Archive - 2006 - 2007 Season

The Season's Pictures

Roll of Honour 2006 - 2007

South Wales Amateur Football League

Division 1- League Champions

Play-Off Champions and Promotion to The Welsh League

Aberdare Valley Football League

Seniors

AVFL Cup - Champions

3rd in the Premier Division

Under 14

Under 14 League - Champions

The Megan Rees Cup - Champions

The Centenary Cup - Champions

Under 9s 'Mini-Football'

 The Under 9 Tournament - Runners-Up

-oOo-

Fixtures

South Wales Amateur Football League

Aberdare Valley Football League

Seniors

Under 14

Top Scorers

Top Goal Scorers.

M Reynolds				19
M Cable				17
D Airey				15
R Evans				14
K Boggis				11
M Davies				11
C Banfield				11
M Steedman				10
L Williams				10
M Oliver				9

-oOo-

Match Reports

SWAFL

Pantyscallog VJ 0  Cwmaman Institute 3 (SWAFL)

05/05/2007

Mission accomplished. Cwmaman are the Champions. This game clinched the title in style. News of Aber Valley’s defeat put the icing on the cake, but Cwm knew that any win would have been good enough as they had held a 1 point advantage before the final games.

On a quite dreadful pitch, which only just managed to survive a late inspection, Cwm were in control virtually throughout. It took them the best part of half an hour to break through, mainly due to the playing conditions.

Matthew Cable created the chance when he was fouled competing for a high ball and referee Type, who was well placed, gave the penalty. For the second week running, Lee Williams kept his composure and dispatched the spot kick. There was only one winner after that, and Cwm’s second just before half time virtually clinched it. Robert Evans beat the offside trap and crossed for Michael Oliver to net from close range.

Cwmaman coasted through the second half, content to await the final whistle before cracking open the champagne. Chances came and went but nobody really cared. Fittingly, it was skipper David Airey who rounded the keeper to make it 3-0 before Chairman David Snook called on him to receive the championship

Corus Steel AFC 1  Cwmaman Institute 4 (SWAFL)

28/04/2007

A master class from Cwmaman in their penultimate game. They now go into the final match at Pantyscallog next week, knowing that any win will clinch the Championship.

 Cwmaman grabbed early ascendancy, and never let go. David Airey looked to have given them the lead within fifteen minutes, but a controversial decision by the linesman saw it disallowed for handball.

 Cwm shook off that disappointment and went on to control the first half, but had to wait until the dying minutes of that first period before Anthony Waters finally fired them ahead. The 1-0 half time lead was the least that Cwmaman deserved.

 Within five minutes of the restart, it was 2-0. Matthew Cable, tremendous throughout, was clattered by Corus captain, Rogan Matthews, and Lee Williams calmly rolled the inevitable penalty, past Steffan Rogers, into the corner of the net.

 It now seemed that Cwm just had to hold firm for ten minutes or so, to ease home, but that is not the Cwmaman way. Within minutes, Corus had reduced the arrears with what turned out to be their only real effort at goal.

 The pressure was on again, or so it seemed, but when Cwmaman went 3-1 up, there was only one winner. Chris Banfield sent over a perfectly flighted corner, Matthew Cable out jumped the keeper, and David Airey volleyed in from close range.

 After that, Cwm were happy to run the clock down, and Corus could do nothing. It was simply a case of whether Cwm could score a fourth. They could. Anthony Waters teased the defence before rolling the ball inside where Robert Evans checked his run superbly, staying onside, to allow Michael Oliver to run from deep and curl a superb shot into the top corner.

 One more to go boys. Let’s shut those critics up, once and for all.

AFC Bargoed 0  Cwmaman Institute 3 (SWAFL)

24/04/2007

Cwmaman remained on course for the title and condemned Bargoed to relegation with this win, which returned Cwmaman to the summit with just two games remaining. Leighton Price, who restored himself to the starting line up, showed just what Cwm had been missing as he tore Bargoed to shreds. He set up two of Cwmaman’s three first half goals, ending the game as a contest by half time.

 The first saw him burst into the area and cross for Richard Morgan to hammer home. That was after eight minutes and within a further eight minutes, he had done likewise for Robert Evans to net.

 It was more than a one-man show though, as Cwmaman impressed in the miserable conditions. Michael Oliver claimed an assist when he fed the ball through to David Airey who made it 3-0 before the break.

 With the game safe, Cwm made changes after the break to give everyone a taste of the action. Cwmaman continued to dominate, but were unable to add to the score in a one-sided second half. They went close on several occasions, none more so than Robert Evans who shaved the far post with a low shot across the face of the goal. The referee appeared to put Bargoed out of their collective misery by blowing for full-time about six minutes early.

Cwmaman Institute 8  Baglan Red Dragons 2 (SWAFL)

21/04/2007

Cwmaman’s last home game of the season saw them register their biggest win so far. David Airey got them off to a flier with a superb solo effort after just five minutes. Anthony Waters added a second before the fifteen-minute mark, and Cwm was in complete control.

 However, they were unable to add to that, and they were stunned when Matthew Davies halved the lead with a spectacular strike to make the half time score 2-1.

 After the break, Baglan simply fell apart under a ferocious Cwmaman onslaught. Robert Evans made it 3-1, although he looked offside in the build up. Scott Carson opened (and probably closed) his account for the season, with number 4 before Anthony Waters sealed victory with his second of the game.

