Llangollen Town seemed to be ideal. Just a half hour drive up the road and they were playing Tywyn/Bryncrug, who gave premier league Welshpool Town a run for their money last season, in a second round clash. Llangollen ply their trade in the Welsh National League (Wrexham Area) Premier Division, which is part of the third tier of welsh football. This season they have put together a strong team as they push for promotion to the Cymru Alliance. They currently sit top of the table. Tywyn/Bryncrug (who were formed in 1999 by an amalgamation of the two sides) also ply their trade within the third tier of welsh football, but they play in the Mid-Wales league. They have had a stuttering start to the season and are currently fifth from bottom, but they do have plenty of games in hand.
I arrived in Llangollen in good time so had ample opportunity to go and sample a pub lunch before heading up to the football ground. The Towers Fields can be found, more or less, at the back of the site of the International Pavillion (a rather extravagant name for a tent!). As you enter the town on the A579 you take the first turning on the right which takes you up a hill (Dinbren Road) and at the very top of the hill (just past the leisure centre) you will find the ground (and you can look down onto the Pavillion). The football ground is one part of a three pitch area which the other two are a rugby pitch and another football pitch, on which today the Colts had a game.
The ground is very basic and only has hard standing, there are no seats here. There is a small covered terrace in which around 80 or so people can shelter from the elements. However, as with most Welsh grounds you can admire the scenery of the surrounding hills. There is building work taking place at the ground as the club attempts to upgrade the facilities to Cymru Alliance standard, as the aim of promotion to this league is the goal this season.
As the ground is not enclosed no admission was charged but, to my great surprise a 30 page programme was issued. This caught me unawares because I heard that Llangollen do not usually bother but I was more than happy to hand over my £1 in order to obtain my copy. It was just as well I arrived in good time as it was sold out well before kick off.
The game itself was an entertaining cup tie. Despite the cold and windy conditions both teams played good football and produced a cracking game. Tywyn started brightly and had the best of the opening exchanges but it was Llangollen who took the lead on 18 minutes when Lee Phelan volleyed home from inside the area. Tywyn drew level through an Own Goal on 25 minutes and took the lead ten minutes later when Nick Williams wrapped his foot around a cross to volley home low into the corner. It was quite a sublime strike.
The second half was more or less one way traffic as Llangollen dominated possession and created numerous chances (though Tywyn did create a few of their own on the break) however the ball just would not fall for them and Tywyn held on to go into the hat for the next round. All that was left was for their 'keeper to nip off back to the minibus (fag in mouth) to get the celebratory case of lager!!
Overall a great afternoon watching a good game of football and all it cost me was £1 for the programme and 70p for a cup of coffee (in a proper mug). That’s what I call value for money! Now where did I put that £36 Newcastle ticket?
Saturday 4th October 2008
FAW Welsh Cup 2nd Round
Llangollen Town 1-2 Tywyn/Bryncrug
Attendance: 78
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