COEDPOETH UNITED (Pengelli Playing Fields)

I Stayed local today as most of the remaining games across the country were end of season 'dead rubbers' and I simply couldn't be bothered travelling miles to watch a couple of teams go through the motions.

Luckily though I was witness to  a cracking game at the Pengelli Playing Fields. Coedpoeth were in 2nd place at the start of play, level on points with 1st placed Penycae having played a game more, so they really needed the win today to keep alive their hopes of winning the title. Mid table Llay had other ideas though!

The homesters took the lead after 14 minutes when Nick McCormack cut in and curled an effort into the top corner. Llay were level after 23 minutes when Johnnny Taylor scored from the penalty spot. John Griffiths restored the lead for Coedpoeth with a 47th minute header at the back post, from a free-kick cross, before they absolutely capitulated. On two occasions (52 and 55) long punts from the Llay goalkeeper split the home defence and Taylor had no problems completing his hat-trick. The said keeper remarked to his manager that with assists like that he should be playing midfield!

Owain Roberts bagged himself a brace, the first on 67 minutes being the best goal of the match when he fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner. His second (75) was a simple poke home after a fantastic through ball from Taylor. This put Welfare 5-2 up before a stoppage time penalty by Kevin Breeze reduced the deficit. Both sides also finished the game with 10 men, but this had no impact on the destination of the points.

This result left the destination of the title in the balance and it will be a very interesting game next Saturday when Coedpoeth travel to Penycae it what could be a championship showdown.

Hat-trick hero Johnny Taylor on the attack for Llay Welfare.



Kevin Breeze scores a stoppage time penalty,
but it was scant consolation for Coedpoeth.

Saturday 14th May 2011

Welsh National League (Wrexham Area) Premier Division

Coedpoeth United 3-5 Llay Welfare

Attendance: 43

BARTON TOWN OLD BOYS (Marsh Lane)

With the season now entering its dying embers, and most of the main leagues rounding off their seasons the previous Saturday, on this Bank Holiday Monday it was very difficult to find a) a game and b) a game that actually had something riding on it. Luckily there was one game that did have something riding on it, so it was to Barton-Upon-Humber I pointed the hopmobile!

The town of Barton is right on the banks of the River Humber and views of the Humber Bridge are fantastic. As luck would have it, near the viewing point there is also a GBG listed pub, The Sloop Inn, where a decent Wold Gold (Wold Top Brewery) was sampled.

Marsh Lane (aka The Euronics Ground) was buzzing today as 250 spectators, excluding the Louth supporters obviously, aniticipated the victory the would take The Swans to promotion, and their highest ever placing in the non-league pyramid. The club was formed in 1995 when Barton Town and Barton Old Boys merged and it has been steady progress ever since as the team rose up the pyramid. There were a few blips along the way, mostly regarding ground grading but today Marsh Lane is a neat and tidy example of a non-league ground. 

After a cagey opening 38 minutes, Richard Medcalf gave Barton an interval lead then the floodgates opened in the second half. Medcalf added his and the teams second on 65 minutes with a great volley before Andy Jackson (70) topped that effort with an even better volley. An Ashley Dexter bullet header 2 minutes from time sealed an emphatic win.

The players began to party on the pitch as a second place finish meant they will be playing NCEL Premier League football next season. This game brings the curtain down on my "English" non-league football for this season, as the next couple of weeks it will be Welsh and German games to round another season off.



Richard Medcalf's low shot his the back of the net (38).





The Swans' players celebrate their promotion to the Premier Division.



Monday 2nd May 2011

Northern Counties East League Division One

Barton Town Old Boys 5-0 Louth Town

Attendance: 250

"Avoid that bloody wedding" weekend!

BRIDGEND TOWN and ROMAN GLASS ST GEORGE

Friday 29th April 2011
Welsh League Division One
Bridgend Town 2-0 Barry Town
Attendance: 85

After working in the morning, thus completely avoiding any coverage of William and Kate's happy event, it was to South Wales I headed in the evening for a mid-table clash between Bridgend and Barry Town. Bridgend now play their home games at The Brewery Field, which is also the home of Bridgend Rugby Club.  

  

The football club moved to the Brewery Field in 2009 after the consortium that the club was part of purchased the ground. The club had been homeless since leaving Coychurch Road in 2007, which was sold to make way for a supermarket. They had played at Porthcawl and Treforest in the interim. I have to admit the ground is an absolute gem!

The homesters easily won an insipid encounter, which was typical end-of-season fayre. The only thing missing was flip flops and sandals! Richard Ryan gave Bridgend the lead with a penalty after 10 minutes and Michael Walters doubled the lead with a low shot after 61 minutes.

There were a few other hoppers present in a crowd of around 85. A nice evening was rounded of by a quick visit to the Mountain Hare in Brynnau Gwynion, where a swift half of Bullmastiff Welsh Gold went down a treat.

Richard Ryan scores from the penalty spot to give Bridgend the lead.

Saturday 30th April

Western League Division One
Roman Glass St George 3-0 Calne Town
Attendance: 35

The choice of game for the Saturday was a pretty straightforward one, as RGSG were playing their penultimate game at Bell Hill before moving onto to pastures new for the forseeable future. As of next season the first team will be playing their home games at the Gloucestershire FA ground, until floodlights can be installed at Bell Hill.

I was speaking to someone at the club and he said the reason they cannot be installed at the moment is that the ground is too close to the houses, so the pitch needs to be moved 20 or so yards. This will then encroach on the adjacent cricket pitch, so whilst the cricket team is still going it’s a no go. However, within 3-4 years he said he expects the cricket team to have either merged with another local club or possibly to have folded due to dwindling interest. He said they will be back at this ground at some point.

The ground is pretty basic with a small covered terrace hard standing down one side of the pitch. The game was played in baking hot sunshine, but with a very strong breeze, which made flowing football rather difficult.

Although Calne were never out of the game, having good periods of pressure, it was a Paul Coles hat-trick that sealed the points for the homesters. His first effort was a dink over the keeper on 31 minutes after a great through ball. His second came on 49 minutes with a three-yard tap in, after the winger produced a mazy run and crossed in for him. He completed his hat-trick in stoppage time when he bundled the ball in after another good piece of wing play.

Also, just to let you all know I found the ground 1st time as it is well hidden behind the houses BUT if I hadn't been given the heads up by various hoppers i'm not sure I would have!!