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GROUNDBLOG DAYS - MAY 2008
03/05/2008

The editor blogs his way around a variety of grounds in Wales - these articles complement the material in the printed magazine. If you enjoy reading this - please take out a subscription to the magazine.

SATURDAY 3RD MAY 2008
BLAENAVON BLUES 0 GOVILON 3 (at Penypound Stadium, Abergavenny)
Gwent Amateur Cup final

I’ve had this match inked in as my choice for today for several weeks: having failed to catch up with runaway Gwent County Division Three winners Govilon all season (planned games being in doubt or postponed), I’m keen to see them in action; but the chance to visit lovely old Penypound Stadium attracts me too.

The discovery that trains aren’t running to Abergavenny this weekend causes a moment’s hesitation. Network Rail seem determined to stop north – south travel in Wales on weekends, these closures have been going on for months ! But I decide to put up with the inconvenience of the rail replacement bus from Newport to Abergavenny, and everything goes to plan. A stroll across Abergavenny in the warm sunshine takes me to Penypound, which looks smart these days despite being dominated by the condemned hulk of the huge main stand. The clubhouse end is fully open, and the tea bar and bar are busy all afternoon. The turnstiles are open and there’s a programme – the Gwent FA do these occasions much better than the other south Walian area FAs, and Abergavenny Thursdays have clearly made a real effort too. They are rewarded with a large crowd.

The match is intriguing: Local heroes Govilon have enjoyed a superb season in Division 3, and their First Division opponents Blaenavon Blues will not overawe them – several top flight sides are among their earlier victims. But when the game gets underway, Govilon seem hesitant and are on the back foot for the opening 15 minutes. Blaenavon don’t press home their advantage, and unfortunately suffer two injuries early on, introducing substitutes much earlier than they would like. Things go from bad to worse when a Govilon breakaway causes a mix-up between their keeper and other defenders, and the ball breaks free for a well-taken goal. Ten minutes later and another goal results from Govilon’s ability to switch quickly from defence to attack, a long range punt beating the stranded keeper. Blaenavon come close to pulling a goal back, but Govilon keeper Morrison is able to tip a free-kick over the bar. 2-0 at half-time and Govilon now definitely in charge.

Blaenavon press for a breakthrough at the start of the second period, but Govilon seem comfortable defending their lead. It is no great surprise when Richard McCarthy races clear and steers home their third goal, putting the result beyond doubt midway through the half. No way back for the Blues - indeed, in the closing stages, Govilon look more likely to increase their lead. Hard to argue that they are good value for the win, but disappointing for the Blaenavon supporters that their team has clearly had an off day.

The afternoon ends with the customary speeches and presentations by the Gwent FA top brass, and celebrations by the Govilon camp. A great double season for the little Monmouthshire club who will hope to take Division Two by storm. I really must visit them next autumn….

SUNDAY 4TH MAY
BANGOR CITY 4 LLANELLI 2 a.e.t. (Welsh Cup final at Latham Park, Newtown)
The Welsh Cup final has been arranged for the distinctly fan-unfriendly time of 4pm on a Sunday afternoon, at Newtown, which isn’t well served by public transport at the best of times. Travel by car is the only option.

Treble-chasing Llanelli are bidding for their first ever Welsh Cup, against Bangor City who have a more successful history in the competition and have caused the Reds more problems than most this season. They are also, of course, helped by their large and vocal band of supporters, who outnumber the Reds and the neutrals in the crowd of 1,500.

Match organisation at Newtown is as poor as ever: nobody knows where the press tickets are; the teams aren’t announced until moments before kick-off; and as we will see later, stewarding is disorganised. But on a warm, sunny afternoon, none of this matters too much as the crowd gathers, early comers watching a less than exciting race between four club mascots from WPL teams.

When the game starts, Bangor immediately look the livelier side, seeming quicker to the 50:50 balls and certainly not showing much respect to the full-timers. But in the fourth minute their cause is done serious damage when Peter Hoy clatters Craig Jones with a challenge that is audible from the terraces. He is rightly red-carded by Phil Southall. The disadvantage doesn’t seem to disrupt City, and after 20 minutes they’re ahead, Ashley Stott getting a faint header on a Sion Edwards strike to beat keeper Roberts. A minor pitch invasion by ecstatic Bangor fans ensues, the stewards not positioned to keep the fans on the right side of the fencing. Once they restart, Llanelli have little to offer in reply, and the remainder of the first half belongs to Bangor – though the elements overshadow the action for a while as thunder and hail clear the open areas.

The second half heralds a change in the balance of the game: Llanelli now appear to be gaining the upper hand. Three minutes in and they are level, Rhys Griffiths forcing home a cross, though later it is judged to be an own goal. Nine minutes later and the champions take the lead, Griffiths firing home. 2-1 up, about half an hour to play and with a man advantage, the Reds appear in control, and for a while they seem to be coasting. But the tide of the game turns again, Bangor sensing that all is not lost, especially after the Reds lose Wyn Thomas for a spectacularly stupid show of dissent, yelling “fuck off, ref” in protest at the award of a free-kick wide on the left wing. As the game enters the final stages, City begin to press Llanelli deep in their half. However, their desperate efforts seem destined to come to nought, until in the third of four added minutes, when keeper Roberts can only clear the ball to Christian Seargeant and he sends a delightful lob back over Roberts and into the unguarded net. Cue mayhem as the City fans spill onto the pitch again, this seeming to surprise the stewards and police despite the first-half warning. As the pitch clears, Llanelli keeper Duncan Roberts is prostrate, seemingly knocked down in the rush. For eight confusing minutes, referee Southall is at the centre of affairs, and abandonment looks a distinct possibility. Predictably, there is no shortage of advice from both benches. However, eventually the game restarts for the final minute of the ninety with, belatedly, a line of stewards and police reinforcements separating the Bangor fans in the open seats behind the goal from the pitch.

Extra time sees the sides keep the same ends, with City again kicking towards their massed support behind the row of yellow-jacketed stewards. Halfway through the period, Ashley Stott races into the box and is brought down, Marc Limbert stroking the ball into the corner from the penalty spot. Llanelli have barely had time to respond when Karl Noon and keeper Roberts collide on the edge of the box, the ball ricocheting off Noon and into the net for 4-2. Llanelli keep plugging away, through the second period of extra time, but tiredness seems to have taken its toll and they can’t get back in the game. Rhys Griffiths is controversially dismissed for an alleged use of the elbow, the dismissal seeming to be encouraged by the actions of the Bangor players – this a disappointing theme of the game, with both teams guilty of simulation, over-reaction and appeals to the referee.

Order is maintained at the final whistle, with the Bangor team twice going down to the Llanidloes Road end to celebrate with their fans. I’d have thought the club should be distancing itself from the behaviour of its fans, with an eye on the inevitable FAW investigation.

