Llandyrnog vs. Henllan

Standard photo from the half way line, blurry photo.

It goes to the last game of the season. Llandyrnog vs. Llanrhaeadr, Thursday night, Cae Nant, winner takes all. Llandyrnog's 3-2 victory over a game Henllan side means we're left with the showdown to end all showdowns.

Llandyrnog went into this game knowing that anything other than a win would gift Rhaeadr the title and end league challenge for another year.With so much weighing on the game it was no surprise that Llandyrnog started edgily as Henllan had the better of the opening stages. The first 15 minutes were largely played out in the middle of the pitch with chances at a premium as Henllan employed a shoot on sight policy that the KKK at a Stevie Wonder concert would have been proud of (it's nearly the end of the season and I'm clearly running out of material now), but without really testing Tom Foulkes in the Llandyrnog goal.

Despite the sluggish start it was Llandyrnog that actually made the break-through, Dan Porter getting Llandyrnog off the mark as a ball played in behind the defence was bizarrely ignored by the Henllan back line,the goal keeper then decided he didn't fancy coming to pick it up which enabled Porter to run on to it and finish it off. The Henllan keeper did get something on the finish as Porter curled it round him but he could only take the sting out of it and the ball trickled over the line as a covering defender attempted to retrieve it.

Henllan almost responded within ten minutes as a bit of confusion in the home defence enabled a Henllan forward to round the keeper, he hit the finish tamely though and John Jones, not for the first time this season, cleared the ball of the line to the dismay of the ever likable Henllan supporters. The miss was punished severely though as The Blues ran up the other end of the field and scored their second of the night as a beautiful through ball from hero at both ends, John Jones was met by an arched run timed to perfection between the two centre half's by Dan Porter whothe made the keeper look foolish with a lovely outside of 

the left foot finish from 18 yards. It is probably worth pointing out that I was actually looking the other way for this goal and as a result the above description of the goal is from the goalscorer himself Dan Porter. It's up to you whether you trust his description.

Llandyrnog then started piling on the pressure with chances coming thick and fast, Tom Evans just with a 30 yard pile-driver, Danny Roberts finding the same area above the bar with a side-footed effort from 15 yards, before Chris Williams pulled his shot wide after collecting the from a knock down off Josh Davies's chest. That was it for the first.

The second half started quietly as both sides looked for the killer pass without really finding any joy. The first real chance of the half fell to Henllan though as a free-kick played deep to the far post was met by a Henllan head from a tight angle only to cannon off the joint and out for a goal kick. Henllan went close again shortly after as another free kick was pumped into the box only to skid awkwardly off the surface before palmed out of the danger area by Tom Foulkes.

Josh Davies almost found the net for the home team as his rasping 20 yard effort was turned around the post by a Henllan keeper who would go on to perform admirably in the second half, continuing this season's tradition of keepers playing well when guarding the bottom goal at Cae Nant.

Henllan then freshened things up with a substitution replacing one of their tired front men with the awkward Tom Sheridan. His impact was immediate as within two minutes of entering the pitch, and with his first touch of the ball, he pulled one back for the visitors.The goal was made by Henllan's right midfielder who tore right through the heart of the home defence before squaring it for Sheridan to poke home from 4 yards. Possibly the most uncomfortable and awkward player you could see and yet his scoring record speaks for itself. The goal galvanised Henllan and they started to pressurise the Llandyrnog side but without creating anything clear cut.

Llandyrnog almost regained their two goal cushion as Dan Porter wriggled his way past three players before blasting across goal from a tight angle. Danny Roberts trying in vain to get his head on the shot/cross at the back post. There were soon strong penalty appeals from the home support as Pat Hinchcliffe's long range hit appeared to be blocked by a Henllan arm. The ref, who in fairness is one of the best in the league, decided there was no deliberate contact and waved play on. The Henllan goal narrowly escaped a third breaching again as some good link up play between Josh Davies and Dan Porter enabled Porter to whip the ball to the back post to the waiting Danny Roberts only for a Henllan defender to nick the header and put it narrowly over his own goal.

There was a little bit of needle in the game then as Josh Davies' late challenge (which he was entitled to go for) caused the Henllan glovesman to kick out at him and then grip him by the shirt. No cards were given and a word was had with both players.

Henllan started to really push on in the last 10 minutes and could, or more importantly should have scored when some lackadaisical defending at the back gave a Henllan player the chance to find the net from 8 yards on the volley. Fortunately for us, his finishing was atrocious and he ended up knocking the ball out for a goal kick.

There was controversy to come though as with a minute left on the clock Henllan were awarded a free kick just under 30 yards out for what was a a debatable, and certainly less clear cut than Llandyrnog's penalty appeals, hand-ball by Chris Williams. A wonderfully taken free kick levelled the match and led to jubilant scenes on the Henllan side. Their fans kind enough to taunt our places with shouts of "that's the league".

With the match now in injury time Llandyrnog lumped it forward and charged into the Henllan box looking to save the season. As Josh Davies shielded the ball on the Henllan touchline, about 10 yards from goal, he was bundled over from behind by a defender, nothing given. Enter Tom Evans and his elbows as a bit of 6 of one and half a dozen of the other went on between Tom and Johnny (don't know his surname but I imagine it's something like Concrete, we'll call him Johnny Concrete), Tom appeared to swing in arm in the melee only for Johnny Concrete to wrap his arms around the Dyrnog midfielder and drag him to the ground. The referee was left with no choice but to point to the spot. Josh Davies was the man brave enough to step up to take the 93rd minuted penalty and after an early dive from the Keeper, Josh was able to coolly roll the ball into the bottom right hand corner. The Llandyrnog crowd went wild and the players headed for the Henllan side to rub it in the noses of the Henllan bench and fans that had been taunting us for blowing the league. Good times!

