Match Reports - 2008/09

LLANDYRNOG UTD 2 DENBIGH TOWN 1  (28/01/09)

Good times come to those who wait, and those who turn up at Cae Nant to support Llandyrnog United have had a long wait this season,but what happened on Saturday has been on the card in quite a few matches , but the fighting spirit shown in the second half against Denbigh has not been carried through to the final minute.Neal Davies,Barry Williams and Peter Lloyd had a full squad to choose from on Saturday with all the players giving full commitment to the cause of winning and getting three points.Of course we can enjoy this week , but Llandyrnog have to count their blessings and blow a kiss towards every Magpie flying past , just to say thankyou for all those chances that Denbigh missed in the first 35 minutes.Balls were miskicked and knocked over the crossbar by the team in Red and the Llandyrnog supporters were fearing the worst as wave after wave of Denbigh pressure kept rolling towards Arwel Hughes in the home goal, but he kept at his job and Arwel had one of his better matches for a few weeks as he commanded his area, especially in the second half as more pressure came down towards him.It is unfair to name names because at least half a dozen different Denbigh players missed the target,they cannot blame the pitch because 6 of the Denbigh team started their careers at Cae Nant.Llandyrnog did score in the first half but a linesman's flag ruled offside, so half time came and it was a very relieved sky blue squad who went into the dressing rooms for a 10 minute btreak.
The second half was a different story with great fighting spirit being shown by Llandyrnog and it was a Sky Blue Heaven in the 55th minute as Graham Owen scord from just inside the box.Graham put an awful lot of effort into his game on Saturday and has to be singled out for tackling and harrying the Red midfield.
Within five minutes it was two nil for Llandyrnog as a ball was knocked out to Sion T Roberts who controlled it in one movement before smashing a wonderful drive to Jamie Hulse's right and into the net.This meant instant changes for Denbigh as Tony Davies was pushed forward to add his weight to the attack but here is where Arwel Hughes stood his ground and used his bulk to command every ball that came flying in.Corners and free kicks came in and most went straight out again , but one of these fell to Ben Hughes who rifled in a terrific right foot volley that had Arwel grasping air.2-1 up with 12 minutes to go in the past has meant mistakes and panic but on Saturday the players stuck to their task and held out and when the final whistle went the roar could be heard in Rhewl,apologies to any babies or the elderly who were on afternoon naps.
I have named names today, but the praise goes to the whole squad, let's get that effort again against Gresford and Glantraeth.
Many thanks to the Match Day sponsors again and to The Golden Lion for hospitality and comfort.

GRESFORD 2 LLANDYRNOG UTD 2 (27/01/09)

It was away day again as llandyrnog made their way towards Gresford in what promised to be a real 6 pointer with both teams near the bottom of the league ,even though Gresford are in a much healthier position than Llandyrnog. Afyer a reasonably tight start Llandyrnog's defence leaked yet again and two goals scored by Gresford half way through the first half seemed to show that this was to be another bleak day. Half time came and went and Llandyrnog seemed to have more fight in their bellies ,and pressure on top of pressure on the Gresford goal brought about a penalty award to the sky blues, but as form would have it Ian Dunne missed the target and every one thought'"Here we go again'", but to be fair they still held their corner and pressurised the Red's penalty area to the extent that they pulled one back through Dunne , and even scored a late equaliser when Neil Davies scored in extra time.They could not manage a third and when the referee blew for full time it was a dejected Llandyrnog team that went home thinking that they spurned a good chance to have gained their first victory of the season.

HOLYHEAD HOTSPUR 3 LLANDYRNOG UTD 0 (17/01/09)

It is a real struggle to get a favourable result in the Cymru Alliance this year for Llandyrnog , but to try and get one with only nine men is a near impossibility.The bad weather that was forecast came earlier to Holyhead than to most grounds and this proved to be a big stumbling block to struggling Llandyrnog.Llandyrnog failed to master the conditions and were felled by three goals scored by The Harbourmen, this was after Roger Beech was sent off for foul play and Graham Owen soon followed for foul and abusive language.Sion T Roberts' debut was good and he worked hard throughout, but it is now going to be a real struggle when we fail to keep Team Discipline.There was rain, wind and hailstones at Holyhead but it must have been a very long journey home for Llandyrnog , let's hope for a better result next Saturday against Llandudno.

RUTHIN TOWN 3 LLANDYRNOG UTD 2 (26/12/08)

