Risca United AFC
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South Gower 2 Risca United 1 Saturday 19th. Dec. 2009
Risca United travelled to the Gower for their latest game but failed to return with any points. This game was the only game in the whole of the Welsh Football League that survived the frosty conditions.
After an initial 10 minutes of finding each other out it soon became apparent that the home side had a very strong mid-field that took control with some neat fotball but for all their superiority the Risca defenders seemed capable of holding their own. That was until a speculative effort from 20 yards nestled in the far corner.
The Cuckoos were then finding it hard to get a foothold in the game and were restricted to sporadic counter attacks which came to nothing until the ten minutes before the break when some sustained attacks showed that South Gower weren`t comfortable when under pressure, they managed to survive though through some desperate defending.
South Gower 1 Risca United 0
In the second half Risca were hoping for more of the game but once more found them selves on the back foot and having to concentrate to stop the home side from scoring a second. They did that until the 70th. minute but with a couple of defenders diving in it left Matthew Long facing a jinking run into the area and as he came out to meet the danger the ball was slotted under his body to give the home side a 2-0 lead.
At that point the game looked all over but with five minutes left Risca were handed a lifeline when Liam Havard nudged the ball to fellow striker Garry Moores for him to score easily. Despite home protests Risca saw their chance to level matters but it wasn`t to be as the game finished 2-1. To be honest, South Gower deserved the three points and proved that their lowly position at the moment is false, they certainly won`t be there at the end of the season, in fact they are one of the best two or three sides that Risca have met this season.
A Christmas break now before yet another away game on January 2nd. against local rivals and title favourites, Aberbargoed Buds. A win for the Cuckoos is desperately needed and to get it in this game would really be an achievment.
CORUS STEEL 2 RISCA UNITED 1 12.12.2009
Last Saturday Risca United travelled to Port Talbot looking to avenge a 1-0 home defeat against second placed Corus Steel but had to do it without, Chris Thomas, David Howells, Denis Perrett, Liam Kidman, Ritchie Clayton, Andy Gay, Robbie Aldridge and Craig Thomas. To make matters even worse, two of the clubs goalkeepers Lindsey Vaughan and Greg Phillips were also not available and Rhys James and Captain Jonathan Payne had to sit on the bench, even though injured.
All the more remarkable then that the defeat came in time added on at the end of 90 minutes. The battling qualities of those who were on the pitch almost managed to snatch a point but it wasn`t to be as a lack of concentration for a split second saw the home side score the winner in the 93rd. minute.
Before that the Cuckoos had held their own during the first half although being under pressure for long periods, but it wasn`t until the 28th. minute that Corus Steel made their pressure count. A poor clearance saw the ball whipped back in from the Risca right and a desperate attempt to clear by Mark Mears saw the ball loop over Matthew Long into the net. With so many players missing you could have been forgiven for thinking the flood gates would open, they didn`t which speaks volumes for the character of the eleven players on the pitch.
Within 5 minutes a rare attack saw Liam Havard link up with strike partner Garry Moores who cut in from the right and beat the home `keeper at his near post with an 18 yard shot.
H/T: Corus Steel 1 Risca United 1
In the second half Corus Steel became increasingly anxcious as Risca continued to deny them and created a few chances of their own, one falling to the hard working Warren Derraven who burst clear only to see his shot scream inches over the bar.
In several heavy challenges Risca players picked up some injuries and when Steve Dudden came off second best in one challenge the injured Rhys James came off the bench as his replacement only to last seconds himself before he had to make way for Jonathan Payne who was carrying a hamstring injury.
The last 15 minutes saw the home side go for broke by playing three up front, some stout defending and a piece of luck when the Referee missed a handball saw the Cuckoos almost come home with a point. It wasn`t to be though and we`re left wondering what we'll be able to do with a full squad to select from.
Next up is a long trip and our first ever visit to take on South Gower, I only hope we can have at least five of the players who missed last week to add to the battlers who played in this game.
