Llandyrnog vs. Llanfair

Llandyrnog use the slope to great effect to pressure Llanfair

Llandyrnog made it five wins from five with a comfortable 4-0 victory over a physical Llanfair side in tonight's game at Cae Nant. Llandyrnog lining up with an interesting father and son combination of Phil and Patrick Hinchcliffe in the centre of the park in the absence of the suspended Dyrny regular Tom Evans and looking to start the week well ahead of a big game against Cefn in the Thursday fixture.

The game was delayed a short while as substitutes Jamie Dowell and Chris Evans struggled to mend one of the nets that had freed itself from the bar, once the Llandyrnog subs tribute to the Chuckle Brothers concluded and the referee was happy to get the game underway, it didn't take too long for the Cae Nant side to break the deadlock, Dan Porter ghosted through the Llanfair midfield before being felled by a tackle so late it warranted a pregnancy test. Brandon Keating stepped up and grabbed his first goal of the season when his long range free kick was fumbled into the net by the hapless Llanfair keeper who really should have done better.

Llandyrnog were almost in again shortly after when Phil Hinchcliffe's speculative long range effort cannoned off a Llanfair defender and into his son Patrick's path only for the referee to, quite rightly, blow for offside.
Craig Jones then narrowly headed wide as he lost his marker following a dangerous corner from Brandon Keating.

Midway through the first Llandyrnog really started to control the game with Danny Roberts, Phil Hinchcliffe, and Emyr Jones all dominating in the air and the quick passing and movement of the likes of Porter, Keating, and the younger Hinchcliffe causing real problems for a slow Llanfair side.

The possession started to turn into chances and soon enough Danny Roberts looped a header onto the crossbar after a great ball in from Craig Jones. The woodwork played it's part again moments later when Brandon Keating saw his twenty yard effort bounce back off the inside of the post with the keeper well and truly beaten.

There was a couple of little scares just before the half time whistle when Daniel Jones in the Llandyrnog goal had to throw himself at the feet of a Llanfair attacker as he broke through the heart of the defence. Llanfair went close again a minute later and really should have been level when their number 10 ran in behind the blues defence only to sky his shot from only ten yards out.

The second half was barely under way when Llandyrnog's top scorer Dan Porter timed his run to perfection to beat the Llanfair offside trap before knocking the ball around the keeper as the Llanfair boys appealed in vain. The game lost it's way a little for the next 15 minutes with neither side really creating a great deal as the midfielders cancelled each other out.

The third goal sparked the game back to life as Brandon Keating got his second of the night calmly side-footing the ball home following a great ball from Dan Porter which played in Craig Jones as the high Llanfair back-line again stood around, arms aloft, pleading with the referee as Craig crossed the ball straight into the unmarked Keating's path.

The fourth and final goal was quick to follow, in fact I missed some of it because I was writing the notes for the third, Danny Porter adding his seventh of the season as two goal Brandon Keating unselfishly rolled Porter the ball to prod home from six yards when he arguably could have got himself a hat-trick.

Llandyrnog threatened to add more but the Llanfair keeper, who had not covered himself in glory on the night, salvaged his reputation somewhat with a good save low to his left as Dan Roberts drilled one across goal and then saved well from a 18 yard half-volley from Dan Porter before popping back up to deny Dan Roberts who had followed the ball and attempted to smash home the rebound. That was the game and with Llandyrnog keeping their 100% record ahead of what is a huge game on Thursday as they play host to Cefn.

I give the blog's Man of the Match award to Dan Roberts, mainly for his first half performance in which he dominated in the air and linked very well with Brandon Keating (himself a very close contender for Man of the Match) to cause Llanfair real concern.

The team was:-
Daniel Jones
Tudur Morris, Russ Moorcroft, Emyr Jones, Mally Hughes
Craig Jones, Phil Hinchcliffe, Patrick Hinchcliffe, Danny Roberts
Dan Porter, Brandon Keating

Subs: Chris Evans, Luke Humphreys, Jamie Dowell

For anyone interested in photos with stupid captions or photos in general please look below.

Dan Porter shows the ball his legendary robot dance

Dan Roberts turns away in disgust at the Llanfair player's terrible attempt at a Bushwhackers impression.

Porter admires a pass that even the Llanfair full back feels the need to celebrate.

Brand gives the goal he just scored a resounding thumbs down.