Final whistle and now we have Thursday to get ready for.

My Man of the Match award goes to Josh Davies for having the balls to take such a huge penalty and for the way he led the line, held up play, and bullied the Henllan defence on the night. I easily could of chose Danny Roberts for his back-tracking and ability in the air, John Jones for his now standard excellent all-round play, Russ Moorcroft for just being a machine, Chris Williams for his calming influence on the game, or Dan Porter for his constant ghosting past players and of course the two goals on the night. The whole side played well against a real tough Henllan side that manager Jimmy McNally declared as "the toughest side we've played all season".

The team was as follows:-

Tom Foulkes

John Jones, Russ Moorcroft, Adam Lloyd, Tudur Morris

Pat Hinchcliffe, Tom Evans, Chris Williams, Danny Roberts

Dan Porter, Josh Davies

Subs - Phil Hinchcliffe, Chris Evans, Emyr Jones, Luke Humphreys, Craig Jones, Mally Hughes

Here are the few pictures that aren't as blurry as the others:-

The ref actually looks like a spectator who just wandered on to the pitch here.

Josh Davies uses the tried and tested Street Fighter Dhalsim punch to fend off the defender.

Dan Porter stops mid game for a quick rendition of the Hokey Cokey.

Thanks for reading.

Paul

Llandyrnog vs. Trefnant

The Trefi keeper seems to think the ball is about to hatch!?! #Delicatehands

After the disappointment of Monday night it was important that Llandyrnog got back to winning ways, hell the title depends on it. Luckily for the home crowd they did just that with a 5-1 victory over bottom side Trefnant (who more importantly are now just two fixtures away from completing the entire season).

The first break-through of the game came when Luke Humphreys scored the 100th goal to find the Trefnant net this season, Luke marking that milestone in a very fitting way as he opened the scoring with a superb outside of the foot finish from just inside the box that flew over the keeper and into the far corner of the net.

Chris Williams was disappointed not to have scored on the fifteen minute mark, heading just wide of the goal from 6 yards after a brilliant Dan Porter cross that followed a quick corner routine between Porter and Danny Roberts. Porter had the next chance as he dragged a shot wide after being teed up by Pat Hinchcliffe who had juggled his way into the box.

Llandyrnog's second goal came on the back of some unusual circumstances as Chris Williams, atoning for his earlier miss, headed the ball uncontested from 12 yards only for Trefnant's Russ Vaughan to reach up and push the ball off the line, the ball then dropped to Luke Humphreys who tapped in from two yards but the whistle had already gone. It seemed likely that the Trefnant defender would be receiving his marching orders, especially when he put his head in his hands and all but confessed to the infringement in the immediate aftermath, only for the referee to tell the guilty party that the ball had crossed the line from the initial header. Credit to the referee as the decision was as sensible as it was lenient, there was no need to send the little man off.

Wellies scored his second and Llandyrnog's third goal shortly thereafter as Trefnant's failure to clear the ball following a tame cross resulted in the ball falling to the Dyrnog midfielder to stroke home from 12 yards. Number four was hot on it's heels as Danny Roberts and Dan Porter combined to great effect again, Roberts knocking the ball out wide to Porter and then storming into the box to convert Porter's whipped cross with a downwards header.

The home pressure continued as Pat Hinchcliffe nicked the ball in front of the away Keeper and turning his shot goalwards from a tight angle only to see his effort bounce back off the outside of the upright. The Trefnant goalkeeper was busy again, stopping smartly with his feet from Dan Roberts drilled shot. The ball smacked off the woodwork again like Ike's fist off Tina's skull from a Luke Humphreys' looped shot that came about on the back of a good burst into the box from Pat Hinchcliffe.

There was a moment of joy for the away team though as Trefnant pulled one back to make it 4-1, my notes aren't very helpful here as they only say "No idea who, no idea how!". During the after game pint at the The Golden Lion Russ Vaughan was kind enough to tell me that Alex Webster held the ball up well before rolling the ball in to the path of Fran (I want to say Fran Healy but that's the lead singer of Travis and I don't think that's right), who hit it well and left Tom Foulkes in the Dyrny goal with little chance.

That was the half.

Now the second half will not be as detailed because the rain started coming down so I put away the notepad and Matty Lewis and Sean Roberts regaled us with tales of their adventures travelling the world, which I won't share here for fear of the site being closed down, leaving me a tad distracted and without the reminders I usually jot down.

I can definitely tell you that Pat Hinchliffe scored the only other goal of the game when he emphatically volleyed into the Trefnant goal from 15 yards out to add to his growing collection of impressive goals this season.

Danny Roberts was disappointed not to have scored a further two goals, miscuing a shot across goal and then having the ball taken off his toe by Lawrie Bell with the goal begging. Dan Porter went close a few times but his search for a goal was as in vain as my search for a goal last week was (the simile I originally wrote for this had to be changed as sometimes I can clearly tell I may have crossed a line, for the people that like the questionable material I'm sure you can figure out the path the original quip took).

The game was far more competitive in the second half as Trefnant created a few more chances of their own and came especially close when an effort from one of their attackers hit the bar and then fell into the path of their 14 year old winger who was unable to get his head over the ball and had to watch on in horror as his header sailed over the bar of the empty net.

The rain defeated me five minutes before the final whistle and I sought refuge in The Golden and I'm told missed a worldy of a save he had no right to make from the Trefnant gloveman to deny Dan Porter's top corner bound effort. There were also strong penalty shouts for The Blues as Craig Jones was felled in the box by Russ Vaughan but the referee decided there was no infringement.

