07/07/2011

With the new season just around the corner, things are changing at the Bridge Meadow. Following relegation last season a large number of players have been released by the new management team of Mickey Ellis and Wayne Jones. Neil Thomas, Lee Jarman, and Tom Ramasut have all gone, whilst Jack Christopher and Kyle Graves have signed for Carmarthen Town, but the club is not looking back. Nicky Woodrow, who forged an effective partnership with Christopher a few seasons ago, has returned, after winning a Pembrokeshire League and Cup double last season with Hakin United. Also returning are, defender Simon Gilderdale and midfielder Phil Cattlin. They will be teaming up with a few new signings and several players from last season’s first team squad. Gareth Elliott and Kristian Griffiths seem set to form a solid central defence partnership, and Chris O’Sullivan and Ricky Watts will look to be seen as the nucleus of a strong midfield. Local players Craig George, Luke Robinson, Dai Rees, Nathan Evans , Rob Morgans and Matthew Ellis will also be up for the fight for a first team slot. Craig Morris, signed from Neath will be in the battle for the goalkeeping position against local boys James Manson and Martin Langdon.
Morris is not the only new signing from outside Pembrokeshire though. With Lee Hudgell out for part of the season due to a knee injury, Richard Lewis has come in from Ammanford to add an option on the left wing, and Gary Taylor, a central midfielder has signed from Pontadawe. With Nicky Woodrow seemingly a favourite to start up front there will be a new face likely to be alongside him in Richard Ryan. Ryan has a lot of experience at Welsh League level, and is a proven goalscorer who has regularly been the top goalscorer in the League.
The spirit and commitment is so strong amongst the squad that the manager is having difficulty in deciding on who is going to captain the side next season. “There are a couple of possibilities “ Mickey Ellis told the website,” but we won’t be making a decision until the pre-season friendlies start.  We have been working hard for several weeks now, training twice a week, with over 40 players. I’m very impressed with the standard that we’ve all ready reached and am looking forward to the pre-season friendlies”
Those preseason friendlies begin on the 16th of July with a match against Risca. The following Saturday Port Talbot are the visitors with Aberystwth providing the opposition on the 30th. All the games kick off at 2:30. Other games are in the pipeline prior to the season opener at home against Aberaman on the 13th of August.