 A long-range strike from a free kick saw Baglan gain a consolation, making it 5-2, before Cwmaman completely took over. A brace from Mark Steedman took it to 7-2, before Lee Williams put the icing on the cake with a last minute penalty. Next stop Bargoed.

Cwmaman Institute 3  Blaenrhondda 0 (SWAFL)

17/04/2007

Only four to go now, as the fingernails become ever shorter. This was a thoroughly deserved, if hard earned, win over a side struggling to come to terms with the quality of Amateur League football.

 Blaenrhondda, who have impressed in recent months, really had no answer to Cwm’s overall supremacy, but, sometimes helped by eccentric refereeing, held their own for most of the first half.

 The half way mark had almost been reached when Anthony Waters and David Airey combined to end Rhondda resistance. Anthony did the spadework, and squared the ball for the skipper to fire jubilantly home.

 After the interval, there was never any doubt about the outcome as Cwm totally dominated until the last ten minutes or so, when Blaen rallied.

 By then it was too late. Robert Evans had helped to secure the points, volleying in within just five minutes of the restart, this time after a good move down the right enabled David Airey to produce the perfect cross.

 After that it simply became a question of how many Cwm would get. Anthony Waters hit a post, David Airey did likewise, and had a goal disallowed, before Jarrod Price, after being released by brother, and fellow sub Leighton, lobbed in a third to bring the curtain down on the latest “professional  amateur” job.

Caerau 0  Cwmaman Institute 2 (SWAFL)

14/04/2007

A well contested game between two good, young, footballing teams, which was a credit to the Amateur League. A word of praise, too, for referee Nigel Richards, who kept control throughout.

 Cwmaman got off to a flier, and Chris Banfield shot them ahead in 6 minutes, ghosting in at the near post to convert a cross from the right.

 That spurred Caerau to lift their game, and the hosts went on to enjoy their best spell for the next twenty minutes or so, forcing Jonathan Truelove to make one excellent save, low to his left, to preserve Cwmaman’s lead.

 After that shaky spell, Cwmaman regained some control, comfortably holding on to reach half time 1-0 ahead.

 Cwm started the second half as they had the first, making it 2-0 within five minutes of the restart. David Airey burst through, only to be upended by Caerau’s keeper. It seemed a certain red card, but the keeper escaped with yellow. However, Lee Williams, duly saw justice done with a cool finish from 12 yards.

 After that, Cwmaman went on to dominate, and really ought to have scored a third, but Robert Evans came closest when he hit the bar. David Airey and Anthony Waters also went close to settling the contest, but paid the price for hesitancy.

 A massive result for Cwm, especially with Corus dropping a couple of points. Five games left, now, each one a cup final with no room for error.

Cwmaman Institute 4  Rhydfelin AFC 1 (SWAFL)

10/04/2007

In complete contrast to the previous game against Pantyscallog, this game was nowhere as easy as the result suggests.

 Cwmaman started brightly enough, and some superb passing and movement saw Cwm open up the Rhyd defence for Carl Jenkins to fire them ahead.

 Far from settling the home side down, Cwmaman started to look uncomfortable in the lead, and Rhydyfelin took advantage to level before the break.

 After half time, Cwmaman started to look more themselves, but struggled to impose themselves until Carl Jenkins restored their lead with his own, and Cwm’s second goal.

 Lee Williams, who had earlier conceded the corner, which had led to Rhyd’s equaliser, pounced on a loose ball in the area to fire high into the neat to put Cwm 3-1 ahead, and give them some vital breathing space.

 At last, Cwmaman started to look at ease, and Lee Williams made it 4-1 from the spot after Anthony Waters was, somewhat harshly, adjudged to have been fouled by the goalkeeper, who had already been booked. Luckily for him, ref Tony Jarman ruled that the penalty was sufficient, and Cwmaman weren’t complaining as Lee kept his nerve to roll the ball into the corner.

 A deserved, but slightly flattering win for Cwmaman kept them well in the title hunt.

Cwmaman Institute 6  Pantyscallog VJ 0 (SWAFL)

07/04/2007

Very important for Cwmaman to bounce back after a late, unfortunate, defeat at Ynysddu. That loss made it just one point from six at this crucial stage of the season.

 As the final score suggests, it was a rather one – sided contest with Pant never really in it. Matthew Cable put Cwm ahead from a corner, and, incredibly, that proved to be the only score of the first half.

 It was much the same after the break, with Cwmaman totally in charge, but this time, they scored the goals that their overall dominance deserved.

 Matthew Cable got his own second and there were further goals at regular intervals from Lee Williams (penalty), David Airey, Chris Banfield, and, for good measure, player-manager, Leighton Price.

 Seven games left after this, and seven wins will win the title. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? But we know it will be tough.

Ynysddu Welfare Crusaders 1  Cwmaman Institute 0 (SWAFL)

04/04/2007

A disappointing performance by Cwmaman, but this was still a game, which they should not have lost.

 Cwmaman controlled a goalless first half, but were unable to make their supremacy count.

 Mark Steedman came closest to make the breakthrough, but sent his header just wide with the goalkeeper well beaten.

 The second half was much the same, with Cwmaman trying desperately to break through, but becoming increasingly frustrated, especially with the referee’s interpretation of the offside law.

