Steelmen out to set the record straight
Friday 05 February 2010
Port Talbot v HaverfordwestPORT Talbot bid to end Haverfordwest County's successful run at the GenQuip Stadium on Friday night.
The west Wales Bluebirds have won three and drawn two of their past five matches at the venue and bring a former Steelmen with them.
New signing from Carmarthen, Mark Dodds, returns to an old boys' reunion while Lee Kendall, Lee John and Neil Thomas were all previously with the visitors.
County manager Derek Brazil was active in the January window with a host of comings and goings at the New Bridge Meadow and is looking for his new charges to boost their bid for a top 10 finish and qualification for next season's "Super 12".
Meanwhile, Talbot boss Mark Jones wants to set the record straight: "I shall be putting that record on the wall of the dressing room and I expect another big effort from my players to bring that run to an end," he told the South Wales Evening Post.
"Haverfordwest were the big movers in the transfer market last month.
"Although I have seen them this season, they have a lot of new faces, some of whom I managed at Carmarthen.
"Tom Ramasut and Mark Dodds have both done well for me in the past and were part of the Welsh Cup-winning team. It will be an interesting match as they have bought to try to achieve a top 10 finish."
Jones hopes for the volume of support his players received at Aberystwyth last week in the Welsh Cup victory.
"It was great to have 200 supporters at Park Avenue and I hope they all return tonight and that the players can put on a performance to thank them," he added.
"We have a superb home record this season. We have won eight, drawn one and lost one of our past 10 matches. That's the consistency we need to continue."
The Steelmen will have Matthew Rees and Lee Surman available as their one-match suspensions do not kick in until tomorrow.
Photo: Talbot's Lee John controls the ball while being closely marked by Lee Jarman of Haverfordwest last season [Mike Greenslade].