EXPERIENCED Cwmbran Town goalkeeper Pat O'Hagan, pictured, has one simple aim this season - to play a game.

Cwmbran's longest serving player spent the whole of the last campaign waiting for an operation on his injured left knee ligaments.

After going under the surgeon's knife in April, the 32-year-old rehabilitating and is desperate to push Crows No 1 Marty Ellacott for the top spot in manager Brian Coyne's team.

Town's Welsh Premier League opener at Welshpool on August 17 may be a bit optimistic for O'Hagan, who arrived at Cwmbran Stadium in 1990, but the keeper believes he'll be ready to challenge Ellacott for his place come the middle of September.

"It's been such a frustrating time for me," he said. "I've not played for 15 months and have missed football desperately. It's been difficult because I haven't felt part of the club for that time as I'm not in daily contact with the players. But now I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

"I want my goalkeeping place back and will push Marty all the way. It will be difficult as he's a very good keeper but I'm ready for challenge."

O'Hagan's last run-out was during Cwmbran's league cup defeat to Caersws. "I felt my knee go in that game," he said. "It was just wear and tear because I've been playing since I was seven-years-old. This was my first bad injury."

* Tickets for Cwmbran Town's UEFA Cup qualifying round second leg game at Cwmbran Stadium on August 14 are now on sale.

Adult tickets cost £7, juniors £4. They can be purchased at Cwmbran Town's clubhouse and Perryman's newsagent, both in Old Cwmbran. Or write to Cwmbran's secretary Roy Langley at 77 Hampton Court East, Cyncoed, Cardiff, CF23 6RG.

* Cwmbran's friendly game at Welsh League new boys Goytre (Pontypool) today kicks-off at 2.30pm.