4 11 19 1 8 23

Cwmbran Celtic @ Risca United Swansea University Llanelli Town Undy Athletic Llantwit Major Taffs Well Ammanford Town Briton Ferry Llansawel Cambrian Goytre United Ammanford Town Cwmbran Celtic Carmarthen Town Trefelin Pontypridd Town Pontypridd Town Trefelin Carmarthen Town Port Talbot Town Port Talbot Town Goytre United Cambrian Cwmbran Celtic Briton Ferry Llansawel Swansea University Llantwit Major Undy Athletic Taffs Well Llanelli Town Risca United

A A H H H A A H H A H A H H A H A H A H A A H A A A H A H A H

@ League Cup * Welsh Cup

0-3 3-2

Hall John, Evans I (2)

Reserves Sat Sat Sat Sat Sat Sat Sat Sat Sat Sat Sat Sat Sat Sat

Sep Sep Sep Sep Oct Nov Nov Nov Dec Dec Jan Jan Feb Mar

7 14 21 28 5 9 16 30 7 14 11 18 8 7

Pontardawe Briton Ferry Garden Village AFC Llwydcoed Llantwit Major Penybont AFC Llwydcoed Garden Village Pontyclun Briton Ferry Penybont Pontyclun Llantwit Major Goytre United

Cardiff Met Briton Ferry Goytre Utd Pontyclun * Pontardawe Llantwit Major Penybont AFC Llwydcoed Trefelin * Afan Lido Garden Village * Penydarren

P 13 12 13 14 11 13 13 15 9 14 13 10

W 7 4 3 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 0 1

A H A H H A A H A A H H A H D 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 0 1 1 1 1

L 0 3 2 5 3 2 5 4 3 5 6 3

1-2 1-2 3-2 3-3 1-0 3-2 1-7 2-4 3-2 2-4 2-5 0-2 1-1 3-4 F 31 24 23 17 7 9 19 17 10 12 12 11

Jones T Jones T Llewellyn (2), Freeman Freeman (3) Llewellyn Freeman (2), Tomlinson Freeman Llewellyn, OG Karnsang, Llewellyn, Thomas J Karnsang, Llewellyn Llewellyn, Cooling R McDonald Hanbury (2), Cooling R A 2 15 16 27 10 15 22 17 8 20 22 11

W 4 5 5 5 6 4 3 3 2 3 1 0

D 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1

L 0 0 1 1 0 4 2 5 1 3 4 4

F 17 16 24 16 19 15 14 27 7 14 13 3

A 3 6 17 7 8 30 12 36 5 20 32 16

PTS 35 27 26 22 19 17 16 16 11 11 5 2

* 3 Points Deducted League decided on points per game

Leading Scorers Morgan Freeman and Adam Llewellyn led the way with 7 goals each. Richard Cooling, Sean Hanbury, Tom Jones and Jamie Karnsang all scored twice with Luke McDonald, Jay Thomas and Scott Tomlinson netted once while we also had an own goal.

This Season The Reserves kick off their season on July 31st with an away game at Garden Village followed on August 7th with a home game against Ynysygerwn.

Pre Season Round Up Our only game in 2020-21was a league cup tie at Risca United which we lost 5-2, our goals were scored by Craig Reddy and Ioan Clatworthy. Shortly afterwards the competition was stopped because of COVID. We played a series of friendlies, the ones we played this year included a 0-2 home defeat by Penrhiwceiber followed by a 1-2 defeat by Briton Ferry Llansawel, our goal being scored by a trialist. Next up was Mumbles Rangers which saw us win 2-1 with goals from Evan Price and another trialist. Pencoed followed with that man trialist netting the only goal. On Saturday June 19 we took part in one of the FAW’s test matches. With several new faces and a much changed side we lost 4-1 with Harry Davies scoring our goal.

On June 25th the first team drew 3-3 with Pontardawe. Originally the match was arranged to be played in Pontardawe but was switched earlier in the week. Ioan Clatworthy scored the first with Jay Thomas scoring from a well taken free kick and another youngster Taylor Evans scored with a curling shot into the top corner. Another good workout as we look ahead to our first competitive match at Cwmbran Celtic in the Nathaniel Cars League Cup on July 17th. On Wednesday June 30th we beat Ynysygerwn here at the Marston’s Stadium. We led 1-0 at the interval courtesy of a Jay Thomas penalty, a second half own goal was enough to give us the win. On Saturday July 3rd a young side went to play RTB Ebbw Vale they gave a very good account of themselves before losing 3-2. Jay Thomas was again on target, this time with a free kick and Ioan Evans scored his second goal of pre-season. The following Tuesday (6th) we played out a goalless draw with Trefelin here at the Marstons Stadium. Our final pre-season game was at Llandarcy when we went down to the only goal of the game against Briton Ferry Llansawel. A good performance with the only goal being scored just before full time gave encouragement for our cup game at Cwmbran Celtic.,

The Women also played a series of games, They started with a 3-1 win over Pontardawe with Bryanna Demery, Georgia Thorne and Megan Jones scoring the goals. The women then tested themselves against higher league opposition going down 1-4 at Merthyr following a goalless first half. Again, Megen Jones was on target. Penybont visited the Marstons Stadium and went away 3-2 winners, we led 2-0 at one point with Bryanna Demery netting both goals. Their final warm up match was a home fixture with Ammanford. Bryanna Demery and Megan Jones both netted twice in a 4-0 win.

