The first team made the short trip to neighbours Briton Ferry on Wednesday 25th April high on confidence following the previous weekend's 1-1 draw with Cambrian & Clydach.

Manager Paul Lewis included former Swansea City midfielder Jonathan Coates in his line up and there were also starts for reserve team players, midfielder Matthew James & striker Ian Williams. A positive 4-3-3 formation was played with Kevin Melville on his return from a 1 match suspension picked up against Treharris given a man-marking job on dangerous Ferry centre forward Keith Phillips.

The game started brightly with both sides playing some good football on a surface that had welcomed the recent heavy rainfall. Considering the difference in the league placings, Morriston looked the more dangerous side with David Cann commanding in the centre of the park dictating things and motivating the rest of the team with his all action display.

Morriston created a few good chances in the first half with Ian Williams, Matthew James & Paul Sweeney guilty of missing good chances that would have made the game alot more comfortable going into the half time break.

The second half started much the same with Morriston still holding the upper hand and creating the better chances. David Cann was involved in alot of the best opportunities created and with the goal at his mercy, he managed to put the ball over the crossbar from 6 yards out with a shot that took a deflection of the retreating ferry defender. With Morriston trying to force the game to try and secure the much needed 3 points, Jonathan Coates & Paul Sweeney were getting into the the game alot more with some attacking runs. It was Paul Sweeney who was responsible for the main talking point of the evening when he received the ball out wide just inside the Ferry half. His electrifying pace took him passed the ferry midfielders and as he strode into the box and with the goal at his mercy, he was brought down by the Ferry defender for what looked a cast iron penalty. The assistant referee who was standing 10 yards away failed to spot the late challenge and waved play on. One of the many decisions on the night made by the official to go against Morriston. Even the honest Briton Ferry manager Neil Morgan admitted it was a penalty.

With the game running out of time, both sides pressed to get the crucial first goal that would have surely won the 3 points. Next it was Briton Ferry who had a penalty appeal turned down when a shot outside the box struck a Morrsiton defender on the hand and once again it was waved on by the Official - a case of ball to hand for most of the people present. A great strike from a Ferry midfielder produced a fine save from Dale Hulland in the Morriston goal in what was probably one of the few occasions he had been called into action. This was to be the last effort on the Morriston goal and before the end of the game it was Morriston who produced a frantic finish.

Some great hold up play from subsititute Paul Edwards played in youngster Matthew James who ran at the Ferry defence and produced a corner. With only a couple of minutes left and pinpoint delivery from the impressive Garry Taylor found the head of the outstanding David Cann and his powerful header was cleared of the line from the Ferry defender. The pressure was relentless and as Morriston pressed again the ball fell to Jonathan Coates just inside the Ferry half. Some great footwork from the midfieler took him passed 3 Ferry players and as the ball sat up, he hit a great left footed strike from all of 30 yards that was tipped over the bar by a fine save from the Ferry keeper.

Although the points were shared, the Morriston side were hugely disappointed not to have come away from Old Road with all 3 points.

Manager Paul Lewis praised his side after the game and could not fault the effort of his side. The defence in recent weeks has looked a lot more solid and is not leaking goals like it has done in previous weeks. David Cann & Garry Taylor were immense in midfield and seemed to cover every blade of grass on the Old Road surface.

With 5 games to go, Paul Lewis is optimistic of avoiding the drop and believes that his side at the moment are definitely much harder to beat. The effort, character, desire and attitude has been faultless in recent weeks and this will once again be required on Saturday when we travel to Pontyclun for what is another must win game.  

Related Links:
1st Team Results 06/07
Welsh League Div 2 Table
Draw v Cambrian & Clydach