After three absorbing hours of action, it’s finally all over at 7pm and everyone sets off on the long journey home. As far as the football was concerned, and absolutely outstanding match, full of open, free-flowing football and played withy maximum commitment. A good atmosphere too in one of the best grounds in Wales. But what about the crowd problem ? No doubt Bangor will bear the responsibility for the unruly behaviour of their fans. After all, Porthmadog were crucified for the actions of just one fan, so what might the FAW do to the Citizens ?

However, I can’t help thinking others are culpable too: The FAW has previous experience of problems on this very ground with Bangor’s fans, so can’t claim they didn’t foresee crowd control problems. Why were there so few police in the ground ? Why was no-one ejected after the first-half invasion ? Why were the stewards not positioned to prevent a repeat in the second half ? – after all, a minute from the final whistle, with or without an equalizing goal, a pitch invasion was likely. And who thought it was a good idea to bow to the TV demands and kick off at 4pm, giving the visiting fans maximum drinking time ?

GROUNDBLOG DAYS - APRIL 2008
06/04/2008

The editor blogs his way around a variety of grounds in Wales - these articles complement the material in the printed magazine. If you enjoy reading this - please take out a subscription to the magazine.

5TH APRIL 2008
TON PENTRE 0 GOYTRE UNITED 1 (MacWhirter Welsh League Div 1)

You know how some days you come away from a match enthused, your love of the beautiful game re-affirmed and justified ? Well, today wasn’t one of them. Even after a two-week absence, I derived little pleasure from this game – one that on paper had all the makings of a good afternoon’s entertainment. Ton Pentre, Welsh League leaders, suffering a wobble recently, facing title rivals Goytre United in a must-win encounter. An easy choice of fixture today, I didn’t really consider anything else.

First trip of the season up to Ynys Park in the Rhondda, unusually as I usually end up there several times a season thanks to the easy train journey, the generally good football, the friendly welcome and not least the fact that the old ground is still rather endearing. It’s in poor repair though, the big covered terrace roof has huge holes in it that weren’t there last year, and still no seats after the demolition of the main stand some years ago (no seats at level 2 of the pyramid ! The Welsh League need to do something, they are falling behind the Cymru Alliance).

As kick-off time arrives, a fair crowd has assembled on a sunny but slightly chilly afternoon, with a brisk wind likely to affect proceedings. There is a delay as Goytre keeper Curtis makes the first stop of the day – a dog loose on the pitch. Then two more stoppages in the opening minutes for injuries. After this the game gets going, after a fashion, but neither side is playing much football, with sliced kicks, poor touches and hopeful long-balls the order of the day. Nothing much happens in the first half, save a few yellow cards.

The second half isn’t any better. For a while Ton start to create chances, but the match turns sour when Richard Stephens of Ton Pentre receives a second yellow card for a foul. Kevin Richards is duly dismissed from the dugout for his reaction and referee Adie is struggling to retain control. He does so by flashing ever more cards as the mood worsens and as the game enters its final stages Ton lose two more of their number for dissent (and even encroachment ?) The 11v8 numerical imbalance on the pitch is bound to have an effect in the closing ten minutes, and sure enough Goytre score when Daniel Thomas is left unmarked in the box and is able to turn the ball home.

Ton Pentre’s title hopes have taken a big knock now, Goytre’s have been enhanced, especially as other contenders have lost today. Arguably Ton’s indiscipline has cost them, but as I see it, the referee’s performance was as abject as those of both teams. I don’t generally criticise officials, but I hate to see a title potentially decided in this way. I leave Ynys Park having taken little pleasure from this game. Oh well, there’s always next week !

SATURDAY 12th APRIL
TREHARRIS ATHLETIC 5 BARRY TOWN 1 (MacWhirter Welsh League Div 2)
After staring at the fixture list several times during the week, looking for inspiration, I was drawn eventually to Barry Town’s visit to Treharris. Really I would have liked to get to the Trophy final but Network Rail have once again closed the south Wales to north Wales railway line for engineering works, so that would have been a real marathon trip. I even considered Merthyr’s visit to Swindon Supermarine, but the Severn Tunnel was closed for the same reason.

Previous visits to Treharris have always been by train to Quakers Yard, but times didn’t suit, so on this occasion I travel up by bus from Pontypridd to this old mining town perched on the hillside. The Recreation Ground hasn’t changed, still one of the most unusual grounds on the Welsh circuit. Rundown maybe, but full of history and character with its old covered terrace and unique balcony on the front of the changing room and office building. Barry Town, former Welsh champions, have played at a wide variety of venues in the last decade, but I doubt they’ve encountered a playing surface as small as the tiny pitch here, wedged into a rare flat piece of ground in Treharris. Barry, chasing promotion back to the First Division, come here as clear favourites, facing a Treharris side that has recently clawed its way off the bottom of Division Two. These days the Town, the club which banned its supporters’ club and told its most committed fans to get lost, have a few travelling supporters once again, and there are a few local neutrals too to swell the small crowd.

After heavy overnight rain, the pitch looks OK, dried by strong spring sunshine and a brisk wind. Early exchanges are inconclusive, but Barry look to get the skilful Rob Blatchford into the game on the right wing, and there are signs they may have the edge in skill. But that impression is soon overturned as Treharris start to impress with a more direct approach which exposes Barry’s defensive shortcomings. They take the lead when Ian Batten is left unmarked in front of goal, then Craig Howells doubles the lead when Treharris have three men up against two defenders. Barry work to get back in the game, but just before half time Howells meets a ‘route 1’ clearance from keeper Bouse and contrives an over-the-shoulder kick which lobs the advancing Dan Bradley in the Barry goal. 3-0 at half-time, and as I partake of Athletic’s hospitality in their inner sanctum behind the balcony, it is easy to hear Barry manager Jeff Maclean’s opinion through the dressing room wall.

Can Barry rescue the game after the break ? They start positively, but their rhythm is soon disrupted and after 65 minutes concede a penalty for a trip. Kevin Bounds converts and the win is secure. Soon after this, I notice Barry have only ten men on the field, suggesting I’ve again missed a sending-off – quite a habit this season. Jamie Rees makes it five with a neat header from a free-kick, and I reflect that this rout has laid bare the inadequacy of Barry’s defence. Nothing to do with a tiny pitch, the uneven surface, the wind, or anything else: they weren’t good enough.

A late consolation goal for Christian Mills leaves the final score as 5-1. Despite this, Barry will probably still go up; Treharris look more likely to stay up and I hope they do. An enjoyable afternoon at the one the oldest club in south Wales.

FRIDAY 18TH APRIL
ELY RANGERS 3 UWIC 1 (MacWhirter Welsh League Div 2)
Two relegated sides bidding for immediate returns to Division One meet in this floodlit fixture at friendly Station Road, Wenvoe. With the crowd swelled by the weekend’s visitors for tomorrow’s Amateur League triple-header, Ely rise to the occasion and sink the students with two early goals. Soon after kick-off heavy rain sets in and many of the crowd huddle in the small stand. UWIC continue to disappoint and the tactic of denying them the comfort of the dressing-room for the interval backfires as they go three down after the restart. A late consolation does nothing to dispel the feeling that they’ve blown their promotion chance now.

