Match Reports - 2007/08
LLANDYRNOG UTD 1 BALA 1 (29/04/08)
A late equaliser from the talented Rhys Llwyd was no more than the home side deserved after taking the game to their opponents for most of the second half. Bala who are competing for the important runners’ up spot which could mean promotion to the League of Wales if Prestatyn cannot meet the ground criteria set out by that league were in no mood to allow Llandyrnog to do the league double over them this season. They were very solid defensively in the first half and with in form Gethin Lloyd and the returning Owain Roberts working hard to create in midfield, they had good possession without looking dangerous in front of goal as Rhys “Pandy” Jones and Adam Lloyd kept the Bala forwards in check. Llandyrnog were effective on the counter attack and after one good ball from the energetic Stuart Vernon they had a good chance to take the lead but Neal Hughes’s effort at the near post was well blocked by keeper Paul Evans at an expense of a corner. Chris Williams flashed a header wide of the post from a Dan Roberts cross but generally the visiting keeper had a quiet first half. Bala’s best chance after half an hour fell to Neil Fisher who was played through by brother Steve but from ten yards out he put his shot wide. The midfield battle was competitive throughout and time on the ball was a luxury no one achieved and therefore chances were at a premium as Craig Wilkinson for the home team kept the dangerous Warren Duckett in check in what was a scoreless first half.
Bala upped the tempo at the beginning of the second stanza keeping the pressure on the home team defence and after fifty two minutes a through ball from Alex Stacey bisected the home defence and Mark Griffiths just did enough to toe-poke past Arwel Hughes as Rhys Jones tried desperately to slide the ball clear. The Lakemen buoyant by the goal had their best period as they suddenly found that extra yard of pace and put the home side on the back foot. Important tackles were made and Arwel Hughes made an outstanding save as he palmed an Owain Roberts effort around the post, but gradually Llandyrnog weathered the storm and began to gain more possession as Bala dropped deeper to hold onto their lead. This gave the home side impetus with skipper Chris Williams and Vernon leading the charge and with Danny Jones working extremely hard up front the pressure began to mount. Dan Roberts and Neal Hughes out wide pushed onto the Bala full backs as the home side raised the pace with Wilkinson going closest to scoring when he hit the post from twenty yards but the Bala defence held firm with Llion Roberts and Huw Price breaking up most attacks and clearing their lines. The introduction of Rhys Llwyd and Tom Sharples added fresh legs to the home team and Sharples was unlucky when a header went close and an awkward dipping shot from outside the box was brilliantly pushed around the post by keeper Evans. With time running out and Bala looking likely to hold the three points a long free kick by Adam Lloyd was expertly knocked back to the far post by Chris Williams and Rhys Llwyd half volleyed into the net from six yards to equalise. The Villagers almost snatched the winner when a corner driven in by Stuart Vernon was sliced by Fisher as he tried to clear with the ball skimming the crossbar for yet another corner, but overall a draw was a fair result in a game which was competive throughout but no bad tackles.
MATCH BALL SPONSOR - MR DAVID SHARPLES, CLYTTIR FARM EGGS, LLANBEDR
LLANDYRNOG UTD 3 MYNYDD ISA 3 (29/04/08)
Three goals in four minutes late in the first half ensured that Llandyrnog took the spoils although they had anxious moments in the second half as Mynydd Isa fought back and came close to grabbing a point. Conditions were very slippery with some surface water as referee Mills who had an excellent game throughout made the decision to start the game and then re-evaluate after twenty minutes. The result was an exciting game and the few hardy supporters who braved the elements were treated to a game of good football played in excellent spirit on the tricky surface. Llandyrnog certainly bossed the first twenty minutes, forcing a number of corners which the Isa defence coped with aided by some fine handling from keeper Roberts and strong headers from Murphy. Owain Roberts the home left back came closest to breaking the deadlock when he cut in from the left and his right footed shot just missed the post with Roberts beaten. Dan Roberts and the mercurial Stuart Vernon the home team wide players were creating chances as defenders found it difficult to turn but the final ball was cleared or blocked by the experienced Murphy and skipper Hopkins at the heart of the visitors defence. Mynydd Isa weathered the storm and began to gain their fair share of possession with Anthony Williams pulling the strings but Rhys “Pandy” Jones and Adam Lloyd kept the twin strike force of Boulton and Pugh quiet and to long distance efforts. The game turned on it’s head in the thirty eighth minute when Dyrny scored their first of three goals in four minutes. Neal Hughes broke clear with a kind re-bound from thirty five yards, taking the ball up to and around Roberts to tap in for the opener and then a fine run and cross from Dan Roberts found Mark Roberts who controlled the ball and turned in one movement and scoring with a low shot into the corner from twelve yards. Things got even better for the home side two minutes later when a long free kick from Kevin Jones found Adam Lloyd who had timed his run to perfection and headed in from six yards to give the home side a three goal lead which should have been four just before the break when Mark Roberts with only the keeper to beat lobbed the ball just wide of the far post.
Unbelievably the sun greeted the players after the break with the home side starting where they left off the first half with chances created but both Hughes and Roberts were crowded out as they dallied on the ball. Ten minutes into the second half Isa brought on three substitutes together with Simon Hulse, Craig Williams and Ben Powell joining the fray and immediately they added an urgency and pace to their side and within five minutes, Powell toe poked the ball in via the post after a scramble in the six yard area. This lifted Isa’s spirit as they found an extra yard of pace and Arwel Hughes in the home goal had to be on his toes to block two goal bound shots from Williams and Powell. An excellent free kick taken by Steve Hopkins which flew to the top corner after seventy two minutes gave the visitors a whiff of a point as the home team began to come under pressure but Arwel Hughes kept his side ahead with a couple of outstanding saves and blocks. Chris Williams and Anthony Marshall at the centre of the home midfield began to wrest the initiative back and Mark Roberts should have made the game safe when he shot wide with only the keeper to beat. A quick free kick taken by Dan Roberts set up Kevin Jones but his shot from a narrow angle missed the target as the home side went for the fourth goal to make the game safe but there were no further goals and both sides should be congratulated on putting on a good game of football in very difficult conditions.
