After a disappointing first half, finding them selves 5-0 down with only 30 minutes played, Croeserw Athletic were unlucky to come away with atleast a point in their first ever game in the Port Talbot & District Premier Division on Saturday Afternoon. First Half Report Croeserw Athletic started the game with their strongest team possible with Geraint Ferguson in goals, Gareth Rees & Michael Coates at full back, while Nicky Johnson & Liam Reynolds were selected for Center Defence. Kyle Bowen & Dewi Hopkins who impressed on Wednesday Night were the partnership for Central Midfield while Michael Williams & Ashley Bamford were on each wing. Up front Simon Gibbs and last years top goal scorer Nicky Walton were the preferred partnership. Croeserw Athletic started the game brightly, getting the ball down and playing it along the deck and causing the 2010 champions problems in their own box. With the pace the Athletic had on the wing, Michael Williams & Ashley Bamford were able to get at the full backs more often. The first chance came within the first 10 minutes after a Simon Gibbs shot found the finger tips of the Cornelly goalkeeper. A Corner kick for the Athletic soon found trouble after a clearence from Cornelly quickly led to a counter attack, forcing a 3 on 3 at the back which proved to much and Cornelly quickly found the back of the net. First blood to Cornelly after slipping it under Geraint Ferguson in goals. Croeserw tried to hit back soon with a looping strike by Nicky Walton from inside his own half, but the keeper tipped it over the bar. Two goals soon came in quick succession and Croeserw Athletic found them selves 3-0 down within 18 minutes. Cornelly still pressed to find a 4th and didn't have to wait too long. A throw in into the box found the feet of the Cornelly United number 9, who managed to turn and find a team mate and found the back of the net. Cornelly soon made it 5-0 with 15 minutes still left to play in the first half. Croeserw Athletic looked to be struggling with life in the Port Talbot Premier Division already. Nicky Johnson went off with a dead leg, and was replaced with Lee Hughes. Second Half Report The second half started brightly for Croeserw Athletic once again, who started to put pressure on Cornelly United's back 4. The Athletic's back 4 held firm and managed to push the Cornelly frount line away from the 18 yard box and were not holding back. Croeserw Athletic soon found the net with a not so rare goal from Nicky Walton. A cool calm finish, showed just what Nicky could do from outside the Area. A look shot curled away from the keeper and into the bottom of the net. Croeserw Athletic were still trailing by 4 goals but looked alot more confident on the ball and started to pass and run for it. In the 70th minute, Right back Micheal Coates found his way into the Cornelly half with a blistering run down the wing taking on 3 players. A strike which the keeper done magnificently to keep out, but Croeserw continued to pile on the pressure, but a Man of the Match performance from the Conelly Goalkeeper was certainly going to win this for them. Croeserw Athletic soon found the net once again through a well worked free kick by Nicky Walton & Dewi Hopkins. With the referree giving Nicky the option of a quick free kick or 10 yards, Walton decided to take it quick after spotting Hopkins in space in the box. A quick chip into the box found his head, and soon made it 5-2 giving the inform keeper no chance. A bright half by Croeserw Athletic soon almost turned sour after a Penalty was given away by Gareth Rees. The Cornelly striker stepped up confidently by skimmed the bar and sent it into row Z and gave the Athletic a life line. Athletic made a change which saw Simon Gibbs taken off for Gwyn Thomas. Within 30 seconds of the change, Gwyn Thomas found the net with his first touch. A game of pin ball in the box found it's way to Gwyn who put his laces through the ball, and found the top corner with Only 7 minutes left on the clock. Croeserw Athletic were throwing their bodies on the line to try and salvage a point out of the game but it was not to be. Final Score - Cornelly United 5-3 Croeserw Athletic