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A LATE penalty sent NEWI Cefn Druids to defeat in the pre-season friendly against Cwmbran Town.
The match had been delayed for an hour as the visitors had been held up on the way to Plaskynaston Lane owing to flooded roads around the England./Wales border.
When the match did get underway it was Druids who had the first opportunity. A long free kick by Andy Jackson was flicked on by Alex Hughes giving joint player-manager Lee Jones a sight on goal. Unfortunately his first time effort went over the bar.
Three minutes later there was a chance at either end. Firstly a weak clearance by Tim Edwards went straight to a Cwmbran striker, but his shot was easily saved. Then at the other end a dangerous low cross from the left was turned behind before anyone in a black and white shirt could capitalise.
Cwmbran ‘keeper Gareth Williams was called into action on seven minutes when Darren Williams’ was played through by Jones. His powerful shot was saved by the ‘keeper’s legs.
Stuart Vernon was played through on goal five minutes later but his effort flashed across the face of the Cwmbran goal and Jones was unable to connect to turn the ball home.
That turned out to be Jones’ last action of the match as he was forced off with a thigh strain. He was replaced by trialist Leighton Roberts.
In the 21st minute the visitors went a goal up.
Jackson slipped, and allowed Moses Esingila to bear down one-on-one against Carl Edwards. The striker was able to slot the ball past the ‘keeper to open the scoring.
The lead was nearly doubled on 33 minutes when an effort on goal went narrowly wide. There was another let off for Druids three minutes before the break when Esingila took too long on his strike and ended up chipping the ball over the bar.
After the break Druids came close to equalising when, in the 52nd minute a free kick from the left saw Tim Edwards beat the keeper to the ball, but his header went narrowly over.
On the hour mark, Gareth Williams kept his side in front when he did superbly to tip the ball over the bar.
He was helpless, though, on 72 minutes when a Ricky Evans’ free kick from the right found Timmy Edwards in the box and he was able to prod the ball home for the equaliser.
Druids came close to taking the lead two minutes later when a pin-point cross from trialist Reuben Kho was headed over by Leighton Roberts from close range.
The missed chance was rued, though, two minutes from time when substitute Shaun Williams brought down a Cwmbran forward in the box.
Chris Mullock, who came on to replace Carl Edwards midway through the second half, guessed correctly and got his hand to the spot kick, but was unable to keep it out of the net.
After the match Jones said: “It was a good workout.
“I think that Cwmbran were a better sided today than they were last season and they gave us a good test.
“In the second half we were a lot better and looked more solid when we went to 4-3-3 and gave certain players tasks to do.
In the next three to four training sessions and matches we will be working more on structure which will culminate in players knowing their jobs in the team.”
He added: “In every game you have to look at the positives. There were some good performances today.
“Tim didn’t miss a header and Ricky ran the show in midfield when he had the ball. Darren Williams was a handful up front and Daniel Barnett, when he came on, did well.
“Other performances were good, too. There is plenty there to build on and work on.
“In the last two games we have seen things that have let us know we’re going in the right direction.”
Referring to his injury, Jones told www.cefndruidsafc.co.uk: “I have a thigh strain and probably won’t be playing for a week. That will give me a chance to look at things from the sidelines, as Waynne has done this week, and gives him the chance to play some games, too.” | 
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