2023/24 Match Reports

Saturday 4th November 2023

For the first time since the middle of September we had a home game as we welcomed 2nd in the league Tonypandy Albion in what turned out to be a very entertaining game with both sides putting on good displays. This game also marked the 150th Town appearance for the BKB Champion Barrie Jones

The game got off to a frantic start with 3 goals inside the first 10 minutes with us taking a two goal lead through Jake Jones and Shay Rees before Pandy quickly got a goal back. In the 20th minute we restored our 2 goal advantage through Stefan Williams finishing from close range. It didn't take long for the visitors to close the gap once again when a low free kick into the box was turned into his own net by Jake Jones. Just before the half hour mark Shay Rees scored his 2nd of the game to give us our two goal cushion back. Before the break we had more good chances and could have increased our lead further but wasn't as clinical as we were in the opening 30 minutes. Half Time 4 - 2

Shortly after the restart Pandy pegged us back again when a low free kick to the corner was saved by the Town keeper but the ball fell to their striker who was quicker to react to reduce the deficit to 1 yet again. Just before the hour mark we added another 2 goals with first captain Martin Jones finding the back of the which was quickly followed up by Shay Rees to complete his hat-trick. Despite the score line the game remained very competitive and end to end with both sides leaving everything on the field and plating good football in the process and it was in the 70th minute that the 10th goal of the game was scored when Nathan Williams headed in  to give us a four goal cushion. 10 minutes from time the scoring was finally complete when subsittute Alex Thomas went clear down the left and his cross found Keiran Tann, who had assisted 5 of our 7 goals, in the centre of the box for him to slot home to mark his return to the club with a goal. Final Score 8 - 3

Saturday 28th October 2023

Away again this week this time against Cwm Rhondda who sat one place above us in the table. With injuries, suspensions and other commitments our squad was stretched and saw 5 changes from last week.

An even contest with both sides playing good football but quality lacking in final 3rd with any chances early on comfortably dealt with by both keepers. The home side did take the lead 5 minutes before the break when we switched off from a free kick which saw the ball played out wide to their unmarked left back who had time to pick his cross and find the Cwm player who headed back across goal and into the back of the net. Half Time 1 - 0

The second half was more of the same but game becoming a little more stretched as both sides looking to play on the front foot but again neither keeper called into significant action. 70 minutes in and for the 6th time this season we were reduced to 10 men which made the final 20 minutes a harder task and as we pushed for the equaliser it allowed the home team more room up front to catch us on the counter attack. Despite our pressure in the final quarter of the game we couldn't make it count as the hosts held firm to keep us out and take the 3 points. Final Score 1 - 0 

Saturday 21st October 2023

Our 4th away game in a row as we made the short trip to Maerdy Park for the 2nd derby of the season as we played Ferndale BGC

The home side started the sharpest capitalising on some sloppy play from us and should have probably been a few goals in front within 10 minutes. A slight change in formation from us saw us start to take control of the game and just before the half hour mark Cian Weeks's cross into the box from the left was diverted goalwards by Jamie Coombes to get his 3rd goal of the season. 8 minutes before the half time whistle we doubled our lead when Craig Jones set up Martin Jones to fire into the ground and bounce over the Ferndale defence. Half Time 0 - 2

Early into the second half and we increased our lead when an in-swinging corner from Weeks right into the middle of the goal took a kind deflection off Jake Jones and into the back of the net. 70 minutes in and Jamie Coombes set up Craig Jones for him to register his 5th goal of the season. 2 red cards for us either side of a Ferndale goal saw the home side pile on the pressure for the final 10 minutes but it was us who got the 6th goal of the game when Matthew Davies broke free and beat a few of the Ferndale players to then fire into the back of the net for his 1st goal this season. Final Score 1 - 5

Saturday 14th October 2023

After a weeks rest we travelled to Ynyscynon for our 9th league game of the season and one which saw captain Nathan Williams reach his 200th appearance for the club. The game was also the first showing of our new kit sponsored by First Garde Projects

A slow start to the game from both sides didn't make for the most interesting game for the ones watching and took almost 20 minutes for the first real effort on target which fell to the home side but the low shot across goal was tipped wide by the Town keeper. 25 minutes in and Ynyscynon took the lead when a shot from a tight angle somehow found the back of the net. On the half hour mark the Coombes brothers combined to draw us level with Brandon playing Jamie through who got to the ball before the home keeper to lift the ball over him into the back of the net. Half Time 1 - 1