It was a good idea by the llandyrnog Grounds Committee to bring this local derby forward by one day, because a Boxing Day match at Cae Nant brought out nearly 200 people to enjoy fresh air and the cut and thrust of a match against our near neighbours.Mrs W Wilson and little helper Helen were pinging the microwave all afternoon as if by echo to Mathew Bridges' whistle.Neil Davies sprung a surprise on the team sheet by putting R Beech as main forward, Beech making a comeback after a lengthy break because of National Curriculum Gout, but even though Beechy failed to score he did ruffle a few feathers in the penalty box and did a good job.I would like to mention all the Llan players for all out effort, how can a team who is bottom of the league hold a top 4 team to only 1 goal difference, this is Neil's question after the matches we have played this season, indeed only two teams have beaten us with more than 1 goal difference.
The crowd had hardly settled when Ruthin scored after 5 minutes through Robinson, but soon afterwards Tom Sharples failed to connect to a good cross from Danny Roberts to score, but on 20 minutes the Egg Man scored a good equaliser when the Ruthin goalie missed a low cross.It was end to end now and crosses were put in hard and low by both sides , and it was because one of these was not cleared convincingly that the ball fell to Liam Jones in midfield and a fine strike beat Arwel Hughes easily.Adam Lloyd was still strong in the Llandyrnog defence helped by Mike Sharples and Graham Owen and when balls were released to the forwards Rhys Llwyd and Endaf Jones were running hard at the Ruthin defence.
Ruthin went further ahead on 85 minutes when Sion Roberts picked up a clearance which evaded th Llan defence and scored with a dipping half volley over Hughes.As in last week's game , you only need to misjudge a clearance or across in this league and teams are punished.
When before ,the home team have been behind ,heads have dropped , but not today, chances came and went but after a fine move up the left by Tom W Jones and Danny Roberts the ball came across to Neil Davies who scored to make it 2-3.There was aprox 5 minutes left and Llandyrnog continued to press and another cross came in to Roger Beech, but he failed to connect from no more than a foot off the line.Neale Hughes who was back on Christmas leave had a good 25 minutes as well , we need these players on a regular basis, but when you are down....
We have to be grateful for the excellent support we had, and of course to The Match Sponsor,David Sharples of Clyttir Eggs, where else in this league do you get Ready Boxed gifts given to home and away players and committee.There was a wonderful friendly atmospere at the ground and this was seen when Brian Griffiths Ruthin Chair won Kevin Davies's half time sweep , but it seems only fair because Gary Lewis' name appears quite often on the Ruthin 500club winners list.May we take this opportunity to wish all readers a Happy New Year a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda from Llandyrnog , but if there is any spare good luck floating around send it to us and we will paint it on the goal lines at Cae Nant.

MOLD 2 LLANDYRNOG UTD 1 (13/12/08)

Here we go again ....Writes Elis Jones.

It's hard to be positive and bubbly when things are going against you, but it was a lively Llandyrnog dressing room at Mold on Saturday before getting ready to face Mold Alex,indeed the player's attitude before every match is to be praised, having lost so many games by the odd goal, they still feel that there is a win round the corner,but there have been so many corners lately that it seems an endless road.With so many games off Alyn Park was almost home from home with players and staff from all the Vale of Clwyd sides having a day off, but instead of going shopping they came to Mold , indeed with the Llandyrnog faithfull being there and the Ruthin,Denbigh,Llannefydd support ,there were more familiar faces at the match than Mold supprters.One major change on Saturday was seeing Darren Edwards play in goal and Darren can feel good about his performance as he saved Llandyrnog many times in the first half.
Mold were very eager to please on Saturday and broke fast and hard early on and the Llandyrnog back four and Darren had to work very hard to keep them under control,indeed Daniel Seamarks in the Mold dug out must have thought it was going to be an easy 3 points, but Llandyrnog held out until the 33rd minute when Michael Roberts beat the away side back four for pace and scored quite easily.Llandyrnog had 2 good chances before half time but luck was not evident as Ian Dunn and Endaf Jones failed to put chances away.
Llandyrnog lost Dunn to hamstring problems on 40 minutes and Gellifor youngster Liam Jones came on and he worked hard throughout the match.
The second half was much more positive for Llandyrnog with crosses and shots going in but failed to pressure Collins in the Mold goal.Endaf and Rhys Llwyd were probing all second half but the thick Mold mud was having its toll with tired legs failing to reach passes,but one who worked very hard all afternoon was Tom Sharples who must have been used to heavy ground as he works his way through farm chores at Clyttir Farm.
Mold gained a second goal on 88 minutes following another break away when Terry Pugh scored number 2, but heads did not go down and a long punt upfield from Adam Lloyd deceived the Mold goalie and Sharples following up scored into an empty net.It was close but not close enough, chances were there but are not put away.Both full backs for Llandyrnog put in good balls well done Geraint and Tom W Jones.So it's off to Llangefni on Saturday with the promise that if they get a win then we all stop at Enoch Hughes ,Conwy for Fish and Chips with the committee paying.Plenty of salt please.

LLANDYRNOG UTD 0 LEX XI 2 (22/11/08)

In a very even game with both defences on top, it was Lex that took the spoils with an early outstanding strike and a late goal which left Llandyrnog still looking for their first win of the season. The home side had the better start and had more of the territorial advantage without troubling the Lex defence but the visitors in almost their first concerted attack got their noses in front after eight minutes. A throw in form Gavin Maloney released Khosrow Hematinfar and his cross from the left bye-line was met by an exquisite volley from Simon Smith from twelve yards which flew to the top corner before keeper Arwel Hughes could move. Both sides huffed and puffed without finding the key to unlock two mean defences with Paul Griffiths and Nathan Evans heading and clearing everything for the visitors while Adam Lloyd and Mike Sharples kept everything tight at the back for the home team. The lack of creativity on both teams did not make for a game of goal chances but rather a game of honest endeavour with both sides hoping for mistakes to try and get on the score sheet as both keepers were rarely called on to do anything of note and their biggest job was keeping warm in the biting wind.
The pattern of the second half was similar with plenty of action between the penalty box but with no cutting edge. Lex had efforts from distance by the energetic Simon Smith while Endaf Jones had shots but lacked power and direction for the home team. As the game progressed Dyrny took a few chances as the game went on, throwing more players forward to try and get the equaliser but they could not penetrate the solid visitors defence and as a result left a few gaps at the back. Six minutes from time a long ball from the half way line on the right found Michael Griffiths in space on the edge of the box, he advanced and stroked the ball to the corner of the net to make the game safe and the three points for the visitors.