 This was compounded when Ynysddu snatched the lead, which had more than a suspicion of offside about it.

 Things got even worse when Robert Evans “scored”, but was once again ruled offside, even though he was behind the ball when it was crossed.

 This result increases the pressure to win every remaining game.

Llantwit Major 1  Cwmaman Institute 1 (SWAFL)

31/03/2007

Potentially, a good game between two clubs vying for the Championship, but the freak weather conditions turned it into a farce, as the severe wind made good football impossible. In the event, the two sides cancelled each other out for the second time this season.

 Playing against the strong wind in the first half, Cwm started strongly, but were becoming increasingly frustrated by some refereeing decisions. Cwm were controlling things in the early stages, but were unusually punchless up front.

 Eventually Major came more into the game and shocked Cwm by taking a 20^th minute lead. Cwmaman players thought a free kick should have been awarded for a foul, but the ref played on and awarded a free kick to the home side for a second infringement.

 That was costly for Cwm as the cross was caught on the swirling wind, and deceived Jonathan Truelove and flew into the net. Cwm rallied, but was unable to gain parity before the break.

 With the wind now behind them, Cwm started the second half in the ascendancy, before Major suffered a blow with keeper Rhodri Morgan having to leave the field after an innocent collision with David Airey and a defender. Hopefully the injury will prove to be not too serious.

 It did not take Cwm long to level, with Anthony Waters rounding the substitute keeper to make it 1-1, before all hell was let loose and a defender was shown a red card for a quite ridiculous assault on Jarrod Price. Anthony Waters was also cautioned, as, presumably, scoring is now a yellow card offence.

Cwm was now well on top and looked to take the game to the hosts. When David Airey was hauled back in injury time, the referee, after initially looking to play advantage, appeared to point for a penalty for Cwmaman, but merely awarded a free kick which the replacement keeper saved well, and for Cwmaman frustration set in.

Cwmaman Institute 2 Ynysddu Welfare Crusaders 1 (SWAFL)

24/03/2007

This was a big test for Cwmaman against a Gwent side that gave as good as they got for most of the game. In fact, it was the visitors who enjoyed the better start, almost scoring twice before Cwm shocked their guests by taking the lead in their first real attack. With ten minutes gone, David Airey did well down the left before crossing to Anthony Waters, whose first touch was assured, before beating the keeper with a left foot shot.

 Ynysddu came close to an equalizer, hitting the crossbar before Anthony Waters did likewise as Cwm responded to the considerable challenge.

 Ynysddu did manage to gain parity midway through the first half, releasing Matthew Jones, who gave Jonathan Truelove no chance with a low shot. Half time duly arrived with the scores still level.

 Cwmaman controlled most of the second half, but were increasingly frustrated by a dogged Ynysddu side, who were reduced to ten when Scott Carson was scythed down, leaving ref Peter Small with no alternative than to show red.

 Cwm, who had already been denied a “stonewall” penalty, now sensed that a breakthrough was on the cards, and increased the pressure on an increasingly beleaguered Ynysddu defence. 

The clincher came with just a couple of minutes remaining, and again David Airey created the chance. He looked in a good position to strike, but, instead, chose to lob the ball into the middle, where Lee Williams clinched the points with a firm header.

 The only down for Cwmaman was an ankle injury picked up by Richard Morgan, hopefully not too serious, with some massive games coming up.

Taffs Well AFC 2  Cwmaman Institute 4 (SWAFL)

17/03/2007

It’s “as you were” at the top, with the top three clubs each winning. Cwm came through this potentially tricky match to claim the points, but they twice had to come from behind to do it.

 Cwm almost took the lead following an early corner, but Taffs Well survived when the ball, following a scramble, came back off an upright. 

The game, well controlled by ref Steve Jones, then settled down and it was the home side that broke the deadlock when Matthew Cable’s attempted clearance struck an attacker, and rebounded past the helpless Jonathan Truelove. Cwm were fortunate to strike back almost immediately, with David Airey levelling following a good move down Cwm’s left flank. 

That proved to be that for an even first half, enjoyed by SWAL President W John Owen, amongst others. 

The second half started dramatically, with Taff’s Well immediately regaining the lead when Cwm failed to clear, but, again the lead barely lasted a couple of minutes before Cwm hit back with devastating effect.

A well worked move created an overlap, which saw Anthony Waters released, before finishing with aplomb. Just a minute later, Cwm struck again to take the lead for the first time. Taff’s Well can count themselves unfortunate, as Michael Oliver’s goal bound shot took a deflection which left the keeper helpless. 

Cwmaman looked more at ease now and settled on the lead to assume an element of control, and for the first time, looked the more likely winners. 

They took a firm grip on things when they went further ahead following a free kick. The ball was crossed to the far post, where Matthew Cable sent a trade mark header into the net. The keeper barely saw it, and that sealed the points. 

Cwmaman had late chances to make the result even more emphatic, but that would have been harsh on the hosts, and 4-2 was a satisfactory end to a good day’s work.

Cwmaman Institute 3  Caerau FC 0 (SWAFL)

03/03/2007

This was a massive win for Cwmaman, against a useful Caerau side which looked, at least in the early stages, the best team Cwmaman have played so far this season.

 Caerau were slightly unlucky to go in 1-0 down at half time, but after surviving the opening exchanges, Cwmaman had exerted a measure of control.

