Goytre to spoil party? (From Free Press Series)

Goytre to spoil party?

FC Rhondda 0 Goytre 0

GOYTRE chairman and former manager Paul Greenhalgh has warned his side that they must improve on Saturday's dismal display against relegation-threatened FC Rhondda when they face championship favourites Bryntirion tonight.

Goytre looked a shadow of there usual selves against basement boys FC Rhondda. The only exception to a poor display was Goytre's defence, which was tight and in control for the full 90 minutes.

Simon Bailey, Dean Taylor, Mike James, Darren Haines and goalkeeper Richie Minor were all praised by Greenhalgh.

"They did well and snuffed out FC Rhondda for the whole match," he said. "We were just poor everywhere else.

"On another day, we would have won and by a few goals, but for some reason the players were below par and lacked that penetration when in front of goal."

With hardly and shots on goal, Goytre's best chance came late in the game when Andy Hammett latched on to a deflected ball on the edge of the box, rifling it towards the goal, only for FC Rhondda's 'keeper to parry it away.

"It's teams like them we have to go and beat," said Greenhalgh. "It could have been worse - we could have lost it, but I think we have to play a lot better on Wednesday night, otherwise Bryntirion will run wild against us.

"We will have to be really up for it, but if we play to the top of our form we have a fighting chance."

If Bryntirion win, they will be crowned Welsh League Division Three champions. They have nailed 20 goals in its last two games, so confidence won't be a problem, but Goytre can take heart from losing only 2-1 against them the last time they met.

"This game is a great benchmark for us to underline how good we are," said Greenhalgh. Tonight's match kicks off at Plough Road at 6.15pm.