LLANDYRNOG UTD 0 DENBIGH TOWN 3 (22/03/08)
Denbigh Town swept to a convincing derby win at Llandyrnog United in an entertaining encounter, writes Peter Glynn at Cae Nant.
3-0 was a little tough on the home side who for periods put the visitors on the back foot. But ultimately goals decide games and two Mark Orme headers followed by a Matt Gatfield direct free kick saw Town deservedly grab the three points.
The pitch was in excellent condition and despite blustery condition , both sides served up some excellent fare to warm spectators on a bitterly cold day. Local derbies can be spicy affairs and I am pleased to report that this game was played in the best corinthian spirit - hard but fair.
The visitors began the quicker and it was on only 2 minutes that they stormed into a lead. Superb linkage between Luke O'Mahoney and Matt Gatfield forced a corner , from which Orme rose unchallenged to plant home , giving Dyer's men the perfect start.
Back bounced Dyrny , and enterprising play from the restart almost forced an equaliser , when a great ball into the feet of Mark Roberts saw the hit man turn his man before firing across the face of goal.
It was end to end and on 8 minutes O'Mahoney drifted past Roger Beech , before squaring a ball for the advancing Jamie Hobson. The full backs dink ball into the box was met by the head of Ian Evans who could only guide it into glovesman Ian Davies' breadbox.
For Denbigh , the dogged Lucas Brookes almost got onto the end of a Kevin Evans ball , but at the other end Anthony Marshall and Neil Davies combined , the latter just running out of room with the visiting defence back pedalling.
Next , villager Danny Roberts skinned his man before sending in a great ball to the head of compadre Mark Roberts , but the effort flashed wide with Jamie Hulse in full flight.
Llan continued to press and Stuart Vernon forced another corner after some good work on the right , from which Anthony Marshall headed wide.
Town were creating problems on breakaways and on 24 minutes O'Mahoney struck a free kick that was deflected away , but back at the other end Danny Roberts was creating mayhem for United with his energy and delivery , but found John Roberts in good form to keep out the lurking Neil Davies who looked set to pounce.
On the half hour , Denbigh had a shout for hand ball when Gatfield put in a great ball into the box , and with Ian Evans screaming for a decision , United were happy just to hack the ball to safety.
Dyer's men now upped the ante , forcing a number of corners without really getting onto the end of them - a feature of their game being the quality of delivery into the danger area.
Then on the stroke of half time Town thought they had grabbed a vital second , direct from a free kick. After Ryan Harden had been crumpled under a challenge , Gatfield strode forward to unleash a curler that twanged the post , with Davies rooted.
John James' men started the second stanza in the ascendancy , with Danny Roberts again prominent on the left flank. The old one-two with Neil Davies presented Roberts with a sniff in front of goal and , spotting Hulse a little out of position , lobbed over a sweetie which only just cleared the bar.
United's Roger Beech had to be at his quickest to deny Kenny Burgess a run on goal , and at the other end Anthony Marshall spanked in a low effort that tested Hulse who did well to keep it out.
Unfortunately for Dyrny , there wasn't enough of that and it came back to haunt them as Town grabbed that vital second on 50 minutes.
The Central Park brigade won a flag kick , which fell to Orme whose first time shot was blocked off for another corner. From this , the same man was again first to react , heading past a stranded and bellowing Davies as his defenders stood off.
Lucas Brookes saw yellow for nonsense reasons , and then Marshall again tested Hulse with a deflected effort as the home side desperately sought a way back into the game.
But Town were more than holding their own and Kenny Burgess , who ran his blood to water , got onto the end of a Mike Lundstram flick header , but saw his little lob just cleared the bar.
As time ticked away , Dyer's men began to press the Cae Nant mob back and a free kick on the edge of the box on 88 minutes saw Denbigh grab their killer third.
Gatfield had fancied his chances all afternoon , and his rising shot bulged the top right hand corner for the goal of the game , to settle any doubt as to the outcome of this absorbing encounter.
Thanks to Mrs. Beech for her hospitality.
Denbigh Town : Jamie Hulse , Jamie Hobson , Matt Gatfield , Mark Orme , John Roberts , Ryan Harden , Kenny Burgess , Kevin Evans , Lucas Brookes , Ian Evans , Luke O'Mahoney. Subs : Darren Cassidy , Mike Lundstram , Tony Davies , Steve Jones
LLANDYRNOG UTD 3 PENRHYNCOCH 1 (01/03/08)
Llandyrnog returned to winning ways with a strong second half performance after turning around at the interval a goal down and having played with a strong wind at their backs. Penrhyncoch in need of the points towards the bottom end of the table crammed their mid-field and did not allow the home team to settle on the ball as they harried and closed down quickly. The home side did not help their cause as they played the ball far too long and most balls ran through to the keeper as they were over-hit and carried by the strong wind. Anthony Marshall, Kevin Jones and Stuart Vernon tried to play on the ground on the right but the final ball into the box was meat and drink to centre back Turner and ex- Aberystwyth goal keeper Richard Morgan who commanded his penalty area and caught everything. The tall, angular Penrhyncoch striker Liam Hinton Jones was proving a handful for the home side but generally Adam Lloyd and Lee Mason held him in check although he had a part to play in their goal. A long throw in from Mark Egan on the right towards Hinton-Jones allowed him to get an effort on goal which was parried by keeper Arwel Hughes but the ball fell invitingly to Dylan James to score from six yards after nineteen minutes to give the visitors the lead. Llandyrnog re-doubled their endeavours to get back into the game but there were no cohesion in their play and possession lost as Penrhyncoch soaked up the pressure easily to go into the interval with the lead and the elements at their backs for the second half.
