Thursday, May 17, 2012

All systems go for Neath's visit

TNS v Neath

IT'S all systems go for a return of Welsh Premier action to Park Hall on Saturday as the artificial pitch has beaten the ovenight freeze for the visit of Neath.

With the majority of fixtures already postponed, the clash of the league's only full-time sides is a mouthwatering start o the second phase of games.
Newly-confirmed in the manager's seat at The Gnoll, Kristian O'Leary is in charge of a Neath side that can boast an 11-match unbeaten run, culminating in a 3-1 Welsh Cup win at Flint Town United last weekend.
"I have to admit I am not a great fan of the surface, but at least we look like being guaranteed to play even with frost," O'Leary says.
"It's a disadvantage to visiting teams, but Saints are similarly disadvantaged playing away on grass, so perhaps it evens itself out."
The earlier meeting between the sides in Oswestry ended with a convincing 3-0 win for the Saints, when Neath had defender Kai Edwards red-carded, but O'Leary is convinced his side are now a much stronger unit.
"We were naive then, but we have learned a lot since, but we were also handicapped by injuries and a sending off," he added.
"I'm happy with what I've got, the lads are working hard and enjoying their football.
"The next three months are crucial and Europe is our target, but so it is for the top six and the bottom six, so it's all to play for with little margin for error."
O'Leary is without suspended midfielder Matty Collins in an otherwise full-strength squad, while TNS management duo Craig Harrison and Carl Darlington have Matty Williams and Chris Williams both sidelined with injury.
Photo: Greg Draper was among the scorers against Neath back in September.

Match facts

LLANSANTFFRAID FC
Andy Mulliner
John Whelan
Gary Curtis
Mike Brown
Arwel Jones
Chris Whelan
Garry Evans
Neil O'Brien
Ian Evans
Tommy Morgan
Simon Abercrombie
Substitutes
Tim Nunnerley
Mike Watt
Darren Barrett
Goalscorers
Tommy Morgan
Garry Evans
Chris Whelan
Substitutions
Nunnerley -> I Evans
Watt -> O'Brien

BARRY TOWN
Ovendale
Evans
Lloyd
Mayer
Batchelor
Barnett
P Giles
Bird
Hunter
R Jones
O'Gorman
Substitutes
Griffith
Withers
Pike
Goalscorers
Gary Lloyd
Mike Brown (og)
Tony Bird
Substitutions
Pike -> Hunter (57)
Withers -> P Giles (97)
Griffith -> Barnett (105)

ATTENDANCE
2666