SATURDAY 19TH APRIL – WELSH SPRING GROUNDHOP
A date that has been inked into my diary for months – the Groundhoppers return to south Wales for the second time this season, to visit some of the South Wales Amateur League grounds that aren’t available in August for the annual Welsh/Hellenic hop. Hop organiser Chris Berezai has lined up three fixtures today, with programmes and badges produced specially, and so a coach and a fleet of cars are following the trail, heading firstly to bleak, exposed Hirwaun on the Heads of the Valleys road:

HIRWAUN WELFARE 4 TRELEWIS WELFARE 1 (Amateur League Div 2)
Hirwaun can be bracing even in the best of weather and sadly for this hop, it’s not the best of weather. A cold east wind makes for an uncomfortable morning’s visit to the Welfare Ground, but at least the club has laid on tempting hot food inside. A crowd of 188 braves the elements and sees Hirwaun take an early lead via a ricochet, but Trelewis equalise from a bizarre own goal. This leads to a more even spell of play, but after the break Hirwaun take control again and run out comfortable winners. With the game over, the travellers head back down from the mountains to the coast for…

BAGLAN RED DRAGONS 3 CORUS STEEL 2 (Amateur League Div 1)
The Evans Bevan sports ground feels only slightly less arctic as it hosts our afternoon fixture, a Port Talbot derby between two of the league’s top sides. They produce an entertaining contest before 179 spectators at this venue squeezed between the railway and the main road west of the town. Corus take a first half lead from a rather dubious penalty, but Baglan fight back to lead 2-1 at the break, extending their lead in the second half with another penalty and looking to be in no danger. But a late Corus goal leads to a nervous final five minutes. Back on the coach and heading east again for…

PENCOED ATHLETIC 1 KENFIG HILL 1 (Amateur League Div 2)
Another local derby, in the Bridgend area, with lowly Pencoed hosting promotion-chasing Kenfig Hill at their modest Felindre Road ground. It’s still cold and windy and light rain further blights this early evening fixture at times, but the match provides enough entertainment fort the 182 present. Pencoed take the lead and all interest then focuses on whether the visitors can turn their dominance into an equaliser or more. Numerous one-on-one situations present them with plenty of opportunities, but saves and glaring misses keep the score at 1-0 until the closing stages, when a cleverly whipped-in cross is lashed home for 1-1, which proves to be the final score.

An enjoyable day despite the unseasonal weather and the groundhopping fraternity has ‘ticked off’ three more grounds in this league. They’ll be back for more in August, hopefully with the customary blazing sunshine for the Welsh Hops.

SATURDAY 26TH APRIL
FAIRWATER 6 COGAN CORONATION 2 (T. Carroll South Wales Senior League)
After toying with the idea of a day trip to one of the west Wales cup finals taking place, weather forecasts of rain in the west deterred me, and I take an easy local option: discovering on Friday night that the Senior League championship shield is to be presented to Cardiff club Fairwater today, I can bask in the sudden onset of spring-like weather in Fairwater’s Poplar Park. It’s several years since I last saw a game here, but the ground is not greatly changed, a fact which has denied Fairwater a crack at a promotion play-off for Welsh League membership. No programmes here these days, but it’s a pleasant spot and a welcoming club to visit.

Knowing the presentation is to be before the game, my bus journey round Cardiff is completed early, but the various Fairwater teams are already assembling by the bowling green, the reserves and thirds heading off while the seniors remain. League secretary Will Davies is there too in the car park with his boxes of mementoes and by 1.45 this pleasant diversion is over and the champions can focus on their final home game against Cogan Coronation.

My expectations for the game itself were low: neither side really need the points, and pre-match celebrations often disrupt even the best of sides. Fairwater have rested their top scorer, with an eye on the league cup final in a fortnight. However my fears are unfounded, as Fairwater open in relaxed and flowing style, their forwards tormenting the Cogan defence. Youngster Andre Phillips fires in a spectacular goal, and with 25 minutes it’s 3-0. The promising Phillips gets his second around the half-hour mark, and a couple more goals, including a fine free-kick, make it 6-0 at half time after probably the most one-sided 45 minutes I’ve seen since Brann Bergen’s visit to Carmarthen back in July 2007.

Talk at half time is of “how many ?” and also which of the subs is going on, the latter subject seeming to cause a little ill-feeling. Maybe this disrupts the home side, maybe they’re tired after the first half blitz, or maybe Cogan find their appetite for the game. Whatever the reason, it’s a different game in the second period, Cogan starting the stronger and creating chances. They pull one back with a long shot that squirms under keeper Loveless, and midway through the half get a second with a good move down the right. The result is never in doubt, but Fairwater never regain their earlier rhythm and in the end the game peters out in the heat. But it’s exceeded my expectations, the first half having provided plenty of entertainment.

GROUNDBLOG DAYS - MARCH 2008
02/03/2008

These articles follow the Editor on his travels through Welsh football. For complementary coverage, with illustrations, make sure you purchase the printed version of the magazine.

SATURDAY 1ST MARCH 2008
NEWPORT Y.M.C.A. 3 WELSHPOOL TOWN 2
(Welsh Cup, Quarter-final)
It’s not hard to identify the pick of today’s fixtures, in south Wales at any rate. But having recently visited YMCA, and also seen Welshpool twice, I almost convinced myself during the week to head off somewhere more obscure, maybe one of the WWFA Cup quarter-finals. But Saturday arrives and it still seems perverse to think of missing this Welsh Cup quarter-final, so I’m off on the train to Newport again.

After a stormy night, Saturday turns into a sunny, if blustery, day. With St. David’s Day falling on a Saturday, you might expect some sign of national pride and festivity in our city centres, but Newport is one of the least Welsh places in Wales and there is nothing to be seen as I walk through its heart, en route to Mendalgief Road. The spring-like sunshine doesn’t make the walk out from the centre to the docks any less drab than when I described it two months ago.

The YMCA ground is already busy when I arrive 45 minutes before kick-off. What is more, the refreshment area has been decked out with vases of daffodils. A girl brings a tray of Welsh cakes. Now that’s more like it ! A fair crowd assembles for the biggest day in the home club’s history, and YMCA cope admirably with the occasion. Posters are up announcing the game, a large raffle has been laid on, and the line-ups are displayed on a whiteboard in the absence of a p.a. system. The talk is of a possible cup upset, so well have YMCA been playing recently – both in the league and in the Cup, with two Welsh Premier sides already beaten here. Having seen Welshpool at Bryntirion in the last round, I’m sceptical: the Lilywhites are an efficient unit which tends to get results.