LLANDYRNOG UTD 2 LLANFAIR P.G. 6 (08/11/08)

Llandyrnog suffered their heaviest defeat ever in the Cymru-Alliance and with other results going against them they find themselves at the bottom of the table with a lot of hard work ahead. They did not help their cause by conceding a goal within twenty seconds, a miss placed pass was intercepted by Kelvin Frazer and his astute through ball was finished clinically by Richard Owen. The quick Llanfair forwards were creating all sorts of problems for the uncertain home defence and within ten minutes they had doubled their advantage when after good work on the right, Richard Owen squared the ball to the left and Terry Williams finished with a powerful low left foot effort. Llanfair continued to press but Owen and Wakeham both put half chances wide as gradually the home team began to exert some pressure and forced a number of corners. Rhys Llwyd knocked one into the near post area and Danny Roberts’s back header was cleared off the line by full back Owens and another good cross by Llwyd was met by Neil Davies but his header lacked power.
In the second half any thoughts Llandyrnog had of getting back in the game were dashed in the first two minutes when a quickly taken free kick by Williams hit the post and Owen reacted quickest to score from an acute angle. Ben Heald in the visitors goal then earned his crust with some outstanding saves to keep his side ahead, first he brilliantly tipped a Geraint Jones shot against the post and for a corner and then somehow blocked a Rhys Llwyd effort. Llandyrnog were to rue these chances as Llanfair took the game out of their reach with two quick goals on the hour mark as they pushed forward. Ian Burgees and Kelvin Frazer scoring tap ins as the home defence went missing. However Llandyrnog after this setback had their best period of the game as they threw caution to the wind, Heald again saved brilliantly from Endaf Jones and with Rhys Llwyd creating problems for the visitors defence with his jinking runs, goals had to come but Heald and centre back Darren Hughes were in commanding form. Another run from Llwyd to the bye-line resulted in Danny Jones heading in at the far post to give the Villagers some consolation after seventy five minutes and Mike Sharples almost added another within a minute but Heald again blocked. Llandyrnog added another goal when Rhys Llwyd got his deserved goal for an outstanding performance with a penalty sending Heald the wrong way but there was still time for one more goal as substitute Simon Giddings tapped in at the far post after a quick break from Llanfair with Richard Owen again the provider.

MATCH BALL SPONSOR - GOLDEN LION, LLANDYRNOG

MYNYDD ISA 2 LLANDYRNOG UTD 1 (01/11/08)

Mynydd Isa one hundred per cent home record was within a whisker of being taken but a saved penalty minutes from time by Ben Jones kept the record intact as Llandyrnog finished with a flourish. Both sides tried to play football and referee Farrell is to be congratulated for letting the game flow and making excellent decisions on what was accidental and intentional fouls on the very slippery surface. Mynydd Isa making three changes from the side that defeated Lex the previous week was the most compact side early on with Hardstaff and Pugh making excellent runs up front with the veteran Horne hitting some intelligent through balls but gradually the visitors defence with young Mike Sharples excelling himself again began to take a grip. They closed down quicker and started winning their fair share of balls in midfield with the tiger like Tom Evans leading the way but the home defence were not unduly troubled although indebted to keeper Jones once as he cleared a through ball outside the box as Tom Sharples closed in. His clearance went over the visitors defence and Hardstaff should have done better but his shot was weak. Isa almost took the lead from a corner but after an almighty scramble the ball was eventually cleared only as far as Horne who put the effort wide. Arwel Hughes made one outstanding save from Pugh but after thirty one minutes he was beaten when Anthony Williams volleyed home from the edge of the box from a cross from Price. Llandyrnog had two half chances before the break, one when Danny Jones chased a through ball and in colliding with the keeper and a defender the ball broke free but the covering McKean cleared the danger and right at the end of the half Neil Davies beat the offside trap on the right but his effort went over keeper Jones only to drift wide of the far post.
Llandyrnog with the elements behind them in the second half took the game to Isa at the start but the final ball was not of sufficient quality to trouble the home defence as they tried some efforts from distance. Rhys Llwyd sent over one inviting cross from the right but no one got on the end of it and Danny Jones deep cross from the left was headed by Sharples but lacked power and Jones saved easily. Isa coped with this early pressure and began to counter attack as Dyrny pushed forward, Anthony Williams was always a thorn in their flesh with his darting runs and it was he who played a delightful ball to substitute Danny Farrell who rocketed a shot passed Hughes from a narrow angle after seventy minutes. This seemed to make the game safe for the home team but Llandyrnog continued to try and salvage something from the game and Rhys Llwyd made one telling run into the box and was brought down by Wood with ten minutes left but sadly for the visitors Anthony Marshall’s penalty was pushed onto the post by Jones and the ball cleared for a corner. Five minutes later, Llwyd won a header which Marshall knocked into the path of Tom Sharples and he finished with a powerful cross shot. The Villagers pushed on in the final few minutes but the Mynydd Isa defence coped with the pressure and held out for the three points.