My Man of the Match award goes to Chris Williams who was a controlling influence on the game and barely gave the ball away as he continued to play in the understated style of Michael Carrick. Dan Porter and Pat Hinchcliffe deserve a mention too as the Trefnant team struggled to contain the pair.

The Llandyrnog side was as follows:-
Tom Foulkes
John Jones, Russ Moorcroft, Emyr Jones, Tudur Morris
Pat Hinchcliffe, Phil Hinchcliffe, Chris Williams, Danny Roberts
Luke Humphreys, Dan Porter

Subs - Mally Hughes, Adam Lloyd, Craig Jones, Chris Evans

I only took two photos, the one above and one that is blurrier Japanese porn.

Thanks for reading.

Paul

Llandyrnog vs. Rhewl

Unfortunately, or fortunately given the outcome, I did not attend this game. Llandyrnog lost 3-1 to what Sean Roberts informed me was a deserving Rhewl side. Llandyrnog took the lead when Josh Davies scored a penalty and Rhewl responded with three goals, that's all I really know as I had chosen to go to the cinema to watch Cineworld's Secret screening which I assumed would be Pacific Rim and turned out to be Now You See Me. The only thing I can report for sure from this night of Summer League action is that whatever you do you should try and avoid watching Now You See Me, it's a bit shit, it also jinxes your team!

Bloody Cineworld

Paul

Llandyrnog vs. Nantglyn

Barebones report for this game as I actually featured so was unable to make notes or take pictures. Llandyrnog won the game 8-2 without ever getting out of second gear. Not exactly a stellar performance but job done all the same.

Goal scorers were as follows:-

4 - Josh Davies
2 - Dan Porter
1 - Danny Roberts
1 - Craig Jones (On his birthday no less)

I think this was the team that started:-

Tom Foulkes
John Jones, Russ Moorcroft, Emyr Jones, Tudur Morris
Craig Jones, Tom Evans, Chris Williams, Danny Roberts
Dan Porter, Josh Davies

Subs - Mally Hughes, Luke Humphreys, Chris Evans, Me

I'd like to thank the manager Jimmy McNally for giving me a little run out too, whilst I barely touched the ball and had no influence whatsoever in the game, it was nice to almost keep up with play as opposed to my pre-season showing against Trefnant. It might not seem a big deal to people that he threw me in there but as a Llandyrnog lad born and bred, the Summer League was the only team I really wanted to play for and yet up until Jim gave me my debut last year, was the only Llandyrnog team I hadn't played for. Thanks Jimmy, I appreciate the day early birthday gift you threw me.

Thanks for reading

Paul

Cefn vs. Llandyrnog

One of only three photos not ruined by the sun or my ability to take pictures.

Another night of Summer League action and what has to be, to this point, Llandyrnog's biggest game of the season. I'm sure the kind folk that read this know the score already (you either played in the match, watched the match, or follow Shaun Free Press on Twitter) but for the one of you that doesn't know, Llandyrnog won 1-0.

The game was played under a beaming sun and atop a glorious surface, well half a glorious surface, you see Cefn had only seen fit to mow one half of the pitch! Classic Summer League once again, I believe the home side had run out of time whilst cutting it and as a result the pitch was left with the playing surface equivalent of a mullet.

With the game underway, it was Llandyrnog who got the first real chance as Josh Davies fired just wide of the goal from 10 yards out after beating two men having received the ball from a huge Tom Evans challenge (the tackle was so big that Ron Jeremy is worried he might start losing out on starring roles!). Cefn responded well to that scare and went close themselves as a great diagonal ball played the home forward in behind the defence only for him to pull the trigger and miss the ball, which in turn gave Russ Moorcroft to cover and knock the ball out for a corner. There then followed a period of pressure on the Llandyrnog goal, Cefn winning three corners in quick succession which were dealt with fairly routinely by the away side. Llandyrnog also had to defend against the ridiculously long throw one of the St. Asaph Cefn players was capable of, absolute missiles.

Llandyrnog then enjoyed a spell on top as Danny Roberts's 25 yard free kick flew just over the bar with the keeper looking beaten. Josh Davies thought he'd scored soon after as he got himself on the end of a Danny Roberts flick on before heading straight at a grateful Cefn goalie from 6 yards.

The biggest moment of the game thus far arrived when Cefn were awarded a penalty, John Jones handling on the line as the ball looked destined for the net, it was a save his brother would have been proud of. With the penalty awarded to the "home" side there was the small matter of the punishment, Cefn yelled for a red card to be given and even John "The Cat" Jones looked worried for a moment but fortunately for the Llandyrnog faithful the referee decided that the blatant red card offence only warranted a yellow card punishment. It was the same referee that had decided against carding a Caerwys player for the same offense against Llandyrnog earlier in the season so at least he is consistent in not awarding red cards. Favourable decision aside, there was the small matter of a penalty to deal with. You've all seen the score at the top of this article so you know the outcome of this penalty but in a season defining moment for The Blues, young goalkeeper Daniel Jones got down well to his right hand side to keep the score level. We found out after the game that Dan actually broke his finger in saving this penalty! For the cause Dan, well played lad.

The game then took on the form of a basketball match with both sides taking it in turns to attack, Chris Williams almost scoring with a header from 18 yards after catching the increasingly suspect Cefn keeper off his line. Cefn then went close themselves as a free kick on the edge of the 18 yard box hit the outside of the post before going out for a goal kick.