 After a bright opening between two sides that looked to play neat football at every opportunity, Caerau came closest to breaking the deadlock just before the half-hour mark. Twice in the same attack, they hit Cwmaman’s crossbar, before Damian Jones bravely cleared the danger, picking up a knock for his trouble.

 That incident turned the game, because after that, Cwm seized the initiative and never let go. From 1 to 11, they were simply magnificent, and the substitutes all played their part, too. The back five looked assured throughout, The midfield trio, with Carl Jenkins outstanding, dominated, and the three strikers each netted to cap a thoroughly satisfying day.

 Cwm took the lead after 34 minutes, David Airey finishing clinically, after Caerau, expecting a high cross, were caught out when the ball was fired low and hard into the danger area.

 After half time, Cwm were in complete control and Caerau frustration boiled over when a defender was, perhaps harshly, shown a red card for an incident with Jarrod Price, some ten minutes after the restart.

 After that, Cwm completely dominated and soon scored a second goal when Anthony Waters showed good pace and control before sliding the ball past the keeper.

Any doubt about the outcome was settled when Robert Evans volleyed number three with ten minutes left. That was that, and a Caerau side, which had started so well, trooped off a well-beaten team.

Cardiff Draconians 2  Cwmaman Institute 0 (SWAFL)

17/02/2007

So, now we know. It had not been Dick Turpin at Aber Valley, but Robin Hood! Cwmaman may have robbed the rich (in terms of points), Aber Valley in their previous game, but they gave to the poor in the form of Dracs.

Let me make it clear at the outset, that Dracs were good value for their win as their attitude and commitment (apart from one unsavoury incident) were superb. The unsavoury incident was a cowardly, unprovoked punch on Lee Williams. Of course, the referee missed it, as he missed everything else. That was the only consistency shown all game. His use of the advantage law was lost in translation as he penalised Cwmaman by awarding a free kick when the advantage should have been played, and vice versa.

After Cwmaman had already missed a host of chances, Dracs scored with their first real attack, midway through the first half. A long ball caught the Cwm defence square, and Darren Nippers finished well.

The pattern continued for the rest of the first half, and all of the second. Just before half time, Richard Morgan thought he had equalised, but the referee awarded a free kick for hand-ball although the ball had hit him on the chin!

With the game entering injury time, the inevitable happened, Cwm pressing hard, caught on the break, and punished by Dracs second. It was a good move down their right, but with the scorer being guilty of the above mentioned unsavoury incident, it added insult to injury.

The ref had magnificent eyesight, how else could he have seen offside on the edge of the penalty box from his position in the centre circle. He rarely left that spot, apart from to tell Leighton Price “This is Cardiff, get it yourself”, when Cwm’s player/manager appealed against Dracs’ continuous time wasting. All in all, this was one to forget, and quickly, as Cwm face tough away and home fixtures against Caerau.

Aber Valley YMCA 0  Cwmaman Institute 1 (SWAFL)

03/02/2007

This was a real “smash and grab” raid by Cwmaman, and was exactly the sort of result which wins titles, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves as there’s plenty of games to come.

 Aber enjoyed the bulk of possession, but it was not the one-way traffic that “Webby’s Watch” would have you believe. Few could argue with his choice of Jonathan Truelove as MOTM, but Cwmaman’s defenders were all heroes, with Tim Owen enjoying arguably his best performance for Cwmaman.

 Collectively, Cwm’s excellent defence restricted Aber to long range efforts, which brought Jonathan Truelove to the fore, and he was faultless as he recorded a second consecutive clean sheet. Scott Carson, in midfield, was also immense, especially after picking up an early yellow card.

 After controlling, but hardly dominating the first half, Aber did manage to get the ball into Cwmaman’s net, but only after the referee’s half time whistle had sounded. Therefore, and Aber, please note, it does not count.

 The pattern continued after the break with Cwmaman looking increasingly dangerous on the break, and home players increasingly having a moan at the referee. Aber are a good side who would do better to concentrate their efforts on the game instead of constantly chipping at the referee and opposition.

 Aber were unfortunate to see the ball twice rebound off the goal frame, but on each occasion Jonathan Truelove had got the crucial last touch. So is it bad luck for Aber, or good goalkeeping? You decide for yourself.

 With time running out, and the sides looking like producing a second stalemate of the season, there was a dramatic twist. Michael Oliver chased what appeared to be a lost cause, won a challenge with the keeper, and somehow lobbed the ball into the net from a seemingly impossible angle. It was his sixth Cwmaman goal, and may, in time, prove to be the most important.

Cwmaman Institute FC 4  Llangynwyd Rangers 0 (SWAFL)

27/01/2007

Revenge for Cwmaman, against the only team to have beaten them in the league, so far this season. Cwmaman’s victory was deserved, but hard earned as Llangynwyd were competitive to the end.

Making a welcome return to Cwmaman’s colours, Jarrod Price had an early “goal” disallowed after he was adjudged offside, but he was not to be denied when he put Cwm into an eighteenth minute lead, after his cross cum shot from the left deceived the Llan goalkeeper, and found its way into goal.

Cwm’s goalkeeper, Jonathan Truelove, made an excellent low save to preserve the lead, before Robert Evans doubled it just before the break, volleying in a Jarrod Price corner.