Dyrny upped their tempo a gear or two straight from the kick off in the second half bringing an urgency to their game which was missing in the first half. They were forced to play the ball on the floor and made use of the speed and trickery of Vernon on the right which gave the left side of the Penrhyn defence a lot of problems. Vernon had a big part to play in the equaliser after forty nine minutes when he beat his man again and his cross into the danger area was met by a good effort from Neil Davies which keeper Morgan blocked but Davies was very alert and he squared the re-bound to Mark Roberts who made no mistake from ten yards. This goal gave the home side impetus as they attacked strongly with Vernon outstanding on the right and from another cross by him, Neil Davies headed straight at Morgan from eight yards and within a minute a Roberts shot was palmed around the post for another corner. A goal was on the cards and it was a bitter sweet blow for the home side as Vernon was taken off after a foul on him but from the short free kick Anthony Marshall beat his man only to be brought down in the box and Craig Wilkinson put away the resultant penalty after sixty seven minutes. The home side were in the ascendancy now and played their best football for a while with the hub of the attacks going down the left with Owain Roberts and Neal Hughes consistently getting behind the defence and debutant Tom Evans keeping the home midfield driving forward with the outstanding Wilkinson. Further chances were created but Morgan kept everything out and when Penrhyncoch pushed up centre back Turner to try and get the equaliser, gaps began to appear at the back which were exploited by the home forwards, especially the quick substitute Danny Jones. Llandyrnog made the game safe in the last few minutes when Wilkinson scored a fine individual goal when he beat two men on the edge of the box and scored with a cross shot to the bottom corner which gave Morgan no chance. Overall it had been an excellent second half performance with some nice football played as the Villagers look forward to two tough away games against Holyhead and Gap Queen’s Park in the next few weeks.
MATCH BALL SPONSOR - MR KEVIN DAVIES, PLUMBER, LLANDYRNOG
GRESFORD ATHLETIC 1 LLANDYRNOG UTD 1 (16/02/08)
Gresford gained a late point in their relegation battle with a goal in the eighty third minute in a game which had few clear cut chances. The pitch and the weather had a un-February touch about it with the pitch conducive to playing good football which both sides tried to do as they stroked the ball about easily without having the cutting edge to break down two well organised defences. Llandyrnog had most of the early play with Wilkinson and in particular Chris Williams in the thick of the action as the strived for the early goal which came after eight minutes. Mark Roberts picking the ball up in his own half from a misplaced throw in played the pass down the right for veteran Neil Davies who held the ball under pressure and then released a glorious cross to the far post which found Roberts who had sprinted forty yards to get to the end of the cross and his header across the goal gave keeper Rowland no chance.
Further pressure brought two efforts from Neil Davies and Anthony Marshall which did not trouble Rowland as Gresford gradually came back into the game. Their approach play was tidy but lacked penetration although they did go very close when Arwel Hughes made an outstanding point blank save from a header from Simon Smith and also comfortably saved an effort from Matthias. Llandyrnog could have added a second mid-way through the half when play continued after an accidental clash in midfield but Neil Davies saw their efforts blocked at the expense of a corner. The injured player Darren Jones was taken off with a rib injury and replaced by Kevin Hope as both sides played good possession football but lacked the guile to open the respective defences.
The second half continued in the same vein with both keepers having quiet afternoons and the debutant centre back Lee Mason for the visitors keeping the Gresford front-runners at bay as they looked for the equaliser. Chances were rare but the game turned on its head in the seventy fifth minute when inspirational skipper Chris Williams was sent off for two innocuous challenges which constituted two yellow cards. Gresford piled forward to try and get something out of the game but Llandyrnog coped until the eighty third minute when substitute Kevin Hope did extremely well to get a deep cross in from the left touchline which was headed in at the far post by fellow substitute Richie Carr. Both sides went all out for the winner with the best chance falling for the visitors when from a corner taken by Craig Wilkinson the ball fell to the unmarked Tom Sharples on the edge of the box but his powerful shot just cleared the cross-bar with Rowland beaten. A draw in the end was a fair result but both sides could have done with the three points for different reasons.
LLANDYRNOG UTD 0 PRESTATYN TOWN 2 (09/02/2008)
Llandyrnog’s inability to defend dead ball situations cost them dearly when table toppers Prestatyn came to Cae Nant as they had matched their opponents in effort and endeavour but were undone by two set pieces as the visitors scored two headers from a free kick and a corner in the second half. The home side had put five in midfield to deny the visitors any room as they made sure they would have to work hard for their points. Top scorer Steve Bowes fired wide early on but throughout the game he was held in check by Rhys “ Pandy” Jones and was only allowed one other effort, a shot across the goal late on in the game. John Fisher-Cooke preferred up front to Ian Griffiths had a good chance when he broke clear but home keeper Arwel Hughes denied him in a one to one situation as gradually the home side settled and began to find their range with some good passing movements. Rhys Llwyd had an effort from the edge of the box but it lacked power and Anthony Marshall drove wide of the target from a corner but it was Prestatyn which came nearest to scoring in a competitive first half. A corner from Steve Hoult was semi cleared and the returning ball by Dave Hayes was flicked against the post by Fisher-Cooke and eventually cleared. Minutes later a deep free kick from Jack Lewis hit the inside of the far post which rebounded to Russ Jones but Arwel Hughes blocked the effort and the follow up shot from Hayes with outstanding reflexes. No further chances were created in the first half as both midfields cancelled each other out and forwards were frustrated as defenders reacted quickly to any loose balls.