With it being such an important game it was inevitable that tensions would run high and things took a feisty turn as a tackle between Tom Evans and two Cefn players resulted in a bit of afters on the floor and with what appeared to be a punch thrown by one of the Cefn lads. A melee ensued before the ref was able to calm things down and get the game underway again. Barely a minute had gone by when the game turned nasty again, the Cefn 8 booked for not only putting a bad challenge on Chris Williams but for kicking him in the aftermath and shoving a Dyrny player, likable lad. Whilst the free kick for the foul on Wellies was being set up and the booking was being given, there was controversy in the box as Tom Evans elbowed a Cefn defender in the chest only for the defender to hit the ground holding his face! I won't condone what Tom did but I understand. Cefn yelled for a card but very few people saw it as everyone was looking at the ongoing booking. Again afters ensued and the only calmed down when Big Ems waded into the middle of it all only for the Cefn lads to scatter fairly quickly.

There was just enough time in the half for Cefn to go close again only to be denied by a tremendous save from Daniel Jones, broken finger and all. The Cefn attacker volleying with serious power from 8 yards out only for Dan to get a strong hand to it and turn it over the goal. Finest save I've witnessed this season from any keeper, absolutely top drawer.

That was the first half!

In the second half it was Llandyrnog who started the brighter, hitting the woodwork twice within the opening ten minutes of the half. Firstly Chris Williams hit the bar when he was unable to keep his side-footed effort down as the Cefn keeper flapped helplessly at it. Tudur Morris then found the base of the post with a good hit from the edge of the 18 yard line, I actually thought the keeper had turned the ball wide but a goal kick was given and one of our fans said Tuds had hit the post, I'm taking their word on it.

As was the pattern of the game up to this point though, the pendulum swung again. Cefn actually thinking they'd taken the lead only to see that the referee had disallowed it. A Cefn free-kick lumped into the box caused confusion in the Llandyrnog defence before bouncing off Tom Evans's leg and into the net, the referee blowing for what I believe was a shove in the box but I was writing my notes and didn't really see it (I'm turning into Arsene Wenger here).

Llandyrnog responded well and Emyr Jones caused a bit of havoc in the Cefn as he was first to every header during a series of corners the Llandyrnog side had earned. Two efforts going fairly close as the Cefn defence tried to figure out how to cope with Ems.

The game chugged along after that as control of the game swung back and forth between the two sides without any real chances being created. Llandyrnog manager Jimmy McNally then chose to make a change, bringing on Craig Jones to replace Phil Hinchcliffe up front. All credit to Jimmy as the fresh legs put the Cefn backline under a bit more pressure and resulted in them resorting to hoofing the ball out of the back rather than trying to play through their midfield where their most talented player happens to sit.

With 4 minutes left on the clock Llandyrnog needed to someone to step up to the plate and make some headlines. Enter Pat Hinchcliffe. Pat getting the ball 20 yards out, turning well and unleashing a low shot that really should have been saved but thankfully for us, was not, that hit the back of the net. Cue jubilant scenes as Pat ran to the sideline to celebrate this goal with his old man Phil before being swamped by his team-mates and manager. Huge moment in the season.

With only a few minutes left on the clock Cefn lumped the ball forward again and again only to see it headed back again and again by the Llandyrnog back four, who were again superb. Try as they might they could not get through the Dyrny defence and they soon ran out of time as the referee blew the final whistle.

Llandyrnog 1 Cefn 0. Farewell to the Cefn unbeaten streak. Always nice to put the big city folk in their place.

For anyone who cares I give my Man of the Match award to Daniel Jones in the Llandyrnog goal, a penalty save and a truly remarkable one ensure he gets his first blog award. On any other night the award would have belonged to Tom Evans who got right among the Cefn side and was the most determined man on the pitch, surprisingly keeping his cool in the face of provocation (elbow aside) when he so often wouldn't.

The team was as follows:-
Daniel Jones
John Jones, Russ Moorcroft, Emyr Jones, Tudur Morris
Patrick Hinchcliffe, Phil Hinchcliffe, Tom Evans, Dan Roberts
Chris Williams, Josh Davies

Subs - Craig Jones, Adam Lloyd, Mally Hughes

There are some pictures below but the sun ruined most of them and might terrible understanding of how my girlfriend's camera works ruined the rest.

The sun ruins my attempt to show the half cut pitch

My ability ruins my attempt to photograph an attempt on goal

The Llandyrnog defence deal with yet another lumped ball.

Pat Hinchcliffe flicks on as Sean Roberts tries to sneak his Casio into the picture.

Thanks for reading

Paul

Llanfair vs. Llandyrnog

Dan Porter levels the playing field by playing on his knees.

A big night and a big win for Llandyrnog who regained the top spot in the league by beating Llanfair 3-2 on a night in which Llanrhaeadr lost to Llangynhafal (get in Hafal!).

There was a slight delay to proceedings on the night with the game kicking off five minutes after the allocated time. It wasn't due to a massive traffic jam preventing the tens of fans from getting to the match, hell even Howie was there on time. It wasn't due to the roof being closed to keep out the rain, it was actually a nice night! No the reason this game was delayed was because there was dog shit on the pitch and rather understandably nobody wanted to touch it. Fortunately for us, Llanfair have a bloke on staff that has a carrier bag specifically for these occasions. Here he is coming to the rescue:-

Man on a mission

There weren't many openings in the first five minutes with the first real chance coming for the home side, a Llanfair midfielder's long range effort whistling past the post. Llandyrnog fired their own salvo across the Llanfair bow as Tom Evans 's rocket mere inches from nestling in the top corner. The attempted sniping of the net continued as Danny Porter couldn't keep his speculative effort from 30 yards under the bar.