The second half continued in the same scrappy contest as the first with most of the ball in the midfield area with neither side testing the opposition keeper, the host came close on the hour with a shot from a tight angle hitting the bar with Callum Westcott clearing off the line. With 15 minutes remaining Brandon Coombes picked up a throw-in 10 yards inside the Ynyscynon half and drove forward and struck the ball from 25 yards which beat the home keeper into the corner to give us the 3 points. Full Time 1 - 2

Saturday 30th September 2023

A tough result to take today against unbeaten league leaders Treorchy BGC where the game was more competitive and closer than the scoreline suggests but the home side more clinical than us in front of goal

First 20 minutes was a tight affair with both sides playing good football with play going from end to end but both defenses putting in solid displays clear cut chances were few and far between with just a couple of long range efforts going just wide of the target. The home side broke the deadlock 25 minutes in when they broke down the left and a deflected cross found the opposite winger who's header from 6 yards took another deflection off the Town defender and into the back of the net. We had 2 decent chances ourselves before the break, first Shay Rees got onto the end of a Brandon Coombes through ball but his lifted effort over the keeper from the edge of the area went just wide of the far post. 5 minutes before the break a corner to the back post so ball fall to Jamie Coombes who's low driven shot beat the keeper only to find the Treorchy defender on the line to clear. On the stroke of half time a questionable offside call went in favour of the home team as their winger broke down the right and manged to lift the ball over the oncoming Town keeper to put them 2-0 up at half time

Five minutes into the second half the hosts increased their lead with a moment to forget for the Town keeper as he spilled an easy shot from 10 yards which dropped to their striker to tap in from 5 yards. We were fortunate not to go further behind inside the next 5 minutes when their player had time centrally just inside the area to get his shot away which took a slight deflection by the Town keeper redeemed himself for the earlier error pulling off a good save to his left to push the ball wide. On the hour we got a goal back when a deep inswinging free kick from Brandon Coombes was met by Adam Fisher to register his first Stanleytown goal finishing well with a half volley 12 yards out. A decent spell followed for us as we put the pressure on and came close when first a Craig Jones header hit the crossbar and the rebound fell to Jamie Coombes but his effort went just wide of the post. With fitness playing a key role in the final 15 minutes the game was becoming more and more stretched as we were pushing for a 2nd goal but was leaving us exposed at the back and in the 90th minute Treorchy got a 4th goal where they had men over inside the box and their substitute and time to pick his spot from 10 yards out and fire into the back of the net. Final Score 4 - 1 

Saturday 23rd September 2023

A reverse of the opening day fixture which was a tough close game and today was Jo different and thankfully for us the same result

We got off to a nervy start with Baglan breaking through twice inside 5 minutes and the Town keeper was probably lucky to still be on the field after that point. Once we settled and started to play football we took control of the game and was on top for rest of the half but despite getting through on goal we struggled to test the Baglan keeper. Just after the half hour mark we did break the deadlock when Nathan Williams set up Cian Weeks for a lovely chipped finish from the edge of the box. A lapse of concentration on the stroke of half time allowed the Baglan striker a free run at goal from the halfway line who slotted into the far corner to draw level. Half Time 1 - 1

We continued to play well in the opening 10 minutes of the second half and probably should have scored 2 or 3 but it was the Baglan who took the lead when we failed to clear a free kick and allowed their player time and space inside the box to fire into the back of the net. Our heads dropped for a short while and we changed the way we had been playing up until that point and became very disjointed as we tried to force it. Once we got our composure back we started to take control again and had several chances but again failed to make the home keeper work. 10 minutes from time our pressure did lay off when centre back Jake Jones pushed forward and Jaime Walters plated the ball inside to him and from the corner of the 18 yard box a fierce left footed strike found the far corner. With our tails up we went straight back at them and within 3 minutes took the lead when Weeks set up Jamie Coombes and his effort from outside the ares gave the keeper no chance. The final stages of the game saw the Baglan pushing for the equaliser but we defended and battled well to see the game out and take an important 3 points. Final Score 2 - 3

Saturday 16th September 2023

Local derby today as we hosted Ferndale BGC and for the first time this season we had nearly a full squad to pick from which was in stark contrast to the visitors who had the bare 11

The first half saw us control the game but credit to Ferndale who made it very difficult for us to break them down and restricted our efforts on target and the one we did saw a great save from former Town player Craig Barnes in goals. Half Time 0 - 0

Second half continued in same fashion and felt was only matter of time before we would score as the visitors tired. It took us until the hour mark to break the deadlock when Shay Rees converted from the spot, this was quickly followed but 2 more goals in the next 5 minutes with Craig Jones and Barrie Jones finding the back of the net. We managed to get another 2 goals in the last 5 minutes with Nathan Williams scoring a header which was soon followed by a Brandon Coombes long range effort completing the scoring. Final Score 5 - 0 