The pattern continued in the second half with Gibson and Hoyle working hard in midfield but were matched by Wilkinson and Marshall in the home midfield but eventually the deadlock was broken after fifty three minutes. A needless free kick conceded by the corner flag by the home team was taken by Hoult and his speedy delivery was met by a deft header by Fisher-Cooke to give Hughes no chance much to the relief of the visitors. Prestatyn buoyant by the goal knocked the ball about confidently but seemed quite happy with their one goal cushion but the introduction of Mark Roberts added more threat for the home team. Neal Hughes had one great run on the left but his lay off into the box was cleared and Neil Davies also found a bit of space but his volley was saved by the well positioned Dunt. Mark Roberts had a cross shot brilliantly blocked by Dunt as the Villagers went all out for the equaliser and a chip from Anthony Marshall almost cleared the last defender as Rhys Llwyd would have been through on goal. Neal Hughes again went around the back but his far post cross cleared everyone as Prestatyn cleared and as the game progressed Prestatyn began to exert their authority. The lively Ian Griffiths came on as the visitors found another gear but good defending by the home team and in particular Kevin Jones kept them out until the eighty ninth minute when Dave Hayes powerfully headed a Hoult corner to give Prestatyn the three points which takes them fifteen points clear at the top of the table in what was an excellent advert of Cymru-Alliance football.
LLANDYRNOG UTD 1 LLANDUDNO TOWN 4 (2/2/08)
Llandyrnog after their heavy defeat of the previous week needed to bounce back quickly against Llandudno, a side challenging for the runners-up spot but after taking an early lead they were undone by two quick goals in the middle of the second half as the visitors went on to win comfortably in the end. The Villagers playing against a strong wind in the first half were into their stride quickly with Mark Roberts retuning after a long injury lay off adding extra pace and momentum up front with his darting runs. A lay off by Roberts set skipper Chris Williams free but as he was about to shoot he was fouled and a penalty given which was duly converted by Michael Bryan-Jones to give Dyrny an early lead. The home team had the better of the play for a while with Chris Williams and Craig Wilkinson in the thick of the action but the final ball into the danger area was not accurate enough and Llandudno began to get their share of possession and with the wind behind them they began to dictate the pace. The Dyrny defence held firm with debutant full back Kevin Jones setting a fine example with some strong tackles and overlaps on the right and also Rhys Jones at the heart of the defence making some useful clearances. The equaliser eventually came after twenty six minutes which had a little bit of luck attached to it, a free kick taken on the left hit into the near post area was flicked on and the ball hit the onrushing Danny Hughes on the head which wrong footed keeper Arwel Hughes. Llandudno found an extra yard of pace after this goal and kept up the pressure on the home defence and just when it looked they had made it against the elements to the interval at level terms, Grant Montgomery tapped in after a corner was not dealt with which gave the visitors the lead on the stroke of half time.
Llandudno took control after the break from the start with the home team finding it difficult to break out and Arwel Hughes in the home goal had to be on his toes to make smart saves from Jenkins and new signing Peters. The game was decided by two quick goals from Llandudno after sixty eight and seventy three minutes, the first a well taken goal by Lee Thomas after being played through by Ben Dews and the second was a thumping header by substitute Jodie Hamilton from a Peters corner. Llandyrnog attacks were spasmodic with Chris Williams working extremely hard to try and get the Villagers back into the game and Arwel Hughes was called on to make another two outstanding saves from Morgan and Hogg as Llandudno went to improve their goal tally but there were no further goals as Llandyrnog look forward to welcome promotion favourites Prestatyn to Cae Nant next Saturday.
LLANDYRNOG UTD 0 BALA TOWN 6
Bala who have not been at their best over the last few months certainly hit their zenith during this convincing quarter final cup victory and consigned Llandyrnog to their heaviest defeat since joining the Cymru-Alliance. They dominated both halves, scoring three goals in each and with their extra power and physique all over the field, it gave them a distinct advantage allied by some excellent running off the ball to create numerous chances. The game started at pace with Bala determined to get their revenge for their home league defeat in November and they were quicker to the ball pushing the Villagers on the back foot but early efforts were from distance. The swirling wind made conditions and timing difficult but Bala adapted better and they won most aerial challenges and even when they didn’t they took advantage when a wicked cross hit at pace by Owain Roberts was unfortunately headed into his own net by Craig Wilkinson under pressure from Mark Griffiths to give Bala the lead after nine minutes. Llandyrnog’s attacks were sporadic as they failed to hold onto the ball and it was no surprise that man of the match Warren Duckett scored with a looping header from twelve yards to the far corner from another Owain Roberts cross. The Villagers most notable effort came from a free kick from Stuart Vernon which Boswell tipped over the bar acrobatically and although they forced a number of corners they did not look like opening up the Bala defence. A further deep cross from Fisher after thirty minutes allowed Owain Roberts to climb above the home defence and score with yet another header at the far post and things got worst for the Villagers shortly after when keeper Ian Davies after collecting the ball safely on the floor was kicked and in the ensuing melee a number of players were booked and Davies himself red carded for his reaction.