With more pile-drivers being attempted than in a match between The Undertaker and Owen Hart, it was only right that the opening goal came from inside the box. In form striker Josh Davies spinning in the box and drilling a shot across goal to put the visitors one up.

The game was barely underway again when Davies continued his habit of scoring in bunches, latching on to Dan Porter's wonderfully flicked on ball and volleying his second of the night from just inside the box. Hat-trick time came soon enough as Davies scored his eighth goal in three games to give Llandyrnog a commanding lead, twisting and turning in the box before squeezing the ball under the Llanfair keeper.

The chances dried up from the point as the ball spent most of the half being lumped back and forth, both defences dealing well with the long ball, there was time enough for Josh to go close once more as his header sailed agonisingly over the bar following some great work out wide from Danny Robs.

Llandyrnog were caught napping from the restart as the home side broke quickly and a low cross into the box was turned in by an outstretched and perhaps offside Llanfair boot. Unfortunately we went back to the centre circle where the goal stood (ironically enough it was the centre circle the referee was stood in when he decided there was no offside too, nothing quite like keeping up with play). The goal lifted Llanfair and they began to get the ball down and played some nice football. It paid off as the Llanfair #12 won a penalty after a dive so wonderful that ITV's producers have already lined him up for a spot on Splash! with Tom Daley! Tom Evans going shoulder to shoulder with the Llanfair lad only to see the opposition player throw himself to the ground. The game actually carried on for a good five seconds before the referee decided to give what has to be considered one of the worst decisions ever made. I've seen worst decisions but I would argue this one was worse than Decca snubbing The Beatles, Glen Hoddle's deciding to share his views on reincarnation, or even the decision of every parent that ever allowed their child to have a sleep-over at Neverland! Insane decision that I'll never understand. Huw Price converted the penalty, sending goalkeeper Daniel Jones (booked for dissent in the aftermath of the penalty incident) the wrong way.

The game got nervy for Dyrny but some good defending from Tudur Morris, Russ Moorcroft, Emyr Jones, and Mally Hughes kept the away net safe. With the strong foundation of their backline to build on, Llandyrnog started to press, Danny Robs going close with a half volley that the Llanfair glovesman made an absolute meal of when tipping wide.

Dan Porter's influence started to tell and after picking the ball up, ghosted past four players with an Oezil-like calmness before laying the ball off for Tom Evans to whip in the ball of the night for Josh Davies to head into the net. As was to be expected, the goal that put the game to bed was disallowed, the referee signalling for offside before advising that Josh had pushed his marker. There weren't to many complaints from the Blues striker so it would appear that the call was correct. Sensible play won out for the remainder of the game as Dyrny held firm to gain a valuable three points.

The Man of the Match award is split for this game as I can't choose between Tom Evans and Dan Porter. It wasn't a vintage night for the side but Porter's ability to always stay out of reach of the opposition challenges and Tom's ability to be cover every blade of grass saw us through so they can share it. Obviously a mention for Josh, not often you score three and don't pick up the MOTM award.

The side for those keeping tabs:-

Daniel Jones
Mally Hughes, Russ Moorcroft, Emyr Jones, Tudur Morris
Pat Hinchcliffe, Phil Hinchcliffe, Tome Evans, Danny Roberts
Dan Porter, Josh Davies

Subs: Chris Evans, Luke Humphreys

Some more photos again, a fair few from Idris Parry, who had chosen having a KFC instead of making it back home in time to play.

The Llandyrnog Ultras prepare themselves for the game.

Riveting shot of people standing around there from Idris

Credit where it's due, not too shabby there. Josh Davies leaping well.

Words fail me.

Think I'll get back on the camera next week.

Thanks for Reading

Paul

Llandyrnog vs. Clawddnewydd

Idris Parry can actually take half decent photos

This Monday night saw the visit to Cae Nant of Clawddnewydd who were looking to avenge a 5-0 loss in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. They'll wish they hadn't. A 7-1 victory for Llandyrnog that could have been far worse for the Clawdd side.

I missed the opening five minutes of the game but am assured that I didn't miss anything important and it was still 0-0 when I arrived, not for long though, Josh Davies slotting under the goalkeeper following some comical Clawdd defending on his return to the starting line-up. To further illustrate his claim to a starting place Josh quickly added a second goal within a minute of the first when his glancing header went in off the post following an inviting ball in from Patrick Hinchcliffe.

Davies teased a first half hat-trick within moments later when he picked the ball up ten yards from goal following some great play from the inform John Jones, only to hear the referee whistle for a borderline offside call.The teaser was quickly topped by the real thing shortly thereafter as the Josh Davies show continued with the hat-trick goal all present were waiting for (there wasn't really any fans or subs from Clawdd so that statement is almost literal). The goal came off the back of a good run from Pat Hinchcliffe down the right who wriggled his way into the box before unselfishly squaring for Josh to tap in from close range for his easiest finish of the night.

The Llandyrnog onslaught continued and it was Danny Roberts with the goal as he nodded in after a rasping 25 yard effort from Patty was tipped on to the bar by the Clawdd keeper before falling nicely onto the head of Dyrny's now joint top scorer Danny. The first half didn't really see anything else too exciting, there was an extremely dodgy dive from Porter in the Clawdd box, he didn't actually appeal for a penalty but his flop to the ground was akin to a Jordan and Dane Bowers internet video (if that's too subtle for you, the way he went down was on another level). There was also a near fourth of the night for Davies when he weightsed the full back but could only fire the ball straight at the keeper with the resulting shot. The rest of the half was a tad frustrating with Llandyrnog overplaying the ball at times in key areas.