LLANDUDNO 2 LLANDYRNOG UTD 0(25/10/08)

Llandudno just about deserved to take the points in a game which was spoilt by a spiteful cross wind which made playing football very difficult and disjointed. Both teams tried to play the ball on the floor but players were crowded out quickly as control and touch skills were stretched to the limit and the sparse crowd were not exited by any creativity as both keepers had quiet afternoons with hardly any saves to do. The first half was scoreless with Llandudno having more possession but apart from one goalmouth scramble when the ball was sliced off a defender’s foot straight to the arms of keeper Arwel Hughes the visitors defence held firm with Mike Sharples at it’s heart very solid and compact. Tom Evans in midfield was busy breaking up attacks with good tackling and interceptions and seventeen year old Liam Jones in his first start for the first team held the ball up well in difficult circumstances in the front. The experienced duo of Chris Boulton and Jason Sadler in the Llandudno front line were well held by the visitors defence, Gwyn Peters and Gareth Evans in the home team midfield worked hard to create but passing the ball any distance was a lottery and interceptions became common practice with neither side looking like scoring.
The second half was a little better with both teams committing more players into attack especially after Llandudno took an early lead, the ball fell loose at the edge of the box and Gareth Evans effort although not powerful went through a few legs and pass the unsighted Arwel Hughes into the bottom corner of the net. The Seasiders had their most consistent period of pressure after the goal but could not add another as gradually Llandyrnog came back into the game with Rhys Llwyd very active up front. The closest they came to scoring when Geraint Jones chipped a free kick to the far post and Anthony Marshall’s header skimmed the top of the cross-bar but Llandudno’s defence was solid with Wyn Williams in good form. The home team made the game safe in the last eight minutes when substitute Caerwyn Roberts played a delightful ball into the box which Sadler ran onto but Sharples coming across to cover brought him down, Sadler easily converted the resultant spot kick, sending Hughes the wrong way.

BUCKLEY TOWN 3 LLANDYRNOG UTD 2 (22/10/08)

A hat trick from old boy Mark Roberts with two of the goals coming in the last four minutes turned this thrilling game on it’s head after Llandyrnog had outplayed the home side, especially in the second half. Roberts was a livewire all night and his winning goal a fine individual effort from the half way line when his pace just kept him ahead of the chasing defence finishing off with an exquisite chip which went over Hughes and nestled nicely in the far corner. However things had been different at the start as Llandyrnog took the game to the home team with their passing a lot crispier and their ball retention a lot better than of late as Neal Hughes flashed a shot just wide in the opening minutes. Their mid-field with Tom Evans in good form winning a lot of challenges kept Buckley in their own half with half chances being created as Ian Dunne did well to screw a header against the post and Geraint Jones flashed a free kick just over the bar from thirty yards. Twenty minutes into the game Dunn had to come off with a pulled hamstring and Buckley began to build momentum as keeper Arwel Hughes pulled off a magnificent save throwing himself to the left to turn a pile driver of a shot from Jamie Rogers around the post and the same player almost got a touch to a Garner low cross at the far post as everyone was beaten with the pace of his effort. Llandyrnog who had been having problems with Shaun Jones’s long throw ins eventually succumbed after thirty minutes when Mark Roberts had a free header in the six yard box from his long throw. The home team had their best period of the game forcing a number of corners and a bombardment of throws which somehow were scrambled clear as they tried to add to their total but the visitors defence held out with Mike Sharples and Adam Lloyd defending well with some solid tackles and interceptions.
The visitors turned the game on its’ head at the beginning of the second half, lifting the tempo and moving forward more menacingly with Neal Hughes in his first start of the season a constant threat with his strength and close control bringing the midfield players more into the game. Tom Sharples and Anthony Marshall had efforts off target before Danny Jones took an excellent cross field ball from Geraint Jones inside and around Grimster, stroking past the advancing Markin to give the Villagers a deserved equaliser. Things got even better for the visitors after seventy two minutes when Neal Hughes beat two men on the right and as he went into the box he superbly lobbed keeper Markin as he came out to narrow the angle. Young substitute Liam Jones almost made the game safe when his chip from twenty five yards was clawed away by Markin a match winning save in the context of the game as Buckley threw people forward to try and get an equaliser. A shot from Rogers came back off the post and Sharples somehow blocked an effort on the line but eventually three minutes from time another long throw from Jones was not cleared and Roberts again headed in, this time at the far post. Both sides had chances to win late in the game, Geraint Jones hammering two free kicks just wide of the far post from twenty five yards, but it was Roberts who broke the hearts of his previous team mates with an excellent finish which completed his hat-trick and was deserving of winning any game.