Llandyrnog re-adjusted at half time with midfielder Michael Bryan-Jones going into goal and Danny Roberts coming into midfield and the unlucky Owain Roberts substituted as they went with three at the back. Initially for the first period of the second half they took the game to the Bala side with skipper Chris Williams setting an excellent example with his strong running and tackling but although they had some good attacks the final ball was missing and Bala easily soaked up the pressure. Mid-way through the half the home team began to run out of steam after their efforts which was compounded with centre back Adam Lloyd having to leave the field with a back injury and from this period on, Bala were in complete control. Bryan-Jones in the goal made an outstanding save from Craig Papurnack with a tip over the bar and he made a good block on Mark Griffiths as he broke clear of the home defence but he was powerless to stop substitute Wes Brereton score with another far post header from an Owain Roberts corner. Six minutes from time after Llandyrnog were caught in possession on the half way line, Mark Griffiths took advantage and scored with a low shot to the far corner and to make their day complete, Brereton added another in the last minute to give Bala a comprehensive win and a place in the semi-final of the League Cup.
MATCH BALL SPONSOR - Mr DAVID SHARPLES, CLYTTIR FARM EGGS, LLANBEDR.
LLANDYRNOG UTD 5 LEX XI 5
This was definitely not a game for the purist and Alan Hansen of Match of the Day fame would have enough material to keep the programme going for hours on the defensive frailties of both sides. Defending was poor and marking optional as forwards enjoyed the freedom of Cae Nant and keeping the updated goal count was difficult for the officials and spectators alike, as Lex kept taking the lead but were always pegged back with the never say die attitude of the home side. After a quiet first eighteen minutes which was no indicator of things to come, the game sprang to life for against the run of play Darren Greenaway sprang the offside trap for the visitors and finished easily with a low shot to the corner. Llandyrnog came back, Slater going close with a shot on the turn and Vernon going even closer with a shot from the edge of the box which hit the angle of the cross-bar and post but after thirty minutes Lex increased their lead when some slack marking at a corner allowed Greenaway to get his second goal. This stung the home side and they began to exert pressure on the visitors defence with Chris Williams and Michael Bryan-Jones beginning to get on top in midfield battle and eventually after thirty eight minutes a lapse of concentration in the visitors defence allowed Jon Slater to notch his thirteenth goal of the season from an acute angle. Three minutes later things got better for the Villagers when new signing and old boy Neil Davies making his home debut, sprang the offside trap and although his first shot was blocked by keeper Gareth Jones he smashed in the follow up for the equaliser. Any hopes the home side had of going in equal was dashed by further poor marking by Llandyrnog as Darren Greenaway nipped in at the near post to glance in a header to give Lex the lead just on the stroke of half time.
Any words both managers would have given to their teams to improve their defending was overlooked within minutes as Anthony Marshall for the home side was allowed to carry the ball from the halfway line into the penalty box without a challenge and he scored easily with a cross shot into the bottom corner to equalise. This lead was short lived as after fifty five minutes a long clearance from keeper Gareth Jones cleared the home defence and Gary Penlington ran on un- challenged to score and give Lex the lead again. Both sides had further chances to score with Ian Davies and Gareth Jones in their respective goals making good saves but the game took another twist after seventy five minutes when Gareth Williams of Lex was sent off for raising his arms which gave the home side an advantage going into the last quarter of an hour of the match. Lex, however though they had won the game after eighty minutes when that man Greenaway capitalised on another defensive lapse and scored again, his fourth of the game. Llandyrnog threw everything at their opponents towards the end and after a few near misses a deep ball into the box by Owain Roberts towards Slater caused chaos and he was dragged to the ground by centre half Thomas and a penalty given, Michael Bryan- Jones converted sending Jones the wrong way to set up an interesting last two minutes. Deep into injury time, the Villagers claimed the equaliser and by far the best goal of the game when after some good passing skipper Chris Williams scored with a scorcher from the edge of the box. There was enough time left for both teams to have further half chances , Neil Davies could not get proper contact on an awkward bouncing ball and Greenaway put an effort over the bar from a corner at the end, a winner then would have been unkind as neither side deserved to win after so many defensive lapses.
BUCKLEY TOWN 2 LLANDYRNOG UTD 2
Llandyrnog after their Boxing Day win over Ruthin were held to a draw by a battling performance by Buckley as they also fight a relegation battle at the mid point of the season. The game was given the go ahead by referee John Coulthard but conditions worsened as the game went on and both side should be congratulated on putting on resolute performances on a pitch which cut up badly by the end. Llandyrnog playing against a cross wind in the first half were soon into their stride and Jon Slater after heading wide from a good position in the early minutes was bundled to the ground by Scott Piper in the box and Dyfan Lloyd scored easily from the penalty kick after eight minutes. This destabilised the Buckley defence and the Villagers had most of the play with Skipper Chris Williams orchestrating things from midfield and setting up quick attacks, Slater and Rhys Llwyd broke clear on different occasions but both were crowded out when in good shooting positions with crucial tackles by Piper and Lee Jones. Tom Sharples starting his first game for the first team almost added a second when after a deep run he went for a near post shot which keeper Dave Vickers managed to push away for a corner. Further chances were created with Danny Jones working very hard up front and creating a chance due to his persistence but his far post cross was just a foot away as Slater slid in. Buckley however had a few chances with balls over the Llandyrnog defence and Adam and Dyfan Lloyd made important blocks as the dangerous Dawson and Dunn raced onto balls but at the interval it was Llandyrnog who held a slender lead.