The opening ten minutes seem to confirm my fears. Welshpool grab the game by the scruff of the neck, with Brett Jeffries glancing home a free kick after only five minutes. It is almost 0-2, when Ross Stephens crashes another free-kick against the YMCA bar, but it is scrambled away. At this stage, a rout seems possible but YMCA manage to steady themselves and at last we start to see their impressive forward line running at the visitors’ defence. For much of the half, YMCA enjoy territorial advantage, but Town’s defence looks pretty solid. At half-time it’s 0-1, and the home fans seem less optimistic, fearing the strengthening wind at their team’s backs will be a hindrance.

After the break, YMCA seem to have lost the fluency they showed for 25 minutes of the first half, and when Welshpool break quickly and set Richard Harris free, his cool finish gives Town the two-goal cushion they needed. The game and the atmosphere go a bit flat for a while, YMCA’s hopes of a revival deflated by the goal. But all that changes exactly half-way through the second half, when a corner from the left is not dealt with and centre-half Daniel Heath arrives to head home.

Welshpool, although unsettled by their defensive lapse, seem to be focused on containing YMCA and for a while they succeed. Indeed, they almost restore the lead when Dave Cunnah curls a great shot onto Wesson’s post, the keeper rooted to his line. But another corner causes panic in the Town defence in the 80th minute, Edwards heading onto the bar and Lewis Sommers reacting fastest to stab the ball over the line to equalise. Now Welshpool look in trouble, the momentum is with YMCA and previously tired legs have found new energy. When they get another corner, Welshpool’s defence must fear the worst, but extraordinarily they again fail to deal with the threat of the big men, Heath and Sommers. Heath loops a header under the Welshpool bar and pandemonium breaks out as YM celebrate.

The final five minutes are tense, but YMCA do the right things, defending their lead in Welshpool’s half. At the final whistle, more celebrations. A remarkable comeback, and a hard one to take for the visitors, who have conceded three very similar goals in the last half an hour. Their season is over now, but YMCA have a semi-final to look forward to.

As I return home on the trains, changing in Cardiff I get onto a local service that’s arrived from Ninian Park halt: Cardiff City fans pour out, dejected after a 1-0 home defeat. I can’t help feeling a bit smug – Whereas they clearly haven’t enjoyed their game in the Championship, I’ve seen a thoroughly entertaining and exciting cup tie – and it only cost £3 admission, a fraction of the entrance charge at Ninian Park.

SATURDAY 8TH MARCH
AFAN LIDO 1 CWMBRAN TOWN 1 (MacWhirter Welsh League Div. 1)

The weather looms large again as I select my fixture for the second Saturday in March. Heavy rain and winds are forecast, so lack of spectator cover rules out several Gwent County and other local league games I’ve considered. Not exactly spoiled for choice, I opt for an interesting game at the Marston’s Stadium, Afan Lido having climbed to third in the league in midweek, entertaining Cwmbran Town with their ‘league of nations’ squad, who I last saw back in the early autumn.

The familiar train journey, then, to Port Talbot, but my visits to Lido’s home are comparatively rare these days compared with their neighbours at the ReMax. Chiefly because they have a habit of playing home games on Friday evenings. The Marston’s Stadium hasn’t changed much from Lido’s Welsh Premier days, though I clearly remember how this venue was transformed in the 1990s, for this was a really basic ground on my first visit back in the late 1980s – an unfenced field behind the leisure centre, with the changing rooms the only building. Today of course there are two stands, a clubhouse, a tea bar and a hospitality suite. Arriving half an hour before kick off, I’m relieved to get one of the last two programmes. “We didn’t make many today”, the man on the gate explains; an understandable decision, with few likely to venture out on a day like this when there’s wall-to-wall Six Nations rugby and FA Cup football on TV.

I choose a position in the older stand, as it seems to offer better protection from the southerly wind. I have to ask around for the visitors’ line-up (no public address in use – it really should be mandatory at level 2 of our pyramid). When I get it, it’s a very changed side from the one I saw a few months ago – only three players remain from that starting line-up, with star man Jean-Black Ngody no longer figuring.

Despite the squad turnover, Town start brightly and attempt some neat passing. However, it’s soon clear that the overall winner today will be the strong wind behind Lido’s backs in this half – how many games have I seen this winter spoiled by wind ? Surely more than in a ‘normal’ season ? A few chances go begging for the visitors, but as we approach half-time it’s their goal that comes under siege. Twice the ball is scrambled off their line by fair means or foul, but the pressure tells in the 40th minute when Steve Cox rises unmarked from a corner to head home. The interval comes and Lido fans head for the bar knowing they could be three up, but confident nevertheless.

There’s less flowing football in the second half, as the awful conditions drag the game down to their level. A scrappy period of play ensues, with Lido losing their dominance: they seem to lack anyone strong enough to control the game and gradually Town claw their way back into it. Woeful finishing suggests Lido may hang on, but they eventually pay for living dangerously ten minutes from time when substitute Jason Zoil lays the ball to Leon Clarke who hits a sweet shot from 15 yards that crashes in off the underside of the bar. Both sides push for a winner but referee Martin ends the game promptly (and who can blame him ?) with no further score. Lido’s unbeaten run stretches to eight games, but this was two points dropped in the promotion race.

SATURDAY 15TH MARCH
UNDY ATHLETIC 3 SPENCER YOUTH 2 (Gwent County, Div. 1)
OK, so you may be wondering why I’d choose mid-table Undy against struggling Spencer. The truth is, I didn’t. Once more, the weather has intervened in a big way, so that by ten past two this afternoon I was just hugely relieved to find a game on, within reach. And, as it turns out, this fixture proved to be a good substitute.

With the need to time any journey through Cardiff very carefully today (Wales v France in the Millennium Stadium with the Grand Slam at stake), the torrential rain that arrived mid-morning meant a late reappraisal. Caldicot Town v Ton Pentre ticked all the boxes, an important game for both clubs, the journey was achievable and I could keep dry at the Jubilee Way ground. A late morning call confirmed the pitch was playable, so I set off on the train to Caldicot, walking up to Jubilee Way in the continuing steady downpour. On arrival, the pitch looks OK, just a little bit of water in the near goalmouth, but all is not well: Ton Pentre are preparing to head home. It seems the referee has decided the game is off, despite both sides being happy to play. The consensus is that the official was pre-disposed to call this off, maybe not fancying running round in the rain when there’s rugby on tv.

Plan B ? Not many options in this corner of east Gwent, with the two other Caldicot based sides away. However, a call to nearby Undy Athletic brings a positive answer, and a lift from a departing Ton Pentre supporter means I’m in the village of Undy by quarter past two, and walking down to the Causeway ground, a new venue for me, but one I was intending to visit on a drier day than this.