Troedyrhiw 2 - Risca United 4 5.12.2009
Risca travelled to Troedyrhiw on Saturday to play their first game since early November and came away with all three points. A little surprising, considering that they were without Greg Phillips, Rhys James, Liam Kidman, Craig Thomas, Robbie Aldridge, Richard Clayton and Andy Gay but the 14 that were there gave a great battling performance to extend the unbeaten run to three games.
The Cuckoos went down after 15 minutes following a defensive mix up and then lost goalkeeper Lindsey Vaughan after half an hour. John Foster took over in goal but had little to do as Risca fought hard for the equaliser. It came after good work by Garry Moores on the right as his low cross was stabbed home from close range by Liam Havard.
Troedyrhiw regained the lead at the break by scoring their second a minute before the whistle, the Risca defence failed to clear a set piece and a shot from 16 yards found the bottom corner.
H/T: Troedyrhiw 2 Risca United 1
The home side went for the jugular in the second period and the Risca defence came under extreme pressure and were thankful that John Foster was on top of his game as he made some great stops, that added to some poor finishing, by the Troedyrhiw strikers meant that it was still 2-1 with 15 minutes left.
As the home side tired and ran out of steam the superior fitness of the youthful Risca side ensured a barnstorming finish that saw Garry Moores score a great equaliser, followed by Liam Havard `s second, he then repaid his fellow striker by setting up Risca`s fourth for Garry Moores to score in an empty net.
These two are beginning to gel into a very good strike partnership, it bodes well for the future if they can keep it going.
Weather permitting the Cuckoos travel to Corus Steel next week where they will be looking for revenge following a smash and grab 1-0 win for the Port Talbot side back in August. It won`t be easy as the Works side are currently 2nd. so Risca will need a very strong squad to stand any chance of another surprise win.
Garw SBGC v Risca United 7.11.2009
Risca travelled to Garw looking to avenge a shock 3-2 defeat at home a couple of weeks earlier. Information had it that Garw had played an unregistered player in that game and had a few new faces in this game as well, as to whether they were registered is not known but they certainly are a far better side than they showed in early season.
The Cuckoos found themselves on the back foot for long periods and went 1-0 down before a Garry Moores special brought it level. He gathered the ball out on the right and cut inside before unleashing a low screamer into the far corner.
H/T: Garw 1 Risca United 1
In the second half the home side quickly got on top and penned the Cuckoos in their own half, the game took on the appearnce of a siege and how Garw never scored is a bit of a mystery. Lindsey Vaughan made some very good stops, defenders put their bodies on the line and made last ditch tackles, the woodwork came to the rescue several times and Garw squandered chance after chance.
All in all the luck was certainly in Risca`s favour and then just when you thought it couldn`t get any better, a rare counter attack in the dying minutes saw Liam Havard collect the ball 30 yards out, he beat two defenders and crashed home the winner from 20 yards with the home `keeper grasping at thin air as the ball thundered into the top corner.
Even then the Risca battlers had to survive a further onslaught but saw it out for sweet revenge. Not a pretty match to watch but it shows that with a bit of luck and a never say die attitude the cuckoos can turn things around.
Garw SBGC 1 Risca United 2 7.11.2009
In the second half the home side quickly got on top and penned the Cuckoos in their own half, the game took on the appearance of a siege and how Garw never scored is a bit of a mystery. Lindsey Vaughan made some very good stops, defenders put their bodies on the line and made last ditch tackles, the woodwork came to the rescue several times and Garw squandered chance after chance.
All in all the luck was certainly in Risca`s favour and then just when you thought it couldn't get any better, a rare counter attack in the dying minutes saw Liam Havard collect the ball 30 yards out, he beat two defenders and crashed home the winner from 20 yards with the home `keeper grasping at thin air as the ball thundered into the top corner.
No game next week as Wales take on Scotland and then it's a home game against Monmouth Town. Team news is that Captain, Brendon Scott has jumped ship and joined Newport YMCA, not for the first time either, as he did the same thing last winter. It also seems that Blaine Llewellyn will be going elsewhere as he too jumps ship.
