Record Breaking Defeat For Robins at Llanelli

The Robins returned from Llanelli as dejected record losers last Saturday after sustaining a hefty 9-2 defeat at the hands of their hosts. Although Jamie Pryce was sent off in the 71st minute, it had little bearing on the scoreline with only Craig Moses' third goal being scored after the red card. Both Moses and Rhys Griffiths scored hat tricks, and local boy, Chris Venables also chipped in with two goals. Some consolation for the Newtown faithful was an excellent goal from Nick Rushton (pictured) after Jamie Pryce had scored the first when his side were 2-0 down.

Newtown Manager, Bernie McNally said, "It was the worst day in footballing terms for me personally, as a coach or Manager, we completely lost our way." It could have been so different as, when 3-2 down, Robbie Millington missed an excellent chance to level the match just before half time.

Newtown Chairman, Elwyn Preece said, "It was one of those games where too many people had a bad day, and Venables, Moses and Griffiths had one of those days where everything went right". Elwyn went on to say, "I was discussing it with our Manager and he thought we had played too openly, and will need to do something about that. Both he and Peter Carter were shattered by the result." Some of the Llanelli supporters commented to Elwyn that it was the busiest their keeper had been this season, with many chances befalling the Newtown strikers, but mostly failing. "We played well for 30 minutes and when we were just 2-1 down, I thought we might get something out of it. Then I blinked and we were 4-1 behind and the lads' heads went down then"

The team have to pick themselves up now and get ready for big spending Neath who are the visitors to Latham Park for the live TV clash at 3.45pm this Saturday (17th Sept.)

All of the Ball But We Scored Less Goals!

The Robins played some superb football tonight in their mid-week match against Prestatyn. There was no sign of the side that scored six goals against Carmarthen at the weekend as the Robins had the vast majority of possession, but two very careless defensive marking errors lost us the match as the visitors scored two goals in the first 20 mins, totally against the run of play. Robbie Millington missed a good chance early on, but the first half lost a bit of tempo as half time approached. The second half produced a lively encounter as the Robins again dominated possession with excellent work from Luke Boundford and Zac Evans on the right, and Max Penk making incursions down the left. Nick Rushton looked a competent addition on his home debut, but too often possession was wasted with poor crosses from both wings. Kevin Davies, voted the Man of the Match by the Match Sponsors, Claire and Lee Bebb, had a superb shot from the right which made the whole goal shake as it blasted the crossbar. Good work on the right hand side saw persisent pressure bring some reward as, on 81mins, a Zak Evans shot from 15 yards out gave ex-Robins keeper, Dave Roberts no chance (picture below). It was no more than the Robins deserved, but despite 100% possession thereafter, the Robins could not find a way through.

The supporters were very vocal tonight and cheered the side on and whilst they left disappointed with the result, there were positive views on the quality of the football on display. Defensive errors need to be sorted, but keep playing like that and goals will come.

Elsewhere tonight, Bala Town's run continued with a 2-0 win at home to Port Talbot and Bangor beat Airbus 4-2 away. Carmarthen went down 3-0 to their near neighbours, Llanelli whilst the big match between TNS and Neath resulted in a comprehensive 3-0 win for the Oswestry side. Carmarthen now replace us in bottom position and there are four teams on the same points as us.

Our next game is on Saturday away to Llanelli and the supporters coach will be leaving the Police Station at 9am. 

Couple of Decisions Pulls Game Away From Robins at Port Talbot

There has not been an awful amount of luck coming the way of The Robins so far this season, and it continued today away to Port Talbot when a couple of important refereeing decisions pushed the momentum in favour of the home side.

Kevin Davies had opened the scoring for Newtown after half an hour, and it was a very well worked goal through the middle, with excellent work from the impressive Nick Rushton who beat one defender before slotting the ball through two further defenders which was met by a lively Kevin Davies to cooly slide home. We were the better team for 60-65 minutes, but a cruel blow was struck in the last minute of the first half when the Referee adjudged Kevin Davies' challenge to be inside the box, when it looked to have been half a yard outside, with the opponent falling inside the box. Whilst Davies got booked for the foul, it was not a clumsy challenge and the Sgorio programme on Monday will justify the Manager's outrage which took us into the break on level terms instead of being ahead.

