It goes to plan against LLAN, in RUGged performance

On a wet and misty day we travelled to Llanrug in this WA1 fixture. For what must be the first time this season we boasted a full squad of 16 and the extra presence seemed to gee us up for the encounter with a guaranteed place in the side no longer the case.

Management changed the formation as we adopted the 3-5-2, Gafyn Jones slotting in at the back with ease with Geth Davies supporting just off Scruff up top. It took a good 10 minutes for us to get used to the new formation, however once we did it had a good effect. On the ball we had width through Jon and Bennett and off the ball we were tight as a vice. Llanrug throughout the encounter looked to play the ball into the experienced feet and strength of Neil Thomas who was martialled well by John Jones all afternoon which frustrated the journey man.

It would be fair to say that for the opening 1/4 of the game the home side were the better side and enjoyed more possession, having said this their efforts at goal were limited to shots from distance. They did however on 20 minutes miss a clear opportunity as a corner swung in from the left went through the box only needing a tap in at the back post. On 25 minutes there were shouts for a penalty from Llanrug as both John Jones and Gafyn Jones flew in hard on Thomas who was beginning to leave his foot in the tackle as frustration set in.

On the half hour mark we cleared the ball, Allman picked it up inside his own half and played Gethin Davies down right, after some great footwork he cut inside beating his man, his shot was parried by the keeper only to fall to Mark Griffiths who looked sure to slot home from 6 yards only for a last ditch tackle to prevent him.

Five minutes later it was Kieran who played in Scruff who this time cut infield to let leash to a thunderous stop which was inches wide of the top corner.

Just before the break it was Paul Evans in the Gwalchmai goal who became the hero as he saved not once but twice from close range with limited vision to keep the tie all square at the break.

HT 0-0

During the break we were confident, our defence were martialling the threat very well, our midfield was energetic and up to Mark Griffiths offered an outlet. The hosts are used to bullying opposition however our experience was wise to this and we had began to take the upper hand as the half wore on.

However despite our confidence it was yet again the hosts who started the brightest with Evans being into action yet again as he dove full length to his left to deny an effort from distance.

In the second half we played a bit more of a counter attack game as the hosts played more directly, they also managed to hem our wing backs into our own half a bit more. Despite this, it was Chris Bennett who almost secured the lead on 60 minutes, after some good work by Davies Bennett was teed up with the keeper off guard only the target beckoned... or in this case the corner flag!! (TOTM)

Only 5 minutes later Bennett made amends. We cleared the ball from a Llanrug corner, Bennett added pressure and won the ball lobbing the home sides defence who had stepped up, Mark Griffiths out powered his man with speed and strength before slotting well passed the keeper with his left foot to send the travelling Gwalchmai supporters and packed bench into raptures, 0-1.

The hosts didn't like this, the moaning increased, the gamesmanship increased and we loved it. Tackles were flying in hard from both sides, there was plenty of chirping and in some cases plenty of sulking as we took the upper hand. Llanrug increased the pressure, but we stood firm as we looked to see out the last 20 minutes. Despite numerous free kicks and corners were were unbreakable with Alun and John marking tight and Gafyn Jones mopping up at the back, the middle five worked tirelessly with Davies and Griffiths still holding up the play with a calm foot on the ball to give us rest bite.

We almost increased our lead again on the counter attack as we worked the ball infield, Kieran teed himself up to volley from 25 yards as the ball bounce back off the underside of the crossbar. In the dying minutes Sideshow Bob went close for the hosts with a powerful header, and as the win was in sight Llanrug were denied a good penalty shout.

FT 0-1

Today we were excellent, the game wasn't the prettiest with both sides trying to impose themselves on the tie, there was a lot of moaning and gamesmanship from the hosts, yet we stood strong. We weren't there to make up the numbers and we wouldn't be outmuscled or outfought. When we attacked we did it with good effect and played some nice football at times, but when we needed to we rolled up our sleeves and took no nonsense, it was this hunger and desire that I believe won us the match. The back line were excellent throughout the tie and deserved their clean sheet. This makes us 3 games unbeaten, lets hope we can continue this form into the Lock Stock on Saturday against Llanfairpwll.

Gwalchmai Man of the Match: Mark Griffiths (However, this could of been any of the 11 with special mention the performances of John and Gafyn Jones)