During the half time break the wind direction changed and Llandyrnog found themselves facing driving and torrential rain as Buckley made good use of the conditions and attacked continuously as the Villagers found it impossible to clear the ball out of their own half. They forced a string of corners as Ian Davies pushed inswinging corners back over the bar and eventually after fifty two minutes Ian Dunn scored with a header from yet another corner. Ex – Llandyrnog player Miles Todd won a number of headers from goal kicks and clearances and kept Buckley going forward, Dawson and Dunn missed good chances and a Chamberlain free kick from thirty five yards just cleared the cross-bar. Good last ditch tackles kept the scores level but it was only a matter of time before the pressure told and Buckley were awarded a penalty after Adam Lloyd clipped Dunn and Whitley sent Ian Davies the wrong way from the resultant spot kick after sixty seven minutes. Buckley after taking the lead dropped back to try and hold on which gave the initiative back to the visitors and the introduction of Vernon on the right gave them impetus as he put in some telling crosses which created some scary moments for the home defence and after seventy five minutes the Villagers equalised when Danny Jones made a great run on the right and his driven centre from the bye-line was palmed up by Vickers and Slater following up scored from close range, his twelfth of the season. The last quarter of an hour was a very open affair as both sides went all out for the winner, substitute Steven Roberts had two good chances for Buckley, Ian Davies saved one effort brilliantly and Roger Beech made a good saving tackle on the other. Llandyrnog also had two good chances, Slater bursting clear from a fine ball from Marshall but he tried to cut back outside when a an inside pass to Danny Jones on his left was the better option and Neal Hughes after being set up by Owain Roberts shot inches wide with Vickers beaten. A late goal by either side would have been cruel as a draw was a fair result and both side should be congratulated on putting on good performances in appalling underfoot conditions.
MATCH BALL SPONSOR - DAVIES BROS, BUILDING CONTRACTORS, LLANDYRNOG.
RUTHIN TOWN 0 LLANDYRNOG UTD 1
A goal deep into injury time decided this local derby played in front of a decent crowd, out to get their fresh air after the Christmas festivities. The result followed the usual pattern with Llandyrnog yet to lose on the Memorial Ground while Ruthin have yet to lose at Cae Nant in the four years the teams have met in the Cymru-Alliance. Llandyrnog had the higher percentage of possession and territorial advantage in the first half without creating many cut chances with their defence a lot more composed, none more than the veteran Roger Beech and as a result they built their attacks more constructively but the Ruthin back four held up well with Render and Aled Roberts keeping a watchful eye on Jon Slater and Danny Jones up front for the Villagers. The visitors almost took the lead after twelve minutes when a Ceri James free kick found Slater at the back post but his header just cleared the angle of the cross-bar and post and James also set up Neal Hughes but his header missed the target when well placed. Mark Entwhistle worked extremely hard in the Ruthin midfield to try and set up some attacks but every run made by the returning Tryfan Prossor from injury and Ellison were covered by the Lloyds, Adam and Dyfan although Ellison escaped once and got a looping header on target from a Garmon Hafal cross which Ian Davies scrambled around the post for a corner. Llandyrnog had a further half chance before the break when a corner was only partially cleared, Rhys Llwyd retuned the ball into the box but Chris Williams after timing his run to perfection put his header wide when in a good position.
Ruthin certainly raised the tempo at the beginning of the second half and had a good spell with Prossor prominent up front but generally the support was slow in arriving. Garmon Hafal cut in the left and his deft touch gave him a half chance but Davies was out of goal quickly to parry the ball at his feet and also Davies did well to turn a Ellison effort around the post. The Villagers eventually regained control with Marshall and Rhys Llwyd on the right creating some overlaps but the Ruthin defence read the situations well with Render very solid at the back. A deep cross from Llwyd produced some panic in the box and Danny Jones turned quickly away from his marker but his snap shot hit the post and Neal Hughes’s follow up was smothered on the line by keeper Llyr Williams. Minutes later a deep corner from James was met by Adam Lloyd but his powerful header hit the cross-bar and Slater could not get any force in the follow up and the ball was cleared. Substitute Mathew Davies added some guile into the Ruthin midfield and with Entwhistle a bundle of energy they were always capable of a goal and Davies was unlucky when he shot goal-wards after a scramble only for Adam Lloyd to clear off the line. Marshall too was in the right position when Ruthin went close again and just when it appeared the local derby would be goal-less, the Villagers struck in injury time. Substitute Tom Sharples did extremely well to win a fifty- fifty ball on the edge of the box and his low cross- shot was parried by keeper Llyr Williams only to fall nicely for Jon Slater to slide in from five yards and give the Villagers the three points which they just about deserved, but it was a cruel fate for Ruthin to lose at the death after a battling performance.
MATCH BALL SPONSOR - Mr DAVID SHARPLES, CLYTTIR FARM EGGS, LLANBEDR.