The second half still saw us on top until the introduction of Lee John for Dylan Blaine on 59 minutes and Martin Rose for Lewis Harlin on 63 minutes, which turned the advantage around. The two substitutes caused the Robins problems and there was an excellent goal from Martin Rose in the 76th minute. That put the home side 2-1 up, but the third goal was the result of another dubious decision as the Port Talbot winger dragged the ball over the goal-line for a goal kick, but was allowed to play on after our defenders had stopped and his pass to Martin Rose resulted in their third goal in the 87th minute.

Speaking to the Club's website, Bernie McNally said "I am feeling frustrated with the decisions as they affect a younger team more badly than an experienced one, but we have an important game in mid-week with Prestatyn visiting on Wednesday night and we have to lick our wounds and fight back to get something out of that game, with a win badly needed." Port Talbot officials said that the Robins were the best footballing side they had seen at The GenQuip stadium this season which is pleasing to hear. McNally went on to say, "I was impressed with Nick Rushton on his first outing for us. He is looking a quality addition and with the return of Robbie Millington for Wednesday's game, hope the two will link up well."

Reserves Collect Home Point Against Four Crosses

Two goals from Marc Salvati and one from Hugh Roberts ensured Jim Sharman's Reserves collected their second point of the season as they finally played a home game at Latham Park today. Four Crosses Reserves provided the opposition and the sides drew 3-3. The Manager was pleased with his side's performance, but is still looking for the first win of the campaign. They will be at home in the Town Cup next Saturday, facing Carno Reserves at 2.30pm on Latham Park.

McNally Disappointed With Result But Pleased With Overall Performance

Robins Boss, Bernie McNally spoke to the Club website this morning and expressed his disappointment at such a big defeat at Aberystwyth, but pointed out that the scoreline in no way reflected the performance on the night. He said, "For the first 75 minutes we more than held our own and twice we hit the bar, which if one of those had gone in, we would have been well on top". As it was, when those efforts failed to go in, the opposition gained heart and next thing you know we are 2-1 down after being level since the 23rd minute".

McNally went on to say that he was pleased with the overall performance of the team and delighted with the character, particularly when we went a goal down to the Ricky Evans penalty after just ten minutes. The lads picked themselves up well and went chasing the equaliser and got it 13 minutes later when Robbie Millington was clear through on goal and he was brought down by the Aber centre half, Jonathan Evans, for which he was red-carded. McNally pointed out, "It is very pleasing to have such a young striker who can score from open play and who can keep his cool and slot away penalties when they come."

"We went chasing the equaliser when they went ahead after 71 minutes and that left us a bit vulnerable. There were a couple of mistakes from the younger players which they will learn from and which we will concentrate in training to iron out." Newtown Chairman, Elwyn Preece was complimentary of the performance of Aberystwyth's veteran striker, Ricky Evans, saying, "There is no doubt we miss some experience in mid-field, and that showed late on last night when Ricky Evans dropped back into midfield and controlled the game with his strength and experience"

So - a positive message from the Manager and Chairman that with a little more fortune we could have come away with something last night and the team is still performing well enough to hold its place. Bala will be a stern test next Saturday in our first home game of the season, particularly as they did so well away to TNS last week, holding them to a draw.

Don't forget to collect your voucher from any pub in town, or from the Football Club to come to our first home game for a Fiver and receive a pass to come for the rest of the season at the reduced rate. The season ticket holders already saved themselves £7 last night by getting free entry to Aberystwyth's Park Avenue following the formulation of our mutual agreement with Aber and TNS to accept each others season tickets.

Pictures courtesy of Kevin Hughes - k J Hughes roofing contractors.