On arrival, Undy’s pitch is considerably worse than Caldicot’s, with some boggy areas and standing water. However, the game is on (as is the reserve game in the East Gwent League on the second pitch), and there’s a really fine clubhouse to provide shelter and sustenance until kick-off time. The home club is welcoming and I soon have a few copies of their match programme in my possession. They feel confident about this game, but all does not go to plan: within ten minutes Undy are 0-2 down, slack defensive play allowing Spencer to snap up two early chances. As the first half progresses, the play tends to be concentrated more in the Spencer half, with Undy moving forward quite fluently at times. By half-time, two such moves result in goals and it’s all square.

The players stay on the field for the very short break (hardy souls these grassroots footballers) and when play resumes Undy press forward. Both sides are pushing up, with numerous offside calls – rather risky without proper linesman. The referee does his best but seems to err on the side of caution and gets plenty of abuse from the visitors’ dugout. Ten minutes into the half Undy take a 3-2 lead and it seems they will go on to make it safe, but with the heavy pitch taking its toll, play becomes less fluent. Spencer create plenty of half chances of their own, plus one or two good ones, but luck isn’t with them. Undy hold on for the win.

It’s still pouring with rain as I negotiate the 25-minute walk along the main road to Severn Tunnel Junction. Arriving there, the only people on the station are a group of trainspotters waiting to photograph a ‘special’ freight train. I catch myself thinking how mad they are – given the way I’ve spent this afternoon, I’m hardly in a position to pass judgement. One man’s passion is another’s madness.

SATURDAY 22ND MARCH
RAGGED SCHOOL 6 TROSTRE SPORTS 2 (at Garden Village FC)
West Wales F.A. Intermediate Cup semi-final

No waterlogging worries this Easter Saturday but choosing a match still isn’t straightforward: widespread railway engineering works need to be avoided. Nothing in south Wales in the Welsh Premier, and the local Welsh League fixtures don’t set the pulse racing, so I decide on a trip west - the West Wales Cup semi-finals are taking place and the Cardiff to Swansea line is one of the few network rail are leaving alone. Ragged School, for whom I have a liking, are playing in the more interesting semi at Garden Village’s ground just outside Swansea, so it’s a reasonably straightforward train and bus journey out to Stafford Common; or at least it should be, but Cardiff Central station is in the grip of crowd control mayhem when I arrive. I hadn’t realised the Heineken Cup rugby union semi-finals are in town today.

The Stafford Common ground is bathed in Easter sunshine, but looks can be deceptive. It’s actually one of the coldest days of the season, with a vicious north wind spoiling what might otherwise be a nice day. It’s a fairly exposed venue, on a flat plain just north of the Gower, and what little spectator cover there is faces into the wind. This is an odd ground, with an excellent playing surface, a fine clubhouse (being improved at present too), but very limited facilities at pitchside. The little shelter must only just meet Welsh League minimum criteria, and the tea bar isn’t even open. No admission is charged, and no programme issued – the WWFA don’t make a song and dance about their cup. It’s true, spectators in these west Wales leagues don’t expect to pay, so covering printing costs might be tricky, but I always think a programme is a fitting big match souvenir for the players, if no-one else.

Swansea Senior side Ragged School lost their FAW Trophy semi-final last week and are looking to book a final appearance at the Liberty Stadium here, facing Carmarthenshire’s Trostre. The other semi involves two more Carmarthenshire sides. Ragged fans and officials are full of praise for Corwen, their nemesis in the Trophy, but feel last week’s heavy conditions didn’t suit their side. They also reflect that their team’s record in penalty shoot-outs is poor.

Ragged start in determined mood and within five minutes have a penalty. Which, true to form, they fail to convert. But this doesn’t matter greatly, as within three minutes Chris Morris has put them one up anyway. Soon after, Trostre’s number 8 launches a fearsome challenge on the half-way line and sees a straight red card, and things go from bad to worse for the Llanelli side when Ragged score again, a long shot taking a bad deflection. By half-time it’s 3-0, a fair reflection of the game, which Ragged have dominated with their usual slick passing, fast breaks and cool finishing.

After a welcome ten minutes shelter in the clubhouse, we emerge into the Arctic blast for the second half. Seven minutes into the half, a free-kick outside the Trostre area is taken by Chris Morris, and his low shot is perfectly placed round the wall and inside the keeper’s left hand post – 4-0. Soon after, Trostre’s numerical disadvantage shows as their defence is opened up again for a simple fifth goal.

This all makes the last half hour rather academic, and the game goes flat, with Ragged seeming to ease off. I must have lost concentration too, as Trostre appear to have been reduced to nine men. However, in the closing stages they score a close range goal, then a well-struck low free kick, to come back to 5-2. It doesn’t feel like a revival, and even Trostre don’t look as if they believe they can get anything more than this respectability. But it does cause Ragged to wake up, and they play out the remaining five minutes with more focus. There’s just time for Jamie Breen to lash to sixth goal into the roof of the net to round off the afternoon.

Eight goals, a missed penalty, two sendings-off; not bad for free entertainment, and I’m glad I selected this game. But I’d have enjoyed it more without the bitter wind, and I’ve have liked a cup of tea.

(n.b., for regular readers, I'll be missing next Saturday, and the blog will be back in April)

GROUNDBLOG DAYS - FEBRUARY 2008
03/02/2008

A regular blog featuring one man's travels watching Welsh Football. If you enjoy this, please consider taking out a subscription to the printed magazine in which you will find complementary features, not duplication...

Saturday 2nd February
BRYNTIRION ATHLETIC 1 WELSHPOOL TOWN 2
(Welsh Cup Fourth Round)
After a rest of three months, the Welsh Cup comes out of winter hibernation today, ironically on the first day this winter when snow is forecast. But with the wintry weather not appearing overnight in Wales, fears that the Fourth Round might be disrupted are swept away.

The draw kindly sent three Welsh Premier sides to away ties at clubs from the feeder leagues, and for me it was either Bryntirion or Newport YMCA today. Having visited YMCA recently, I forego the more likely 'upset' there for the visit of Tommi Morgan's Welshpool to the Bridgend-based side, themselves enjoying their best ever season in the Welsh League.

Realistically, I don't rate the chances of a shock here because Welshpool are also enjoying a fine season, and are a rather consistent side who tend to play direct and effective football. Not prime candidates for humiliation then.

The journey to Bridgend is an easy one. With plenty of time, I choose train and a longish uphill walk out to Bryntirion Park, high on the western fringes of Bridgend. There is a direct bus from Cardiff that passes close to the ground en route to Porthcawl, but it's a slow journey.

Over-estimating the walk, I arrive an hour before kick off but can while away the time in the large warm bar on the ground. The outside terrace overlooking the pitch is not in demand today, a cold but thankfully dry afternoon.

News that Bryntirion's two strikers are missing (suspension and injury) further reduces my expectations of a shock. Welshpool have brought a respectable size (for the WPL) travelling contingent and for the second time in a week Bryntirion enjoy a crowd of over 200 (having hosted Cardiff City midweek in the Welsh Youth Cup). The ground has floodlights now, but otherwise is little changed from my last visit a couple of years ago. It's still enclosed only by mesh fencing, which gives it a slightly temporary appearance, but it offers excellent viewing from the raised bank with its large, flat standing enclosure.