LLANDYRNOG UTD 0 GUILSFIELD 4
Taking your chances is instrumental in winning any game and Guilsfield came top of the class for taking theirs, while Llandyrnog matched their opponents in every department apart from in front of goal. The Mid-Walians were clinical in their finishing while the home team, although creating numerous chances had an off day after their free scoring run of late. The pitch after an early morning referee inspection was given the go ahead and conditions favoured quick moving forwards against turning defenders. There was a good tempo to the game with both sides attack minded and Guilsfield putting pressure on the home side with high balls into the area while the home team passed the ball better but only had wide long distance efforts. Good defending by both sides kept the game scoreless until the twenty fourth minute when Guilsfield after forcing a number of corners eventually punish the home team after they failed to clear and Ben White was allowed time and space in the box to put the visitors ahead. Guilsfield had the better of the rest of the half with McGill and Edwards working hard in midfield and Nunnerley a handful up front with his power and ability to hold the ball and just before the half time whistle the visitors added another, when after keeping possession for a while with good inter-passing allowed White to add a second with a low shot giving Davies no chance in the home goal
Llandyrnog came out fired up for the second half and created enough chances to get back into the game. James and Chris Williams wrestled the midfield supremacy from the visitors and had them on the back foot, Slater had a half chance and Littleford in the visitors goal saved well but he was beaten by a Williams header from a James free kick only for skipper Emyr Roberts to head off the line at the expense of a corner. Llandyrnog forced a number of corners, Adam Lloyd heading over the bar from six yards and Neal Hughes shooting wide and Slater again having a shot well saved by Littleford. Chris Williams fed a lovely through ball to Rhys Llwyd and the youngster’ pace took him clear and his shot past the keeper seemed to be destined for the net only for Roberts again to clear off the line denying the home team a lifeline. Llandyrnog pushed forward in an attempt to get back into the game but found centre back Roberts and keeper Littleford in fine form but Guilsfield were very adept at breaking quickly and in one such attack a left wing cross from substitute Cookson was headed in by Nunnerley at the far post to give the visitors a nice cushion. To make matters worse for the home team a free kick from Leonard on the left skimmed off the head of home defender Owain Roberts to the top corner giving Ian Davies no chance and giving the visitors an unassailable lead. Llandyrnog although having enough possession on the day left their shooting boots at home and were beaten by a more clinical side in front of goal although their overall performance was even better than the previous week, a game which they won but it was Guilsfield who took the points.
LLANDYRNOG UTD 3 LLANFAIR P.G. 1
Llandyrnog continued their good form of late with a bitter sweet win over their Angelsey opponents, sweet in as much it was a hard earned victory against one of the toughest teams in the league and bitter as Craig Wilkinson sustained another knee injury as he fell awkwardly after winning a header, hopefully he will be able to return before the end of the season. Both sides tried to play football on a pitch with a bit of frost still in it and referee Mr Martin Trigg should be congratulated on leaving the game to flow as slippery conditions underfoot made things difficult. Llanfair who had only lost twice this season pressurised the ball all over the field giving the home team no time to settle on the ball with Eiddon Griffiths and Darren Hughes as centre backs marking Jon Slater very tight after his four goal salvo of the previous week. The diminutive Rhys Llwyd was very prominent on the right for the home team with tricky runs and excellent crosses into the danger area which brought keeper Heald into action on a number of occasions. A well flighted free kick by Ceri James into the box was met by Slater who had stolen a few yards on his marker but his downward header was blocked by Heald with his feet and the ball cleared and Heald also did well to tip a Rhys Llwyd snap shot over the bar after the youngster had been set up by Wilkinson as Dyrny pushed for the opener. However Llanfair were always dangerous on the break and after the home defence had gone to sleep, Richard Owen found himself with a free run towards goal but keeper Ian Davies had his angles right and saved well and Davies did even better to block a Neil Hughes effort and the follow up minutes later. Dyrny eventually took the lead after thirty minutes when the energetic Chris Williams chased down a back pass and took the ball around the keeper and score from a very acute angle, a tribute to his tenacity and never say die attitude. Things got even better for the home side seven minutes later when Stuart Vernon scored as good a goal seen at Cae Nant for many an year. There was no danger as he received the ball on the left but he cut inside his man and his powerful drive arrowed into the top far corner before keeper Heald had a chance to move, this goal giving Llandyrnog a two goal cushion at the half time break.
Darren Moore the Manager of the month for November certainly inspired his team during the interval as they came out very positively for the second half as they pushed forward in their quest for a goal with full backs Chris and Phil Williams joining the attack at every opportunity but in doing so they left gaps at the back for the quick raiding home forwards. Wide men Danny Jones and Rhys Llwyd took the game to their opponents at pace and after a Llanfair attack had broken down, some nice inter play allowed Ceri James to break through and as was closed down he squared the ball to Rhys Llwyd to finish very calmly from ten yards, ten minutes into the second half. Llanfair made a few substitutions with Billy Evans and Nidian Hughes coming on to add pace and experience to the attack as they tried to get back into the game. They forced a number of corners and eventually a near post corner was deflected onto a Dyrny hand and a penalty given with Kevin Roberts easily sending Davies the wrong way. This was just the fillip which the visitors wanted as they attacked strongly, Jon Slater cleared a sliced clearance off the line and Hughes and Owen should have done better with good half chances. The Llandyrnog defence was having a real examination and it certainly was not found wanting as Adam and Dyfan Lloyd at the heart of the defence and Anthony Marshall and Roger Beech drew on their experience to keep Llanfair at bay, but Davies in the home goal was not called on to make difficult saves although Llanfair had most of the play. The home side broke quickly on the counter attack with Vernon and Llwyd looking sharp and James and Williams solid at the centre of midfield playing some intelligent balls for their strikers. There were no further goals which was testimony to outstanding defending rather than chances been created and missed as both sides look for good runs to push them up the table.
MATCH BALL SPONSOR - THE GOLDEN LION, LLANDYRNOG.
