Damage in the Box!: 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.