The second half saw the home side get back to sticking the ball in the back of the net though as Josh Davies added his fourth with a salmon like leap to head in from Dan Porter's superb cross.

I missed the build up to the sixth goal as I was messing with the camera all I saw was Danny Roberts finishing coolly. Fortunately Sean Roberts was on hand to write the down the following explanation for me:-

"6-0 Danny knocked ball into bottom right corner from 12 yards"

Better than anything I've ever written.

There was a moment of respite for the Clawdd goal as the Yellows ran down the pitch and snatched a goal completely against the run of play. Olly Grey sidefooting in from three yards after a good cut back from one of his team-mates. There were two things interesting about this Clawdd goal, the first is that it saw a departure from the Clawdd game plan when one of their players passed the ball. Now that isn't me being a dick, one of their midfielders actually gave the instruction "Don't try and pass it" on more than one occasion to his team-mates, whilst another player actually burst into hysterics every time they tried and failed to pass!
The second interesting point is that the ball seemed to have been carried out of play by the lad who laid it on a plate for the goal, the Dyrny defenders adamant that the ball was a couple of yards out. When the referee was prompted for an explanation for why the goal kick was not given he explained himself with such an elegant and yet nonchalant shrug of the shoulders that we were all left in no doubt that the goal stood because sometimes these things happen. I bloody love this league!

The seventh and final goal came from Tudur Morris as he indulged in a spot of being exactly where he needed to be to pick up substitute Craig Jones's knock across the six yard line to grab his fifth of the campaign. There may have been more goals in the game but with the final whistle being blown five minutes before the full ninety Llandyrnog were left to settle for just the seven.

My Man of the Match award goes to Josh Davies, who was dangerous all night and probably deserved more than the four he scored. Special mention to Pat Hinchcliffe who had an exceptional first half, Dan Porter who was excellent in wandering the pitch and beating players at will, and Dan Roberts who was involved most of the better Llandyrnog play.

The team was as follows:-
Daniel Jones
John Jones, Russ Moorcroft, Emyr Jones, Tudur Morris
Pat Hinchcliffe, Tom Evans, Chris Williams, Danny Roberts
Josh Davies, Dan Porter

Subs:- Craig Jones, Mally Hughes, Idris Parry, Luke Humphreys, Chris Evans

Photos below for your enjoyment or pity, whichever you prefer. Idris Parry took the first two aswell so if either of those end up in the Free Press, he deserves the credit. The credit is mine on any of the others though!

Tudur Morris sets off on a mazy run. Photo by substitute Idris Parry

Danny Porter was so happy with Tudur's run that he felt the need to propose! Idris took this one too.

Clawdd's amputee full back take a well deserved lean on Cae Nant's legendary invisible bar.  He wasn't an amputee really, I'm not that much of a dick.

Tom Evans bravely steps in the way a Clawdd player seeming breaking the sound barrier.

Textbook miscue there ladies and gents. Think he took his eye of the ball.

Thanks for reading

Paul

Llangynhafal vs. Llandyrnog

Apologies for the delay in this one but some technical difficulties (blog wouldn't post) and a busy schedule (quiz,wedding, and work) prevented this one from going up on time. Here it is minus pictures as being the well organised individual I am I forgot to take Wen's camera.

On a cold yet thankfully dry night in Rhewl, Llandyrnog stuck away 7 goals in a fairly routine victory over a depleted Hafal side.

With mere minutes on the clock the tone for the evening was set as Phil Hinchcliffe headed just wide of the upright after latching on to his son Patrick's precise delivery. Patty Hinchliffe's crossing ability caused havoc in the Hafal box once again as his whipped ball in hit the post before a grateful Hafal keeper dived on the ball to deny Danny Roberts from tapping in the rebound. Dan Porter then attempted to get in on the act with a quality effort from all of 30 yards, unfortunately for Llandyrnog's top scorer the ball sailed just wide of the mark.

The deadlock was finally broken when Brandon Keating gave the ball a thump a young Stan Collymore against Newcastle or an old Stan Collymore against Ulrika Jonsson would have been proud of, which flew in through the Hafal goalie's legs from 7 yards out. Interestingly enough Brandon was carrying a knock from an earlier challenge and was being given 'the last few seconds of what appeared to be a failed five minutes to run it off. With his alloted 'see how it goes' time being extended a little more by the scoring of the goal, a hobbling Brandon Keating doubled his tally and Llandyrnog's with an almost identical finish as the ball dropped to him from a corner within five minutes of his first.

Llandyrnog continued to pour forward with Danny Roberts in particular giving the Hafal fullback a roasting that would make Kieron Dyer on an end of season holiday to Ayia Napa blush a tad, andwith John Jones overlapping well and spraying the ball nicely (that has everything to do with John playing well and nothing to do with the fact he asked me to make sure I mentioned him in the blog) the Blues were getting real joy down the left hand side.

Brandon Keating secured his hat-trick shortly before the half ended  as he latched on to a beautiful, defence-splitting ball from Dan Porter before dinking the ball over the onrushing keep. That was the last piece of exciting on-field action in the half with the only other excitement coming from two explosions, it was either some kind of gas canister, being thrown on a bonfire that had been made behind the Sugar Plum Tea Room  or a Denbigh Town Council meeting was in full swing, I'm not sure.

It wasn't long after the second half kicked off that Brandon Keating grabbed his fourth of the night, finding himself in the right place at the right time to tap in Patrick Hinchcliffe's cut back. There was a little controversy around this goal as Hafal were screaming for offside and for a moment the referee appeared to agree with them before deciding to go with his initial decision and award the goal.