LLANDYRNOG UTD 6 HOLYHEAD HOTSPURS 2
Jon Slater sank the Harbourmen of Holyhead without trace with four goals including a twenty one minute hat-trick to give Llandyrnog a convincing home win, one of the few games to beat the elements on Saturday. Slater who is in a particular rich vein of goals, these giving him a total of ten in the last eight games after a barren period at the start of the season, was the big difference between these sides. Llandyrnog after their fine win of the previous Saturday were into their stride very quickly and took the lead with their first attack after only two minutes when Holyhead’s centre back Barry Jones allowed the ball to squirm under his foot which Slater pounced on and went on to score with a neat finish to the bottom corner. This gave the home side a lot of confidence as they imposed themselves on the opposition with some good passing and movement with their midfield quartet of Wilkinson, Chris Williams, Vernon and James in complete control. The pressure eventually paid with three goals in an eight minute spell between the fifteenth and twenty third minute, Vernon cut in from the right and his shot was blocked by Tomas Jones but the ball fell kindly for Slater who finished with style giving Smith no chance in the visitor’s goal. Llandyrnog continued to attack and a Chris Williams effort was initially blocked, the follow up from Neal Hughes was also cleared off the line but only as far as Slater who made no mistake from six yards to give him a hat-trick, his first in the Cymru-Alliance. Things got even better for the Villagers within two minutes as a good passing movement between Owain Roberts and Craig Wilkinson allowed full back Roberts to steal into the penalty box and scored with a low shot into the bottom corner, his first of the season and the Villagers fourth in twenty three minutes. Holyhead to their credit did not give up and within two minutes they opened their account when Mike Edwards scored with an excellent direct free kick from a narrow angle to the top corner. This gave them hope and they had a good spell of play with Edwards and Gerallt Jones on the left attacking strongly and with Curt and Ian Williams making intelligent runs up front, the Llandyrnog defence was hard pressed but good defending by Adam Lloyd and substitute Dyfan Lloyd on for the injured Rhys “Pandy” Jones kept them at bay up until the half time whistle.
The home side started the second half on fire with Craig Wilkinson and Ceri James pulling the strings in midfield and creating chances, but because of over complication in front of goal this period of pressure bought no further goals. Holyhead played some nice football on a pitch which was increasingly getting heavier and were rewarded again when Mike Edwards cut inside from the right and gave Ian Davies no chance with a powerful low shot from the edge of the box on the hour mark. This was the Harbourmen’s high tide because the Villagers took control again and moved the ball about quickly and the introduction of Rhys Llwyd on the right gave them even more impetus, he crossed for Slater at the far post but it was a fraction high and he could not get direction to his header and a Llwyd’s snapshot was blocked in the six yard area. Neal Hughes had an effort blocked which rebounded to Wilkinson who beat his man with quick feet and finished with a low shot to the bottom corner after eighty minutes.
Within a minute Dyrny scored their sixth and best goal of the game when an energy sapping overlap run by right back Anthony Marshall into the penalty box as Slater slid in at the far post to finish off his accurate low cross. There was however time for Slater to miss probably his simplest chance when Rhys Llwyd crossed the ball to the far post but he put his header over the bar from six yards but overall this was an outstanding performance for the Villagers against one of the high fliers of the league.
MATCH BALL SPONSOR - CLWYD CONCRETE CO LTD, BODFARI.
LLANDYRNOG UTD 4 BUCKLEY TOWN 0
Home keeper Ian Davies had to pull off three good early saves to keep his side on level terms, but once the Villagers scored after seventeen minutes he had a comfortable afternoon, watching most of the action at the other end of the pitch. Buckley struggling of late started off brightly with Alan Dawson and Ian Dunne denied by the quick reactions of keeper Ian Davies as chances fell to them in the six yard box as the Llandyrnog defence went absent. Also a free kick by Andy Neal was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Davies as Buckley looked like creating problems for the home team, but gradually they began to find their feet and after this initial onslaught Dyrny took control of the game. Stuart Vernon had a great chance to give the home side the lead after being put clear by Chris Williams and he shot over the bar but it did not take too long for them to score. Neal Hughes beat two men on the left and his excellent cross into the danger area was headed home by Jon Slater, his fifth in the last five games after seventeen minutes. This goal knocked the stuffing out of Buckley and they were on the back foot for the rest of the game as Llandyrnog played outstanding football to open up their defence constantly. Some good interplay between Vernon and Anthony Marshall allowed the latter to hit a very deep cross from the right touchline and Craig Wilkinson nipped in at the far post to head home after twenty six minutes. Matters went from bad to worse for the visitors as ten minutes before the interval Andy Neal was sent off for kicking an opponent, an off the ball incident which was spotted by the assistant referee.
Buckley readjusted after the interval by playing three at the back but Llandyrnog exploited the gaps and forced their opponents on the back foot, conceding a number of corners. Adam Lloyd up from the back almost scored twice with magnificent headers, one was headed off the line and Dave Vickers in the visitors’ goal finger tipped one just over the bar, an outstanding save at full stretch. The Llandyrnog midfield of Vernon, Wilkinson, Chris Williams and James were all over their opponents with Miles Todd the ex-Llandyrnog player working extremely hard to stem the flow as the home team passed the ball about with panache. Neal Hughes and Slater went close as Vickers pulled off good saves but eventually after sixty five minutes, Chris Williams added a third when the ball fell kindly to him from another corner. Scott Piper and Dave Lovatt at the heart of the visitors defence were working hard and Vickers in goal behind them was kept busy as the home side peppered his goal. The introduction of substitutes Dan Roberts and Rhys Llwyd added fresh legs and more momentum towards the end and in the last minute a cross from Roberts was laid back by James for Rhys Llwyd to arrow the ball to the top corner from the edge of the box, an excellent goal to conclude proceedings and to give the home side a well deserved three points.
MATCH BALL SPONSOR - THE PALIN FAMILY, WHITE HOUSE, LLANDYRNOG.