LLANDYRNOG UTD 2 MOLD ALEX 2 (18/10/08)

A mass brawl in the last minute spoilt what had been a good competitive game with only one booking in the game until then. A foul on the Villagers’ Graham Owen started off a melee with most of the players involved and when order was restored, Owen received a red card as also did Molds’ David Glen, a case of mistaken identity but the storm subsided just as quickly it had erupted as the referee decided to blow up foe full time almost immediately. Mold who are unbeaten away were without Player of the Month Stuart Hayes and were called on to defend from the start as the Villagers moved the ball about swiftly with Rhys Llwyd in the action quickly with his darting runs into the danger area. Llandyrnog took the lead within six minutes when Anthony Marshall played a precise ball through to Ian Dunn but after his initial shot was blocked by keeper Collins, he reacted quickest to the rebound and slotted home from ten yards. The home team pushed for the second goal with Dunn going close again with a free kick as did Rhys Llwyd but gradually Mold came back into the game with Craig and Burns in mid-field pulling the strings, forcing a number of corners which the home defence dealt with easily with skipper Adam Lloyd setting a fine example at the back winning important headers. The pressure mounted and after thirty minutes Mike Roberts accelerated past Jones on the left and his low finish gave keeper Hughes no chance at the near post to give Mold a deserved equaliser. Both sides played some open football but generally the defences were on top and although mid-field players and strikers alike worked hard to create openings chances were rare and both keepers did not have a lot to do until the half time whistle.
The pattern of the second half was very similar with both teams huffing and puffing in midfield without creating clear cut chances and when the home side’s goal came after sixty minutes it was out of the blue. Geraint Jones carried the ball into the Mold half on the right and his cross from forty five yards was over hit but because of poor positioning by keeper James Collins the ball sailed over his head into the net to give the Villagers the lead again. The lead lasted twelve minutes as after good inter-passing by the Mold mid-field, David Glen cut in from the left and his cross shot from the edge of the box arrowed just inside the far post for Mold to equalise again. Both sides to their credit went for the winner as the game became very open and spread, Danny Jones who worked hard up front for the home team was fouled right on the edge of the box bur Rhys Llwyd’s free kick was saved and centre half Dave Bryan for the visitors had a glorious chance from a corner but headed over when unmarked. Five minutes from time Rhys Jones received a horrendous tackle from a Mold player which was out of context from the rest of the game and probably acted as the catalyst for the brawl later in what had been a good game of football with a draw a fair result.

MATCH BALL SPONSOR - MR DAVID SHARPLES, CLYTTIR FARM EGGS, LLANBEDR.

BALA TOWN 2 LLANDYRNOG UTD 0 (12/10/08)

Goals win matches and Bala by scoring an early and late goal took the points which was hard on an excellent performance especially in the second half which deserved at least a point. They had most of the pressure during that period and had Bala stretched but could not breach their experienced defence. Bala played with the wind and driving rain in the first half and had most of the play in the early part with a few free kicks in dangerous positions which came to nothing. The Villagers defence with Mike Sharples and Geraint Jones outstanding throughout kept Bala at bay as they tried to create shooting positions but the covering was good and Arwel Hughes in the visitors goal was not tested. However after fourteen minutes, Bala took the lead when right back Iwan Roberts lifted a hopeful ball from the right hand touchline which caught the wind and it drifted in at the far post with Hughes static. Bala buoyant by this goal took the game to the visitors but they lost their momentum soon after with a hamstring injury to the talented Osian Jones and with Bala having to re-jig with substitute Tommy Harrison, a centre back coming on, Llandyrnog began to get back into the game. Danny Jones was a handful up front with his intelligent and strong runs behind the defenders as Elfyn Roberts had a couple of efforts which went wide. Anthony Marshall was fouled right on the edge of the box and from the ensuing free kick, Tom Sharples header was cleared off the line by Huw Price. Most of Bala’s best moves came from the experienced Dave Cunnah but their final ball was too long and usually ran through to keeper Hughes and with the visitors defence keeping it’s shape and compactness they would be more satisfied with their first half exploits than the home team with the elements at their back in the second period.
From the second half kick off Llandyrnog upped the tempo and kept Bala pegged back in their own half but they like their opponents in the first half lacked creativity to unlock the defence. The most likely player to bring the visitors back into the game was the diminutive Rhys Llwyd who was starting his first game of the season after a long term injury and he gave Huw Price a tough time with his jinking runs and crosses. Llandyrnog forced a number of corners, Harrison heading over his own bar to clear one, and another running across the cross bar before being cleared. The Bala defence with Llion Roberts a tower of strength at it’s heart kept the visitors to long range efforts, although once Marshall beat a few men to get into the box but was crowded out. The game changed with twelve minutes left when Endaf Jones was sent off for an over zealous tackle and Bala soon made use of the extra man as they kept the ball a lot better than any other time during the game. Llandyrnog changed their formation as they kept going for the equaliser but were caught as Gethin Edwards placed a ball across the box and Craig Papirnyk tucked in to make the game safe for Bala with four minutes left. In the end it was Bala who took the points which kept them challenging for the league but if Llandyrnog continue to play as well as they did they’ll soon have their first win of the season.