At a time when the side is struggling, Manager Steve James deserves better than this, he says that he only wants players who want to play for the club he will not fret over these two who quite obviously are not prepared to battle it out for their home town club.
Risca United 6 Seven Sisters 1 Sat 3rd Oct
The visitors from the Neath Valley travelled to Risca full of confidence after soundly beating Newport Civil Service 3-0 last week and in a mid table position probably started as favourites.
Risca Manager, Steve James was without David Howells, Gary Moores, Blaine Llewellyn, Robbie Aldridge and Rhys James but was still able to select a strong squad with Andy Gay, Liam Kidman and the Hurley twins, Ben and Dai on the bench at the start.
Risca once again started well and after 14 minutes took a 1-0 lead when a Brendon Scott free kick surprised the visiting 'keeper Daniel Haris. The lead looked comfortable enough but only lasted 10 minutes when a lack of concentration led to a simple equaliser from Seven Sisters best player, Chris Herdman.
Risca had a few chances before half time to increase their lead but too often took the wrong options when in good positions to score.
H/T: Risca united 1 Seven Sisters 1
The Cuckoos made an explosive start to the second half and within three minutes went 3-1 up through a Liam Harvard shot and a rare Brendon Scott header created by younger brother Russell. Those goals put Seven Sisters on the back foot for a while and the game was effectively over when a Steve Dudden shot surprised the 'keeper as it bounced over him.
Risca have not enjoyed the rub of the green this season but in this game everything seemed to go their way as Liam Havard scored his second and Captain Brendon Scott completed an excellent hat-trick ( not too many wing backs have done that! ). Chris Herdman and his Seven Sisters team mates didn't give up the ghost as the classy Herdman looked dangerous every time he got on the ball. Steve James made a quick change as Andy Gay, Liam Kidman and Dai Hurley came off the bench with Russell Scott given the task of keeping Herdman quiet in a man marking role.
It worked well and Risca could and perhaps should have added two more as efforts from Denis Perrett and Jonathan Payne sailed over the bar with the goal at their mercy. When you're 6-1 up those chances don't matter so much but it would be nice to keep doing the right things so that you develop good habits. The welcome three points has pushed the Cuckoos up 5 places into 11th which is far better than the 17th place before kick off.
Next Saturday Risca United make the short trip to Pontypridd Town and will be looking to keep up the good work.
Welsh Football League Cup 1st. Rd
Barry Town 1 Risca United 0 Sat 19th Sept
Risca United knew as soon as the cup draw was made that they would have their work cut out against the once mighty Barry Town. But playing at Jenner Park held no fears for the Cuckoos as on their last visit there they knocked out the Welsh Cup holders and Welsh Premier Champions in a never to be forgotten 2-1 win. In this match history nearly repeated itself as the lowly 3rd division side took their hosts all the way before bowing out in the 88th minute to a hopeful effort from Josh Bell who managed to loop his shot from 25 yards over Greg Phillips.
The Barry Town players who are paid to represent their club did play the better football but other than two half chances they were well held by an organised and hard working Risca side.
If Barry played the football it was the Cuckoos who actually had the better chances to have won the contest with a Rhys James header going just over quickly followed by another headed effort that lacked conviction. Risca are struggling to find the net at the moment and wasted several other great chances to have taken the lead.
On the downside was a knee injury suffered by 18 year old Rhys James, he looks as if he will be out for some weeks with this injury and the Cuckoos will find him hard to replace.
This defeat was the third consecutive match that Risca have lost by a single goal margin and all have come in the last minute or two. Is there any sort of lesson to learn there or is it just a matter of getting the rub of the green?
This Saturday the 1st. team are without a fixture whilst the Reserves play Cwmbran Town Reserves at home in a local derby. Still unbeaten after two games the 2nd XI will be hoping to record another win. The following afternoon the Under 19s play hosts to Bettws F.C. in the first round of the Welsh Youth Cup, kick off is at 2.30 pm. for both games.
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