Welshpool dominate proceedings immediately, forcing corners and chances throughout the first half. A goal is always on the cards, and it is no surprise when Ross Jeffries heads in a cross at the back post to put the Lilywhites ahead, just before the half-hour mark. The home side create the occasional chance, but the only time the Town defence is troubled is when keeper McGuigan takes a hefty challenge and receives lengthy treatment. At half time they lead 1-0, scant reward for their first half dominance.

After the break Bryntirion gradually start to inject more urgency and push upfield. The balance changes very slightly, with the visitors being repeatedly caught offside and the game being played in their half. Though Welshpool seem to be dealing with everything comfortably at the back, eventually their marking lets them down and Gavin Thomas is perfectly placed to smash home a cross from the left.

From the restart, Bryntirion pile forward looking to maintain the momentum. But within minutes, on Welshpool's next attack, a long crossfield ball from the right reaches Ross Stephens outside the box on the left wing, and he hits a stunning volley that flies past Fouanguim in the Bryntirion goal. A goal-of-the-season contender, but no cameras here to capture it.

Bryntirion press for the remaining 20 minutes but Town hold their lead this time and progress into the quarter-finals. No shock here, though two other WPL sides go out to lower league opponents. With a more potent strike force and a slice of luck, Bryntirion might have stood more chance of joining them in the last eight.

SATURDAY 9TH FEBRUARY
HAY ST. MARY’S 3 BOW STREET 1 (Central Wales FA Challenge Cup)
With a dry spell of weather removing the risk of postponements, this Saturday travel plans are constrained by a different problem: Six Nations rugby - travelling through Cardiff today is to be avoided at all costs. With my plan A of heading for north Wales (to see Llay RBL v Mynydd Isa in the NE Wales Cup) abandoned - railway engineering works, the discovery of this attractive fixture at Hay-on-Wye came as a relief. A day out in the town of books is duly planned, with a forecast of a fine, mild Saturday.

Arriving in Hay at 10.am., the temperature is 3° celsius and the Wye valley is covered in freezing mist. But thankfully, after several hours spent indoors, it’s a relief to find the sun out as we make our way to the Brecon Road ground at 1.30. That’s pleasing enough, but on arrival, several unexpected bonuses: we find that the home side has issued a small programme (the first I’ve seen from this club, they will play on the lower of their two pitches (a different one from the previous match I saw here in 2006/07), and the ground has been improved, with floodlights on the main pitch and identical, portable stands in place overlooking both pitches. Groundhopping doesn’t get much better than this.

Hay, in fine recent form in the Mid Wales League (South), are entertaining Bow Street from the Spar Mid Wales League, one level above them. Both these sides are reigning champions from level 4 leagues, but Bow Street attained promotion from their district league last summer; while Hay were controversially refused.

Though both sides are missing some first choice players, a good cup-tie is in prospect, Hay’s demolition of Ceredigion side Maesglas last week showing their cup credentials. Indeed, they start the better of the two sides and have the first efforts on target after about 25 minutes, the visiting keeper making a fine double save. But disaster strikes soon after this, the weakened right side of the Saints’ defence going missing to allow Bow Street to open the scoring. Eight minutes before half time, an innocuous challenge in the visitors’ area leaves their player Dean Evans in agony: his knee is dislocated and an ambulance is immediately summoned - from distant Brecon. Play is held up for 50 minutes, firstly awaiting its arrival and then allowing paramedics to carry out treatment on the pitch. Thankfully the light is good, for the first half doesn’t resume until 3.35.

After the briefest of half time intervals, Hay resume their attempts to get back into the game, now attacking down the slope, west to east. Chances come, they hit the woodwork, they have a goal disallowed and the visiting keeper performs more heroics. But the pressure tells eventually, a fine low drive taking a deflection half way through the second half. With the effects of the delay, we don’t really want extra time, but rampant Hay are going for a win in normal time now. As the game enters the final quarter, the bright, setting sun low in the west becomes a key factor: it’s shining straight into the eyes of the Bow Street keeper, despite his cap, and clearly hampers him when a smart shot on the turn takes an odd bounce in front of him and squirms inside his right hand post.

The Magpies now press forward looking for an equaliser and enjoy more possession, but the Hay defence holds firm. With five minutes left, the home win is sealed with another low shot that eludes the blinded keeper. A fine win for the Saints, and a long trip home to the west coast for the disappointed visitors. For us neutrals, a cracking cup tie in an idyllic setting.

SATURDAY 16TH FEBRUARY
LLANTWIT FARDRE 0 NEWCASTLE EMLYN 0
(MacWhirter Welsh League Division Three)

With Newcastle Emlyn going top of the division last week, today seemed like a good time to catch up with the west Walians when they’re playing only a few miles up the road – I’ve been planning, but failing, to catch up with the Reds for months. So I reluctantly pass up the chance to see Ragged School in FAW Trophy action at Baglan and head instead for Tonteg Park, catching the 400 bus from Cardiff. This convenient service heads out through north Cardiff and cuts through Treforest industrial estate in the Taff valley floor, before scaling the steep hillside up to Tonteg and Llantwit Fardre on the western side of the broad valley.

It’s a bitterly cold February day, the east wind numbing the face and fingers despite the bright sunshine, and there’s nowhere at Tonteg Park to escape the cold. There’s the stand, but this is currently a burnt-out shell, vandals having forced their way in through the thick metal shutters. Situated in an unenclosed public park, the club’s facilities are vulnerable, though they do their best to protect them – even the dugouts have their own shutters ! Admission isn’t charged at the gate, but a very attractive programme is on sale for £2, well above the average Welsh League standard in terms of content and reproduction.

Checking on the fixture on Friday, I had noticed an online dispute between Llantwit Fardre and Monmouth Town, who they’d visited two weeks earlier: Monmouth had taken exception to the visitors’ behaviour on and off the pitch, and in turn Llantwit had taken exception to their match report (so much for sport building bridges and friendships !). I’m interested to see if there’s any sign of the physical approach that upset Monmouth, especially as the visitors are top of the league. The game gets underway with no sign of any real robustness, both sides conceding a few free-kicks. Llantwit Fardre create the better chances, but their finishing lets them down repeatedly. At the other end Danny Williams has the best chance of the half, but the tall striker shoots over the bar. Throughout the half, home fans complain about Emlyn strikers Price and Williams taking up offside positions awaiting the long balls launched downfield by their back line. However, it seems to me referee Jarman gets most calls right considering he has no official linesmen: mostly the Emlyn strikers move back onside by the time the ball is played.

