Week Commencing 26th September .....

The Swansea Valley has been the focus of the media for the last few weeks after the tragedies at the Gleision Mines and in Alltwen. The thoughts and prayers of everyone here at Pontardawe will be with the families and friends of all those affected by these sad events. Here at the club we are focussing on some fund raising activities including an eBay auction which is being championed by Steve Price our Manager.

That said, and after Saturday, I think Steve might want to put many of the first team squad up for auction !!!

The result at Taffs Well was disappointing especially as we had taken an early lead and had showed great promise. With Jack, Kieran and Scott making their debuts we were looking odds on for the win. The home side also went down to 10 men after 61 minutes but immediately after this they scored and then went on to win the game in injury time. By this time Arwel had been sent off for the second time this season much to the disappointed of us all as he should now know better …. Thank god I am not going to be at training on Monday ….

There was some good news though as all our other teams won over the weekend. The reserves beat Garden Village 5-2 whilst the Neath league guys overcame an experienced AFC Caewern team 3-0. On Sunday Jason’s Under 19s won 1-0 at Risca in the FAW Youth Cup and the Under 18s won up at Maesteg by 6 goals to nil.

This coming Saturday the only Saturday game is the FAW Welsh Cup game against 3^rd Division Treowen Stars where we will be looking to go on a run such as the one we had in 2009 as opposed to last year when we went out at this stage !!

The Youth are home to Bryntirion Athletic on Sunday whilst on the same day the Under 18s try again in the Cup up at Penarth Town.

Finally …. Refereeing ….. and I won't mention Saturday's ref at Taffs Well or I'll be in trouble !!!

Was that really a penalty at Loftus Road yesterday against the Mighty Superhoops ?… Absolutely not … and how Hutton wasn’t penalised for handball I don’t know …. I thought Neil Warnock held back quite well cos I was blurting out all sorts of expletives at the telly !!

Nevertheless we remain the best of the 3 promoted sides and with Shaun Wright-Phillips looking as sharp as has ever been … Champions League here we come !!!!

It's Raining - Depression Returns But Some Good News !

Just a matter of weeks into the season and already 4 games called off due to the weather ... we cannot even blame the poor drainage at The Rec as the rain has been continuous .... spent today trawling through the fixtures looking for gaps to rearrange !!

Some good news, very good news, is that Fiona and Dean at Arborum Ltd have now agreed to become First Team Kit Sponsors for the season. This is great news and I will spend this week sorting things out in respect of the kit, website, programme, etc, etc.

Finally, thanks to all those of you who sponsored me on my cycle ride from Brecon to Cardiff in aid of Save The Children. It was around 47 miles (75k) and 9 of us did this in driving rain and strong winds arriving in Cardiff after a gruelling 6 and bit hours soaked to the skin but elated none the less. We set ourselves a target of £750 and, with matched funding from Lloyds Banking Group, we have reached £2,150 and still counting (www.justgiving.com/bhscycleride)

Thanks everyone ... photos coming soon !

Now have to do the matchday programme for AFC Porth next Saturday

What a week !!

Last night was at Chris Mills's Charity Night with Guest Speaker Lee Sharpe (ex Man Utd) ... cracking night and I hope the lads made a load of money. Top comedian in Lenny Dee also ....Wales had a 2-1 win over Montenegro as well so a top night !!

Passed the Red Cross First Aider Course as well this week so now I can officially dial 999 when one of the lads is injured !!

Good win on Wednesday against Bridgend Town and a decent crowd as well. Good night at the club as we saw in a new era with Meirion Davies taking the reigns .... good luck to him and I hope he can make a go of it for the sake of the club and Pontardawe Town....

As for today we have a big one up at Cambrian & Clydach who have had a cracking start and are unbeaten. If everyone is on top form though and works as hard as they did on Wednesday then we are more than capable of getting 3 points up there today....

The Reserves are at home to West End and the Neath League side open their account in Division One up at Coelbren FC .... busy times !

Just a reminder for anyone reading this and that is we have a cracking night on September 16th with Comedy Hypnotist Nigel Joseph ... should be a cracking laugh .... £5 a ticket so come and support us ....

Checkout my Twitter (when it is working!) for score updates ........ TheSecatPonty