Cheers for reading

Paul

Clawddnewydd vs. Llandyrnog

Dan Porter in this blog's standard 'Porter misses' photo

Another away game for Llandyrnog and another victory to make it 4 wins from 4. A comfortable 5-0 victory  against a Clawdd team that played with 10 men for the first 30 minutes whilst waiting for one last player to turn up. This fixture is usually a tough game, with a big Clawdd side being tough to break down on a very tight pitch...

The Summer League's answer to Sporting Braga's stadium

Which is only surpassed by the far tighter Clawdd changing rooms...

A one in one out changing system in effect

Tonight however, this was not the case. Llandyrnog didn't really come out of second gear and arguably should have finished the game with a far greater winning margin than the five goals they had. Llandyrnog actually opened the scoring within the first few minutes when Brandon Keating played the ball through to Dan Porter, who knocked the ball round his marker (who was far too tight) and then slotted under the advancing goalkeeper.

It wasn't long until the ball was back in the Clawdd net as Danny Roberts finished nicely before being bizarrely ruled offside despite clearly being five yards onside. The referee perhaps realising his mistake in disallowing Roberts' goal did even things out within a few minutes when he blew for offside against a Clawddnewydd attacker, barreling down on goal, who was himself 3 or 4 yards onside.

Soon enough Craig Jones was adding his second of the season and Dyrny's second of the night when he latched onto Patrick Hinchcliffe's delightful long ball and rifled the ball past the goalkeeper. Craig was almost wheeling off in celebration again minutes later when he found the side netting after a great move that started with Mally Hughes before some excellent one touch passing between Tom Evans, Brandon Keating, and Danny Roberts tore the Clawdd back-line apart.

Llandyrnog really caused some problems at this point and once again Craig Jones broke free of a high Clawdd defensive line before attempting to curl the ball around the Clawdd gloves-man who got a good hand to the ball and pushed it round the post to earn his team, in one of the more unique decisions, a goal kick!

The third goal was added shortly thereafter as Danny Porter broke into the box before being felled by a Clawdd defender as he looked to pick out Dan Roberts or Brandon Keating as they charged down on goal. Dan Porter picked himself up to squeeze the resulting penalty under the goal-keeper who guessed right but could not get down to his left quickly enough.

Aside from Dan Roberts hitting the post following a good lay off from Dan Porter and the referee implementing his 'goalkeeper saves well, ball goes out, goal kick given' rule there really wasn't much more to enjoy in the half.

With the second half underway Llandyrnog looked to add to their tally and increase their goal difference and Danny Roberts was the man to ensure they did. Roberts side-footing past the keeper following a dangerous cross from Patrick Hinchcliffe (providing his second assist of the evening) that just evaded the Clawdd defence. 

That was the highlight of the majority of the half to be honest without much happening as Llandyrnog tried to walk the ball into the net whilst the Clawdd attack was thwarted at every opportunity by the Llandyrnog defenders. There was a late goal and first of the season for team captain Tudur Morris as poked the ball into the net via the post following a great cross from Craig Jones that was nodded back on to the penalty spot by Dan Roberts for Morris to run onto.

Aside from a late booking for Tom Evans (booked for dissent again), that was the game. Llandyrnog were too comfortable and relaxed in their play and at times over-played the ball in good positions. The most important thing though was the win, it's another 3 points for Dyrny who still have a lot more to bring to this season.

I should say that my meaningless man of the match award goes to Dan Porter again as he was involved of most of the positive moves for Llandyrnog. It could have gone to young Pat Hinchcliffe again but to be honest had it not been for Craig Jones' terrible attempt at a bicycle kick in the second half  he would have won it this time. I do believe that the referee did give Craig his man of the match award and actually proclaimed Craig to be the man of all matches, whatever that meant?!?

The squad was as follows:-

Daniel Jones

Tudur Morris, Russ Moorcroft, Phil Hinchcliffe, Mally Hughes

Dan Roberts, Tom Evans, Patrick Hinchcliffe

Craig Jones, Daniel Porter, Brandon Keating

Subs - Jamie Dowell and John Jones

For those who want more pictures, have these:-

Tom Evans kindly asks the Clawdd player to stop running across what could have been a good all action shot!

Jimmy Mac gives orders as Brandon mistakes the huddle for the Hokey Cokey.

No action here, must have just liked John's running style.

I think Tom fancies his chances in this race.

Thanks for reading

Paul

Llandyrnog vs. Llangynhafal

Jimmy Mac looks on at his charges

Tonight was the first match of the season to be played on the hallowed slope of Cae Nant. Llandyrnog continued their 100% record for the season with a comfortable 2-0 victory over a big, physical Llangynhafal side.