Saturday 9th September 2023

Saturday 2nd September 2023

With 12 players missing for various reasons we travelled to Porth Harlequins with only 4 players the same as Wednesday's team but that no excuse for our poor performance

First half wasn't a game for the spectators with neither side really taking control and chances few and far between but 20 minutes in Porth opened the scoring before 5 minutes before the break they doubled their lead. Half Time 2 - 0

Just after the hour Porth increased their lead further before 5 minutes of madness from us saw us reduced to 9 men for the final 20 minutes. With the game lost it was just the case of seeing the game out without conceding anymore but with tired legs and the 2 man advantage the gaps were opening up and the home side scored a further 3 goals in the last 10 minutes. Final Score 6 - 0 

Wednesday 30th August 2023

Our second midweek game and 4th game in 11 days seen us host Cwm Rhonnda. With suspensions and holidays playing their part it saw 7 different players come into the squad from previous game

A very competitive first half saw chances at both ends and play flowed back and forth with some good individual battles going on over the whole pitch. Cwm had a decent 10 minute spell towards the end of the half but we were the ones who got the opening goal when Shay Rees went through one on one on the stroke of half time to put us one up into the break. Half Time 1 - 0

The game continued to be a good watch for the neutral early in the second half with chances at both ends again but then in the 65th minute we were reduced to 10 men and with the visitors having the benefit of fetching on fresh legs they started to take control. In the 73rd minute they got the equaliser with a low long range effort finding the back of the net. However almost immediately after the restart we re-took the lead when Cian Weeks broke free to fire home. A few minutes later the visitors were awarded a generous penalty but thankfully justice was served as the effort went over the bar. The final 10 minutes was a backs against the wall job for us as the extra man and fresher legs were giving Cwm the advantage and it was wave after wave of attack but a solid defensive display managed to keep the visitors out, that was until the last few minutes where 2 strikes in 2 minutes got Cwm 2 goals and all 3 points. Final Score 2 - 3 

Saturday 26th August 2023

First away game of the season saw us play Tonypandy Albion but got off to a terrible start as we found ourselves a goal down inside 5 minutes after conceding a penalty. Another 2 goals followed before the 20 minute mark saw the host go 3 up. We had a decent spell ourselves then getting two goals back through Craig Jones and a Shay Rees 25 yard screamer into the top corner. We were on top rest of the half but couldn't find the net again and on stroke of half time we conceded a 2nd penalty which was converted to put the home side 4 - 2 up at half time and also saw us reduced to 10 men

Tonypandy increased their lead inside 10 minutes of the restart as we pushed up to get a goal ourselves left space at the back for the home team to exploit. In the 67th minute they put the game beyond our reach with a 6th goal as the extra man making the difference. Craig Jones did get a goal back for us 5 minutes later but in the final 10 minutes Pandy got a 7th to make the final score 7-3

Wednesday 23rd August 2023

2nd league game of the season against Treorchy BoysClub.

We were confident going into the game to get a result.

Straight from kick off we pressed well and was on top for 10 / 15 minutes of the game playing well. However quick break from Treochy seeing the visitors 0-1. Shortly after the 1st goal we conceded a second goal which the boys heads quickly went down. 10 minutes after the 2nd goal we conceded again making it 0-3 to visitors.

This give the boys a kick up the arse. We started to play better and more importantly work hard as a team we managed to grab one back from Craig Jones.  We continued to play well keeping the press before the half time whistle Barrie Jones nicked another goal back. Making 2-3 going into the second half.

The second half we didn’t start as well as we ended the first half. The game was scrappy throughout the second half both team’s batting it out. Unfortunately 7 minutes left of the game we conceded another goal.

Review over the past two games we need to play more and work harder off the ball as a team. We cannot go behind going forward to then start playing football. We got to keep our heads up and fast as we another game coming Saturday against another good team.

Well done Treochy on the result.

Saturday 19th August 2023

First league game and back with a win 3 points in the bag.

Tough game today and had to work hard for it against good opposition in Baglan FC.

The town made it 1-0 with free kick from Craig Barnes. Shortly after a own goal from our player of the week from Jake Jones (Stanleytown Harry maguire) bringing it back to 1-1.

Baglan then went 2-1 up with a good header going into the second half. 

Second half went underway which we shortly after got a Penalty then to the town which Shay Rees put away making it 2-2.

Both teams fight for every ball then a great pass by Jake to assist Cian Weeks.

Few heated words by Martin Jones seen by the ref ?

The town had to absorb the pressure of playing with 10 men but seen the job through. 

Well done boys great result!

All the best to Baglan for rest of the season.

Snowy Williams with MOTM