Today we visited Llanberis away in the WA Div 1, with more than a mountain to climb... not only have Llanberis been undefeated at home but we havent won in the last three games either.
We lined up with Kenny between the sticks, a back four of Jon, Andy, Steve and Chez coming in for JT at left back. In the middle we had a 4 of Corey, Allman, Wally & Ryan Taylor making his debut following his recent move from Bodedern. Up front started Gwalchmai born and bread Scruff & Loggs.
Today, despite hard to believe, but the pitch was worse than the Kosavo pitch in Penrhyndeudraeth last week. From the off it was evident that today would be a scrappy affair with bobbles and bounces acting as a third party throughout the ninety mins.
For the majority of the ninety mins, Gwalchmai edged the better football and posession regardless of the surface. Despite some early pressure from the home side Gwalchmai weathered the storm and soon settled into the fixture.
The home side seemed to know that their pitch wasnt playable and looked to play route 1 football at every given oppurtunity which cancelled out the ability of players such as the young #8 and J Saddler on the left wing who are both far more effective with the ball at their feet.
Gwalchmai took the lead mid way through the first half as Jon and Corey worked up the right flank to find Scruff who crossed pin point for Loggs to nod home from 3 yards.
The half fizzled out despite some late pressure from the home side where the Gwlahcmai defence and midfield battlet resolutely to keep their side ahead at the break 0-1 HT.
Immediately after the re-start Llanberis equalized as their striker nodded home from close range straight from the kick off, a simple finish and some poor defending.
It was this goal that kicked us up the backside as we seemed to take control of the fixutre. We were solid at the back, we bossed the midfield and we attacked effectively down the left time and time again.
It was this excellent work down the left that saw Steve Jones cross for Scruff to head home the resulting winner, 1-2 FT
Once we took te lead for the second time we could have capitalized and made it far more comfortable and out of site as Corey, Ryan and Steve Sincs missed decent chances.
Today we had to battle and show a demonstration of pride, to indicate the pride we have for CPD Gwalchmai. The back four were solid as a rock, the middle two were well disciplined and worked together to keep the shape of the side. The wide players stretched the defence and questioned the defense continuously.
Gwalchmai Man of the Match: Ryan Taylor
... on his debut!