MATCH BALL SPONSOR - DAVID OWEN, LUXURY COACHES, LLANDYRNOG

LLANDYRNOG UNITED 1 GLANTAETH 1 (04/10/08)

With both sides yet to taste victory this season it was probably inevitable that this game would finish as a draw, something which neither side wanted as three points would have been invaluable. Glantraeth on winning the toss played with a strong wind at their backs and had all the early pressure with Kevin Roberts having a shot blocked and Rhys “Pandy” Jones clearing a Corey Sinnott effort off the line, but the best chance fell to Gerallt Jones who after beating his man in the box, shot for the bottom corner only for keeper Arwel Hughes to block at the expense of a corner. Llandyrnog gradually got back into the game, Endaf Jones had an effort from the edge of the box and Ian Dunn also had an effort which was gathered by debutant keeper Marc Newbould. The home side wasted a few free kicks with poor deliveries into the box as the gusting wind made things difficult but it was Glantraeth who almost took the lead after thirty five minutes when Paul Rowlands was allowed to make a long run from right back only for Arwel Hughes to take the sting out of the shot as it rolled gently against the post. Hughes reacted quickest and cleared upfield and after a series of passes Ian Dunn’s drive was well blocked by Newbould only for Endaf Jones to win the challenge for the loose ball and Elfyn Roberts netted the rebound from ten yards to give the home team the lead. This however only lasted five minutes as a Chris Evans corner was headed back across goal by Gerallt Jones and Gafyn Jones hammered the ball into the net from two yards for the equaliser, and they almost added another before half time as Kevin Roberts hit a powerful volley which keeper Hughes brilliantly tipped onto the bar and over but the referee awarded a goal kick for what was a fabulous save.
Llandyrnog had the elements for the second half and had a lot more territorial and possession advantage at the start, Endaf Jones clipped a free kick just over the bar from twenty five yards and a long free kick effort by Geraint Jones caught the wind and was turned around the post for a corner by Newbould. Ian Dunn broke free on the left and pulled the ball back to the edge of the box but Elfyn Roberts did not have a good contact and also Dan Roberts put a header just wide from a Pandy Jones free kick. Glantraeth for their part were always dangerous especially from corners which were well delivered by Chris Evans but the home side managed to clear with Sharples and Adam Lloyd winning some important balls in the air. Gerallt Jones and Kevin Roberts had efforts which were collected comfortably by Hughes but the best chance fell to the home side six minutes from time as Elfyn Roberts set up substitute Danny Jones but he shot well over from ten yards. The game became very open for the last few minutes as either side went for the winner but in fact neither keeper was troubled and a draw brought a point which broke a run of five successive defeats to an end for both teams.

MATCH BALL SPONSOR - CLWYD CONCRETE CO LTD, BODFARI.

LEX XI 3 LLANDYRNOG UTD 1 (27/09/08)

Llandyrnog after winning at Lex for the last four seasons lost that record to a strong second half performance from the home team which means they stay unbeaten in the league this season. The Villagers still hampered by injuries and unavailable players gave veteran Neil Davies a first start of the season but even he could not work his magic as Lex dominated the second half and thoroughly deserved their victory. It could have been so different in the first half as Llandyrnog spurred two good chances while Lex although enjoying more possession never troubled Arwel Hughes in the visitors goal. Lex had the best of the early exchanges with Simon Smith finding a lot of space behind the front two and setting up attacks but the final ball tended to be over hit and ran through to the keeper. The experienced Pinard and the talented Ian Oliver Davies up front were well marshalled by skipper Adam Lloyd and young Mike Sharples as Lex found it difficult to create any chances. Llandyrnog counter attacked and Rhys Pandy Jones returning for his first start of the season after a long term injury made one long run from one bye line to the other but Ian Dunn could not get a touch from an excellent pull back with a goal looking on the cards. Gareth Roberts and Carl Andrews were working hard in the Lex midfield but were well matched by Tom Sharples and Elfyn Roberts as most of the game was played in that area and both defences made sure that strikers did not have a sniff on goal. The best chance of the half fell to the visitors when Dan Roberts hit a deep free kick which Neil Davies headed back to the six yard area but Elfyn Roberts mis timed his header with the goal at his mercy. Lex started the second half a lot sharper and pushed the lethargic visitors on the back foot as they went all out for the win. Dan Roberts was replaced because of injury and as the visitors re-adjusted Lex took control and began to create chances which their strikers did not take and it was left to midfielder Gareth Roberts to show them the way. He picked up a loose ball on the half way line and as the visitors defence back pedalled he curled an excellent shot from the edge of the box which went in off the post after sixty four minutes. Five minutes later he and Lex had a second goal when a free kick from Andrews was pushed onto the bar by keeper Hughes and Roberts following up scored after a scramble. Llandyrnog to their credit came back strongly and had their best period of the game and after seventy two minutes they got a goal back, a good cross from Tom Evans on the left was headed out to the edge of the box and Geraint Jones scored with a fine shot and the same player almost added another but this time his effort scrapped the cross bar. Tom Sharples had a volley blocked on the six yard line at the expense of a corner and as they pressed for the equaliser they were caught napping, as ten minutes from time after a needless free kick was conceded wide on the right and Paul Griffiths up from the back finished with great aplomb at the near post to give Lex a two goal cushion which they held onto as they controlled the final minutes to keep up their unbeaten record.