Hafal then enjoyed a good spell of pressure, Liam Lloyd-Jones going close with a well taken free-kick from distance, before Daniel Jones was called into action in the Llandyrnog net as he handled well following another decent free kick from the Hafal striker. The two chances were as good as it got for Hafal and Llandyrnog quickly got back on top. Phil Hinchcliffe putting the ball inches wide after the ball ricocheted to him following a foul on Dan Porter. Substitute Josh Davies was next to go close, having replaced Brandon Keating early in the second half, as he was blocked from close range after being teed up by the impressive Pat Hinchcliffe.

Josh was at it again moments later as he ran off the shoulder of the last defender to pick up a great poke through by Luke Humphreys, only to see cross goal effort creep round the wrong side of the post. He wasn't to be denied though and following a great ball in from Dan Roberts he headed past a flailing keeper to record Llandyrnog's fifth on the night.

If the fourth was a tad controversial then the sixth was akin to Jimmy Saville opening a nursery called 'Jim'll Fix Them' (a tad excessive on the set up there but you get the idea that it was very controversial indeed). Chris Evans looped the ball into an empty net after the Hafal keeper picked the ball up to deny it falling to the young midfielder only to have what looked to be Luke Humphreys punch it out of his grasp and into Chris's path. Hafal could justifiably be outraged with that call from the referee.

Luke Humphreys went close next with a superb long range effort cannoning off the inside of the post before the ball was turned over by Chris Evans on the rebound. There was time enough left for Danny Roberts to cap off a fine display with a deserved goal as his half volley from the edge of the 18 yard box whizzed into the back of the net, the keeper being unable to react quick enough to prevent the Llandyrnog man from extending the lead.

The blog Man of the Match goes to John Jones, probably playing the best football I have personally ever seen him play at the moment. A rock at the back and adding real danger to the attacks with his whipped deliveries. Danny Roberts worth a mention again for the reasons stated throughout this blog, ruined his marker time and time again. Brandon Keating was close too as his knack of arriving right on cue was rewarded with four goals despite the injury but this isn't FIFA 2012 and we don't have to give it to whoever scores the most. I could have named any of the back four as they were as solid as they've ever been and kept the majority of any attacks at bay and stopped Daniel Jones having to commit any meaningful saves.

For those that care, the team was:-
Daniel Jones
John Jones, Russ Moorcroft, Emyr Jones, Tudur Morris
Patrick Hinchcliffe, Chris Williams, Dan Porter, Danny Roberts
Brandon Keating, Phil Hinchcliffe

Subs:- Tom Evans, Josh Davies, Mally Hughes, Chris Evans, Craig Jones, Luke Humphreys

Thanks for reading

Paul

Llandyrnog vs. Ysceifiog

Another Summer League night and another chuffing awful bit of weather! Once again there are no pictures or notes to aid me as my camera and notepad are not waterproof and I was determined to keep my hands warm.

On to the football and the Cae Nant side extended their unbeaten home run for the season with a 5-1 victory over a tough Ysceifiog side. In conditions that Kevin Costner could comfortably drink piss in, Llandyrnog started extremely brightly with Dan Porter, Dan Roberts, and Brandon Keating all being kept at bay by the visiting keeper. The Blues were playing some lovely flowing football with the majority of the troubles for Ysceifiog coming down their left hand side and Llandyrnog looking like they may be on for a bucket-load of goals on the night. As the first half progressed and the visitor's goal remained untouched, it was actually Ysceifiog that went closest when a scramble in the home box ended with an Yseifiog player hooking a shot on to the bar from five yards. Ysceifiog went close again soon after, profiting from some lax play in the Dyrnog midfield and barreling  through on goal, rounding Daniel Jones and knocking the ball onto the outside of the post.

The deadlock was finally broken midway through the half when Llandyrnog top scorer Dan Porter's long range looper sailed in over the keeper, the goal was not instantly celebrated as it appeared everyone present (except for Porter) seemed to think that the ball had gone over the bar and celebrations only came when the Ysceifiog stopper picked the ball out of the net! A bizarre goal but a good one all the same. Dan Porter added a second within five minutes as another long range effort sailed in to the net only this time there was no hesitation to celebrate, another great goal from Porter.

The third of the night was scored by Brandon Keating with a long distance pile-driver that the Ysceifiog Number 1 got his hands to but the power was just too great for him and he could only slow the ball from bulging the net rather than stopping it all together. It was a hit that Thomas Hitzlsperger would have been proud of. That was all the relevant action from the first half or rather all relevant action I can recall.

The second half was barely in full swing when Danny Roberts beat the offside trap before dinking the ball round the onrushing keeper and into the empty net. Ysceifiog appealed for the offside but it was actually Brandon Keating that was offside and he did not become active so the right call was made by the ref. There was an Ysceifiog goal half way through the half but to be honest I was too busy drinking tea and hiding under the shelter of the pavilion to see all the way up the hill (I mean that literally to those that haven't seen the Cae Nant pitch). It may have been a good goal, it may have been stuffy, I have no idea. You can make up that goal yourself and if you add an obscure reference to a Kevin Costner movie or an inappropriate comment to the goal it will still fit the tone of what I've written. Knock yourselves out.

Llandyrnog's fifth and final goal came by way of substitute Josh Davies, who's low shot from the edge of the 18 yard box was hit too early for the keeper to set himself and snuck in to the bottom corner. There were a couple more decent chances for Llandyrnog but some good last ditch defending, two seemingly legitimate penalty claims being turned down (to credit the ref, he did play advantage on one penalty incident.). There was also a host of saves from the Ysceifiog stopper with one in particular standing out as he palmed away Danny Roberts' goal-bound header when it looked for certain that it was in.

