On the weekend where Wales have a critical European qualifier against Azerbaijan in Baku, it was business as usual for the Magpies as they welcomed Pentraeth for the Welsh alliance division two clash.

The only missing person this week was Manager Iolo Owen himself who had made the trip to Baku to watch the national team in action. In his absence it was left to his coaching staff to get the boys ready for the clash.

With a full complement of players available it was unfortunate for the players that didn’t make the starting lineup. Following a second clean sheet Dave Jones kept his place in goal, Ste Bratt and Jono Harrison lined up in central defence with Osian Owen and Joe Soar on either side. In midfield Carwyn Jones and Rob Murfet played centrally with Joey Jones and Llion Owen out wide. Up front Rob Owen Partnered Boddy Griffith. For the third game running the bench was the strongest in a long time, featuring Ben Fisher, Ieuan Brooks, Tom Czekeryla, Jamie Jones, Jordan Walker and Rhys Taylor-Clarke.

After prolonged rain over the last few weeks, it’s a credit to Gareth the grounds man, who had worked tirelessly to ensure the game was possible, and delivered a pitch that would not be out of place in the Welsh Premier League.

Prior the match the team lineup up with owners of The Royal Hotel Barmouth who were today’s match sponsors. The game got underway on time with the Magpies attacking the Dyffryn end. Moments into the match Bobby Griffith has a shout for a penalty disallowed, but on 10’ his was brought down a second time, a surging run down the left he cut into the box and was brought down, Rob Murfet stepped up and fired into the roof of the net whilst the goalkeeper dived to his right, there was no stopping it. Seconds after the penalty Rob Murfet almost got his second, a ball in from the left by Rob Owen picks out Rob Murfet at the far post, he volleyed first time only to see the ball go just over. And only moments after that, a great Rob Owen solo effort cutting in from the right he fired the ball across goal and into the net, only to see it ruled out for an offside earlier in the move. The best move of the game came mid way through the half, Dave Jones began the move with a pass out to Osian Owen, then a further 19 passes carved up the visitors only to end in a corner, a move reminiscent of a Brazil move from the late 70s. Late in the half Bobby Griffith and Rob Owen were put into a 2 on 2 situation from a Rob Murfet pass, Bobby Griffith slotted the in between the two defenders to Rob Owen who was denied a goal by the keeper.

Following a half time team talk by Jono Harrison the lads emerged with a look of determination on their faces, within seconds of the restart the Magpies had won a corner, and for the next few minutes they would not let up the pressure, Pentraeth struggled to get ont of their own half and on 53’ Rob Owen would double Barmouth’s lead, Rob Murfet putting him in on goal, he pulled the ball to his left to round the keeper the fired into the empty net. Almost instantly after the kickoff Bobby Griffith won the ball back in the middle of the pitch and found Rob Murfet in space on the right, he saw the defence open up, and key loose a thunderbolt of an effort that passed the keeper at his near post. On 58’ Rob Owen we clinically brought down near the corner flag on the left, and was left in some discomfort. Following that, on the hour Rob Owen and Bobby Griffith we’re replaced by Ben Fisher and Ieuan Brooks respectively. Rob Murfet completed his hat trick on 68’, Ieuan Brooks showing his strength combining with Llion Owen to win the ball back out on the left, Llion Owen emerges with the ball at his feet and delivers the ball into the box, Rob Murfet is first there, and stabs the ball past the outstretched keeper to score his Hat Trick. With 20 to go Jono Harrison was replaced by Tom Czekeryla. Carwyn Jones almost got a fifth goal for the Magpies on 80’, the Pentraeth goalkeeper tried to clear the ball out from his box, only to see it his his own defender, the ball fell to Carwyn Jones and from 45 yards out fired towards an open goal, only to see it bend slightly and go the wrong side of the post. The last few moments saw the visitors push for a consolation goal only to be denied by the Barmouth defence that is fast becoming the backbone of this team, with 3 clean sheets on the bounce.

Great display by the lads today, solid at the back, fluid in midfield and clinical up front. Great effort by all whilst the manager was away. Going from strength to strength, things are definitely looking positive for the future. Special Mention has to go to Rob Murfet who was involved with everything going forward as well as bagging a hat trick and Man of the Match. Well done Rob.

Next week will see the lads travel to Welsh Alliance Division 1 side Nantlle Vale in the FAW Trophy, in what is sure to be a tough test. Keep up to date with all the action by following @BDFCmagpies on Twitter.