RUTHIN TOWN 4 LLANDYRNOG UTD 3 (20/09/08)

After a superb fightback from Llandyrnog in the second half. Ruthin bossed the first half and deservedly went into the interval with a two goal lead but were on the back foot for most of the second half as Llandyrnog upped the tempo and made an exciting climax of this local derby. On a bright sunny day with the Memorial Field looking at it’s best and a lovely surface, it was the Villagers who were out of the box quickest with a few attacks on either flank and after six minutes they took the lead. A free kick which was blocked by the Ruthin defence went only as far as full back Tom Wilcox-Jones whose cross to the far post was headed in by Tom Sharples. The lead however only lasted for four minutes as Ben Collins was allowed to cross deep into the six yard and after a scramble Sion T Roberts applied the finishing touch on the goal line. Roberts almost added to his goal tally when after turning his marker his snap shot from the edge of the box came back off the post while for the visitors Endaf Jones cut in from the left but his effort from twenty five yards was held under the bar by Simon Williams. Ruthin took control of the game half way through the half with two quick goals, a long punt from Ruthin’s keeper Williams was miss-controlled by Mike Sharples and Sion T Roberts took advantage and gave Ian Davies no chance from just inside the box and then minutes later Hulse wriggled free on the left and his cross was headed in by Mike Garrod as he climbed above Marshall in the six yard area. Ruthin were now in the ascendency and only some last ditch tackles by Lloyd and Geraint Jones and a few smart saves from Davies kept the home team at bay as Llandyrnog found it difficult to build attacks and keep the ball for anylength of time and they were certainly glad to see the half time whistle with only a two goal deficit. The interval’s refreshment must have revitalised the visitors as they started to take control of the game with Marshall and Tom Sharples runs and attacks keeping the Ruthin midfield deep in their own half and after sixty two minutes they were rewarded for their
endeavours. Endaf Jones cut in from the left and after beating two men his powerful ground shot was pushed out by keeper Williams for Dunn to follow up and tap in as any good striker should. Elfyn Roberts headed just wide of the far post from a free kick by Geraint Jones and Dunn took too much time on the ball when he broke clear of the defence but he was eventually crowded out. Ruthin defended deep which allowed the visitors to attack and force a succession of corners which came to nothing but with five minutes left Marshall made another run into the box and this time he was upended giving the Villagers a penalty which Marshall took and scored to make the game all square. The momentum was with the visitors and they looked the likely winners as extra time loomed but well into injury time there was another twist. Ruthin had a free kick on the half way line which was pumped deep into the box and after a scramble the ball went into the net with Gary Ellison claiming the final touch, and it was a relieved Ruthin which go forward to the last eight of the League Cup.

LLANDYRNOG UTD 1 HOLYHEAD HOTSPURS 2 (30/08/08)

A much improved performance by Llandyrnog almost gained a point but a lack of concentration two minutes from time allowed Holyhead to get the winner when a draw would have been a fair result. The youthful Villagers with six first team members missing because of injuries matched their opponents throughout but lack of experience towards the end gave the Harbourmen an advantage which they gratefully took with a headed goal by Mark Evans. Both sides started out brightly, passing the ball at pace and not giving defenders time to dwell on the ball, Dan Porter and Ian Dunn on their full debuts for the home side settled down quickly and put the visitors on the back foot with good movement and crosses into the danger area which were dealt with by the defence. The closest anybody came to scoring was Kenleigh Owen who was not closed down for once by the home defence and his shot from outside the box rattled the crossbar and rebounded to safety. Anthony Marshall and Tom Sharples worked hard at the centre of the home midfield and Porter and Wood put in some good crosses which the experienced Weber and his co-defenders dealt with and headed clear. Dunn did have a sniff at goal but delayed his shot while Adam Lloyd and Graham Owen kept the talented Curt Williams and Mark Evans quiet as the first half ended goal-less.
Llandyrnog started the second half with more urgency and after forcing a few corners they eventually took the lead after fifty one minutes. A long free kick taken by keeper Arwel Hughes found the tall Tom Sharples and his downward header was flicked home by the diminutive Endaf Jones. This gave the home side confidence and they attacked with gusto but they failed to get the second goal and ten minutes later, they were caught by a sucker punch. A poor free kick went straight to the hands of keeper Shanahan who cleared quickly upfield over the home defence and Mark Evans ran on to score the equaliser. Both sides to their credit went for the winner with both having periods of pressure, a Darren Garmey shot from a narrow angle was blocked by Hughes and efforts from Mike Edwards and Owen went wide of the upright. The home side forced a number of corners with Weber blocking efforts from Sharples and Jones and Jason Wood having an excellent effort which scraped wide of the post. The game looked like ending in a draw but there was a cruel twist for the home team when they were exposed on the left side and a deep cross from Darren Garmey was headed back across the goal by his brother Dean for Mark Evans to toch in at the far post to notch his second goal and the three points.