After a hesitant star to the second half, Jarrod Price and Sonny Hetherington combined to present David Airey with an easy tap-in for 3-0 in Cwm’s first real second-half attack. There was only one winner after that, as Cwmaman easily repelled any Llan threat, without looking particularly dangerous themselves.

A couple of substitutions, including a debut for new-boy Carl Jenkins didn’t add any further threat although Cwmaman did make it 4-0 and completed the scoring inside the final five minutes. Goalkeeper Dominic Delaney made a brave, if painful, save to deny Matthew Reynolds, who made it 4-0 from the rebound. That, or was it the save?, brought tears to the keeper’s eyes.

Cwmaman Institute FC 3  Llantwit Major 3 (SWAFL)

20/01/2007

For the second consecutive game, 5 weeks apart because of the poor weather, Cwmaman found itself entertaining the league leaders. 

On this occasion, it was Llantwit Major, who were looking not only to repeat last season’s success, but also avenge a heavy cup defeat. 

All the real drama came in the second half. David Airey had given Cwm the lead after 18 minutes, but Major leveled immediately to make the score 1-1 at the break. 

Tom Bevan scored midway through the second period, to put Llantwit ahead, and it looked as if the Vale of Glamorgan outfit would win the day, but that was not how it turned out. With 88 minutes played, Leighton Price put the scores level again. It was then that the drama began. 

In the next minute, Michael Oliver blasted a sensational twenty-five yarder, into the keeper’s top right-hand corner, to seemingly give Cwmaman a hitherto unlikely win, but Llantwit were not done. 

Five minutes of injury time saw Llantwit net from a corner 30 seconds before the referee blew for full time. 

The late flurry of activity also saw both sides, reduced to ten due to a couple of red cards in separate incidents, but it was never a dirty game, and each team seemed happy with a point at the finish.

Cwmaman Institute FC 4  Corus Steel AFC 1(SWAFL)

16/12/2006

Christmas comes early as Cwmaman and Corus provided a feast of football for the excited crowd, which contained a few VIP guests. SWAL Chairman, David Snook, former Vice Chairman, Paul Jennings, and Assistant Secretary, Idwal “Webby” Jones were all amongst the gathered throng.

The game itself started unremarkably, with each side probing in an effort to establish supremacy. Cwmaman had the first escape, when Jonathan Truelove was beaten by an exceptional bounce, but a couple of defenders were on hand to clear the danger. Corus were looking dangerous at this stage, with Jonathan Parry particularly lively.

Gradually, Cwmaman started to impose themselves on the game, and made the breakthrough just before the half-hour mark. Leighton Price, who had already provided a couple of delicious crosses, floated in another from a left wing free kick. It found an unmarked David Airey, and his excellent glancing header found the corner of the net, with the Corus keeper a helpless spectator.

The cheers had barely subsided, when a vintage Mark Steedman effort made it 2-0 with the keeper, once again, having no chance as the roof of the net exploded behind him. After that, it was important for Cwmaman to maintain a clean sheet until half time, and they did this with no real alarms.

As expected, Corus came flying out of the traps after the break, but Cwmaman should have scored a third goal. David Airey hit the crossbar with a superb effort, and Leighton Price somehow managed to get the rebound over. Just after that, Mark Steedman blazed inches wide, before Corus got a lifeline on the hour.

Carl Clement will claim the goal, but his shot took a massive deflection off the impressive Lee Williams which completely deceived Jonathan Truelove.

Cwm then survived a rather nervous twenty minutes with the well-organised defense providing excellent protection for their goalkeeper’ who was not forced into any serious action, although he did deal well with a number of dangerous crosses.

With less than ten minutes left, Cwm clinched the points with another excellent David Airey goal. He left the defenders trailing in his wake, rounded the keeper, and clipped the ball into the net, despite having been forced wide to the left.

As the game went into injury time, arguments around Man of the Match were settled when Dai claimed his hat-trick. There may have been some doubt, as to whether he was offside, but when the defence stopped, he didn’t and curled a beauty into the top corner to start wild celebrations amongst Cwmaman supporters, but fury amongst the Corus contingent.

Cwmaman Institute FC 3  Carnetown 0 (SWAFL)

02/12/2006

Cwmaman started well, and should have had the game won by half time, only to be let down by some indifferent finishing, not to mention rank bad luck.

They had hit both post and crossbar before Matthew Reynolds finally made the breakthrough just before the half-hour mark, heading home from close range.

That proved to be the only score in an entertaining first half. After the break, the game became less entertaining for a while, but Cwmaman retained the upper hand before David Airey was fouled, giving skipper Lee Williams the chance to drill home from the spot to make it 2-0. Still Cwmaman came forward looking to put the game out of reach, only for chances to come and go. Carnetown looked dangerous only on rare occasions, but were unable to force the goal, which would have made it a contest again. As the game went into the final 5 minutes Cwmaman sealed the points with the best goal of the match, and it was a well-crafted goal, fit to clinch any game. Michael Oliver turned passed a couple of would-be challenges and slipped a delightful reverse pass into the path of Matthew Reynolds. He matched the assist with an equally good finish to clinch the points with his second of the day.

That goal provided the gloss on a good performance, and put a more realistic look to the result.

Squad: Truelove, Jones, Owen, Williams, Morgan (N Carson 60), S Carson, Price (Howe 65), Oliver, Airey, Reynolds, Steedman (Evans 75).