The game started fairly quietly with the both teams struggling to maintain a rhythm, the first real incident of note occurred just past the 10 minute mark when Llandyrnog's Danny Porter managed to find his way in to the book via a little dissent. Porter, in fairness rightly, felt aggrieved when he appeared to be fouled on the edge of the Hafal box. After cutting inside his man his standing leg was taken caught but with the ball within reach he stayed on his feet long enough to be bundled over by another defender. When play was waved on, Porter managed to charm the referee into taking his details for what is his second booking of the season.

The game came alive from that point on and soon after Llandyrnog seemed to have a legitimate penalty shout turned down. Brandon Keating beat the offside trap well and broke into Hafal's box before cutting it back to Craig Jones who poked the ball goal-wards only to see the ball kept out by an opposition arm before the goalkeeper was able to smother the ball.

At the back Llandyrnog where again restricting the opposition to very few chances, with the centre back pairing of Phil Hinchliffe and Russ Moorcroft dominating in the aerial battles and distributing the ball well to the midfield.

On 25 minutes Llandyrnog took the lead through Craig Jones, who after a period of sustained Llandyrnog pressure, managed to slam a half volley in off the post from ten yards out. The pressure grew from there and moments later Danny Roberts struck the bar with a cross into the box that the Hafal goalkeeper appeared to lose the flight of.

In the last few minutes of the first half, the referee's cards were out once again as Tudur Morris and Liam Lloyd were both booked for an off the ball scuffle (very tame by Summer League standards) following a Morris foul. The last action of the half took  place when Danny Jones saved smartly from a Garmon Hafal header that looked destined to hit the back of the net.

The second half got underway and soon enough Llandyrnog went close again when Tom Evans struck the bar with an in-swinging corner that caught the keeper out before Llangynhafal cleared their lines. The pressure built and built for Llandyrnog and Brandon Keating was the next to go close when his effort was headed off the line by the Llangynhafal number 3. My man of the match Patrick Hinchcliffe (only 15 or 16 years old and playing like a Summer League veteran) was denied shortly after when the Llangynhafal keeper dove well to his right to paw out Patrick's powerful header.

The pressure finally told as Danny Porter scored his third of the season and Llandyrnog's second of the night. Danny Roberts won the ball back out wide from Jack Crompton (that's the name give to me anyway) before feeding Porter who finished calmly from 8 yards after turning his marker in the box.

An out of focus Porter slots past the advancing Hafal keeper.

The chances kept coming for Llandyrnog as substitute Luke Humphreys blazed over after finding space for himself by beating the offside trap, Brandon Keating had the ball picked off his foot by the keeper, and Tudur Morris' free-kick (awarded for a back pass) ricocheted dangerously in the box and possibly even clipped the post. There was almost a first goal for young Chris Evans who drew a nice stop from the keeper after reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box.

There were a few more chances for Llandyrnog but unfortunately no more goals in what turned out to be a fairly routine victory.

The squad was as follows:-
Daniel Jones, Tudur Morris, Russ Moorcroft, Phil Hinchcliffe, Mally Hughes, Craig Jones, Patrick Hinchcliffe, Tom Evans, Danny Roberts, Brandon Keating, Dan Porter
Subs - Luke Humphreys, Chris Evans, Jamie Dowell

To anyone who is interested in my blurry photography, here are some more pics:-

Brandon drives his invisible car into Hafal keeper

Russ Moorcroft gets rid

Thanks for reading

Paul

Ysceifiog vs. Llandyrnog

Llandyrnog picked up their second victory in as many games tonight with a 2-1 victory up at the always tricky Ysceifiog. Conditions were tough for the lads as the wind swirled around on a pitch very much open to the elements but a third of the campaign from Danny Roberts and a second of the season for Dan Porter were enough to see Llandyrnog through.

The action started off brightly enough for Llandyrnog as they enjoyed the lion's share of possession without really putting a sound Ysceifiog back line under real pressure. With Tom Evans winning the ball in the centre of the park time and again for his side and distributing well to Man of The Match (for my money anyway) Dan Porter, who then linked up well with Danny Roberts and the lively Brandon Keating certainly looked like it may cause Ysceifiog all sorts of problems in the opening twenty minutes. Unfortunately for Llandyrnog though Ysceifiog managed to restrict them to long rage efforts or snap shots as strikers Josh Davies and Keating worked hard to create a yard of space in behind an energetic backline.

