Tivyside | Archive | 2006 | January | 12
From the archive, first published Thursday 12th Jan 2006.
Macron Welsh League Division Three
A superbly struck free kick by Sean Jones gave Newcastle Emlyn another good away win at Treowen Stars after the Reds went a goal down but fought back to level through Jonathan Clarke.
The vital winning goal came late in the match on a bobbly pitch as a Stars defender handled a long ball by Simon Gilderdale outside the box and Jones stepped up to beat the wall - and although keeper Dylan LeClair managed to get a hand on the ball he couldn't stop it flying into the top corner.
Emlyn defied the conditions to play some good football in the first period but they failed to score from persistent pressure exerted by the busy midfield of Steffan Davies, Dean Marks, Jones and Clarke. Matthew Price missed their first chance as his first-time volley from a Davies cross flew over the bar, and Clarke had a shot well saved by LeClair.
Emlyn thought they had taken the lead when Huw Jones pushed forward to execute a neat one-two with player/manager Price and his low cross was deflected into the net by defender Paul Cunningham - but as the Reds celebrated the goal was disallowed because the referee thought the ball had gone out of play.
The Emlyn back four of Gary Evans, Simon Gilderdale, Haydn Ralph and Huw Jones covered well and Carl Thorne had the Stars' only chance as he found space, but Peter Blain did well to stand his ground and blot the home strike's attempt so that the scoresheet remained blank at half time.
The Reds also started the second period well as Davies forced a fine save from LeClair - and Clarke headed the resulting corner straight at the home keeper.
As so often when a team is on top but fails to score, Treowen Stars snatched the lead after 62 minutes when Thorne beat two tackles and drilled his low shot past Blain at his near post.
It was a body blow for Emlyn but although Simon Gilderdale had a long shot saved by LeClair they were level within two minutes when Clarke earned a free kick on the edge of the box and from Davies' flighted cross it was Clarke who scored with a spectacular diving header.
Then Jones put Emlyn ahead before Thorne missed a golden chance to equalise, putting his shot into the side netting. There was still time for Emlyn to miss further chances when Clarke hit the woodwork and Mike Preddy fired the rebound over the bar from close range - but it mattered little because the Reds were good value for victory and have a deserved rest this Saturday before they play AFC Porth a week on Saturday.
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