NEATH FC 5-0 NEWTOWN AFC – 20^th November 2011

Kristian O’Leary’s first game in charge of the Eagles resulted in a superb 5-0 victory over Newtown AFC at the Gnoll on Sunday.

Match report by Sam Roberts

O’Leary made two changes from the side that drew at Carmarthen, Chris Doran coming into the side for his second start of the season after James Wood was ruled out due to injury. Lee Trundle also came back into the starting line up for the first time in 4 games with Sam Gwynne dropping to the bench.

The Eagles began strongly with the front four of Chris Jones, Kerry Morgan, Craig Hughes and Lee Trundle all looking extremely dangerous, although it was the centre midfield partnership of Edwards and Fowler that nearly opened the scoring on three minutes. A nice ball from Edwards through the middle of the pitch fell to Fowler perfectly and the midfield man struck a right footed drive from 20 yards that flew just wide of the left hand post.

Newtown were soon to prove that they were not just there to make up the numbers when they hit the crossbar on ten minutes. A corner swung in from the left was headed powerfully by Steve Blenkinsop only for Doran to pull off a great save managing to push the ball onto the crossbar and out when it looked like the away side were going to take the lead against the run of play, a great save by the experienced stopper.

The first goal of the game came in the 15^th minute as the home side took the lead. Chris Jones controlled the ball on the right wing and played the ball infield to Hughes, who turned on the edge of the area and passed to Trundle, the legendary forward controlled the ball and played it out to the left to Kerry Morgan who then cut inside on his right foot and placed the ball into the bottom corner of the net. An extremely well worked goal for Neath and a very positive first 15 minutes.

O’Leary’s men did not stop after scoring the first and continued to pressure the away side, Luke Cummings hit the crossbar from a cross on 22 minutes and the forwards continued to trouble Thomas in the Newtown goal, and the Neath pressure played off as Chris Jones extended the lead after 36 minutes.

After cutting in from the right wing Chris Jones continued running with the ball, he beat four defenders before firing a shot from a ridiculous angle. Thomas stood no chance as Jones’ drive found the bottom left hand corner stunning the crowd that he had managed to beat so many defenders and then find the back of the net from such an acute angle.

It looked to everyone at the Gnoll that Eagles would be taking a healthy two goal lead going into half time; but this was not to be the case as the lead was increased in stoppage time. Referee Brian James giving a very debatable indirect free kick inside the Newtown penalty area after what he believed was a back-pass to keeper Thomas. From the resulting free kick Morgan flicked the ball into the middle and Ian Hillier rose to nod the ball home for his second ever goal for the Eagles.

HALF TIME: NEATH FC 3-0 NEWTOWN AFC

The second half began with the away side starting well; Gareth Partridge struck the ball just wide after beating Hillier to the ball. The resurgent second half spell for Newtown was quelled on 58 minutes when Craig Hughes grabbed his third goal in three games.

The ball was delivered to Chris Jones on the right wing, the midfielder then strode forward and crossed fantastically for Craig Hughes to smash the ball home at the back post to give Neath an unassailable lead, but the scoring spell was not over as a fifth goal was scored on 75 minutes.

An in form Lee Trundle performed an amazing trick out on the right wing playing the ball to Luke Cummings who crossed the ball into the box first time; Kerry Morgan cut in from the left wing and smashed the ball on the volley into the top corner. An overall fantastic move: a very nice trick by Trundle, a great cross from Cummings and a well taken finish by Morgan.

There was just enough time for Ian Hillier to nearly get on the score sheet again, the centre back firstly had a goal ruled out for offside and two minutes later had a volley cleared off the line. Hillier had a superb game in defence and his attacking presence was an added bonus during this superb Neath FC win.

FULL TIME: NEATH FC 5-0 NEWTOWN AFC

This match was hugely important for Neath FC, not only was it Kristian O’Leary’s first game in charge of the Eagles but it was also six games without a win for Neath beforehand, a record that was well and truly broken today in a superb team performance. The Eagles are next in action away at Bala Town next Sunday. Kickoff at Maes Tegid is at 14:30.

For the first time my Star Man for the day was a substitute that didn’t even make it onto the pitch. The team today played like they were really enjoying the game, they played with urgency and looked composed and disciplined for 90 minutes, not giving Newtown any chance to get back into the game. After a 5-0 win his next test will be getting a result away at high flying Bala Town next week. My Star Man for the day is Neath FC caretaker manager Kristian O’Leary.

Neath FC: Chris Doran, Ian Hillier, Jack Lewis, Kai Edwards (Sam Gwynne, 78), Matthew Rees, Luke Cummings, Chris Jones, Paul Fowler, Craig Hughes (Garyn Preen, 85), Lee Trundle, Kerry Morgan (Toby Jones, 78).

Subs Not Used: Kristian O’Leary, Kerry Nicholas, Laurie Marsh, Matt Whatley.

Goal Scorers: Kerry Morgan (15, 75) Chris Jones (35) Ian Hillier (45) Craig Hughes (58)

Yellow Cards: Craig Hughes (39) Luke Cummings (88) Garyn Preen (89)

Red Cards: None

Newtown AFC: Nick Thomas, Luke Boundford, Connor Courtney, Matthew Cook, Max Penk, Shane Sutton, Zac Evans, Gareth Partridge, Nick Rushton, Steve Blenkinsop, Jamie Price.

Subs Not Used: None

Goal Scorers: None

Yellow Cards: Zac Evans (69)

Red Cards: None

Attendance: 320

Referee: Brian James

For more match photos from Mike Greenslade please visit the gallery page:

http://www.neathfc.com/index.php/first-team/eagles-photo-gallery