AVFL

Boncyff FC 0 - Cwmaman 7 (CUP)

17/02/07

Cwm visited Treaman to verse the Bonki for the 3^rd time this season after sharing the earlier fixtures 1 all. This time it was in the cup with bragging rights up for grabs.

Cwm had a perfect start when in the first 5 minutes a cross was headed back across goal by Matt Cable for Chris Banfield to head home from 5 yards out. Soon after Cwm doubled their lead when Nicky Lake swept the ball home from a Modgy through ball. The game stayed 2-0 until just before half time when a brake from the half way line by Matthew Legs ended in a shot the keeper could only parry in to the path of Boggis who slotted home number three.

The second half followed the same pattern with one way traffic towards the Bonki goal and number four came when an excellent reverse pass by Cable put Banchi in space before picking his spot for his 2^nd of the game. Boggis got his second next with a free kick from the edge of the box and the sixth came from Cable who deserved his goal after setting up many others. Nicky Lake finished the scoring with his 2^nd of the game from 6 yards out.

This was a very professional performance by Cwm who kept working hard until the 90^th minute. Again the defence was air tight restricting the home side to just a few long range efforts.

Squad:- Thorne, Thomas, Leeke, Panniers, Davies, Banfield, M Davies, Lewis, Lake, Cable, Boggis.

Subs:- N Carson, C Carson, D Harris, D Owen, N Edwards

Goals:- C Banfield (2), N Lake (2), K Boggis (2), Matt Cable

Cwmaman 2 - Tynte Rovers 1 (AVFL)

03/02/07

Cwm versed Tynte for the 2^nd time in the space of 4 weeks but this time on a much better playing surface. Daniel Harris started alongside Matt Cable up front after patiently sitting on the bench and deserved his chance after training hard. The game was fairly scrappy throughout although Cwm did have the territorial advantage and possession. The game reached half time with no goals in an uneventful first 45 minutes.

The second half started much the same but Cwm didn’t have to wait long before the breakthrough. A cross from the right found its way to the far post and Taffo was there to prod the ball home from close range. As the game reached the 80 minute mark Cwm looked set for a 1-0 win but a break from Tynte forced an unlikely slip up in the Cwm defence and their striker scored an equaliser from the near post.

This sparked Cwm into life again and their never say die attitude rewarded them once again when Modgy dribbled his way past 3 defenders before lifting the ball over the goalkeeper from just inside the box to give Cwm a deserved all 3 points.

Apart from the one error, Cwms defence were superb again, while the midfield 4 worked tirelessly to create openings.

Squad:- Thorne, Thomas, Leeke, Panniers, Davies, Banfield, M Davies, Lewis, Lake, Cable, Harris.

Subs:- N Carson, C Carson, R James

Goals:- G Davies, C Lewis

MACKWORTH ‘A’ 0 – CWMAMAN 6  (CUP)

13/01/07

Cwmaman made the short trip to Mikes Field in Aberaman to take on league leaders Mackworth in the first round of the league cup.

Cwmaman started the stronger team against a young Mackworth side and put them on the back foot from the start. Cwm took the lead 10 minutes into the game when the ball was cleared form an attack and Dean Panniers returned the ball back into the box with an inch perfect left foot cross and Robert Evans timed his run to perfection and volleyed the ball off the outside of his right foot into the corner of the net.

Mackworth responded well and held possession for longer periods but could not penetrate a solid Cwm defence. After 25 minutes Cwm doubled their lead when Sonny Hetherington's persistence down the right resulted in a low cross to the near post where Kevin Boggis poked the ball home from close range.

The second goal relaxed Cwms players and some football they played was excellent. A few more chances were wasted before the 3^rd and final goal of the first half. This  was again created by Hetherington on the right and this time his cross was flicked on by Evans at the near post and Matthew Davies headed the ball over the line from close range.

Cwm started slow in the second half and soaked up the pressure from a more lively Mackworth side but again restricted the hosts to long range efforts.

A third of the way through the second half Hetherington was rewarded for his endless running when his fierce drive form just inside the box could only be parried by ex Cwm keeper Lee Bryant and the ball dropped into the net behind him. For Cwm's 4^th.

The goal of the game came next when Robert Evans picked the ball up 30 yards out and drove the ball ferociously into the roof of the net giving the keeper no chance for his second of the game.

Cwmaman's 6^th and final goal of the game came 5 minutes from the end when Hetherington was put clear by Evans and he had time to shimmy the keeper and chip the ball into the net for his second of the game.

Cwmaman's defence was again excellent and Thorne made a brave save right at the death to keep a deserved clean sheet for him and the team.

 Team:-                   N Thorne, N Carson, S Leeke, D Panniers, G Davies, S Hetherington, C Banfield, K Boggis, M Davies, R Evans, M Cable.

Subs Used:-             C Lewis, N Lake, C Carson

Subs Not Used:-       C Thomas, D Owen

Tynte Rovers 0 - Cwmaman 0 (AVFL)

 30/12/06

Cwmaman came away from The Glasbrook with a well deserved point after a brave battling performance which all involved can be proud of.

It was only the eagerness of the referee and the Tynte team who had a couple of ringers available who forced this game to go ahead in totally ridiculous conditions. Even before the game started, large puddles of water covered vast areas of the pitch not allowing the ball to travel freely across the surface.

Due to these conditions there were no clear cut chances throughout the first half although both teams tried their hardest to pass the ball to feet.