Lido Pen Pictures Steffan Rogers Signed for the club in July 2021 from Ynysygerwn. Vastly experienced keeper who has played for several Welsh League clubs.

Cai Owens Cai signed for us ahead of the 2015-16 season. Previous clubs include Swansea City and Morriston. Made the right back position his own but left towards the end of 2016-17 to play for Goytre United. Cai re-signed for the club ahead of the 2017-18 season. He is a former Swansea schools representative and captained the Boys Clubs of Wales in 2015-16 in an International tournament in Germany. Re-signed from Ynystawe Athletic in June 2020.

Steve Morris 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.

Ben Burns Ben signed in October 2020 from Caldicot Town. Has also played for Goytre and Caerau Ely. Lewis Butler Lewis signed in August 2020 from Pencoed Athletic.

Ioan Clatworthy Played for the Boys Clubs of Wales at several age groups representing Cefn Cribbwr. Played for the club’s youth side last season and signed from Llantwit Major in July 2020. Also plays futsal for Inter Cardiff.

Harry Davies Signed from Swansea University in September 2020. Also played for Llantwit Major, Garw and Penybont Jamie Karnsang Former youth player, won boys clubs caps at several age groups. Competitive midfield player; made his full debut against Ton Pentre in the opening game of the 2018-19 season.

Ioan Evans Signed in September 2020 from Cardiff Met; has also played for AFC Llwydcoed.

Taylor Evans Youngster who played for our under 16’s Academy side and has bags of potential. Made his senior debut in the League Cup tie against Panteg in August 2017. Selected for the Welsh Colleges and Schools sides for the last couple of seasons. Signed for Briton Ferry in 2018-19.

Re-signed for the club in June 2020. Brother of Kieran.

Kieran Evans Signed in January 2021 after his release by Swansea City where he had spent many seasons in the Academy. Brother of Taylor.

Pen Pictures (Cont) . Patrick Finneral Joined us in January 2019 from Port Talbot. Played a number of youth matches scoring 6 goals and made his full debut against Pontypridd in March 2019. A pacey winger.

Sam Hodge Re-joined us in August 2020, played for our youth and reserve sides, also appeared 18 times in the League of Wales side. Spent time playing in Australia.

Lewis Holder Lewis signed in October 2020 joining us from AFC Llwydcoed. Has also played for Ton Pentre and Aberdare.

Harry Jenkins Harry joined us in July 2020 signing from Porthcawl Town Athletic. Also played for Briton Ferry and Exeter University.

Ben Keen Ben joined us in September 2020 signing from Penybont. Also played for Porthcawl.

Toby Link-Jones Toby played for our youth side winning caps for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wales. Has played a number of first team matches before football was suspended. A promising centre back.

Luke McDonald Youth player who was involved with the first team before football was suspended. Has represented the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wales.

Evan Price Evan signed in August 2020 from Pencoed where he played for a number of seasons.

Jay Thomas Jay is a youth team player who has represented the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wales. Has caught the eye in a number of pre-season matches.

Ross Daniels Ross signed in July 2021 from Goytre. Has also played for AFC Llwydcoed and Ton Pentre.

Samm Harrison Sam signed in July 2021 from Ynystawe. Has also played for Cwmamman United, West End and Eastleigh.

Matthew Andrews Played for the club over a number of years. Also played for Port Talbot and Goytre United for short spells.

Re-signed for the club in September 2020.

Morgan Gardner Signed for the club as a youth player from Port Talbot in July 2019.

AFAN LIDO V Swansea University STEFFAN ROGERS LOUIE CIROTTO LEWIS BUTLER HARRY JENKINS TOBY LINK-JONES STEVE MORRIS CAI OWENS TAYLOR EVANS IOAN EVANS EVAN PRICE PATRICK FINNERAL JAY THOMAS LEWIS HOLDER BEN BURNS CONOR HARRIS JAMIE KARNSANG BEN KEEN MORGAN GARDNER LUKE MCDONALD

LUKE MARTIN DANIEL SHEEHAN ELLIOT JONES OLIVER ROBERTS DAN BARNARD WYN THOMAS AHMED SAYES ADAM ORME TIM HICKS TOM JOHNSTON WILL TOMS JOHN ROBERTS AXEL OWUSU CAM LANGAN JANDIR ZOLA NATHAN TOWNSEND HARRY HUDDART

GENERAL MANAGER PAUL EVANS

MANAGER DAFYDD EVANS

COACHES MATT DRISCOLL/GARY ISAAC

COACH WYN THOMAS

PHYSIOS DOUG MALLEN/LEIGHTON JONES

PHYSIO GIACOMO BENDONI

Referee – Ben Williams Assistants – Connor Thomas and Matthew Deschoolmeister

Friday July 30th Llanelli Town Home kick off 7.30pm Tuesday August 10th Undy Athletic Home kick off 7.30pm