That is actually all I recall, I have given my Man of the Match award to Brandon Keating, mainly for his first half performance in which he was involved in all of the dangerous moves seemed to involve the young forward, his constant running in behind the Yellows defence providing real food for thought for said defence. Pat Hinchcliffe again warrants a mention but he get's one of those every match so he can play second fiddle to Brand for tonight.

I can't recall the team Llandyrnog fielded because I am sleepy and have no notes (not sure if I mentioned that?). To make up for that I have a quote from Llandyrnog manager Jimmy McNally:-

"I thought we played really well as a unit, played some great football despite the conditions and it was against a tough opponent. Big 3pts"

Jimmy obviously happy with that.

All that remains to be said is thanks for reading this and fingers crossed that we have a little sunshine for the next few games so that normal service can resume.

Thanks Again

Paul

I have had to edit this a little as I fell asleep whilst writing it and bizarrely signed my name as Oauk!
Clearly my brain had switched off by that point.

Llandyrnog vs. Caerwys

Llandyrnog got back to winning ways with a routine 6 - 0 victory over Caerwys on a cold and windy Summer LeagueThursday night at Cae Nant. Llandyrnog, aiming to bounce back from Monday's loss, started the game very quickly and almost had the ball in the back of the net within a minute of the kick off when Patrick Hinchcliffe went close with a header following some good work from Luke Humphreys down the left hand side. Luke himself was next to go close and will be disappointed not to have scored when he latched on to a Chris Williams flick on before slamming the ball into the Caerwys keeper's crotch after possibly delaying the shot a tad too long.

Chris Williams was next to go close when he beat the offside trap and shot across goal only to see the ball bounce back off the upright. The deadlock was broken soon enough though with Pat Hinchcliffe getting the first of the night from the spot. Tom Evans' whipped corner hitting the crossbar before being struck towards goal (I didn't see who by) only to be pawed away superbly by a leaping Caerwys defender. A moment of controversy though as the referee not only elected to not send the player off for a deliberate hand ball but failed to even take his name in the book. It was a move which prompted former Summer League player Russ 'Giggsy' Jones to ask the official why it wasn't a red card at half time only to receive the following reply:-

"What??? Do you want me to referee by the rules?"

Summer League, bloody hell! You couldn't make that up and that's coming from someone that makes most of these reports up!!!

The first half didn't really come to life after that with the ball spending the majority of the time in the air and most moves breaking down in that crucial final third. There was room in the first half though for a second goal for both Patrick Hinchcliffe and Llandyrnog as he brought down a Chris Williams flick well before wrong footing the defender by cutting back and drilling the ball low across the keeper. That was it for the half and after a quick nip home to put on my gloves and hat (again, it's SUMMER League) the second half underway.

Llandyrnog, in much the same way as the first half, came out of the blocks quickly as Luke Humphreys saw his smart effort turned onto the crossbar by the Caerwys stopper. That was quickly followed by a rasping Pat Hinchliffe half-volley that just sailed wide of the post.

The third goal came as Luke Humphreys finally scoring the goal that had thus far eluded him better than Wesley Snipes sitting on the roof of a train. The youngster slotting home from close range after some very unselfish play from Chris Williams. Luke almost had a quick double on his hands after a lovely flowing move down the left hand side that began with Emyr Jones showed some Iniesta like feet and culminated in Luke trying his luck from 18 yards only to see his effort thwarted by the keeper.

Chris Williams added the 4th goal for The Blues but the plaudits should go to Patrick Hinchcliffe who beat four men on a mazy run into the Caerwys box before rolling the ball into the path of Chris who calmly tucked the ball into the net from a matter of yards.

There was a lengthy stoppage midway through the second half as in an attempt to stop Patrick completing his hat-trick the Caerwys centre back and keeper smashed into each other so hard that you'd be forgiven for thinking they were attempting to impress Richard Keys. Both of the Caerwys players actually requiring lengthy treatment before having to leave the field of play, Caerwys had actually made their only two substitutions so were left with nine men but after a brief discussion with both captains it was decided that rather than put a team at a disadvantage or abandon the game, the Caerwys subs were permitted to come back onto the field of play. Unorthodox decision but a good one in the interest of fair play. A quick moment to wish a speedy recovery to the two Caerwys lads too although I doubt they are reading this so I really needn't bother.

With the game back into swing Patrick would claim the hat-trick (I am not a tabloid writer so will resist the urge to use any puns) that had thus far eluded him and doubled his tally for the season after substitute Brandon Keating great defense splitting pass put Man of the Match Hinchcliffe in acres of space behind the Caerwys back-line enabling to pick his spot in the far corner of the Caerwys net.

There was one final goal on the night and Brandon Keating again turned provider when he received a great ball down the line from Mally Hughes before putting the ball on a plate for Tudur Morris to add his name to the scorer's sheet.

For those that like to know the team:-
Daniel Jones
John Jones, Russ Moorcroft, Emyr Jones, Mally Hughes
Patrick Hinchcliffe, Phil Hinchcliffe, Tom Evans, Tudur Morris
Luke Humphreys, Chris Williams

Subs: Brandon Keating, Chris Evans

I actually too some pictures tonight too although they are as bad as usual. Also included are two efforts from Idris Parry who has mocked me since day one for the blurriness of my pictures and attempted to best me, I don't want to give it away but he failed miserably.

Wellies drops and gives us twenty for giving the ball away.

Pat Hinchcliffe gets in to a foot race with the ball

Idris Parry shows exactly why he will not be mocking my photos again

You hear me Parry? Not a word in future! An empty goal?!?

The camera back in the hands of an expert! Just at the contrast between the light.

Thanks for reading

Paul