The second half was much of the same apart from a couple of chances for each team. Boggis wasted Cwms best chance when Cable fed the ball through the centre but the Tynte keeper managed to get his hand to his shot. At the other end Nicky Thorne first made an excellent stop from a Tynte free kick and then tipped a looping header around the post.

In front of Nicky Thorne, a special mention goes to the Cwmaman defensive back four who were excellent limiting the opposition to long range efforts.

This is about all I can write on a totally farcical match ruined by the adverse weather conditions.

Cwmbach 1 - Cwmaman 5 (AVFL)

 16/12/06

This was Cwmaman’s third game in December with their aim being maximum points to put them in good position come Christmas.

Cwmaman were prepared for a physical battle and pressed the home side from the start immediately putting them on the back foot. After 15 minutes Cwm took a deserved lead when the ball broke to Matthew (Legs) Davies on the edge of the box who scored with a superb strike high into the roof of the net which the keeper didn’t even see. Cwmaman were forced to make a sub after 15 minutes when Craig Lewis was replaced by Dean Panniers (Too much drink the night before Modge??). Cwm didn’t capitalise on further chances and were punished after the half hour when Cwmbach broke away down the right and a good cross was met sweetly at the far post by the Cwmbach full back who rifled the ball into the net off the half volley giving keeper Thorne no chance in the Cwmaman goal. Cwm regained the lead soon after when some neat passing down the left hand side by Leeke, Owen & Banfield resulted in the latter crossing for Nicky Lake to score Cwm's second, sweeping the ball home at the far post.

Cwm's 3^rd goal came again from Matthew Davies when he slotted the ball past the keeper. From then on, Cwmaman restricted Cwmbach to long range efforts which did not trouble Thorne and it was inevitable when Lake got Cwm's 4^th and his 2^nd when Nicky Edwards chased an over hit cross and returned it into the box for Lake to volley left footed into the net. Five minutes from time Lake completed a deserved hat trick when he rose highest from a corner and headed into the roof of the net from 6 yards out.

This win gives Cwm maximum points from 3 games played in December and they hope to complete their task against Tynte on the 30^th December.

Cwmaman 10  - Carnetown 0 (AVFL)

09/12/06

This was a game Cwmaman knew they had to try and win by a big margin to match other teams results against Carnetown and improve on their goal difference.

In the first half all credit must go to a very young Carnetown side who got bodies behind the ball and frustrated Cwmaman for long periods during the first 45 minutes. Cwmaman had to make a change as early as the second minute when Nicky Edwards ran into the back of a Carnetown defender and split his eye open in the process which required stitches. He was then replaced by Matthew cable.

The first goal came after approximately 20 minutes when a scrambled clearance in the box fell to Craig Lewis who found the corner of the net through a crowd of players with a left foot strike from the edge of the box, on his first start for over 2 years. Cwm's second and only further goal of the first half came ten minutes later when a cross from Nicky Lake was swept home from 5 yards by Chris Carson.

The second half was all one way traffic, with goals now being scored thick and fast. The third goal was scored by Matthew Cable with a clinical header from 10 yards which was soon added too by Nicky Lake who slotted the ball past the keeper for Cwm's 4^th. The next goal came again from Cable, this time coolly controlling the ball 8 yards out before placing the ball into the corner. The sixth goal came from Chris Carson who scored his second after steamrollering into the box and through 3 challenges before prodding the ball home from close range. Goal number seven saw Cable complete his hat-trick with a fierce volley from just inside the area giving the keeper no chance. Craig Lewis then got his second and Cwms Eighth with a delightful left foot chip from the edge of the box which went in off the underside of the bar. Cwms ninth came from an unfamiliar source on the score sheet when Cable broke free down the right and this time turned supplier when his low cross was met in the centre by Dean Panniers who came on as sub in an unfamiliar roll as striker but swept the ball sweetly into the net. Their final goal involved Cwms other sub Rhys James (Weeble) who played a superb defence splitting pass onto the chest of Panniers who controlled the ball before turning his marker inside out before confidently finding the inside of the net with a left foot strike.

This was a pleasing result with some new names on the score sheet hopefully spreading confidence through the team. A special mention must go to Weeble who has been a very patient sub and didn’t put a foot wrong during his 40 minutes and Craig Lewis who completed his first 90 minutes since his injury. Also congratulations to Matt Cable on his Hat-trick and who said Dean Panniers was a defender???

By the way, the defender who Nicky ran into has put a claim in for Whiplash. He told Damien he got hit by a large vehicle!!

Fernhill Flyers 0 - Cwmaman 2 (AVFL) 

02/12/2006

Cwmaman travelled to Pentwyn Fields knowing that this was a crucial first game in their December programme if they were serious about mounting a challenge for league honours.

Early exchanges were fairly even as both teams struggled to get a grip of the game with very strong winds and a bumpy surface making it very difficult. The only real chances in the first half fell to Cwmaman from set pieces but Fernhill managed to somehow clear a couple of goalmouth scrambles. Kevin Boggis had a left foot drive tipped over the bar and Ashley Trowe tried to score from the halfway line for the home side but unfortunately  put too much power on his shot and missed the goal by only a foot.

