Rich Crimp’s Corwen Reserves side opened their 2015/16 campaign with a tough encounter, as they hosted champions Cefn Druids Reserves, who fielded a very youthful side, containing many players who have graduated or are still playing in their successful academy system.

The visitors managed to take an early lead, as Jake Roberts found space on the edge of the box in the 16th minute and he found the far corner of the net with a good finish.

Corwen’s first opportunity to find an equaliser came when captain Sam Griffiths played the ball into the danger area from a free kick; however goalkeeper Ian Robertson was able to collect the ball.

Druids went in search of a two goal cushion to take into the break and Jack Edwards came close to doing this, as he shot across the face of the goal, but saw his shot go narrowly wide of the target.

The final minute of the half saw Cefn’s Sean Sanchez bearing down on the Corwen goal; however Corwen keeper Jamie Bodden came rushing off his line to challenge the Druids striker, and he did brilliantly to dive at Sanchez’s feet to collect the ball.

The home side came out in the second half in a determined mood and levelled the score four minutes into the half, as Ioz Jones finished off a good move with a great shot from the edge of the box.

James Davies was the next to test out Robertson, as he saw off his marker and sent a powerful shot at goal, which the Druids keeper could only parry, but his luck was in as Ioz sent his shot from the rebound wide of the goal.

At the other end Sanchez was running at the Corwen goal with the ball again; however he sent his curling shot wide of the target.

With 75 minutes on the clock Corwen were awarded a free kick near the half way line, which Tom Davies took and was able to find Same Griffiths, who played a brilliant ball forward, which Oli Crimp was able to run onto and head beyond the reach of Robertson to give Corwen the lead.

Cefn went in search of an equaliser, but Jake Roberts could only force a save out of Jamie from a low shot and the follow up from Kane Frost missed the target.

Corwen hit their visitors on the counter attack, as Jamie played a long ball forward to Ioz, who took on and went past a defender before sending a shot just wide of the Cefn goal.

The closing stages saw Cefn putting pressure on the Corwen defence, with captain Luke Jones sending a low free kick into the Corwen box and saw his effort cleared off the goal line. The first minute of stoppage time saw the final opportunity for Druids to salvage something from the game, but Ben Dawson could only send his shot over the crossbar.

The final whistle confirmed Corwen were going to collect all 3 points from their opening game of the season, which was richly deserved from a vastly improved second half performance.

Photos of the game can be seen at the link below:
http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/corwenfc/photos/corwen-resrves-v-cefn-druids-reserves-604651.html

Gavin Billington