MATCH BALL SPONSOR - MR CHRIS SWALLOW, GOLDEN LION, LLANDYRNOG.

RUTHIN TOWN 2 LLANDYRNOG UTD 0 (22/08/08)

Ruthin regained the bragging rights for a few months at least as they deservedly took the three points and go top of the Cymru Alliance at this early stage of the season. The game lacked the usual early local derby tempo with a few stops in play especially a lengthy one for keeper Simon Williams who was winded in a challenge for a high ball. Defensively both sides looked strong but there were early indications that the running of Simon Hulse at defenders was causing some discomfort for the visitors and Arwel Hughes in the Dyrny goal had to be on his toes to clear a couple of through balls. Elfyn Roberts almost gave the visitors the lead but was flagged offside and Danny Roberts had a shot on target but straight at Simon Williams but generally Ruthin kept the ball better in midfield with some good inter passing and after fifteen minutes they took the lead, accurate passing by Hulse set up Kevin Breeze way out on the right and his cross was met by Eilir Edwards who stroked the ball home from twelve yards giving Hughes no chance. Further pressure from the home side almost added another but Hughes saved brilliantly turning a wicked shot from Hulse over the bar in acrobatic fashion. Tom Sharples for the visitors made some telling runs into the danger area and Elfyn Roberts flashed a header just wide from a free kick taken by Geraint Jones which almost brought the equaliser. Roberts was pushed with the goal at his mercy but was flagged offside but Ruthin finished the half strong with Hughes called into action twice to make smart saves from Hulse and Lennox Beddows.
The second half was of a similar pattern with the home side keeping the ball better with good movement and passing but the visitor’s defence held firm with Tom Wilcox-Jones and Geraint Jones at full backs making some important tackles and blocks. Ilya Haycock and Liam Jones for the home midfield bought their wide players Eilir Edwards and Kevin Breeze into the action often but their final ball was astray. Llandyrnog found it difficult to support Roberts and Endaf Jones up front but they could have equalised when Jason Wood cut in from the right but Williams made an excellent stop. Roberts was creating problems for the home side and seemed to be wrestled to the ground in the box once but play carried on and with the Villagers pushing forward for an equaliser gaps began to appear. Hulse’s pace was creating problems and it was he who made the game safe for Ruthin when he latched on to a through ball and scored with fifteen minutes left. The linesman flag prevented Hulse on further occasions as his pace took him through the visitors defence as Ruthin controlled the last few minutes by keeping possession well and consigning Llandyrnog to two narrow defeats in a week and Ruthin to three consecutive wins which has them top of the league.

MATCH BALL SPONSOR - DAVIES BROS, BUILDING CONTRACTORS, LLANDYRNOG.

LLANDYRNOG UTD 0 LLANGEFNI TOWN 1 (16/08/08)

A controversial penalty given late into injury time by referee Spender decided this opening League game, one of very few chances. Experienced overlapping full back Lee Dixon fell in the box from an innocuous challenge from Danny Roberts and Kevin Lloyd after protracted protests finally dispatched the penalty to win the game right at the death. The home side did not deserve to lose this game as they had matched their most illustrious opponents throughout with effort, endeavour and tempo which saw both keepers have quiet afternoons as both midfield battled for supremacy. The Dyrny quartet of Jason Wood, Tom Evans, Tom Sharples and Danny Roberts gave their opponents no time on the ball and as a result Llangefni were forced to play the ball backwards and then hit their tall forwards especially Danny Glyn Roberts which the tenacious Geraint Jones kept quiet throughout the game. The best chance for the home team came after thirty minutes when Endaf Jones anticipated a back pass from Orme but he was forced wide by keeper Whitfield and his shot from the narrowest of angles was cleared off the line by the covering Mitchell. Llangefni had their best period just before half time when they forced a number of corners, one of which was cleared off the line by Tom Wilcox-Jones from a Dylan Owen effort as the half finished off goal-less.
The pattern of the second half was very similar with both sides working hard for a sniff at goal, Elfyn Roberts led the home line well but had no change from the experienced Llangefni defence with skipper Austin in commanding form while Adam Lloyd for the home team kept his namesake Kevin quiet with Anthony Marshall clearing up any danger. Dylan Owen fired a free kick well over the home bar and a cross from a narrow angle by Kevin Roberts ran across the bar before being cleared and Tom Wilcox-Jones blocked another effort from Roberts in the six yard area. The Villagers for their part forced a number of corners on the left and after one scramble the ball was hacked off the line by Orme, Tom Evans shot well wide and substitute Ian Dunn was beaten by the offside flag as he broke clear. As time ran out both sides seemed content with the draw which would have been a fair result but in the last seconds fate took a turn and Llangefni were gifted a chance to win the game from the spot which Lloyd took. The home side can take pride from their performance for they will play a lot worse than this and win while Llangefni start their season with a fortunate three points as they aim to return to the League of Wales at the first attempt.

MATCH BALL SPONSOR - GARY LEWIS, BUILDING CONTRACTERS, LLANDYRNOG.