The breakthrough came courtesy of a Danny Roberts header with an assist from captain Tudur Morris midway through the first half. Morris delivered in a wicked ball from the wide right position ideal to attack. Roberts followed the flight of the ball nicely and when the Ysceifiog keeper hesitated in coming to claim, he ensured he was on hand to nod it over the line.

It wasn't long after that Dan Porter, who's influence on the game had been growing considerably, added the second. After receiving the ball from the evergreen Mally Hughes, Porter ghosted past two players before slotting the ball in to the far right corner from 20 yards.

The lads celebrate what I think was Porter's goal but he's being ignored so maybe not.

For the remainder of the first half the game turned a little scrappy, the wind started to have an influence as the ball kept drifting out of play and the rhythm of the game was disrupted with what I could only describe as some unusual decisions from the referee (although I am massively biased). Three Llandyrnog players, all of whom are in the picture above, were put on final warnings for various disagreements with the official.

At half time Luke Humphreys replaced Josh Davies who was carrying a knock, but the change didn't really change the pattern of play. The second half was very stop start and mainly played just inside the Ysceifiog half as the Llandyrnog backline of Tudur Morris, Russ Moorcroft, Adam Lloyd, and Mally Hughes protected goalkeeper Danny Jones from any meaningful action. With 25 minutes to go John Jones replaced Mally Hughes. With John's arrival Llandyrnog seemed to create a bit more down the right hand side, with himself, Craig Jones, and Luke Humphreys all combining well as they looked to put a little more on the scoreboard. It was Ysceifiog though who scored next as DJ emphatically buried a penalty into the Llandyrnog net after John Jones had fouled in the box.

That was really all the action the game had to offer, Tom Evans picked up the booking the referee had threatened all night before Dan Porter made his own bizarre entry into the referee's book as he was penalised for a comment he made to an Ysceifiog player that misinterpreted to be aimed at the referee.

Whilst some good football was played at times, this was not Llandyrnog at their best but a spirited Ysceifiog on a difficult pitch is always a tough test so the three points is more than welcome.

For all the Summer League statisticians out there I can confirm that the power-lines that hang over the pitch in Ysceifiog only had two touches in the game, quite a quiet night for them really.

Also have another photo or two because I took loads (most are blurred because of how cold it is up there though) so I might as well use them.

Brandon Keating levitates his way through the defence

That is not the moon in the distance, that's a shot on goal

Thanks for reading

Paul

Caerwys vs. Llandyrnog

The season got under way nicely for Llandyrnog with a  4-1 win up at Caerwys. Two goals from Danny Roberts and a goal apiece from Josh Davies and Dan Porter were enough to see Llandyrnog through.

Unfortunately I was not able to attend this game so hopefully a match report will follow shortly from one of the lads in attendance. As Llandyrnog have a strong enough squad that we don't need to resort to fielding me, I will be attending all games from now on and taking pictures to go with full match reports. We'll get in depth on this!

A Brief Explanation Of Summer League

The Llandyrnog and District Summer League is a football league that dates back all the way to 1926/1927. It's based in the Vale of Clwyd in North Wales and one of the main things that sets it apart is that in order to play in the Summer League, players must live within a preset boundary each club is allocated. The boundaries tend to be the local parishes but some have been extended to help keep teams going and to include players from some of the villages that are no longer able to field a team. It's also worth noting that no players (legally fielded) come from any of the nearby towns.

The 2013 league is made up of the following teams:-

Caerwys
Cefn
Clawddnewydd
Henllan
Llandyrnog
Llanfair
Llangynhafal
Llanrhaedr
Nantglyn
Rhewl
Trefnant (Returning after a brief hiatus, welcome back Trefnant)
Ysceifiog

All matches in the league take place on Mondays and Thursdays (except for the occasional rearranged fixture or bank holiday).

I will be keeping you all up to date with Llandyrnog's progress and hopefully rounding up the scores from the other games as soon as I have them. If you get the chance to come out to a match then please do as not only does this league give players the chance to play in the off season (or the chance to play organised football at all for some), it also helps the communities by getting people into the pubs on match nights which is vital in these small communities.

Thanks for reading

Paul

Welcome

Just a quick post to welcome you to the site. I'm going to be posting match reports and stories about Llandyrnog as they try to win back the Llandyrnog and District Summer League title.

Hopefully we can generate a little more interest in the league and maybe even encourage a few of you to go out and check out one of these games!

Thanks for reading

Paul