Chances are similarly restricted in the second half, and I’m noticing how cold it is – a sure sign the football is not proving gripping enough. Emlyn are still playing route one style football, long balls aimed for Williams to flick on, but it’s not opening up the home defence. Half way through the 45 minutes, we get some action, but not the sort we wanted: an altercation breaks out on the far touchline, seemingly involving the visitors’ club linesman and a home player. It appears the latter has said something untoward, for he receives a straight red card. Tempers flare for a while, but the game fails to come to life. With the extra man advantage, Emlyn dominate the final quarter, playing more fluent passing football, though Llantwit have their moments too, one free-kick just outside the box representing their best chance, but it’s floated tamely over the wall to the keeper. At full time it’s 0-0 and neither side has deserved to win. In entertainment terms, 4 out of 10 would be generous.

As the teams leave the field, the Emlyn club linesman is subjected to abuse by a home fan. The visitors walk away not rising to the bait, but this incident reinforces a feeling I’ve had all afternoon, that maybe a few of Llantwit’s followers (rather than their players) do tend to antagonise other clubs. Is it really a co-incidence that for the second time in a fortnight, they are embroiled in unpleasant exchanges with the opposition ?

Looking back, not a particularly memorable afternoon. Some goal-less draws are entertaining but this wasn’t one of them. Still, it’s the poorer games that make the good ones stand out. I’ve achieved my objective of appraising the league leaders (who incidentally drop to third), but I suspect they can play better than this. The match I rejected, at Baglan, had seven goals by contrast – but whereas I would have been gutted to miss a 4-3 thriller, I’m less concerned as it sounds a bit one sided -
Ragged won 7-0.

SATURDAY 23RD FEBRUARY
SPLOTT ALBION 0 ABER VALLEY YMCA 3
(W. John Owen Cup Quarter final)
No worries about the weather in south Wales this weekend but choosing a game for Saturday still hasn’t been straightforward: it’s one of those dreaded Saturdays when Wales have a six nations rugby match in Cardiff so any journeys I plan have to avoid the risk of arriving back into the city centre to the travel mayhem that follows the end of these events. Not easy when most buses or trains bring you back into the city ! I thought I had it sorted with a planned visit to Pentwynmawr, going well in the Gwent League Div 2, but a call to the club revealed they have been forced off their normal ground this week by council work.

So the quarter finals of the Amateur League’s W. John Owen Cup come to my rescue. I’ve noticed comments on the league guestbook suggesting Splott Albion v Aber Valley YMCA should be a feast of good football. Equally importantly, with a 1.45 kick off, with luck I should be able to get back across Cardiff from Splott’s base in Llanrumney, before the end of the rugby match brings everything to a halt.

The University Playing Fields in Llanrumney are easily reached by bus from the city centre, a short downhill walk to the wide open spaces of the Rumney river valley between the densely populated estates of Llanrumney and Llanedeyrn. As the name suggests, the University sports ground is home to many pitches, but at least the railed main football pitch is in the nearest corner, close to the two-storey pavilion. There’s a keen and surprisingly chilly westerly wind blowing end to end, and nowhere to shelter close enough to the action, but thankfully the morning’s drizzle has relented.

Spoltt Albion, going well in Division Two, have a tough test ahead against the cup-holders Aber Valley YMCA from Abertridwr near Caerphilly. And for the first 20 minutes of the game, it looks as though the visitors are on course for a comfortable passage to the semis. After 12 minutes, some slack marking on the right side of the Albion defence allows YM’s number 10 in, and he finishes clinically. In the minutes that follow, YM have several chances to double the lead, and the home keeper is forced into a couple of smart saves to keep them out.

But as the half progresses, Albion recover and the game becomes much more even. It is notable that the Albion forwards love to pay the ball on the ground, showing excellent close control and passing skills, and they carve out a few chances of their own. They even have a penalty shout turned down, the young centre-forward tumbling as he bursts through into the box, but the referee clearly feels he went to ground too readily.

The second half proves even, though YM shade it territorially, winning numerous corners but just being denied by the home defence. Albion press forward with increasing urgency, but the Aber Valley defence is outstanding and deals competently with everything. In the dying minutes, their keeper does very well to stop a low shot from close range that for a moment looked likely to send the tie into extra time. However, in stoppage time YM seal their win, the Albion defence stretched by pushing up in search of the equaliser, and the visitors’ number 10 cheekily flicks the ball past the advancing keeper. There’s just time for the same player to fire a third goal before the final whistle goes.

Despite the cold wind and greasy surface, these two sides have provided excellent entertainment, by playing an attractive passing game; and it’s also noticeable that this game has been played in a fine spirit, on and off the pitch. The match, and both clubs, have been a credit to the Amateur League. I head home up the hill to Llanrumney content with this week’s choice of match. By 4pm I’m through the city centre and out the other side, heading home, while the rugby hordes remain in the stadium. Mission accomplished.

RETURN OF THE GROUNDBLOG - DECEMBER 2007
16/12/2007

SATURDAY 15th DECEMBER
PORT TALBOT TOWN 2 CAERNARFON TOWN 1

After an enforced break of two Saturdays from football action, it's a relief to have a dry day and a full programme to choose from. It's bitterly cold, so not a day for standing in an open field or for long journeys, and the relative comfort of a WPL venue lures me to the ReMax Stadium for a south v north clash. The change of manager at Port Talbot adds some interest to a match that involves two sides already in the 'also-ran' category this season.

After the walk towards the sea from Port Talbot Parkway station, the warmth of the very pleasant Town clubhouse is very welcome. The pre-match atmosphere is hardly electric though - Town struggle to attract the support they deserve at the best of times, and these are not the best of times: they're out of all the cups, stuck in mid-table, the opposition are not particularly inspiring - plus it's a week before Christmas and extremely cold. Even taking all this into account though, an official crowd of 101 is dreadful. You have to feel for the folk at the ReMax, who have developed such fine facilities and are yet still ignored by the large population of their area.

Braving the cold for the first half, I'm not exactly warmed by the action on the pitch. It's a half best glossed over: a couple of half-chances for the visitors, nothing much else.

The second half, thankfully, is a lot better. If a game ever needed a goal, this was it, and after 9 minutes it gets one. Caernarfon's lively Paul Addo receives a stray ball on the right touchline and launches what the late Eddie Waring would have called an "up and under". As the ball drops from a great height, Town keeper Rogers blunders. The visitors heed manager Steve O'Shaughnessy's yell to look for "seconds" and James Thomas hooks the free ball into an unguarded net.

With hindsight, scoring was possibly where the Canaries went wrong, because whereas the game was previously dawdling towards a 0-0 draw, now they have woken up the home side. Town are visibly more urgent and direct and the lead lasts only 6 minutes, young Scott Barrow scoring from close range after a low cross from the left. With both teams now showing some interest in the match, tempers start to get frayed, especially when Canaries captain Eifion Jones catches Chad Bond with an elbow in front of the benches and receives a red card.