Cwmaman started the second half brighter and started playing some neat football and piled more and more pressure on the home defence. 10 minutes into the second half Cwms pressure paid off when from a corner on the right, another goalmouth scramble this time ended in a goal which Geraint Davies (Taffo) claims he got the final touch on. This relaxed Cwms players and relentless pressure resulted in a second goal to kill the game off. Nicky Lake beat his man down the right hand side and an inch perfect cross was placed into the net off the knee of Boggis.

With half hour remaining it was good to see the long awaited comeback of Craig Lewis (Modgy) who has been out for a long time with a serious knee injury. Hopefully Modgy can increase his fitness levels over the coming weeks and be a key player to the end of the season.

Overall this was a good battling performance which showed our patience with all departments working well as a team.

Cwmaman Institute FC 4  - Cwmbach 1 (AVFL)

18/11/2206

Cwmaman started the game as they meant to go on, attacking the Cwmbach goal from the first minute. Constant pressure paid off mid way through the first half when from a corner, the ball broke to Neil Carson on the edge of the box who struck a sweet left foot drive which was slightly deflected into the centre of the goal sending the keeper in the wrong direction. Ten minutes later Neil Carson had a part to play in Cwmaman's second when he timed a perfect through ball to Kevin Boggis beating the offside trap who then slid the ball past the advancing keeper to make it 2-0. This was how the game stood at half time, without Cwmbach troubling the home goal.

The second half was much of the same pattern with Cwmaman attacking up the slope and it was inevitable that the next goal was coming from them. Neil Carson sent Boggis down the right and his low cross was side footed first time into the net from 12 yards by Matthew Cable. Cwmaman brought on 3 subs early in the second half and one of them, Nicky Edwards provided the cross for Cwms 4^th goal as he found Chris Banfield on the six yard line who somehow scored off his knee. Cwmaman kept pressing but players were now trying to make the more difficult pass instead of finding feet. This resulted in a stray pass out of defence finding a Cwmbach midfielder who played a dangerous ball between the Cwmaman back four and their keeper which the cwmbach striker got to first and slid the ball past the advancing Nicky Thorne from 25 yards to complete the scoring. This was Cwmaman's 3^rd win on the bounce and hopefully the start of a long winning sequence to put themselves back in the title race.

-oOo-

Promotion

Congratulations to the Amateur League Team on their promotion to The Welsh League.

Below is an extract from the South Wales Echo on the game.

Evans helps Cwmaman clinch promotion success

CWMAMAN Institute have earned promotion to the MacWhirter Welsh Football League for next season.

Thunder Road Motorcycles South Wales Amateur League champions Cwmaman beat Thomas, Carroll South Wales Senior League winners Sully Sports 2-1 in a fiercely contested promotion play-off in front of more than 350 spectators at Maesteg Park FC.

Sully drafted in Mark Dodds from Carmarthen Town, while Cwmaman included Neath Athletics' Jarrod Price.

Both have been on dual registration forms this season.

Chris Banfield fired Cwmaman ahead after nine minutes, but they then missed a penalty when Sully goalkeeper Barrie Niblett saved from Lee Williams.

Dodds equalised with a powerful far post header from a free-kick after 40 minutes and at half-time the teams went in level at 1-1.

Robert Evans broke the deadlock with the winning goal when he shot low into the net after 66 minutes.

Cwmaman will now play in Welsh League Division Three next season.

Monmouth Town have been nominated for promotion from the Gwent League, while there is no nomination from South West Wales.

For more on Cwmaman’s triumph see this weekend’s Welsh football page.

-oOo-

BIG Changes to the Football Club's Home at Canolfan

The refurbishment of the Changing Rooms will start on Monday , 12th February 2007.

The dressing rooms are to be made bigger by knocking down some internal walls and some other work is occurring  to bring the building up to standard. The whole area will be redecorated, also the plumbing is to be upgraded which will include extra showers being installed. Lastly all the electrics within the facility will be repaired and upgraded.  There is some external work which needs attention like fencing and enclosing the field, which will carried out during this period. All this will need to be ready by end of April.

If the building work on the Changing Rooms is completed and weather permitting of course, the Club will start playing at home again the weekend of 3rd March 2007

Any inconvenience caused to our Supporters is regretted.

Please keep an eye on these pages for regular updates on the progress.

Click on the link for Update Photo's

-oOo-

Senior Presentation Night 2007

Photos to Follow

SWAFL Team Player of the Year - David Airey

AVFL Team Player of the Year - Matthew Davies

Clubman of the Year - Kevin Boggis

Golden Boot of 2006/2007 - Matthew Reynolds

-oOo-

The best of luck to Connor Wickham of our Under 14 Team on his Contract with Cardiff City Academy

-oOo-

The Globe Coaches Cup 2007

Photos

Winners

Swansea City - The Team: Matthew Davies, Nicky Thorne, Christian Collins, Josh Jones and Brad Wickham

Runners-Up

Blackburn Rovers - The Team: Richard Morgan, Leighton Price, Keiron Hughes, Will Panniers and Rhys Sanders

Player of the Tournament - Keiron Hughes

Penalty Prize

Winner - Connor Wickham

Runners-Up - Nathan Williams and Adam Hawkins

Under 14 Appearances

18th April 2007

Congratulations to Ross Leeke on scoring the 100th goal for the Under 14s this season.

( ) Indicates Cup Games

AFVL Junior Presentation - 1	AFVL Junior Presentation - 2	AFVL Junior Presentation - 3	AFVL Junior Presentation - 4