Several more skirmishes ensue, but in between it is Port Talbot who are creating more. With 8 minutes remaining, O'Shaughnessy seems to signal that he's settling for the point, when he substitutes playmaker Addo. A minutes later, that decision looks like a bad one, as Martin Rose swivels in the box and drives the winner past Vinny Whelan.

While we're heading for the exits to escape the dropping temperature, referee Kerry Morgan delays us by sending off Caernarfon's Kieron Quinn for a second bookable offence. Two red cards seems harsh in a match that rarely appeared dirty, and Caernarfon must feel hard done by after matching Town for so long. For them, a long journey home to ponder what went wrong. For Port Talbot, a first win since Nick Tucker took over, and enough to keep alive faint hopes of catching the teams near the top of the table.

SATURDAY 22ND DECEMBER
PONTYPRIDD TOWN 1 DINAS POWYS 3
I've been undecided all week where I should go this Saturday. Various minor league games in Gwent and the valleys appealed, but the forecast of rain settles it - a ground with shelter. So a Welsh League fixture involving two clubs I am interested to catch up with:

Pontypridd, who fell on hard times in the summer and started the season disastrously, have turned a corner recently, though they are still near the bottom. Dinas Powys, challenging for the title, have just lost Nicky Tucker as manager but gained the popular and able Mark Jones, who won the Welsh Cup with Carmarthen last season.

A straightforward journey is followed by the familiar stroll from the shopping centre down into Ynysangharad Park. The Dragons are friendly and welcoming as ever, and in no time it's almost 2pm and kick off time. A frenzied POntypridd dressing room is audible as the home side psych themselves up for the match, but once the game is underway it is clear Dinas have the edge. Ponty are missing key defenders and the Dinas front line is able to pass, run and find space almost at will, however committed their opponents.

An opening goal duly arrives, the result of some naive defending by the home side. Before half-time, the lead is doubled, this time by a classy move and crisp finish. 0-2 a fair reflection at the break, as the half ends in ever more persistent light drizzle.

Emerging from the clubhouse for the second half, we are met with darkness, the low cloud and mist combining with the short daylight hours of the winter solstice to bring dusk remarkably early. It's only 3pm but the floodlights are needed (how are those other Welsh League games coping, on grounds without lights ?). Heavy rain soon forces a retreat to the stand, and the lack of light means no more photos today.

The second half is not particularly memorable. Dinas put the game beyond doubt with a close range headed goal, but fail to build on their dominance, thanks to some fine goalkeeping, and wasteful attacking. The speedy but clumsy Nana Baah is a notable culprit.

Just as the game seems to be dying on its feet, Ponty are awarded a disputed penalty, courtesy of a linesman's flag, Dinas fiercely protesting that their defender's challenge took the ball cleanly. Nevertheless the kick is converted, and it sparks a little life into the game. Ponty never looked like giving up, and this gives them reason to keep on battling. But it's not really a lifeline, as it would probably need a couple more controversial refereeing decisions to bring them level.

As the afternoon turns to evening on the shortest day of the year, the temperature drops and the game ends. Ponty not disgraced against a top side, Dinas not as convincing as they might have been, but three points never in doubt. Both clubs have reason to look forward to 2008....

SATURDAY 29TH DECEMBER
NEWPORT YMCA 3 TON PENTRE 3
last Saturday of 2007, and it is one of those days when choosing a game is not so much about "what's the game I most want to see ?", rather "what's definitely on". Friday has seen torrential rain and though that's clearing up by Saturday morning, there is a biting wind and a forecast of more rain coming later. So a ground with a bit of shelter from the elements is more necessity than luxury this week.

With all that in mind, when I can't contact the secretary at my first choice game in the S. Wales Senior League, but find that my preferred Welsh League game at Newport YMCA is on, the choice is easy: YMCA is a well-appointed ground with a stand and a nice warm clubhouse !

The attraction is also that YMCA have hit form, winning 5-3 away at Bridgend last week, and are entertaining Ton Pentre, title contenders who I haven't seen in action this season.

The train journey to Newport is easy and familiar, followed by the long walk out to the docks area. Leaving the town centre via Commercial Street is as depressing as ever: starting off like any town shopping street, quickly becoming tatty, then tattier still, and thoroughly seedy by the time I turn west towards the Pill district.

A fair crowd has assembled in the clubhouse at the fine YMCA HQ in Mendalgief Road by kick off time, venturing out into the cold wind as the teams emerge. It is clear the wind will affect the game, blowing west to east and behind Ton Pentre's backs in the first half. However it doesn't prove to be an asset, as the Bulldogs put in a woeful display for the first half an hour, possibly showing the effects of an enforced break of four weeks since their last match. After a few rash mis-timed challenges fail to dissaude the fast YMCA forward line, Ton are suddenly on the back foot. Poor marking from a cross from the right allows Yafai to poke the ball past Ellacott for 1-0, and then twice Lewis Sommers gets away on the left and crosses for his fellow-strikers to make it 3-0 with less than 25 minutes played. Entertaining stuff from the home side, but matched by the antics of Ton manager Kevin Richards on the touchline: never a shrinking violet, KR quickly turns from the customary verbal assaults on the referee to berate his own side and their comedy defending. At 1-0, he loudly instructs them to "Take a long ****ing look at yourselves" and his emotions go from indignation, through disbelief and anger to utter despair as the half progreses.

Late in the half, as the threatened rain forces most of the crowd to seek shelter, Ton discover some fluency and start to trouble the home defence. Goalmouth scrambles, shots against the woodwork... unmistakable signs a goal is coming, and it does, Ryan Shugar firing home to give the visitors hope at the break, and sow the seeds of doubt in the home camp.

The second half sees Ton pressing forward and it is a real end-to-end affair. Chances come at both ends, but YMCA's defending has to be desperate at times, with Dan Heath outstanding. Ton Pentre's confidence grows and the comeback is really kick-started by a cracking low drive from young Jon Kift midway through the half. 3-2 and YMCA are hanging on. They could have made it 4-2, but a fine save from Marty Ellacott saves Ton. One Mattie Davies is brought on to bolster the Ton front-line (yes, that Mattie Davies) and fittingly he gets the equaliser, being on hand to slot home when Wesson spills a stinging long-range shot.

A Ton Pentre win looks possible but a double substitution seems to have the effect of disrupting their momentum, and the final 10 minutes are relatively tame. 3-3 at the final whistle, both sides happy to settle for a point after a really fine afternoon's entertainment in pretty bad conditions.

Archived Items

FIVE STEPS TO A BETTER WELSH PYRAMID
Around the Regions Column (from issue 122)
History feature - the Borough Utd Story
Is Soccer the New Rugby ? (editorial from issue 76)
Club Focus - ABERGAVENNY THURSDAYS (from issue 99)
Part of a serialised article on MID RHONDDA FC
club focus article - CAERSWS (from issue 76)
Wrexham Come Home ! (from issue 66)
10 Years of "Welsh Football"
Programme Awards 2003-4 (from issue 94)